I contemplated a lot this week about the faith of Nephi. Elder David A. Bednar gave a talk about inspiration. He said that it often(usually) comes gradually, one step at a time and line upon line, precept upon precept. This is significant because when the Lord asked Nephi to do something, such as risk his life and go back for the brass plates, or build a boat although he had no idea how to do so, he didn't question. He just went to work. He knew Laman wanted to kill him but he started walking back anyway because he knew that God was with him and the way would be revealed one step at a time.
When he was told to build a ship, he started looking for the materials needed and one thing at a time did what was revealed to him until the ship was complete. He didn't know how to build a ship but God did so he didn't worry.
On the ship on the way to the promised land, his brothers tied him up and he waited there for days while the storms nearly destroyed the ship. His wrists and feet were sore from the ropes he was bound with, yet he did not say a word. He waited there for the Lord to show His power because the Lord's promises are sure and He had promised to protect Nephi as long as he was faithful. As soon as he was released from the bonds, he dropped to his knees and thanked the Lord for his blessings.
It takes incredible faith to walk into the darkness and trust the Savior to provide the light. Nephi understood that action was required before inspiration could come. He didn't believe that God would provide. He knew it. He had a perfect knowledge.
In order to gain that kind of knowledge, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zone, act when we are uncertain of the outcome, step into the darkness, so to speak, and trust the Lord to bring the light, and show us the way one step at a time. It can be uncomfortable but growth is often uncomfortable and the blessings are so worth it.
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