Build What He Commands

1 Nephi 17:8 - "And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters."

Elder David A. Bednar - “Nephi was not a sailor. He had been reared in Jerusalem, an inland city, rather than along the borders of the Mediterranean Sea. It seems unlikely that he knew much about or had experience with the tools and skills necessary to build a ship. He may not have ever previously seen an oceangoing vessel. In essence, then, Nephi was commanded and instructed to build something he had never built before”

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Transcript

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Welcome to Seek This Jesus, a daily podcast dedicated to drawing closer to the Savior through the powerful truths found in the Book of Mormon. Each episode, we focus on one verse that helps us walk more faithfully in his footsteps.

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As we continue through first Nephi chapter seventeen, we come to a demanding invitation the Lord gives to Nephi. It is an invitation that stretches faith, challenges assumptions, and requires trust before understanding. The Lord does not simply give Nephi reassurance, he gives him an assignment. Nephi seventeen eight says And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me saying, Thou shalt construct a ship after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters. This verse sets the stage for a powerful lesson about discipleship, revelation, and becoming the kind of person who trusts the Lord enough to act even when the task feels completely beyond our experience. The command to build a ship would have sounded impossible on its own, but when we slow down and consider Nephi's background, the weight of this assignment becomes even clearer. Nephi was not raised near the sea, he was not trained as a shipbuilder, he had no formal preparation for this task. Elder David A. Bednar explained Nephi was not a sailor. He had been reared in Jerusalem, an inland city, rather than along the borders of the Mediterranean Sea. It seems unlikely that he knew much about or had experience with the tools and skills necessary to build a ship. He may not have ever previously seen an ocean going vessel. In essence, then, Nephi was commanded instructed to build something he had never built before. This is often how the Lord works. He does not always wait until we feel qualified, trained, or confident. He invites us to move forward before we feel ready. The calling often comes first, the capability follows later. Nephi's story reminds us that the Lord's commands are not limited by our current skill set. When God gives an assignment, he also commits to provide the guidance necessary to complete it, if we are willing to rely on him. One phrase in this verse deserves special attention. After the manner which I shall show thee. The Lord does not tell Nephi to build a ship according to existing designs or human traditions. He does not instruct him to copy something he has already seen, if he has even ever seen one. Instead, the Lord promises to teach Nephi step by step. This teaches an important principle of revelation. The Lord rarely reveals everything at once. Instead he gives us enough direction to take the next faithful step. Nephi was not asked to know how to build a ship before he started. He was asked to trust that the Lord would show him how along the way. This is where discipleship often becomes uncomfortable. We like clarity before commitment. We want reassurance before obedience. But the Lord frequently asks for obedience before understanding. Trust comes first, light follows. Nephi's willingness to begin without seeing the end demonstrates a deep confidence in the Lord's voice. He trusted not just the command, but the commander. The Lord's command was not arbitrary. It had a clear and sacred purpose that I may carry thy people across these waters. The ship was not about Nephi's personal achievement. It was about preserving a covenant people and moving them toward God's promises. This reminds us that the difficult things the Lord asks us to do are rarely just about us. They are often connected to others, our families, those we serve, and even future generations. When the Lord asks us to build something, endure something, or become something, it is usually tied to blessings beyond our own view. Nephi's obedience would bless his family, it would protect their lives, and it would ultimately help fulfill the Lord's promises to the house of Israel. The ship was not just transportation, it was a tool in God's redemptive plan. When we struggle to understand why the Lord asks something hard of us, it can help to remember that his purposes are always bigger than our immediate perspective. Nephi's story invites us to ask a very personal question. What is the Lord asking us to build right now? For some it may be a stronger habit of scripture study. For others it may be a repaired relationship, a calling that feels intimidating, or a step of faith that stretches comfort and confidence. Like Nephi, we may feel inexperienced, we may feel unqualified, we may feel unsure where to begin. But the Lord does not say build it the way you already know, he says, Build it after the manner which I shall show thee. That promise still stands today. The Lord does not require perfection before action, he requires willingness. He does not demand expertise before obedience. He asks for trust. When we move forward in faith, even with limited understanding, the Lord teaches us what we need when we need it. Nephi did not wait until he felt ready. He trusted that the Lord would teach him how to become ready. That same invitation is extended to us. Nephi's experience teaches us that discipleship often begins where certainty ends. The Lord may ask us to do things we have never done before in ways we have never imagined, for purposes we cannot yet fully see. So here is today's challenge. Identify one thing the Lord has been prompting you to do that feels beyond your experience or comfort. Instead of waiting until you feel fully prepared, take one faithful step forward today. Pray specifically be taught after the manner which He shall show thee, and trust that the Lord will guide you as you act. Thank you for listening to Seek This Jesus. I hope this message helps you draw a little closer to the Savior Jesus Christ. Please don't let this podcast be your only scripture time today. I encourage you to open your scriptures because when you study God's word personally, the Spirit will teach you things no podcast ever could. I invite you to come back tomorrow for another verse and message to help you keep focused on Jesus Christ. Until next time, keep seeking this Jesus.