1 Nephi 2:19-24

After Nephi had received his testimony of the truthfulness of the things his father had taught him, and after he had tried to share this testimony with his brothers, Nephi received a blessing from the Lord.  He was blessed because of three things: his faith, his diligence, and his humility.  As seen in both the Index and the topical guide,diligence is often a requirement for blessings to come.  Sometimes, it would seem, faith, humility, obedience, study, work, among other things is just not enough unless they are exercised diligently, over  a period of time.  Diligence - Careful and persistent work or effort.

In the next few verses the Lord outlines the blessings that Nephi can receive through the faith, humility, and diligence mentioned before.  The verses alternate between blessings as well as a curse for lack of the aforementioned.  Through continued obedience Nephi is promised that he will prosper, be led to a promised land, and be made a ruler and a teacher over his brethren.  This promise is fulfilled later as he and his family are led to the Americas and he is made a ruler over his younger brothers and others that had joined their journey, as well as many of their descendants.  He, and his people were also prosperous during Nephi's lifetime as long as they were obedient.

In verses 21, 23, and 24 a curse is laid out as well, or consequences for disobedience.  Nephi is told that his brothers will be cursed for their disobedience, being cut from the Lord.  They are also cursed to have no power over Nephi and his people, unless they rebel also.  The rest of the Book of Mormon shows this to be true as the Nephites (Nephi's people) are often disobedient and the Lamanites (Laman's and Lemuel's people) then have power over them.  The Lord states that the purpose of this curse is not to punish, it is not out of cruelty or anger, it is to "stir them (Nephi's people) up in the ways of remembrance."  Heavenly Father wants to bless us, He wants us to remember Him and follow Him so that we can receive the blessings he has promised.