I was studying in 1 Nephi 6 this week and was struck by the timing and simplicity of Nephi's "mission statement" as found verse 4. "For the fullness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham...and be saved." That's it. Nephi had just finished recounting his families departure from Jerusalem, the beating he took from his brothers in a cave, his solo special op to get the plates from Laban and his fathers reaction to "searching" the plate. Then before he jumps into commentary on his own ministry he stops to write about the "fullness" of his intent. That got me thinking about the fullness of my intent and how simple (but not easy) the idea of a single principle can be in focusing our lives. Nephi's calling and election were made sure at this point (20ish years after as he's recouting the narrative) so the fullness shifted from his own "coming unto God" to that of bringing others.
The idea of fullness of intent is a powerful one. Take some time and think about your "intent." Is it full? Is it important? Does it encompass all, some, or none of what you really think you're here on earth to accomplish?

I was recently going over the April Conference edition of the Ensign, and came across a talk, and a concept that made me stop in my tracks. In Elder Pearson's talk on faith, he teaches (reteaches?) that faith and fear cannot coexist. Like never before I realized that when, in those quiet moments I have to myself, if I feel "afraid" then I can't fully exercise my faith. In the few short weeks since I read that talk I've noticed a certain increase in my spiritual power as I take note of things that previously caused me "fear" I can now take to my knees and "faith" myself into action. Faith really is "small and simple" but it's finding out how we can harness it, each in our own individual and personal ways that makes the difference between optimizing our mortal probation and just living.