May 12, 2026

1 Nephi 18

2 Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of men; but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men.

As we read scriptures as a family last night, these verses again turned my thoughts to hewn and unhewn stone. Nephi did not build the ship after the manner of men but after the manner of God. Why is this important and included in the scriptures? Why not just say that God showed him how to build a ship? For the same reason the seemingly nuanced note about not using hewn stone to build an altar is included in Exodus. The scriptures point is towards Christ. We draw near unto Him when we put aside our pride (the way of men) and do His will (the manner of God). These scriptures teach us to trust in the Lord and know that His way is always better.

How do we learn the manner of God so that we can follow it? Nephi gives us that answer in the next verse.

3 And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.

Deuteronomy 7

14 Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.

This is a great scripture to look at both the temporal promises blessing as well as it's spiritual correlation. Yes, the Lord is promising they will multiply on the earth. But as they keep their covenants and obey His commandments, they will also continue to not be barren throughout eternity when, in their exalted state in the celestial kingdom, they continue having children that they might have joy in their posterity.