My Soul Delighteth

This week in my Book of Mormon study we began to read the words of Isaiah in 2 Nephi.  Just before those writings in 2 Nephi 11:4-5 we read “Behold, my soul delighteth proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ…And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made unto our fathers; yea my soul delighteth in his grace and his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death”.  As I was doing some research on these verses I found some interesting information about the phrase “My soul dedighteth in”. 

This phrase, “My Soul Delighteth In” occurs only in the writings of Nephi upon the small plates in the Book of Mormon.  Here is a list of those times:

·         2 Nephi 4:15  “My soul delighteth in th scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and profit of my children”
·         2 Nephi 4:16 “My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard”
·         2 Nephi 11:2 “My soul delighteth in his (Isaiah’s) words”
·         2 Nephi 11:4 “My soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of the Christ”
·         2 Nephi 11:5 “My soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers”
·         2 Nephi 11:5 “My soul delighteth in his grace and in his justice an power and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death”
·         2 Nephi 25:4 “My soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn”
·         2 Nephi 25:5 “My soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah…”
·         2 Nephi 25:13 “My soul delighteth to prophesy concerning (Christ)”
·         2 Nephi 25:13 “My soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men.”

All of these scriptures talk about those things that bring delight or joy to the prophet Nephi.  As I read over these items I wondered if I take the time to delight and give thanks for these things and the many more that are given to me by my Father in Heaven. 

It is my testimony that I do delight in the scriptures, that they bring great understanding to me of my purpose here on the earth and the Fathers plan for me.  I am learning to delight in the words of Isaiah, and also the other prophets in the scriptures.  My soul delights in missionary work and the bringing of the word of God that they may know of the coming of Christ.  My soul delights in covenants, that I have been baptized and that I am sealed to my husband and children.  That the Lord has given me promises that he will bless me when I am obedient to his commandments.  As I continue to grow and understand grace and mercy my soul delights in those promises of the Atonement that include grace and mercy.  And most of all my soul delighteth in plainness.  I am grateful that the gospel is plain and not complicated, that the love of our Savior is plain and freely given.  I delight that the Lord works among the children of man and I have the privilege to be a recipient of this work here on the earth.