The Ultimate Pep Talk

I think it says a lot about Nephi's character and desires that he was always disappointed by the wickedness of the people. This was the attitude he had when he began praying on his garden tower, as people gathered to hear him there. This was his attitude after the whole business with the chief judge being murdered, and how great of a converting experience it could have been for people who just paid attention to the Spirit and witnessed what had happened with Nephi prophesying about it. They just started to fight again, and Nephi started to ponder. 

"3 And it came to pass as he was thus pondering—being much cast down because of the wickedness of the people of the Nephites, their secret works of darkness, and their murderings, and their plunderings, and all manner of iniquities—and it came to pass as he was thus pondering in his heart, behold, a voice came unto him saying:

4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments." (Helaman 10:3-4)

To be much cast down because of the wickedness of the people requires that you care about the people. You are concerned about everyone, everywhere.  When the people are being wicked, it is really disappointing, and you just want everyone to feel what you have felt and experience what you have experienced, and to know what you know.

Nephi was so disappointed by the peoples' wickedness. You can imagine the kinds of things potentially running through his head, like "if only I was a better teacher" or second-guessing your effectiveness as a missionary.

He really needed a pick-me-up, and he got it in a big way. Nephi was heading home, when he heard the voice basically saying "Well done, thou good and faithful servant". He is even given the sealing power. I feel like this would have been immensely satisfying to Nephi, to know how much God trusts you.

I would love to be that kind of person--someone the Lord trusts. I do pretty ok, but I know I miss things. I know I might skip doing things that I know I should do, just because I didn't really "feel" like it at the time. I can do better.