2 Nephi 33. Heroes obey. That is the great lesson I learned from Nephi’s example throughout First and Second Nephi. He ends his record with these words: “for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen.” From the very beginning, Nephi showed a willingness to obey the Lord, to go and do the things the Lord commanded him to do (see 1 Nephi 3:7). He knew that the Lord loves all His children and that the Lord loves those who accept Him as their God by making and keeping covenants to obey and serve Him (see 1 Nephi 11:17; 17:40). Nephi always kept his heart open and receptive to the Holy Spirit and the words of Christ (see 2 Nephi 33:1-2, 4, 10). He knew that “they teach all men that they should do good.”

By simply obeying the Lord’s commands, Nephi came to understand that obedience to God’s commandments brings blessings. President Uchtdorf reminded us, “All of His commandments are given to make blessings available to us. Commandments are opportunities to exercise our agency and to receive blessings” (“Grateful in Any Circumstances,” Apr 2014). “Obedience to the commandments brings freedom, personal growth, protection from danger, and many other temporal and spiritual blessings. Ultimately our obedience can lead to eternal life in the presence of Heavenly Father.” Nephi truly recognized the goodness and guidance of God in his life and he wanted his family and all of us who read his record to “partake of the goodness of God.”

In order to partake of that goodness, Nephi encouraged us to “believe in Christ; and… believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ.” As we believe in Christ and seek to follow His words we will “be reconciled unto Christ” because “he hath redeemed [our souls] from hell.” Jesus Christ redeemed us because He loved us (see 1 John 4:9-10). As we allow that great goodness of God to enter our hearts and receive His Atonement with humble gratitude, we will have a greater desire to obey God’s commandments because we love Him (see John 14:15). After partaking of the goodness and love of God we will also have a greater desire to “have charity for [our] people” and a greater desire “to do good,” including praying for others “continually.” Through our loving acts of obedience and service, many people will come to recognize our Savior’s atoning gifts of love and freedom and have a greater desire to partake of the blessings of covenant obedience, too, “that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day.”

* How have you been blessed because you obeyed?