Question
Gramps,
What were Nephi’s trials and how did he overcome them?
Marissa
Answer
Dear Marissa,
The section of 2 Nephi 4:16-35, is known as Nephi’s lament. But rather than reproducing the entire section here, let me a few excerpts therefrom that I believe will address your concern.
In verse 17 Nephi laments—
O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
So the question is, what are the iniquities that so concern Nephi? In the 10 verses following verse 17 Nephi related the kindness and the goodness of God to him, and then in the light of all the marvelous blessings that he has received, he asks himself in verse 27—
And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
And here his problem comes to light; he is angry because of his enemies! They are trying to kill him and are warring against his people, and he laments because it makes him angry! The more righteous a person becomes the more trivial are the issues that concern him. In verse 29 he admonishes himself—
Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.
Nephi’s approach to overcoming his trials and difficulties–his sins, if you will–is declared in the last two verses of his lament, verses 34 and 35—
O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.