Nephi starts out with one of the most important themes in the scriptures by talking about affliction and how to find deliverance. He shows this especially in first Nephi where he shares his own personal story of conflict and his journey towards finding peace. He's an incredible example to me of how one can find amazing peace and deliverance from trials and afflictions by turning to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Having afflictions and being favored of the Lord are not mutually exclusive. As a matter of fact, being favored of the Lord means one will have afflictions and trials. He uses afflictions for many purposes but the two primary purposes are: (1) to turn our hearts towards Him, and (2) to purify and refine our souls. He wants us to become a finely polished stone that is beautiful and glorious. I can only fulfill the latter by following His will no matter what. And, when I follow His will, He helps me every step of the way. He says, "My yoke is easy" because through the Atonement the Savior is pulling the weight, but it's only easy if I am moving with Him and walking in His footsteps. If I deviate from His path whether it is through stubbornness or fear then I choose to take on the full weight of my burdens.
If I have faith in Him and align my will with His then He will give me power to overcome my afflictions and enemies. He may not take them away but He will make me "mighty even unto the power of deliverance."
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