What Every LDS Entrepreneur Can Learn from Nephi
Jul 17, 2026As an entrepreneur, I relate to Nephi really deeply.
He’s all “I will go and do,” and “I will take care of the family” vibes with buff shoulders and good teeth (at least in my imagination.)
But if you look closer, he actually has no idea what he’s doing a lot of the time.
And I find that very relatable as a business owner.
When it’s Nephi’s turn to enter Laban’s house to attempt to get the plates, he says, “I was led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.”
After his bow breaks and he builds a new one out of wood instead of steel, he asks his dad, “Whither shall I go to obtain food?”
The Lord tells him to build a boat which he’s never done. So he prays a lot and says “the Lord did show me after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship.”
If God can show Nephi how to build a ship he'd never built before...
He can help you build a business you've never built before.
If God can show Nephi where to find food in the wilderness...
He can help you figure out your pricing.
If God can show Nephi where to find ore to make tools...
He can help you figure out what software your business needs.
If God can guide an entire family through the wilderness...
He can help you hire your first employee.
A lot of LDS business owners have a problem I've never heard anyone talk about.
You might struggle because you don't know how.
And you might struggle because you're not sure whether the business deserves your energy in the first place.
"Is this really what God wants me doing?"
"Should I be doing more of it? Less of it?"
"Should I be spending more time with my kids?"
That's where I think we can learn something from Nephi.
Nephi had consistent confidence because he knew what he was moving toward.
He often lacked clarity about how.
But he had clarity about what.
He was *crystal clear* that God had commanded him to do something.
On his mission to retrieve the plates, he said “I will go and do the things the Lord commanded” because he believed the effort to retrieve their genealogy was *worth it.* So even though it was a difficult mission, he didn’t quit until they succeeded. His brothers weren’t so sure, so they stressed and complained.
When he broke his bow, he was *100% sure* he needed to find food. His family was starving to death. To the point where even Lehi murmured. He was the only one who trusted the Liahona could help them find food, so the compass worked for him.
When his brothers doubted that he could build a ship, instead of doubting himself, Nephi basically turned into a human lightning bolt and corrected them. *He knew* they needed to leave by boat, so he trusted God would make a way for them to get to the promised land.
I talk to a lot of LDS Business owners (especially women) who aren’t 100% sure about their “mission.”
We're constantly renegotiating it.
"Should I still be doing this?"
"Is this business really worth my time?"
"Would God rather have me doing something else?"
I think the answer is to keep bringing the question to God.
If you're struggling to know whether your business deserves your time and energy, here are a few questions I would personally sit with in prayer:
- When I imagine continuing to build this business, does it fill me with light and hope or with dread and darkness?
- Have I seen evidence that this work blesses other people?
- Does this business help me feel like a better disciple, spouse, friend, or parent?
- Is this business stretching me in healthy ways?
- So far, have the fruits of this business been good?
When I take those questions to God, I don't get a five-year business plan download.
Most of the time, I receive enough light for today.
One thing I can do today.
Sometimes the answer is:
"Send the email."
And sometimes it's:
"Close your laptop and make Mickey Mouse pancakes with your kids."
Nephi didn't know how to get the plates.
He didn't know how to find food.
He didn't know how to build a ship.
But he kept receiving direction for the next step because he kept asking.
I think that's what God wants for us as business owners.
To rely on Him and strengthen our relationships with Him while we build something beautiful.
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