I absolutely adore Nephi. Every person that emerges in the scriptures finds a unique way to touch my soul, but Nephi’s remarkable courage and undeviating obedience seem to have the power to fully stimulate the inner workings of my heart. Studying the chapters of first Nephi are my treasure. I learn so intensely, and continue to find incredible applications pertaining to the circumstances we exist in today. Nephi is inspiring. His pertinent words encourage us to be someone better, despite a failing society. They motivate us to break away from worldly produced, and widely accepted, behaviors, to become a peculiar people. I could compile an entire book with the value I have discovered within his pages. I am so grateful for him, my scripture hero.
One of the most fascinating stories, to me, regarding Nephi’s exemplary features is demonstrated in chapter four. Nephi is disguised as Laban to acquire the brass plates. At this point in the story, Nephi has been able to obtain the plates and begins heading outside of the city walls to where his brothers are anticipating him. Zoram, Laban’s servant, is beside him. He is completely unaware that Nephi is actually the one beneath the clothing of his master. As Nephi and Zoram come into view of the anxiously awaiting brethren, they become terrified, supposing Laban had overtaken their brother and was coming after their lives next. The petrified men begin to flee. Nephi quickly calls out to them, assuring them that he is the one that they have perceived to be Laban. The brothers are consumed by comfort and stop retreating.
At this point, can you envision how Zoram must feel? He is rapidly becoming conscious of the conditions he is apart of. For this man, whom he believed to be Laban, is not his master at all, only another dressed in his clothing. Surely, this means that Laban has been slain, and he is surrounded by what he probably assumed to be vicious enemies. I cannot imagine how frightened he was in those initial moments. Certainly, his heart must have been trembling with terror. I’m sure he feared for his very life, and was overwhelmed with determining his plan of escape. The next part is what is so captivating about this story.
Nephi promptly recognizes the servant’s fright, and acknowledges the imminent probability of him escaping. He grasps onto the quivering Zoram, with all his strength, as well as with the power additionally provided by the Lord. What Nephi does next allows peace to conquer the panic that rages within Zoram.
I spake unto him, even with an oath, that he need not fear; that he should be a free man like unto us if he would go down in the wilderness with us. 1 Nephi 4:33
This spoken promise immediately soothed Zoram, and his fear was withdrawn. Immediately.
And it came to pass that Zoram did take courage at the words which I spake…and he promised that he would go down into the wilderness…1 Nephi 4:35
It is astounding that what releases Zoram’s violent distress is simply words that leave Nephi’s mouth.
It is important to recognize Nephi’s individual apprehension within this situation. Although, he had his brothers, I’m certain he was concerned with how Zoram would react and what choice he would decide upon. He understood that he was not out of danger, for Zoram could create perilous circumstances if he fought back, or retreated to Jerusalem and sent others after them. However, Nephi’s heart was liberated as Zoram, in return, offered him a vow.
Yea, and he also made an oath unto us that he would tarry with us from that time forth…And it came to pass that when Zoram had made an oath unto us, our fears did cease concerning him. 1 Nephi 4:35, 37
Once more, plain words dispelled fear.
It is unbelievable to me that spoken words, given one to another, allowed each of them to create an instantaneous relationship of trust. Zoram willingly followed four men, he had no prior knowledge or understanding of, into the deserted wilderness because he had confidence in Nephi due to a verbal oath he released unto him. He accepted this promise, even after Nephi had previously succeeded in his righteous ploy to lead him, with the plates, outside of the city dressed as his master. This event did not trump Nephi’s words.
Likewise, Nephi requested and accepted Zoram to accompany him and his brothers into stranded territories, although he had been the servant to the very man that sought after their lives. He trusted that Zoram was different from Laban, and that he could be relied upon because oaths were bonds, and Zoram provided him his pledge. Simple words had the force of banishing panic, and supplying faith because Nephi and Zoram resided in a society that had unified credence relating to the honor of one’s vows. Words were depended upon, and when entwined with an oath, especially a sacred oath, were deemed inviolable. Zoram and Nephi exemplify the power of one’s integrity.
It is unfortunate that these events shock us. Indeed, this element of Nephi and Zoram’s culture has not prevailed into our western society. I would not expect a duplicated outcome, if this exact situation was experienced where we are today. No, most of us would need more than another’s word to relieve our anxious hearts, especially if circumstances had made us apprehensive. Many would require more evidence of safety before following, or even remaining in position. Why such contrastive results? Perhaps, as time has evolved the sincerity of our words has become lost, and has promoted the construction of a wary and skeptical people. Demonstration of dishonesty and increased frequency of broken promises has created the inability to allow simple words to provide confidence in another’s guarantee.
