1 Nephi 1:1

1  I, NEPHI, having been ^aborn of ^bgoodly ^cparents, therefore I was ^dtaught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many ^eafflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a ^frecord of my proceedings in my days.

    "...having been born of goodly parents..."

            -it is an interesting point that Nephi makes us aware of in the very beginning of his record:  He gives a marked degree of honor and respect to his father and mother

            -he also identifies them (note the "therefore" -indicating a certain cause-effect relationship between the two clauses.  i.e.  I was taught and raised as I was because of my parents) as instrumental in the development of his secular learning and related Christ-like character development.

            -how can parents or a society expect the youth of today to become civil, moral, and contributing members of society without the strong influence and direction of their parents?  Why should we wonder about the wayward trends and unprecedented troubles now evident in the young (violence, immorality, substance abuse, crime, etc.) when there are no parents at home to "train them up" or, more importantly, to communicate through action what every child needs to know more than anything:  "I love you," "you are important," and/or "I value you more than anyone or anything else in this world."

          -Nephi identifies the source of his greatness –while certainly not in whole, in large part at least-- in the nurturing, influence and example of his parents.  And what was the most important thing his parents gave him?  A knowledge of the goodness and mysteries of God.  There is no more valuable thing a parent can give or facilitate in their children.  And lest we forget that a parent can ONLY influence or lest we forget that the extent of a parents causation has bounds, we would do well to remember that Laman and Lemuel were also born of the same goodly parents.

"goodly"

            - a praise of utmost honor and respect.

            -I wonder if Laman and Lemuel would admit this high praise, how would they open their record, were they obedient enough to keep one?

"parents"

            -it has always been God's design that every child be raised by a husband and wife, for each spirit coming into the perilous fallen existence to have the protection of two advocates –a father and a mother.

"therefore I was taught"

            -Nephi identifies goodly parents as parents who teach their children about the "learning of (their) fathers"

            -it is interesting to see how incredibly important this is to a child or the future adult when you consider Enos' experience and the parallels to these words of Nephi (Enos 1:1)

 

  “I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my fathers”

            -of what did this learning consist?  We know that it included basic cultural knowledge and skills including Lehi’s native language, cultural intelligence, historical perspective and especially religious fundamentals (doctrine, scripture, lineage, traditions, faith, etc.). 

            -a later phrase in this first verse sheds light on one of the important lessons Nephi learned from his fathers:  knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God.  What “learning of my fathers” could be more important?

    "having been born of goodly parents... and having seen many afflictions"

            -goodly parents want the best for their children.  They are sad when their children are sad and have great pains when watching their children go through pain.  A parent would give all they have and gladly assume the pain of a child.  Yet, Lehi and Sariah watched their children endure great afflictions that neither their children nor they, themselves, deserved.   The sufferings of children through buffetings brought upon them by poor choices or due to the processes of mortality are not a measure of bad parenting.  In fact it is safe to say that Nephi saw a larger share of afflictions that most and yet we are sure that his parents were likewise more “goodly” than most.

 "...having seen many afflictions..."

            -indicates that Nephi is writing after the fact.  He has been able to reflect upon and weigh the things he is going to share with us.  His employment of hindsight is a great tool for us and we should accept his words with great credibility.  He has "been there" and is giving us sound and proven advice/wisdom.

"...having seen many afflictions, nevertheless, having been highly favored..."

            -magnitude of trials = magnitude of blessings (see footnote "e")

            -these two statements, coupled together, provide a few interesting insights by looking at how the first clause relates to, follows from, or creates the second clause:

            -does the process of enduring afflictions (in a proper manner) qualify one to be highly favored of the Lord?  When we pass through trials and opposition and remain faithful we are more qualified for the Lord's blessings... which are -as Nephi continues- an increased knowledge of the goodness and mysteries of God.  This is nothing less than to know God; which is eternal life!  (John 17:3).  Hence, the process of encountering opposition in life is     the process of coming to know God, by our righteous reaction to and choices emanating from those trials.

-or is the relationship of "afflictions" and "being highly favored" the opposite of what I have just supposed:  those who the Lord favors (has chosen), he tries with many afflictions?  This would certainly be in accordance with "whom the Lord loveth he chaseneth." By this logic, we should take some peace and comfort in our afflictions knowing that we are worthy to be tried and stretched.

            -those whom the Lord favors highly will receive afflictions (of a high magnitude)

              i.e.  Abraham, Joseph Smith, the early saints, Spencer Kimball, etc.

