In 1 Nephi 17, the Lord makes a promise to Nephi, his brethren, and their families in the wilderness.
While Nephi's party was travelling in the wilderness, there were likely many known and unknown dangers; there were likely many moments when they did not know where to go or where they would get their next meal. During their journey, the Lord promised them that if they would keep His commandments, He would:
These same promises apply to us.
Whenever I read this verse, I see a mental image that I'd like to share. I know the wilderness I'm about to describe does not look like the wilderness Nephi's party trekked through, but bear with me.
I picture myself trying to find my way out of a dense jungle at night. There are trees and vines everywhere. Venomous snakes are likely hiding in the darkness; for all I know, there might be jaguars stalking me in the shadows. I don't know where to go. The jungle is dense. I am deep in it, and I don't see any clear way out.
Now, think of the jungle full of dangers as the world we live in. Think of the promised land beyond this wilderness as exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom. This world is full of dangers, both physical and spiritual. We often don't know how to get ourselves out of difficult situations and there's a real risk that we may not make it out spiritually alive. We often don't know what way to go.
Now, let's change the picture a little bit. What I'll describe now is what the metaphorical journey looks like when we keep the Lord's commandments and receive the blessings promised above.
You're in the same dense jungle as before, with the same dangers lurking in the darkness. However, this time there's a floating orb of light in front of you. You notice there's a path under your feet that the orb is illuminating. As you follow the path, the orb proceeds in front of you, illuminating the dangers that lie on and around the path. You're able to safely avoid them. You see treacherous pits that you would have fallen into and venomous snakes you would have stepped on if it weren't for the light guiding you. With the light, you can simply jump over or walk around them. The light doesn't illuminate very far into the distance, but it lights up an area just large enough for you to avoid serious danger. As you continue following the path, you eventually realize you are out of the jungle. You've made it out safely into a lush green meadow.
When we keep the commandments, our experience in this mortal life can be like the second scenario. We can have the presence of the Holy Ghost to guide us, warn us of danger, and help us walk the path that Jesus Christ walked and prepared for us. There may be times that we step off the path due to poor choices, but He will guide us back to the path when we strive to keep the commandments. Even with heavenly guidance we usually won't have the privilege of being able to see the whole plan Heavenly Father has for us. Along our path there might be metaphorical pits that we need to jump over without being able to see the other side. We must act in faith, with trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. As John Henry Newman so beautifully expressed in the hymn, "Lead, Kindly Light":
Lead kindly Light, amidst the encircling gloom; Lead thou me on!
The night is dark and I am far from home; Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene—
one step enough for me.
If we keep the commandments and walk in faith, we will be led to the promised land and into the arms of our loving Heavenly Father.