Look For the Good

1 Nephi 2:11-12

Nephi's oldest brothers, Laman and Lemuel, murmured (complained) constantly about their circumstances and the choices of others. Nephi explained that they "did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them" (verse 12). Instead of working through their negative emotions and focusing on the many good things in this world, they were lazy and complained - even while doing service!

Their complaining made it difficult for them to stay (or become) motivated and to follow through with God's commandments. When God sent Nephi and his brothers back to Jerusalem to get the brass plates (the record of the Jews and the genealogy of Lehi's forefathers, including prophecies from the holy prophets such as Moses, Abraham, Isaiah, and Jeremiah) the constant murmuring of Laman and Lemuel made the errand near to impossible. Fortunately, Nephi had a positive view on everything and knew that if God asks us to do something, He will prepare a way for us to accomplish it (1 Ne 3:7).

I know this is true. God will guide us and give us power to accomplish the things he commands us (see 1 Ne 5:8). As we look for and spread the GOOD in life we will have the right frame of mind to see the "dealings of God" and we will have JOY in every day.