            -we can be both highly favored (i.e. chosen) of the Lord and yet experience many afflictions.  In fact, the one may be essential for the other.  Afflictions are opportunities to grow; to learn about godliness.  Therefore one who is given many opportunities to grow in character and to learn about godliness is one who will experience many afflictions.  When we finally see our progression within and among the various estates we will see that the word affliction or adversity is a positive rather than a pejorative.  These are the requisites for the glorification of the soul.

"...having had a great knowledge of..."

            -We would be wise to recognize that great knowledge about the character and deeper things of God are the product of trying experience and afflictions.  Beds of gold and marvelous gems of diamonds are not easily discovered or obtained.  The Lord is pleased and rewards the diligently faithful with the peaceful knowledge of who He is as they, through the painful tests of life, begin to act like him.  In this way not only does a knowledge of God increase but so also does the character of God emerge and develop.  Truth and wisdom are the hard earned prizes of adversity to him who loves God.

            -the Lord loved (favored) Nephi enough that He led his child into and through the experiences (afflictions) that were necessary for learning who God is and enabled Nephi to become such himself.

"mysteries"

            -what are the mysteries of God?  Are we to find them?  How are we to discover the answers or solutions to these mysteries?  Who are they mysteries for?  What advantage does "knowing the mysteries" provide a person?  It appears that one of the largest differences between Laman/Lemuel and Nephi is that Laman and Lemuel did not know how God operates, could not fathom Him (i.e. after a visitation by an angel:  "how is it possible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands?").  But this situation is avoidable with some effort (and humility) on our part:  “for how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?” (Mosiah 5:13).  Laman and Lemuel’s lives were, up to this point and beyond, completely bereft of the serving, thoughts and intents that re required if we are to know and understand God.

-This lack of knowledge of God and his ways is not only inexcusable but the destination of their lives provides a perfect illustration of how dangerous it is to be unacquainted with God.  The responsibility for our relationship with God rests firmly on us… God is completely aware of who we are and what his relationship is to us.  He respects that relationship of father to sibling and will not overstep his place even when he might want to force us into the correct course of action.

-what is our knowledge base concerning the “mysteries of God”?  What “mysteries” have we discovered through the course of our lives?  How does this knowledge translate into behavior different than others who do not possess this same knowledge?  Does our knowledge of the mysteries of God satisfactorily translate into our actions according to the likeness of God?  If we possess his knowledge we had better display his behavior!

 

"...therefore..."

            -"therefore" is always a key word that indicates something important, something that follows, an insight a result, etc.  The authors are saying:  "listen up!"  and "notice this!"

            -because of these things that have been manifest in his life, Nephi feels it important to write them down, to make a record.  Perhaps we don't understand how important it is to make records of important events.  Alma 37:6

 

"...therefore I make a record..."

            -Why does Nephi make this record?

              a.  He was taught by his father to do so (by example)

              b.  He has seen many afflictions (a journal of "survival")

              c.  He has been highly favored of the Lord by

                        1. has been given knowledge of :

                                                                            the goodness of God

                                                                            the mysteries of God

                        2. has been delivered time and again from the threats of mortality

 

            -Why does Nephi make this record?  So that, perhaps, it can help you and I with the same: with gaining a knowledge of and knowing the mysteries of God.  This desire to know God and his mysteries is a common thread that runs through the lives of the greatest men and women who have walked the earth:  Adam and Eve, Abraham (Abraham 1:2), Enoch, Nephi, Joseph Smith, etc.  There is something about possessing the knowledge or the process of attaining it that makes mortals great –a correlation that was alluded to in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:5, Moses 4:11).

            -where is Laman and Lemuel’s record, why didn’t they think to write down their experiences?  Because life, to them, was not memorable, special or holy…

 

Summary of verse 1

            -this first verse appears to be a summary of Nephi’s life as he looks back upon it.  The things he mentions then are the things that “life boils down to”.  He tells us how life is: it is full of adversity, heartache, pain and suffering.  But he tells us that we are never alone in facing these scary realities:  “I have been favored”  -taken care of , sheltered, led, loved, protected- “by the Lord in all my days.”  He tells us what the most important things in life are:  to obtain great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God.   Why?  Because life eternal is to know God!

            -this summary can also be used to answer the question:  Why does Nephi make this record?  Which has strong bearing/heavy implications on why we should read it.  Nephi writes this record because:

            1.  He has been taught by his father.
            2.  He has seen many afflictions.

            3.  He has been highly favored of the Lord

                        a.  been given knowledge of the goodness of God.

                    b.  been given knowledge of the mysteries of God.

These, then, are his qualifications –the things he is going to share with us and tell us about.  These are the things we should look for, learn from and seek to achieve in our own lives.