"I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love." (2 Nephi 1:15)
I love this because it shows the relationship Lehi had with his Father in Heaven.

Hugh Nibley

"To be redeemed is to be atoned. From this it should be clear what kind of oneness is meant by the Atonement--it is being received in a close embrace of the prodigal son, expressing not only forgiveness but oneness of heart and mind that amounts to identity, like a literal family identity as John sets it forth so vividly in chapters 14 through 17 of his Gospel...

"This is the imagery of the Atonement, the embrace: 'The Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love' (2 Nephi 1:15). 'O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies!' (2 Nephi 4:33). 'Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you' (Alma 5:33)." (Approaching Zion, pp. 567, 559)

I love this quote because it shows that God loves all of us and that he truly does want us to come to Him.

"put on the armor of righteousness." (2 Nephi 1:23)

We need to have a desire to be righteous and to follow the prophets counsel and guidance.

2 Ne 1:26 his sharpness was the sharpness of the power of the word of God, which was in him

The word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow (DC 6:2).  There are times when using the word with sharpness is appropriate, especially when the audience is particularly wicked. Jacob grieved that he had to speak with such boldness to the wicked of his day (Jacob 2:6), Mormon used the sharpness of the word until it had no more effect among his people (Moroni 9:4), the Savior offended the scribes and Pharisees because he called them to repentance (Lu 11:37-54), the Savior even used sharpness with Peter when he said, Get thee behind me Satan (Matt 16:23). In the last instance, the Lord was chastening Peter for suggesting that He should not go through with His death and resurrection--the things which would bring about the Atonement. This is what the Savior came into the world to do. Peter's spiritual shortsightedness was appropriately chastised by the Lord.

In using sharpness, we would do well to follow the counsel found in DC 121:41-4:

   No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

   By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile--

   Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

   That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

Laman and Lemuel's response to Nephi's sharpness was like that among Mormon's people, they accused him of being angry with them. Mormon wrote, when I speak the word of God with sharpness they tremble and anger against me (Mormon 9:4). And so it is that the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center (1 Ne 16:2).

Blessing: My bishop is amazing and truly cares about me.