Nephi Writes the Things of His Soul

Event 23

Reference: 2 Ne. 4:13-35

And it came to pass that not many days after his death,Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael were angrywith me because of the admonitions of the Lord. 14 For I,Nephi, was constrained to speak unto them, according to hisword; for I had spoken many things unto them, and also myfather, before his death; many of which sayings are writtenupon mine other plates; for a more history part are writtenupon mine other plates. 15 And upon these I write the thingsof my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engravenupon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in thescriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth themfor the learning and the profit of my children. 16 Behold, mysoul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heartpondereth continually upon the things which I have seenand heard. 17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the greatgoodness of the Lord, in showing me his great andmarvelous works, my heart exclaimeth:NephiSee JST Gen.50:24-38Land of firstinheritance592 to 571 B.C.O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of myflesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. 18 I amencompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins whichdo so easily beset me. 19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heartgroaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I havetrusted. 20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me throughmine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me uponthe waters of the great deep. 21 He hath filled me with his love,even unto the consuming of my flesh. 22 He hath confounded mineenemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me. 23 Behold,he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge byvisions in the night-time. 24 And by day have I waxed bold inmighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high;and angels came down and ministered unto me. 25 And upon thewings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away uponexceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld greatthings, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that Ishould not write them.26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in hiscondescension unto the children of men hath visited men in somuch mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in thevalley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strengthslacken, because of mine afflictions? 27 And why should I yield tosin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way totemptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy mypeace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy? 28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O myheart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. 29 Do notanger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strengthbecause of mine afflictions. 30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry untothe Lord, and say:NephiSee JST Gen.50:24-38Land of firstinheritance592 to 571 B.C.O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice inthee, my God, and the rock of my salvation. 31 O Lord, wiltthou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands ofmine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at theappearance of sin? 32 May the gates of hell be shut continuallybefore me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit iscontrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thyrighteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the lowvalley, that I may be strict in the plain road! 33 O Lord, wiltthou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! OLord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mineenemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thounot place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldstclear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but theways of mine enemy. 34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and Iwill trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm offlesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in thearm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man ormaketh flesh his arm. 35 Yea, I know that God will giveliberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I asknot amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I willcry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold,my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mineeverlasting God. Amen.