Many Revelations Daily

Nephi and Lehi, the sons of Helaman, were certainly two of the greatest missionaries described in the Book of Mormon. After Nephi gave up the judgment seat, Mormon recorded that he “took it upon him to preach the word of God all the remainder of his days, and his brother Lehi also, all the remainder of his days” (Helaman 5:4). This was in the 62^nd year of the reign of the judges. In that single year, they preached in several Nephite cities (“among all the people of Nephi who were in the land southward”), in Zarahemla where eight thousand of the Lamanites were converted, and then in the land of Nephi where they had their miraculous experience in the prison (Helaman 5:16). As a result of that single year of missionary efforts the whole dynamic of Lamanite and Nephite relationships changed insomuch that “there was peace in all the land, insomuch that the Nephites did go into whatsoever part of the land they would, whether among the Nephites or the Lamanites” (Helaman 6:7). But it appears that this miraculous success in their missionary labors was not repeated, and “all the remainder of his days” proved to be a very long time to preach among a very wicked Nephite people. Nephi disappeared around the 91^st year, meaning that he preached almost 30 full years with limited success. We don’t know when Lehi died but it was likely before Nephi disappeared; he was last mentioned in the 79^th year meaning that he preached at least 17 years. Whatever the final length, for both of them it was a very long mission!

               Mormon gave us this incredible description of Lehi and Nephi in the middle of their ministry: “But it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi, and many of their brethren who knew concerning the true points of doctrine, having many revelations daily, therefore they did preach unto the people” (Helaman 11:23). This was surely a key to the missionary success they did have and their ability to persevere in preaching the gospel when the times were difficult. Their daily revelations undoubtedly strengthened them through all their challenges and gave them the motivation and inspiration they needed to preach the gospel. Perhaps what their example implies for us is that we can indeed hear the voice of the Lord every day like they did. If it was true for Nephi and Lehi, surely it is possible for us if we will be similarly committed to the gospel. Undoubtedly at least part of their ability to receive daily revelations was that they had followed the instructions of their father and had built their foundation on “the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God.” Their father had implored them, “O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world” (Helaman 5:9,12). Surely they did remember each day the Savior and that led to the daily revelations they received. This is the same connection that the Sarament prayers make for us today: “That they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:79). As we focus on consistently remembering the Savior and trying to serve Him as Nephi and Lehi, we too can hope to daily hear His voice.