“He Did Provide Means for Us”

1 Nephi 17:3

By Becca Aylworth Wright

Church Magazines

Nephi and his family endured difficult trials as they left Jerusalem and sought the promised land. As with us, the Lord didn’t always spare them from enduring trials. But, like us, when they had a true need, Heavenly Father was there to provide.

When Nephi and his brothers had made several unsuccessful attempts to obtain the brass plates, had run out of other options, and needed divine intervention, Nephi was “led by the Spirit” (1 Nephi 4:6) and obtained the plates.

When the family needed to proceed into the wilderness but didn’t know where to go, the Lord provided a compass (see 1 Nephi 16:10).

When they went hungry for a time because of the loss of Nephi’s bow, Nephi made his own bow and arrow and was given direction from the Lord to know where to find food (see 1 Nephi 16:18–24).

When they reached the sea, the Lord showed Nephi how to build a ship (see 1 Nephi 17:8).

Laman and Lemuel misused their agency to beat Nephi and Sam (see 1 Nephi 3:28), but when they sought to take away Nephi’s life, his life’s mission was not yet complete, so the Lord warned Nephi to depart into the wilderness. When they had a need, Nephi and his family were spared. (See 2 Nephi 5:4–5.)

From the time Nephi left Jerusalem until the time he needed to depart from Laman and Lemuel, he traveled long distances, was beaten with a rod, ate raw meat, was bound for three days on a ship, and suffered the loss of both his father-in-law and his father. Like us, his righteousness didn’t spare him from suffering. Like us, he endured the trials of mortality. But when Nephi needed the Lord—when the moment of true need arose—the Lord was always there.

We endure hardships—sometimes because of our circumstances or choices and sometimes at the hands of others. We face sorrow, suffering, and even death. But like Nephi, if we listen to and trust the Holy Ghost, Heavenly Father will, according to His will and timing, supply what we truly need.