Array of Feelings

So, today is my last day of class here at BYU! Interesting experience. Honestly it feels like any other normal day of class, and soon the stress and worry over finals will be upon me full throttle. Last night, my friend Mary and I came up on campus and looked out over the valley, at the beautiful blossoms on the trees, and at the beautiful campus where I've spent a majority of my time the past two years.
I realize that I'm going to miss going to school here. It is such a unique place to gain an education. It's clean, friendly and academically excellent. Having attended BYU-Hawaii as well, I see how these Universities have special missions and provide such great opportunities for us as youth of the Church.
Today I will write about my blogging experience thus far for my final in my Book of Mormon class. It has been excellent to write periodically about what is on my mind, and points of view and principles that I gain as I live and try to hold firm to the iron rod.
Last night I started over in my reading of the Book of Mormon. I saw in chapter one of 1st Nephi what I thought to be a contradiction in the feelings Lehi had because of his vision.
He talks of seeing many of the calamities that will come upon Jerusalem because of their iniquity if they don't repent. "and because of the things which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly." Then it goes on to explain that he reads and sees other "great and marvelous things", after which he rejoices and gives praise to God. If you read this too fast, you could conclude that he was happy and rejoicing that Jerusalem would be destroyed. Such isn't the case. "Thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!" is what Lehi says. WHY?? Why is it that he rejoiced and praised God after seeing and learning that the city he lived in and friends he knew and loved would be destroyed??
Because the Savior stood before him and "gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read." The word of God testifies of Christ, and His divine mission which in turn gives hope and enables us to rejoice. I dare say that we as a people need such hope and joy! Why not go to the books that teach us what we need to do so??
Another quick observation about the Lehi as a man: "as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people."
When was the last time you prayed for this country and the people that live in it?? I did last night for the first time. It was a powerful experience!