Whenever I read of Nephi's vision where he saw the things that his father saw, I desire the same. I also want to see for myself. What was it that brought about this abundant revelation for Nephi? I Ne. 11:1 outlines Nephi's state of mind and heart. First he desired to know and he believed that the Lord was able to make them known unto him. He sat pondering in his heart. He was in a condition to receive revelation.
But that is not all. Nephi had previously proven himself to the Lord. He was first obedient, both to his father and to the Lord. He had prayed for a confirmation of his father's teachings and directions to leave Jerusalem. The Lord softened his heart and he responded by following his father into the wilderness.
Nephi had also sacrificed! He left behind Babylon in the fullest sense. He departed from his comforts, his home, his friends and acquaintances and the future he had most assuredly planned for. Obediently he returned (at the request of the Lord and his father Lehi) to Jerusalem and obtained the plates. Again and again he petitioned the Lord to give him the faith to do all that was required of him. He continued to sacrifice.
Obedience and sacrifice - therein lies the beginning of the path to further light and knowledge.
Obedience to the Lord. Obedience to the promptings of the spirit. Obedience to those who are in a position of stewardship over us even when they exhibit weakness as Lehi did on occasion.
The law of sacrifice comes into play when we lay our own wills and agendas on the alter. Sacrifice is a principle of redemption. Through our own small sacrifice we ascend in the pattern of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son.
Most often obedience and sacrifice are reflected in our laboring in the vineyard for our Master among his children. Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, Mosiah, King Benjamin, Abinidi, Alma, the brother of Jared, Mormon and Moroni all had the greater things revealed to them in the process of serving diligently in the fold of God through rain or shine, through faithfulness or waywardness. It wasn't about them. It was about the Lord and his work. We lose ourselves to find ourselves.
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