My Soul Delighteth

In 2 Nephi 11, Nephi wrote several times about how his “soul delighteth” in the things of the Lord. He said, “I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words” because “for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him” (v2). He loved the words of Isaiah because of Isaiah’s testimony of the Savior. Nephi also expressed his desire to help his people know of the reality of the Savior’s coming: “Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ” (v4). He loved to look forward to the coming of Christ which he had seen in vision. Nephi also looked back and rejoiced in the promises of Christ to his fathers: “And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers” (v5). He understood the Savior’s covenants with the House of Israel and the salvation which would come because of Christ’s redemption. Lastly he declared in general, “Yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death” (v5). Simply put, all of these statements show that Nephi delighted in everything related to the Savior Jesus Christ.  

                Nephi also mentioned in a few other chapters what his soul delighteth in. He wrote, “For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children” (2 Nephi 4:15). Nephi loved the words of the scriptures because of their testimony of the Savior, and he especially loved the writings of Isaiah. After he finished quoting Isaiah for many chapters he said again, “Yea, and my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah” (2 Nephi 25:5). Twice he also spoke of how he delighted in plainness to his people: “My soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn” (2 Nephi 25:4). He said again, “For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding” (2 Nephi 31:3). He loved gospel truths taught in plainness because that how the Lord will give us light and understanding. Perhaps his most complete summary statement of what his soul delighteth in is this one: “Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard” (2 Nephi 4:16). Nephi loved the Lord and His word, he cherished the testimony of the scriptures and the plain truths of the gospel, and he rejoiced in the coming of the Savior Jesus Christ and all His promises to the people of God.

            So how do we come to love the things of the Lord like Nephi did? Perhaps the best way to start is to study and ponder the scriptures we have been given, just as Nephi did with the brass plates he risked his life to obtain. As we strive to “ponder continually upon the things” found therein and seek the Lord through fervent prayer like Nephi (who said he “waxed bold in mighty prayer before him”), surely we will come to delight in the things of the Lord. And then like Nephi we too can rejoice in Jesus Christ and His grace and justice and power and mercy (2 Nephi 4:24).