1 Nephi - Gratitude

Gratitude is a significant theme in 1 Nephi.

In chapter 2, the Lord tells Lehi that people seek to take his life because he has been declaring the truth, and He commands him to depart into the wilderness with his family. Lehi promptly does so and, after pitching his tent, he builds an altar, offers a burnt sacrifice, and gives thanks to the Lord.

1 Nephi 2
7And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God.

In chapters 3 and 4, Nephi and his brothers return to Jerusalem to accomplish the dangerous task of obtaining the brass plates. After they safely return to their parents in the wilderness in chapter 5, they again offer burnt offerings and give thanks to the Lord.

1 Nephi 5
9And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly, and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel.

In chapter 7, Nephi and his brothers return to Jerusalem to invite Ishmael and his family to join them on their journey. When the whole group safely arrives at Lehi's camp, we see the same pattern.

1 Nephi 7
22And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of our father. And after I and my brethren and all the house of Ishmael had come down unto the tent of my father, they did give thanks unto the Lord their God; and they did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto him.

Lastly, in chapter 16, after Nephi obtains food for his family in a time of scarcity by following the directions of the Liahona, his family gives thanks unto the Lord again.

1 Nephi 16
32And it came to pass that I did return to our tents, bearing the beasts which I had slain; and now when they beheld that I had obtained food, how great was their joy! And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord, and did give thanks unto him.

Sacrifice of Gratitude

In three of the four examples mentioned above, it explicitly says that Lehi and his family offered burnt offerings and sacrifices when giving thanks. These gifts, or offerings, were given in accordance with the Law of Moses. However, the Law of Moses was fulfilled when Christ atoned for the sins of the world and the Law was replaced with a higher Law. How, then, can we apply these scriptures to ourselves when we give thanks to the Lord?

After fulfilling the Law of Moses, the Lord, speaking to the Nephites, said the following:

3 Nephi 9
19And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.
20And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit....

This idea of offering ourselves as sacrifices to the Lord is echoed in Romans 12.

Romans 12
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
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21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

We can follow Nephi and Lehi's examples by offering thanks to the Lord for protection, guidance, and other blessings that He gives us. When we give thanks, rather than offering burnt offerings, we can offer ourselves as sacrifices to the Lord by renewing our commitment to follow Him and serving those around us. We can commit to study the scriptures and the words of living prophets more diligently, to pray more sincerely, or to worship in the temple more often.

If we offer ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord will guide, bless, and protect us just as He guided, blessed, and protected Lehi and his family.