1 Nephi 16:23

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Reference Search: 1 Nephi 16:23

23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?

Quotes for Discussion

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Obedient as Nephi was, his obedience did not shield him from afflictions. The Book of Mormon teaches that opposition is a necessary part of life’s test. Nephi’s bow broke in the wilderness, even though his family needed food. Today righteous Saints lose their jobs even though they have paid their tithing and magnified their Church callings. The test of the “broken bow” is not only for the one who breaks the bow but also for those affected by the break….Yet Nephi found a solution to his dilemma in one simple act: “I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow” (1 Nephi 16:23). Instead of murmuring, Nephi simply went to work and made another bow. Murmuring wastes time, lengthens one’s journey, and hardens one’s heart….God may not always stop bows from breaking, but he does help in the construction of new ones.

Dennis L. Largey, Doctrines of the Book of Mormon, 1991 Sperry Symposium, p. 61

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I see a lesson of life here that I do not think Joseph Smith could possibly have contrived. It has too much meaning. He did not have the experience. He had not lived long enough. This is so simple a thing that I doubt many would pause to note it. It is the lesson of the day Nephi broke his bow when they were in the wilderness. This bow was a symbol of food. He was keeping them alive, being a great hunter. And when that bow broke they were in trouble. Laman and Lemuel complained, of course. They were habituated to, they were looking for trouble. But for the first and only time the book tells us about, that I know of, even wonderful old father Lehi complained. He to whom God had revealed his will, this Lehi, when it came to facing starvation, even he complained. Then what happened? This situation is sometime present in almost every business, every college, every governmental unit in the land, in many homes, in churches, where there is a crown prince and heir apparent, the boy who is ready to step up. Lehi was the prophet, but he was old. Nephi had already been designated to succeed. He had seen angels and had talked with the spirit of the Lord. He had had marvelous experiences. The time was here, now, for him to take over—his dad was wavering. The old man had lost it.

What to do? Nephi says he made a bow and an arrow out of some available wood, got a sling and stones and, “I said unto my Father, ‘Whither shall I go to obtain food?’” It is a simple thing, isn’t it? This is what Goethe meant when he said, “If you treat an individual as he is, he will stay as he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he could be and ought to be, he will become what he ought to be.” This means that Nephi went to his father and said, “Dad, the Lord has blessed you. You are his servant. I need to know where to go to get food. Dad, you ask him, will you?” Oh, he could have gone to his own knees. He could have taken over.

I count this one of the really significant lessons of life in the book, and, I repeat, the pages are full of them. A son who had strength enough, and humility enough, and manliness enough to go to his wavering superior and say, “You ask God, will you?” because somehow he knew this is how you make men strong, that wise confidence in men builds them. Lehi asked God and God told him, and Lehi’s leadership was restored.

Elder Marion D. Hanks, May 4, 1960, BYU Speeches of the Year, 6<o:p></o:p>

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[prospectmom]

Murmuring wastes time, lengthens one’s journey, and hardens one’s heart

I sometimes feel more empowered when times are hard..... I simplify and go at life step by step.... not wasting energy on what I have no control over... I also know it all will work out eventually.

[nellyleyva92]

Great thread, Great quotes, great words. Thanks for sharing, This really touched me. This will help with my seminary class this week ^^ Thank you

[JimmiGerman]

It is a simple thing, isn’t it? This is what Goethe meant when he said, “If you treat an individual as he is, he will stay as he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he could be and ought to be, he will become what he ought to be.”

But I'm afraid this chance is not very often given to an individual. It is said a man grows with his tasks, but in general most people are taken for what they seem to be and not for what they could be or ought to be, and they don't achieve the position maybe being entitled to them. Nephi of course knew about his father and his father's role, but who of us has a certain knowledge about the fate or destiny of a person he doesn't know as well as Nephi knew about his father's?

Edited September 25, 2013 by JimmiGerman