Nephi's Psalm

Huh, the Book of Mormon is historical non-fiction isn't it?  I never really thought about it that way before.  Maybe my mind places religious texts into their own sub-genre automatically.  When I read 2 Nephi 4:15-35 the profound sincerity of the passage enriches my spirit.  When I add to that the thought of Nephi: the son whose father just died, the brother of some real jerks, the man who has faithfully endured such extreme trials, his words are utterly, beyond description, amazing.  He wants to make sure his posterity has an accurate understanding of his character.  He is a perfectionist, but he admits he is not perfect.  He loves that which is pure, but confesses his impurities.  He loves his Savior and he trusts his Father in Heaven, but he wants to be transparent.  He balances his eloquence with relatable flaws.  I have noticed the precedent he set using this type of rhetoric reflected in the talks of modern-day prophets.  President Monson practices this technique with expert talent.  Reading this passage reminded me of a story told our current prophet’s recent talk in which he recanted a tale from his early boyhood in which he started a forest fire.  Prophets immediately deserve respect, but it is stories like this that gain the love of the people.

Nephi also uses powerful imagery to describe his struggles and redemption.  In verse 21 Nephi says “He has filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.”  He wants all the forthcoming generations to know that it is possible to overcome earthly short comings.  Nephi implements this classic Biblical metaphor in verse 35, “I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness.”  This can be traced back to Deuteronomy 32:4 among other references.