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Introduction
Hello, and welcome to Living the Book of Mormon: A Devotional Journey on the Mindful Latter-day Saint Christian and Apologetics YouTube channel. I’m your host, Timothy, and I’m thrilled you’re here as we embark on this sacred exploration of the Book of Mormon. Whether you’re a lifelong Latter-day Saint or someone seeking to deepen your Christian faith, this series is designed for you—to help us live more mindfully as disciples of Jesus Christ by immersing ourselves in these inspired pages.
Today, we begin with 1 Nephi 1, a chapter that introduces us to Nephi and his family and sets the tone for a journey of faith, obedience, and divine care. Our focus is on 1 Nephi 1:20, where Nephi declares: 'But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.' This verse is a promise—a testament to God’s gentle, loving interventions in our lives, which we’ll call His tender mercies.
In this episode, I want to unpack what these tender mercies are, how faith invites them, and how they lead to recovery, deliverance, and wisdom. Along the way, I’ll pose reflective questions like 'What tender mercies have you seen in your life?' and 'How can you grow in faith to recognize God’s hand?' Feel free to pause and reflect or share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you.
Let’s dive in with open hearts, ready to see how Nephi’s experiences can transform our own.
Devotional - "The Tender Mercies of the Lord"
Key Scripture - 1 Nephi 1:20 - But, behold, I Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.
Reflection
1 Nephi 1:20 gives us a proclamation - observe the weight of this declaration: God's tender mercies are not random acts of kindness. They are deliberate blessings bestowal upon those who align their hearts and minds with Him through faith. Interpret this as a divine promise - His gentle, loving interventions are ever-present, often unnoticed, weaving through our lives like threads of gold in the midst of our trials. As Latter-day Saint Christians, we are invited to apply this simple and profound truth by seeking these mercies daily. Recognizing how they are the quiet evidence of our Heavenly Father who never forsakes His covenant people.
What are these tender mercies to you? They are the sacred moments when heaven bends low, whispering you are not alone in your mess. You are not alone in those moments of despair. That each one of us are not alone in our path of recovery and spiritual growth.
Consider Nephi's context - his family having fled Jerusalem, leaving behind wealth, friends, and their affluence. Fleeing a city that is ripe for destruction. Under prophetic and divine command, Lehi is called to take his family into the wilderness. There, they experienced hardship, trials, and challenging their faith. Yet, the tender mercies were not in the absence of the hardship faced - the tender mercies of the Lord were revealed in the strength to endure. So, it is with us where we experience the tender mercies of God. He does not promise a life that is devoid of storms. However, He strengthens us and empowers us with courage, wisdom, and power to rise above them.
1 Nephi 1:20 challenges us to shift our gaze from the magnitude of our struggles to the magnitude of His care. Are we too consumed with our own murmuring, as seen with Laman and Lemuel, to see the Lord's hand? To live mindfully as Latter-day Saint Christians, we are invited to train our hearts, minds, and souls to discern His tender mercies, for in them lies the proof of His choosing us - not for ease, for His own purpose and glory.
Recovery Focus
When we stumble and fall short - be it through sin, doubt, or despair - Nephi's words offer insight and guidance. Spiritual wisdom and counsel for us regarding the tender mercies of the Lord. And what this means for our personal recovery path and journey. His tender mercies extend to those who, by faith, cling to Him. Observe how Nephi ties these mercies to deliverance as God's commitment to restore us; not merely to where we were, to where He intends us to be. Take a moment to pause and reflect on how He may have brought about deliverance in your own life and from your own personal struggles. Perhaps, promptings that may have spared you, a peace that brought comfort and steadied you.
Recovery is not self-wrought; it is God-given, a tender mercy that flows from faith. Will you seek after this, or will you continue to wallow in the ashes of your own making, which are self-pity, doubt, and fear?
