1 Ne 3:7 I
will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded¡¦
¡°I
am thankful beyond expression that I did read the book [of Mormon] in my
boyhood days and that the assurance came into my heart that it was in very deed
the truth, and that I fell in love with the character of Nephi. More than any
other mortal man that we have any record of in the Bible, the Old, or the New
Testaments, or in the Book of Mormon, more, I believe, than the influence of my
friends and associates with whom I have lived, Nephi has made an impression
upon my heart and my soul and has been one of the guiding stars of my life--a
man who endeavored upon all occasions never to become discouraged or disheartened,
never to complain; but who endeavored to the full extent of his ability to
carry out his own wonderful words spoken to his father--
¡®I will go and do the
things which the Lord hath commanded, for 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 thing which he commanded them.¡¯
¡°It
is in the way we answer the call that we show the measure of our devotion¡¦.
Never say ¡®No¡¯ to an opportunity to serve in the Church. If you are called to
an assignment by one who has authority, there is but one answer. It is, of
course, expected that you set forth clearly what your circumstances are, but
any assignment that comes under call from your bishop or your stake president
is a call that comes from the Lord. An article of our faith [#5] defines it so,
and I bear witness that it is so. Once called to such positions, do not presume
to set your own date of release. A release is in effect another call. Men do
not call themselves to offices in the Church. Why must we presume that we have
the authority to release ourselves? A release should come by the same authority
from whence came the call. Act in the office to which you are called with all
diligence. Do not be a slothful servant. Be punctual and dependable and
faithful.¡± (BYU devotional, Mar. 23, 1965 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas
Bassett, p.13)
Marion G. Romney
¡°I
believe with all my heart, for example, that if our young people could come out
of our homes thoroughly acquainted with the life of Nephi, imbued with the
spirit of his courage and love of truth, they would choose the right when a
choice is placed before them. How marvelous it would be if, when they must make
a decision, there would flash into their minds, from long and intimate
association with them, the words of Nephi: ¡®I will go and do the things which
the Lord hath commanded¡¦¡± (Conference
Report, Apr. 1960, p.112 as taken from Latter-day
Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p.11)
¡°My
brothers and sisters, true greatness has a habit of surviving the years. I am
certain that every member of the Church has thrilled to the words of a stalwart
young man of Aaronic Priesthood age who lived approximately twenty-six hundred
years ago. When faced with a difficult situation, he said, ¡®I will go and do
the things which the Lord hath commanded, for 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 thing which he commandeth them.¡¯ (1 Nephi 3:7.)
¡°This
young man, destined to become a great prophet, had a most important quality. He
had courage, courage to stand on his own two feet rather than follow the
so-called easier way -- the more popular way -- the beckoning of the crowd, in
this case his own brothers.¡± (Conference
Report, Oct. 1963, p. 102)