Listening to the Spirit

As I was reading Helaman 9-10 this morning I was again amazed at the spiritual strength and boldness which Nephi possessed. As he communed with God and received revelation from the Lord he was unabashed in calling the people to repentance or declaring unto them their "secret works of darkness" (2 Nephi 9:9). As I asked the question, "Why was this chapter included in the Book of Mormon?" I realized that Nephi had to completely trust the Lord and the promptings he received because it could be very frightening to declare to a whole multitude of people that their chief judge had just been murdered and realize that among a wicked people all kinds of incriminating conclusions could be created. Yet Nephi did not fear man but trusted that if the Lord prompted him to declare these things unto the people that he need not fear and that the Lord would sustain him. We too receive inspiration and guidance from the Holy Ghost but often we cannot see the end result of what we've been prompted to say or do and as a result we hesitate in following the direction we've received. It is my desire to become more like Nephi and become more purified and in tune with the Spirit that I will be completely confident in recognizing the promptings of the Holy Ghost and will act without hesitation or "fearing what man can do" (D&C 30:11). I believe as we each do this we can someday reach the point Nephi did where the Lord said to him, "Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.

And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will." -Helaman 10:4-5