1 Nephi Chapters 1-5

The last time I really sat down and actually read the Book of Mormon with the intent of reading it cover to cover was when Gordon B. Hinckley put out the challenge for members to read it before the end of the year.  When I think about that it makes me a little bit sad that I haven't been better about reading.  I want to get the most out of reading the Book of Mormon as I can seeing as I am planning on leaving for my mission in May.  I want to know the book through and through with no doubts or things unclear to me.  I began my first night of reading with a prayer that I might have the desire to know that things I would be reading are true and also that I might have the desire to make a habit out of reading and understanding what I am reading.  I think this helped set the tone for my reading.  I read in my dorm room which I may not do again.  I love my roommate and he is a great guy but his cell phone went off a few times which I think took away some from my reading.  I think I will move to a more secluded area tomorrow when I read to avoid these interruptions.

One scripture that really stood out to me in these first 5 chapters was in Chapter 2 Verse 12.  It says that Laman and Lemuel murmured against their father because they did not know God's plan.  I went through a time during high school where I found myself not having the best attitude at church and questioning the truthfulness of what I was doing every Sunday, wondering whether I was just wasting my time.  This was because I did not have a clear understanding of the plan of our Heavenly Father. 

I think my favorite scripture in the entire Book of Mormon is 1 Nephi Chapter 3 Verse 7.  I love Nephi's attitude towards his father and I wish I could have done better with that.  And I also love the quote, "I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the things which he commandeth them."

Also, I always wondered how it is possible that Laman and Lemuel continued to act as they did even with seeing an angel before them.  I can't even imagine what it would be like.  It would be nearly impossible to not believe having seen an angel face to face.

I am looking forward to this semester and getting to know the Book of Mormon by really sitting down to read and understand instead of worry about how many more pages and verses are left in the section.