A Question for Us All…
1 Nephi 15:8
“And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?”
This is not just Nephi’s question to his brothers — it is the Lord’s question to
us.
It is a question that reveals where we turn when we are confused, overwhelmed, or unsure.
It is a question that exposes whether we are spiritually passive or spiritually engaged.
Direct Supporting Scriptures for Inquired 1 Nephi 15:8
2 Nephi 1:25 (24–27)
“And I exceedingly fear and tremble because of you, lest he shall suffer again; for behold, ye have accused him that he sought power and authority over you; but I know that he hath not sought for power nor authority over you, but he hath sought the glory of God, and your own eternal welfare.”
• Lehi pleads with his sons to “shake off the chains” and stop resisting the Lord’s invitations.
Mosiah 10:14
“And his brethren were wroth with him because they understood not the dealings of the Lord; they were also wroth with him upon the waters because they hardened their hearts against the Lord.”
• The Lamanites “knew not the dealings of that God who had created them,” and therefore acted in ignorance and anger.
Principle for Inquired:
Problem-Solving
Scriptures taken from the Topical Guide
- James 1:5 — If we lack wisdom, we must ask God.
- Alma 37:37 — Counsel with the Lord in all our doings.
- D&C 9:7–9 — Inquiry requires mental effort, spiritual seeking, and confirmation.
- Jeremiah 33:3 — God invites us to call upon Him and promises to answer.
- 3 Nephi 18:20 — Asking in Christ’s name aligns our inquiry with His will.
- Proverbs 3:5–6 — Trusting the Lord directs our paths when we seek Him.
Why These Scriptures
These passages reveal a unified pattern: when we do not inquire, we remain stuck; when we do inquire, God opens the way.
2 Nephi 1:24–27
Lehi’s plea shows that failing to inquire is not merely a lack of curiosity — it is a spiritual resistance. When we refuse to seek the Lord, we bind ourselves with “chains” of our own making. Inquiry is how we shake them off.
Mosiah 10:14
The Lamanites acted in anger because they “knew not the dealings of God.”
Ignorance is the natural result of not inquiring.
Inquiry is how we come to know God’s dealings with us.
James 1:5
Wisdom is available, but only to those who ask.
Inquiry is the doorway to divine understanding.
Alma 37:37
Inquiry is meant to be continual — a way of life, not a crisis response.
D&C 9:7–9
The Lord corrects the assumption that answers come without effort.
Inquiry requires us to study it out, seek, and listen.
Jeremiah 33:3
God promises to reveal “great and mighty things” — meaning inquiry opens access to revelation beyond our natural capacity.
3 Nephi 18:20
Inquiry must be aligned with Christ’s name, character, and will.
Proverbs 3:5–6
Inquiry is an act of trust — we seek Him because we acknowledge our limits.
Together, these scriptures answer the implied question in 1 Nephi 15:8:
Why do we sometimes remain confused?
Because we have not yet inquired.
Principle
Problem‑Solving
To inquire of the Lord is to engage God as the first step in problem‑solving, not the last.
Inquiry is not passive.
Inquiry is covenantal.
Inquiry is how we move from:
- confusion » understanding
- frustration » revelation
- limitation » divine insight
When we inquire:
- We acknowledge God as the source of wisdom.
- We accept responsibility to labor mentally and spiritually.
- We align our will with Christ’s.
- We open ourselves to revelation that solves the problem at its root.
Problem‑solving in the kingdom is not merely analytical — it is relational.
We solve problems by seeking the One who already knows the answer.
Closing Summary
Final Thoughts
1 Nephi 15:8 confronts us with a gentle but piercing question:
Have we inquired of the Lord?
Not merely prayed, not merely hoped, not merely waited — but truly inquired.
As covenant disciples, we are invited to bring our questions, our confusion, and our struggles directly to Him. When we do, He responds with wisdom, clarity, and power. When we don’t, we remain bound by the limits of our own understanding.
As we learn to inquire — consistently, humbly, and with real intent — we discover that God is not distant. He is deeply involved in our problem‑solving, our decision‑making, and our daily walk. He is ready to reveal “great and mighty things” when we choose to seek Him.
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