Wisdom
Nephi's life unveils divine wisdom and courage for us to follow. Divine wisdom and courage borne out of obedience to God's voice. Wisdom and courage where it defies human logic and understanding. Nephi and his family did not merely flee from Jerusalem because it was sensible - they fled because it was commanded. And Nephi showed unwavering trust; being the fruit of knowing God's will that surpasses our own understanding. By surrendering our will, desires, and life over to God's care, we do not need to comprehend every step of our recovery journey and spiritual growth. Only wisdom and courage lie in following the Lord when the wilderness seems to loom before us.
As Latter-day Saints, who are in recovery, the Book of Mormon is our guide to such wisdom and courage. A testament that faith in God's word makes us mighty. Are you willing to trade your reasoning for His divine revelation over your life? Willing to fully surrender your life, will, and desires over to His care and allow Him to direct your path through the wilderness of recovery?
For me, the Book of Mormon became my personal guide through my own recovery, restoration, and healing where I came to realize my need for Christ, to seek after His will continually, and grow through faith in who Christ is. Will you allow this sacred text of scripture do the same for you?
Thought for Today
Nephi's testimony in 1 Nephi 1:20 is a call for each of us to awaken - to seek after the tender mercies of God - those tender mercies that surround us, and to recovery through our faith in Jesus Christ. To walk in resilient faith - with bold wisdom and courage that is born of faithful obedience to our Heavenly Father.
God's power of deliverance is not a distant hope. It is an ever-present reality for those who choose to surrender their life, will, and desires over to His care.
Today, make a decision to live as those chosen - not by your own efforts and merits, by His grace where you are ever mindful of His hand over your life.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your tender mercies that sustain us in our recovery and spiritual growth. Thank you for opening our hearts, minds, and spirits today so that we are able to see those tender mercies, our hearts to receive them, and our desire and will to follow after Thee in faithful obedience. Thank you for the faith, as Nephi says, where we are able to become mighty through the power of deliverance that is through Jesus Christ and the Atonement. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Message from the Devotional
Today, we begin with 1 Nephi 1, a chapter brimming with spiritual depth and practical application.
In 1 Nephi 1, we are introduced to Nephi and his family, called by God - through Lehi's visions - to flee from Jerusalem. It is a story of personal and family upheaval, faith, and divine direction - a microcosm of our own lives. The key verse is 1 Nephi 1:20 as it shines a light on how "The tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." Our focus is on God's subtle and yet powerful interventions.
What are these "tender mercies" Nephi is speaking on? Well, they are the personalized blessings - the answered prayers, the quiet assurance and comfort that comes through the Holy Spirit, the strength that comes to empower us to endure. All these tender mercies come unbidden. For Nephi, and for us, they were the guidance to flee, the courage to obey, and the wisdom to walk in faithful obedience. For us, they may be a prompting to take action, a friend's timely call, or peace of mind amidst chaos. These are not coincidences - they are evidence of God's divine love over us.
Reflecting on this, I have personally seen how often I've missed these mercies. Distracted by life's noise, my own desire to do the things I felt I needed to do, and living recklessly without divine revelation, wisdom, and guidance. Really, living unto myself and attempting to find myself - only to lose my sense of worth, freedom, fun, and belonging (Matthew 16:24-26).
Yet, it only came after I had paused and realized I needed to fully give my heart, mind, will, and life over to His care and direction. I find His tender mercies in a hug from someone, meditating on a scripture that speaks directly to me, or ministering as led by the Holy Spirit. Recognizing them shifts my heart from fear to faith, reminding me that my Heavenly Father is always nearby.
Segment 2: Devotional Reflection
Let’s begin by reading the key verse, 1 Nephi 1:20 gives insight regarding how much power these words possess. Yet, in order to feel their weight, we need to step into Nephi’s world.
Take a moment to consider Jerusalem around 600 B.C.—a bustling city, yes, but one teetering on the edge of destruction due to widespread wickedness. Nephi’s father, Lehi, a prophet of God, received visions warning of this fate and was commanded to flee with his family into the wilderness. Imagine the chaos: abandoning home, wealth, and security to follow a divine directive into the unknown. It’s in this setting that Nephi speaks of tender mercies—not as a removal of hardship, but as God’s quiet, deliberate acts of love that sustained them.
