2 Nephi 4

2 Nephi 4 is sometimes called Nephi's psalm because it is so poetically written and Nephi is so passionate and emotional. He describes how wretched he feels about his weaknesses and sins. Then he describes all of the reasons he has to rejoice- for all of the blessings he has been given. Next, he pulls himself up by the bootstraps with renewed determination to win the war against Satan for his own soul. "Awake , my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul." Finally, he calls on the Lord for the strength and the aid he will need to endure to the end.

I've mentioned this before but I absolutely love this chapter because I relate so well to it. It is powerfully comforting to me that a prophet of God shares the same view of his own personal weaknesses. He gets discouraged and can't understand why he can be so weak at times when he has such great desires to do what is right and he has been given so many blessings. If a prophet feels to sorrow over his weaknesses, then I know it is only normal for me to do it. Of course, I'm certain that his sins aren't even remotely in the same ballpark as mine but he feels pain for the separation from the Spirit due to his sins just as I feel it. For any sin, no matter how small or large causes the Spirit to shrink from us in some degree. Of course, serious sins have greater repercussions. Yet as we get closer to the spirit and become more edified, we are more keenly aware of offending it. So now I call on my soul to awake and arise, no longer drooping in sin! I know that the Lord can and will help me; that with his help I can do all things. With the Lord's help, I can and I will overcome this world and qualify for one that is far better.