11. Obedience

CHAPTER 11

OBEDIENCE

Nephi looked inquisitively at his father who in turn questioned the resistance of his son.  His son was normally very obedient.  There must be a misunderstanding.

Slowly, the face of the older Nephi brightened and his eyes opened wide with understanding.  He grinned in delight.  Then he started to laugh, and kept laughing.  Nephi had not seen his father laugh so freely in a long time.  Seeing him take such delight in his own little secret, Nephi hoped his father would share the amusement.  It took a moment for Nephi’s father to stop chuckling before he sobered himself.

“NOT that record vault,” he teased with a wink.

“Well, what different vault then?”  Nephi was getting impatient. 

Nephi’s father became quite solemn.  A look of seriousness appeared in his eyes.  He spoke with clarity and conviction.  “That record vault is in control of the enemy.  No!  The Lord would not allow His records there.  That is why the sacred records are nowhere near the judgment-seat AT ALL.”

“Oh, father.  I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean… I mean I was not thinking about those sacred records.”

“Naturally, of course not.  Why did I expect you to realize I was talking about the sacred record vault --- when you don’t even know about it yet!?  That’s quite understandable.  It’s my fault we misunderstood each other.  I’m sorry.  But there was always meant to be a time, Nephi my son, that I show you sacred things.   And today is that day.”

Of course Nephi never doubted that they existed – the sacred records, that is.  He knew his father would have access to them.  After all, he was the prophet.  There was never any reason to doubt that.  But he had never asked his father about actually showing them to him either.  Certain things were too sacred, and too personal to ask about.

Many unasked questions flew through Nephi’s mind.  Why today?  This seems more significant than a matter of inheritance, isn’t it?  What sacred records and things does father think it is time to show me?  Where does he keep them?  Most of all, am I really prepared enough to accept the huge responsibility that this must mean for me?

“Son, the Lord has revealed His will to me.  His will is that you be given charge of the plates of brass, and all the other sacred items which have been kept.  I speak of the records which our fathers have kept and handed down from one generation to the next since departing out of the land of Jerusalem.

“I speak of sacred things that connect our past to our future.   The will of the Lord for you is to safeguard and preserve the records of the past -- so that in the future, the promised blessings they hold for our posterity will be evident.  Your future children shall have the records written by our fathers in the past.

“The sacred records have allowed me to remember the past of our forefathers.  The Lord is calling me to return to the past.  He has revealed to me that the past is my future.  I am to go in the opposite direction.  In the coming days, my future goes back to our past.”

Nephi’s mind was a whirlwind.  The past is future: the future is past?  What does that mean?  In charge of the plates of brass!?  Other sacred items?  Is this another big misunderstanding?  What is father trying to tell me that I am not getting?  Is father expecting me to somehow take over for him?  Or am I confused by what he means in the future? 

“We have a short distance to go.”  Nephi’s father was still speaking, unaware that his son’s head was so puzzled and full of amazement that he was not listening.

“We must prepare to take a little hike.  Go find some flasks and fill them with water to take with us, all right?  Thanks, we’ll need the water later.  I also have to go get something needed for our trek, and then I’ll meet you back here.”

Normally, Nephi would have gone for the flasks and immediately filled them with water from the nearby spring.

This time, he remained motionless and paralyzed.  His jaw hung half open and his eyes were glazed over, not focused on anything in particular.  In his mind, doubts about his preparation and worthiness crowded out the other things his father was saying.  His father was not the typical father.  His father was the prophet of the Lord who knew and did the will of the Lord.  His father could perform miracles.  Am I prepared enough to take care of sacred records like father does?  Am I worthy enough to serve the Lord like father does?  Am I capable of doing the things that I know father does?

“Neffy!  Neffy!”  Nephi could discern the questions which had temporarily clouded the mind of his son.  With complete understanding, he paused and waited until he thought Nephi was listening again.  Then he dismissed each doubt with positive reassurance.

“You have been faithful your entire life, Neffy.  And you are prepared and capable of filling the sacred trusts and responsibilities that the Lord has in His wisdom for you.  You shall be highly favored of the Lord in all your sacred duties because you have never disobeyed.  When a hard thing has been required of you, such as my leaving for a lengthy mission, you never murmured.  Whatever the Lord has commanded you to do, you have done it.  Is this not so?”

Despite any lingering doubts in Nephi’s young mind, the feelings in his strong heart told him that the things that his father was saying were true.  He desired to express to his father the faith that filled his bosom and the confidence in the Lord that expanded into his soul.

“I will go and do whatsoever things the Lord commands.  I know that the Lord gives no commandment to man unless He also provides a way for man to accomplish the thing which He commanded.” 

When Nephi’s father heard these words, he was exceedingly glad.  He knew that his son was blessed of the Lord.  His face beamed proudly.  He knew that if he did not return from his upcoming mission, everything would still be all right.

“That is well, son.  I have no doubt that the Lord will bless you as you take over for me.

“So --- why don’t you go now and get some water for our hike like I asked?  Or is that too hard of a commandment to accomplish?”

Nephi finally jumped into action and went in search of flasks he could fill up with water at the spring.  He found two flasks made from animal skins with straps that could be hung over the shoulders.  He took the flasks and dashed out of the hut.

He quickly returned to his father’s hut with the flasks filled with fresh water to drink.

To his great astonishment, as he approached the opening of the hut, he beheld an object on the ground of very curious workmanship.