What are these tender mercies? They’re the personalized blessings God weaves into our lives—moments when heaven bends low to whisper, 'I see you, and I’m here.' For Nephi, they were the guidance to escape Jerusalem, the courage to trust his father’s visions, and the strength to face an uncertain future. For us, they might be a prompting that keeps us safe, a feeling of peace in turmoil, or a small kindness that lifts our spirits. These aren’t random—they’re evidence of a God who chooses us, not for an easy life, but for a life of purpose and glory through faith.
The Bible affirms this beautifully. In Psalm 145:9, we read: 'The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.' And in Lamentations 3:22-23: 'It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.' These verses remind us that God’s mercies are constant, fresh each day, and available to all who seek Him.
Let me share a story. A while back, I was struggling with a decision that felt overwhelming. I prayed for clarity, and the next day, I read a scripture that spoke directly to my need. It wasn’t a booming miracle, but a tender mercy that reminded me God was near.
Now, let’s reflect. Take a moment to think: What tender mercies have you experienced in your life? Maybe it’s a time when you felt guided, comforted, or strengthened unexpectedly. And here’s another question: How might noticing these mercies more often shift your focus from life’s struggles to God’s care? Are we, like Nephi’s brothers Laman and Lemuel, too caught up in murmuring to see His hand?
Pause here if you’d like, and jot down your thoughts. Recognizing these mercies trains our souls to live mindfully, seeing God’s love in every step of our journey.
Segment 3: Applying the Lesson
So, how do we take this beautiful truth about tender mercies and make it part of our daily lives as mindful Latter-day Saint Christians? Nephi ties these mercies to faith—they come 'because of their faith.' Let’s explore how we can cultivate that faith and become more aware of God’s hand.
Faith isn’t just believing—it’s acting on that belief. For Nephi, it was trusting Lehi’s call to leave Jerusalem, even when it defied logic. For us, it might be obeying a prompting, keeping a commandment, or simply turning to God in prayer when we’d rather give up. The Bible underscores this in Hebrews 11:1: 'Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' And James 2:17 adds: 'Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.' Faith is alive when we live it.
Here are some practical ways to apply this:
- Start a 'Tender Mercies' Journal: Each day, write down one way you saw God’s hand—a safe drive, a kind word, a moment of peace. Over time, you’ll see His care more clearly.
- Practice Gratitude: Thank God daily for specific blessings, big or small. Gratitude opens our eyes to His mercies and softens our hearts.
- Seek Him in Scripture and Prayer: Spend time with the Book of Mormon and the Bible, even just a few verses, and talk to God. This builds our faith and tunes us to His voice.
- Act in Faith: When you feel prompted—maybe to serve, forgive, or trust—do it. Faith grows through action, and mercies often follow.
I’ve done this myself. Keeping a journal revealed blessings I’d overlooked—like the energy to get through a tough day or a stranger's smile that lifted my mood. It’s humbling to see how active God is in my life when I pay attention.
Let’s reflect. What’s one tender mercy you’ve noticed today? It could be as simple as this moment to study God’s word. And how can you strengthen your faith to invite more of these mercies? Is there a step—prayer, obedience, trust—you can take today?
Pause and think about these questions. Living mindfully as Christians means choosing faith daily, knowing it’s the key to seeing God’s tender mercies all around us."
Segment 4: Recovery and Deliverance
Nephi’s promise in 1 Nephi 1:20 ends with a powerful phrase: 'to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.' God’s tender mercies don’t just comfort us—they empower us to recover and overcome. Let’s dig into what this deliverance means for us today.
