Helaman - Chapter 10

 I don't know of any sweeter words spoken to mortal man that these:

   4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. 

   5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.

How wonderful would it be to have such words spoken to me.  I suspect that at this moment, Nephi's calling and election is made sure.  I would like to come to a point at which it might be said of me that I have not sought mine own life but only to do the will of the Father.  It is my hope and dream to become sufficiently humble that such a state could be true.

As I look around me, I sure can see a ton of evidence to the contrary.  I've certainly spent a lot of time and resources seeking my own wants and desires.  I think my attitudes are changing and pray there is yet time enough to utterly lose myself in His service.  Time yes, and trust.  I hope I can trust Him enough to let him be the driver and so doing, let Him take me where he will.

I love this story, because amid all the wickedness and turmoil, amid all the sorrow and betrayal, here we find, for one man, the sweetest approbation of all.  Clearly the message is that it could be thus for each of us as well and that all the excuses we might muster are as naught.