Understanding Nephi’s “I Will Go & Do” With New Eyes

Nephi’s famous “I will go and do” one-liner is not the hallmark example of blind obedience to a parent, a prophet, or a religion. Rather, it’s the fruits of one who has put in the time, effort and faith to understand God’s will for themselves, seeking to become a true servant. After the Lord endows a servant with His power, then no task, favor, commandment or mission is too large, too scary or too inconvenient.  

📖 Summary & Study guide

Lehi Taught The Everlasting Covenant Like Noah

• Lehi’s life was like so many of our own (1 Nephi 1:4)
• Noah went through the same things that Lehi went through (Moses 8:19-22).
• What is the New Covenant that Noah and Lehi were teaching (JST Genesis 9:17-24)?
• Lehi received the baptism of fire while praying at his altar (1 Nephi 1:5-6) and received a mighty change of heart.
• Lehi prophesied destruction and teaches the new and everlasting covenant to the Jews (1 Nephi 1:18-20).
• The Jews rejected, cast out and tried to murder Lehi in the same way Noah’s people rejected him and tried to kill him (Moses 8:18,20). The Jews were angry with Lehi the same way they were with the “prophets of old.” History repeats itself.

Nephi Witnessed Lehi’s Own “I Will Go & Do”

• Lehi is blessed by the Lord and asked to leave Jerusalem (1 Nephi 2:1-4). We can understand from this that when the Lord has a blessing for us it will probably be something difficult for us to do that results in great joy at the end. Lehi is obedient and leaves Jerusalem with his family.
• Laman and Lemuel immediately begin to complain. They don’t believe anything Lehi says. (1 Nephi 2:11-15)
• Lehi chastises Laman and Lemuel. Nephi is witnessing all of this happen while not really taking a side. Nephi’s hasn’t made up his mind yet about who to follow or who is right. He is pondering in his own mind, looking at both sides. Is his older brother right or is his Dad right?
• Nephi takes what he has observed to the Lord (1 Nephi 2:16) and now knows that what his father Lehi said is true. Nephi does not rebel against his father like Laman and Lemuel.

“I Will Go & Do” Comes Naturally to Those Who Know For Themselves

• Nephi speaks to Sam. Sam believes Nephi and by extension believes his father, Lehi. Laman and Lemuel don’t believe Nephi. (1 Nephi 2:17-18)
• The Lord comes to Nephi in voice and blesses Nephi. The Lord tells Nephi that he will be a ruler over his brethren. Laman and Lemuel will rebel. (1 Nephi 2:19-24)
• God gave Nephi his first commandment to go back to Jerusalem and obtain the brass plates. Laman and Lemuel continued to complain, even though Nephi didn’t complain about the task. (1 Nephi 3:1-6)
• Nephi enters into the new and everlasting covenant. Nephi says “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded.” (1 Nephi 3:7)
• Nephi follows through with entering into the new and everlasting covenant. They leave for Jerusalem. (1 Nephi 3:8-9)

Enos Has a Similar Experience to Nephi’s

• Enos gives us an introduction similar to Nephi’s introduction. He tells us that he received a remission of his sins. (Enos 1:1-2)
• Tells us that receiving the remission of sins is receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (2 Nephi 31:17-18).
• Christ entered into the new and everlasting covenant with His Father. (Luke 22:41-42)
• Enos hungers to have the joy that his father has told him about and that he has seen others receive. Enos kneels and prays all night (Enos 1:3-4).
• Because of the faith of Enos, the Lord forgives his sins. Enos has a desire to help his brethren experience the same joy that he has experienced. (Enos 1:5-9)