For Nephi, deliverance was tangible—fleeing Jerusalem’s destruction, surviving the wilderness, and later obtaining food and direction. But notice: God didn’t always remove the trial. He gave them strength to endure it and a path through it. That’s often how He delivers us too—not by erasing our struggles, but by making us mighty to face them.
In our lives, we stumble—through sin, doubt, despair, financial woes, illness, or grief. Nephi’s words are an invitation for us: God’s tender mercies are there to lift us up, tied to our faith. I’ve seen this personally. During a period of loss, I prayed for relief, but instead of instant answers, I received a quiet strength to keep going—a tender mercy that led to healing over time.
The Bible echoes this promise. Psalm 34:17 says: 'The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.' And in 2 Corinthians 12:9, God tells Paul: 'My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.' Deliverance isn’t always a quick fix—it is God’s grace making us strong in our weakness.
How do we access this? Trust His timing—help may come gradually. Act in faith—pray, obey, seek Him, even when it’s hard. And look for His mercies already at work—sometimes it’s the resilience we didn’t know we had.
Reflect with me: How has God delivered you in the past? Maybe it was a burden lightened or a way forward you didn’t expect. And what challenge can you bring to Him now, trusting His tender mercies to make you mighty?
Take a moment to ponder. Recovery and deliverance are processes, and God walks with us every step, turning our trials into testimonies of His love.
Segment 5: Wisdom and Obedience
Let’s turn to another lesson from Nephi’s life: the wisdom that flows from obedience. In 1 Nephi 1, he didn’t question Lehi’s visions or God’s command to flee—he obeyed, and that trust brought guidance and blessings. This pattern repeats throughout his story, like when he retrieved the brass plates against all odds.
Obedience isn’t blind—it’s faith in God’s wisdom over our own. Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches: 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.' And Jesus said in John 14:15: 'If ye love me, keep my commandments.' When we obey, we align with God’s will, and He reveals paths we couldn’t see.
I’ve felt this. Recently, I had to drive into north Seattle to check on something. On my way back, and not having had anything to eat yet, I was prompted to stop off at the store. At first, I thought it was merely my own desire of getting something to eat. Yet, the closer I was getting to a store, the more the prompting became. Finally, I decided to faithfully obey—and as I made a turn into the parking lot, I saw an older gentleman flying a sign. Quickly, I went in and got a few items and then took them over to Him, asking if there was anything I could pray for. He backed up and I could see the loss of hope and despair, the spiritual darkness over him. I walked away questioning if I had truly ministered to him. Yet was comforted knowing I obeyed without delay. Obedience traded my reasoning for His revelation.
How do we live this? Listen—through prayer, scripture, and the Spirit. Act—even when it’s unclear why. And surrender control, trusting God’s plan. The Book of Mormon is our guide here, showing how obedience makes us mighty.
Reflect: When have you obeyed God despite doubts, and what happened? Maybe a prompting paid off in ways you didn’t expect. And how can you align your will with His today? Is there a commandment or nudge you’ve resisted?
Pause and think. Wisdom comes when we choose God’s voice over our own, and His tender mercies guide us as we follow.
Segment 6: Conclusion and Call to Action
As we wrap up, let’s gather the treasures from 1 Nephi 1. God’s tender mercies are His loving, subtle blessings, given through our faith. They help us recover, deliver us by making us mighty, and guide us through obedient wisdom. Nephi’s testimony is our call—to awaken to God’s hand in our lives.
I challenge you to apply this. Commit to daily Book of Mormon study—start with 1 Nephi 1—and look for His mercies. Keep that journal, practice gratitude, and act in faith. Share what you learn—comment below, tell a friend, or post online. Let’s build a community of Saints living these truths.
Let’s close with a prayer:
'Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for Thy tender mercies that sustain us. Open our eyes to see them, our hearts to receive them, and our wills to follow Thee. Grant us faith like Nephi’s, that we may be made mighty through Thy deliverance. In Jesus’ name, amen.'
Thank you for joining me. Subscribe for more in this series, and may you feel God’s tender mercies today and always.
