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Nephi’s Story: 3 Ways to Invite the Lord into Your Life

As you seek to involve the Lord in your life, He will bless you with more direction, nourishment, and strength

Nephi smiling while traveling  in the wilderness with his three brothers, Laman, Lemuel, and Sam, for the Lord made his path possible.

New beginnings are exciting times of reflection, growth, and change. But sometimes change is challenging — especially if you are starting something new and don’t know what to expect.

Nephi, a prophet in the Book of Mormon, and his family experienced change when the Lord commanded them to leave their home and travel to the “promised land” — a land they didn’t know where it was or how to get there. It was something the family had never done before, but as they invited the Lord into their journey, He helped them reach the promised land.

Similarly, you may not know all what to expect beginning this new block, but as you involve the Lord, He will help you to succeed. Read about Nephi’s story to learn three things you can do to invite the Lord into your life.

1. Listen to the Lord’s words

Lehi and his family looking at the Liahona and receiving direction from the Lord.
Lehi and his family looking at the Liahona
Nephi’s dad received an object, known as the Liahona, that directed them on their path. It worked according to their faith and diligence as they listened to the words. 1

Similarly, as you seek to listen to the word of the Lord, written in the scriptures and spoken by apostles and prophets, you will be inviting the Lord into your life and He will direct you on your personal journey.

2. Pray often

Néfi puxando o pé para fora da corda enrolada em seus tornozelos, que se afrouxou depois que ele orou.
Depois que Néfi orou, a corda em volta de suas mãos e pés se afrouxou.
One day, Nephi’s brothers Laman and Lemual were angry at Nephi and bound him with cords. Nephi prayed to the Lord for deliverance. After he prayed, the bands were loosed from off his hands and feet. 2

In our lives, there may be times when it feels like we are bound, stuck, or powerless, but as we pray for help, the Lord will come to us and bless us according to His will and timing.

Reverien Ngendakumana, from Bujumbura, Burundi, said, “I faced many challenges: frequent electricity outages, limited internet access, and even times when I didn’t have a working laptop or a reliable place to study. There were moments I wondered how I could continue, but I held on, driven by faith and prayer.” As Reverien prayed, the Lord gave him strength to finish his degree.

3. Act in faith

Néfi agindo com fé ao amarrar um pedaço de corda a um galho reto, fazendo um arco para caçar alimento para sua família.
À medida que Néfi agiu com fé, ele conseguiu obter alimento para sua família.
One day Nephi went hunting with his brothers, and he broke his bow. They didn’t get any food for their families. 3 Instead of being frustrated with God, Nephi did what he could to provide for his family, making “out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow.” 4 Then he asked for the Lord’s direction, and followed it. He was then able to get food for his family. 5

Just like Nephi, as you seek to build your skills and opportunities — even through pursuing education — the Lord will help you to bring physical and spiritual nourishment to your family.

Reaching your promised land

Leí, pai de Néfi, em pé na parte frontal do navio, segurando a Liahona e orientando sua família rumo à terra prometida.
A fé e a diligência ajudaram Néfi e sua família a alcançar a terra prometida.
Nephi and his family worked to invite the Lord into their lives and were blessed to reach the promised land. Like Nephi, as you strive to hear the word of the Lord, pray sincerely, and develop your talents and seek out opportunities, the Lord will help you to reach your promised land and accomplish all that He asks — including pursuing and earning your education. 6
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See Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Two Principles for Any Economy,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 58

See how the Lord is making higher education possible through BYU-Pathway Worldwide.