2 Nephi 4:15-35 is known to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes nicknamed Mormons, as the Psalm of Nephi. Nephi was familiar with the Biblical psalms, and since this psalm follows the patterns of those, it is likely a psalm is exactly what he intended to write.
In this psalm, after acknowledging how much he loves God the Father, the Gospel, and the scriptures, he begins to mourn his inability to live a perfectly Christ-like life.
“17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.”
We know, of course, that Nephi was not a seriously sinful man. He was now, with the death of his father, the new prophet. He loved the gospel and tried to live it, even when his life was in danger from his older brothers, who resented his goodness. His sorrow was because his expectations for himself were very high. Because his love for God was so intense, he wanted to be perfect, or as nearly perfect as possible, and small sins most of us might not notice because our bigger ones occupy our time, overwhelmed him. He wanted to always repay God for his goodness.
Next, Nephi demonstrates the proper attitude toward trials, sorrow, and sadness. He reminds himself once again of God’s goodness:
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.
22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.
23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.
Notice that Nephi comments on how extraordinarily powerful God’s love is. Nephi’s ability to love God and to obey him has allowed him to feel the full measure of God’s love. We’re all entitled to God’s love, but we have to live in such a way as to be able to feel it. The better we live our lives, the more powerful that love will feel, because our hearts will be open to receiving it.
Nephi goes on to give himself a lecture of sorts, deciding to pull out of his unhappy mood and assigning himself a direction to follow in the future:
26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?
27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.
30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
With this, Nephi decides not to allow his trials or his emotions to get in the way of his life. He is not going to let anger over the choices of his brothers destroy him. Nor is he going to use his trials as an excuse to do wrong himself. He recognizes that he is in control of his thoughts and choices, and that by focusing on God, he can overcome anything that comes his way. He takes charge of his spirit.
He concludes by appealing to God for help in this new resolution he’s made. Nephi had an extraordinarily difficult life, with far more trials than the ordinary person, and yet he was able to maintain control over his spirit and make wise choices. He might have had moments of weakness, but overall, his life was one of faith, optimism, and courage.
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