Although not consistent among all, a vast majority of our words have adapted into flippant utterances released without much thought. Promises are delivered, but not kept. Some are given with an objective of being satisfied, but fulfillment lingers. Perhaps, when the oath was expressed it was offered in honesty, but along the way desire was lost, ambition was forgotten, and focus was diverted. Good intentions have never been the producers of virtuous characteristics. This may be an actuality of our existence here on earth, but it does not have to be accepted, nor illustrated, in our own lives.
Our existing culture may not protect oaths, encourage dedication, nor defend integrity, but we do not have to become patterned after its transformed behaviors. We must become distinctively unfamiliar to what occurs around us. Truly, being strange to the world and its devotees, can be our triumph. As promise-keeping, actions of honesty, and character building morals dissolve around us, it is essential that we continually encourage these attributes by way of example. We must seek to create a new template, one that esteems fulfillment of our oaths. We should motivate an environment where promises persevere, and exemplify that words can, and should, provide trust. We should persistently promote flourishing integrity, proven through every word, and confirmed by every deed. Our practice and refinement in maintaining our earthly associations in such a manner, will heighten our ability to faithfully satisfy our eternal covenants, the very ones we have made with our Heavenly Father.
A recurrent misunderstanding regarding covenants is that they are finalized within the moments we make them. We may believe because we have followed the actions to create these bonds with our Father that we have completed all that is required. However, the greatest thing about covenants is that they are forever ongoing. We will never reach a finalized destination regarding the fulfillment of a covenant in this mortal dispensation. They necessitate continuous enthusiasm and unceasing exertion, which will persist beyond the veil.
When we enter a sacred agreement with our Heavenly Father, we promise to act. We agree to the engagement of virtuous behaviors, conducts, and activities. We promise to tirelessly contribute all we have, including our time, abilities, and energies in fulfilling our vows. We must understand covenants by this definition, never identifying them as concluded commitments. Covenants are not oaths to be remembered on Sundays, during temple worship, nor during any single specified timeframe, but instead should engulf our lives.
The world seeks to pull us away and disturb our remembrance of these covenants. Naturally, Satan is in the details. He encourages light consideration and handling of our promises. Why do you think he has produced a world where oaths are trivial, and words are discharged frivolously. If we accept it in our everyday interactions and relations, it begins to establish our character, and we attend to our divine oaths in a like manner. He is devious, small introductions to corrupted principles, erupt into transmuted practices. We cannot afford to become deceived. These covenants were made with committed words, pledging our devotion to our Father and His work. He accepted our simple words, honoring them, that we would fulfill and magnify what we have promised to do, and what we have committed to become. We cannot break this oath. We cannot shatter this bond.
We can best fulfill our covenants to our Father by allowing them to crowd our priorities. When they are repeatedly the focus of our attentions, they become our primary concerns. As we do this, our covenants act as a compass, directing and guiding our entire existence. They aid in decision making and realign our preferences. They assist us in building and exhibiting integrity, which is a requirement in sustaining spiritual strength. Indeed, without integrity our spirits cannot thrive, nor can they develop. Our progression rests on integrity because it collaborates in the design of who we are, and what we can become.
When we are careless in managing our covenants, we are led into temptations, which can damage our souls. The Lord has assured us that He will always uphold His promises, as we fulfill our agreements. However, when we do not keep our word, He is no longer bound. We receive consequence for our negligence, and lose His protective hand in our life. We become prey to Satan. How desperately we need his righteous shield and virtuous defense! We should seek to perform our commitments to acquire His safety, but more importantly, should eagerly fulfill them as an opportunity to reveal our love for Him. As we demonstrate loyalty to what we have promised our devotion to Him becomes verifiable.
A great deal of what was spoken by the Savior was combined with a promise. Whether a pledge of reward, or a guarantee of consequence. His words stand as a great beam of light, extending exultation to all who will look unto it. If you are unfamiliar with what He vows, search after them. Immerse yourself within the scriptures and you will discover endless commitments. Accept them, believe in them, hope for them, prepare for them, and most of all, be worthy of them. Allow them to direct and inspire your life. Permit them to make you an unusual inhabitant of this earth. That others may witness your integrity and, like Nephi, may you have the ability to encourage other to engage in life in a divinely dissimilar manner than what exists.
My favorite thing about covenants with the Lord: I am bound to someone who always sustains and fulfills what He promises. I need never fear, doubt, nor worry. His words, no matter how simplistic, match his actions. I can trust in His oaths, and glory in His commitments to me. Every covenant that I enter with Him will be satisfied. Every promise that has, and will, leave His lips will truly come to pass. He is pure, he is true, every time. My Savior, my Father, they always keep their word.
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