Heroes

Over this last summer I saw the new Superman movie Man of Steel. I loved it, and although I don't think they should destroy the character by making a Man of Steel/Dark Knight movie, It does make me think: why would Superman and Batman ever work together? Why would Superman need the help of a hero with no superpowers? It's a good argument, but here's what makes the Dark Knight such a relatable and appealing character: He is not something from another planet, but he is human with fears and flaws. He is a human who has the tools (and skills) to be a hero.

Today I asked the missionaries at work who their favorite Book of Mormon hero was. They all yelled out Moroni, Ammon, Helaman, and Nephi, among others. I asked them what made those people heroes, and they had so many answers like "Moroni stood up for what he believed in!" and "Ammon put his whole heart into serving the people," and "Nephi had such strong faith and resolve!"

Nephi. What a MAN. Hero? Definitely. How much courage would that take to go back to your city where people threatened to kill you, and talk to a man you know will try to kill you, and try to make him give you something he believes is his (the scriptures and genealogy) (1 Nephi 3-4)? Or how much faith would it take to build a ship, not after the manner of men (who apparently couldn't build cross-sea transport ships until the 17th century or something), but after the manner the Lord would show you, and then take your family across the ocean in it (1 Nephi 17-18)? Every story Nephi tells is inspiring and faith-promoting. I have used him over and over as a personal example of how to overcome challenges in my own life.

But there is one chapter in Nephi's writings that makes me think of him not as a perfect Superman kind of hero, but as a Batman kind of hero. 2 Nephi 4 is popularly referred to as Nephi's Lamentation or Psalm of Nephi. In it he bares his soul in prayer and records the experience. This is one glimpse we get at the personal and human side of our hero Nephi. He says:

17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

This faithful and strong leader and prophet went through temptations and spiritual ups and downs. He made mistakes and they weighed on his mind at times. He desired to do good but found that he wasn't perfect. That's something I can relate to. But this is where Nephi shows his heroism: nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.

24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high and angels came down and ministered unto me.

25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yeah, even too great for man;

 Nephi chose to trust in the Lord and seek out His voice. He chose to create for himself opportunities in which the Lord could speak to him and guide him. He provided spiritual experiences for himself, and that is what made him so strong.

As members of the church and disciples of Christ, we know we are to study the scriptures, serve in the temple, go to church, etc. But do you ever find yourself coasting? Do you ever start to think that Spiritual things don't bear as much weight in your mind as they used to? Or do you ever find that you're not progressing much, but your motivation to do so has almost disappeared? Maybe this happens for just a moment, or it is a fleeting thought that you then forget about, but remember Nephi. He had moments of despair and spiritual anguish. He had moments where he felt like he was not good enough, but he chose to provide spiritual experiences for himself. He chose to seek out the voice of the Lord and feel the Spirit.

Just like Bruce Wayne has the tools and the proactivity to be Batman, Nephi had the tools and the proactivity to be a spiritual hero in our scriptures. We have the tools to survive the temptations and sin that easily beset us.

For me the Holy Ghost is the blood that keeps me spiritually alive. I feel the difference when I am not making the effort for him to accompany me every day. This last week as I read 2 Nephi 4 I had the following thought:

Provide spiritual experiences for yourself. It is so easy to get lost between special experiences and your spirit yearns and waits for the next big thing. Create those experiences. Study the scriptures. Pray sincerely and earnestly. Go to the temple. Take your questions to the Lord. Don't coast.