1 Nephi 2

There are a few things that my mom and dad, any parent really, tries to teach their children: being kind to others, sharing, being quickly obedient, etc. But when you think about God and realize the unimaginable love He has for us as our Heavenly Father, you come to understand that He really wishes just as much and more than any parent for us to learn to do the right thing.

He sets up rules, or commandments, to help guide us. He knows what will give us happiness and tries to guide us in that direction. It's much like having a mother who tells you not to put your hand on the stove. As a child you may wonder why. Putting your hand on the stove when your mother tells you not to could hurt, especially if it is on. However, sometimes you look at the stove and it doesn't say it's on nor is it red, so you think it's safe. But you could end of quickly discovering the hard way that the stove takes awhile to cool.

In 1 Nephi 2, it teaches that one of the qualities one should have is that of being obedient. Especially to the commandments. You want to be someone like Lehi (1 Nephi 2:3). Nephi was also told to keep the commandments, because then he would prosper (1 Nephi 2:20).

President Joseph F. Smith said on the subject:

“The man who stays with the kingdom of God, the man who is true to this people, the man who keeps himself pure and unspotted from the world, is the man that God will accept, that God will uphold, that he will sustain, and that will prosper in the land, whether he be in the enjoyment of his liberty or be confined in prison cells, it makes no difference where he is, he will come out all right” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 257).

So, of course, I am actually really grateful for the commandments and what it has to offer us. Even if I don't always understand all the why's and how's of things, I really enjoy them. It may sound mighty odd to a great many people, but I really am thankful for rules that give me freedom. Like, going back to the stove, I'm grateful for the rules set down by my mother so I wouldn't have to experience the pain or the permeant scarring of burning my hand on the stove.

Lehi and Nephi also gave us examples of giving thanks and asking for knowledge in prayer (1 Nephi 2:7, 16, 19). Prayer is an important part in our lives. It helps us strengthen a relationship with our Father in Heaven. In the Bible Dictionary, under "Prayer", it says:

As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.

There is a great talk given by J. Devn Cornish entitled "The Privilege of Prayer" which was given in the last General Conference. I really loved it. It reminded me about the importance prayer has in my life.  Prayer is something that I can use at any time and in any place. It builds my personal relationship with my Heavenly Father. He knows me perfectly, but I'm trying my best to know him better too.  He can help through any struggle, great or small. I can pray about something totally insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but I know that he hears and listens to me. How wondrous that is.

Elder M. Russell Ballard has also given counsel on prayer:

“I often hear people say ‘I told the Lord’ this or ‘I told the Lord’ that. Be careful not to ‘tell’ Him but, rather, to humbly seek and ask your Heavenly Father for guidance and direction. Prayer should be yearning and filled with gratitude” (“Be Strong in the Lord, and in the Power of His Might” [CES fireside for young adults, Mar. 3, 2002], 3, www.ldsces.org).

I'm so grateful for the guidance and comfort given me. The Book of Mormon certainly helps me build my own character, my determination to do my absolute best, as well as my love of life.