Lehi must have been a powerful figure in the family. After his death and his influence is gone, the family splits into to completely different factions. Until that point, Laman and Lemuel seem willing to ask questions and learn. But once Nephi heads the family, everything changes.
Here are some of the things I learned in this chapter from Lehi.
1. Verses 5-6. No people will occupy to this land except they are brought by the Lord
2. Verse 7. This land will never be held captive but be a land of liberty and be blessed as long as the people are righteous.
3. Verse 8. It is a land of inheritance and will be hidden from other nations.
4. Verse 9. As long as the people keep the commandments, they will proser in the land.
5. Verse 10-22. If the day comes that Lehi's posterity rejects the Lord, the Lord's judgments will rest upon them. Other nations will take possession of the land and the posterity of Lehi will be scattered and smitten.
6. Verse 13. To Laman and Lemuel, Lehi pleads for them to awake from the sleep of hell. The sleep of hell is indifference.
7. Verse 15. Lehi has seen the Lord and his calling and election are made sure.
8. Verse 23. The chains that bind Laman and Lemuel are their sins. Disobedience brings captivity, obedience brings freedom.
9. Verses 24-29. Nephi has suffered much because of Laman and Lemuel. But Nephi has only spoken what the Lord would have him say. Those on the the Lord's errand have no right to say anything except that which the Lord directs them to say. It is not the place of mortals to edit God. No teacher has the right to add or take from the gospel. And when a person is called to speak the truth, he must be ready to stand by his word regardless of the opposition.
10. Verses 30-32. What a friend Zoram has become to Nephi who at first forced him to come with him.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
1 Nephi 22
I want to comment on something basic because if this isn't understood, chapters 20 and 21 won't make a lot of sense. In the Bible, Abraham is promised that his posterity will be as numerous the sands of the sea and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed. This promise refers to the Savior's being born and the gospel coming through Abraham's lineage. If we follow Abraham's lineage, Abraham had Isaac and Isaac's son was Jacob. The Lord changed Jacob's name to Israel and he had twelve sons. All of the people born to those twelve sons became the nation of Israel. Their ancestral link to Abraham is important to them because the blessings promised to Abraham are also promised to them. By the time of Christ, 10 of the tribes of Israel (the posterity of 10 of the sons) who lived in the northern half of Israel have been scattered throughout the world because of other nations coming in and destroying them. The two remaining tribes, Benjamin and Judah intermarry and become the Jews and they are the only tribes left when the Savior is on the earth. In about 60 A.D., they're also driven out but are able to maintain their identity. Anyone who isn't related to Israel, or can trace his lineage back to one of the 12 sons of Israel is considered a Gentile.
So in chapter 22, Nephi explains to his brothers what these last two chapters of Isaiah mean. In the future, he says, all Israel will be scattered on the earth just like their family has been. In verse 4, he says "there are already many lost from the knowledge of those in Jerusalem. Yea, the more part of all the tribes have been led away; and they are scattered to and fro upon the isles of the sea. Other verses will say they are scattered throughout the earth. In verse 7, he prophesies that the Lord will raise up a mighty nation among the Gentiles after Israel is scattered and through the Gentiles in this nation, the Lord will do a marvelous work for the lost descendants of Israel who by this time will have lost the knowledge of the covenants that were originally made with Abraham. Through the Gentiles, Israel will be gathered again, come to know the Savior, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed because of this work. Read verse 12 because there are four promises made by the Lord to the lost tribes of Israel.
Once Israel is restored, there will come a time of great destruction when all of the wicked will be destroyed. This is prior to the Lord's second coming. The wicked are the ones who need to fear about this. But promises are made to the righteous in verses 17 to 26. Nephi promises 8 or 9 times that the righteous need not fear, that they will be protected. And verse 26 is an important teaching: it is the righteousness of the people that causes Satan to have no power. That is true as a people and it is true as individuals.
So in chapter 22, Nephi explains to his brothers what these last two chapters of Isaiah mean. In the future, he says, all Israel will be scattered on the earth just like their family has been. In verse 4, he says "there are already many lost from the knowledge of those in Jerusalem. Yea, the more part of all the tribes have been led away; and they are scattered to and fro upon the isles of the sea. Other verses will say they are scattered throughout the earth. In verse 7, he prophesies that the Lord will raise up a mighty nation among the Gentiles after Israel is scattered and through the Gentiles in this nation, the Lord will do a marvelous work for the lost descendants of Israel who by this time will have lost the knowledge of the covenants that were originally made with Abraham. Through the Gentiles, Israel will be gathered again, come to know the Savior, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed because of this work. Read verse 12 because there are four promises made by the Lord to the lost tribes of Israel.
Once Israel is restored, there will come a time of great destruction when all of the wicked will be destroyed. This is prior to the Lord's second coming. The wicked are the ones who need to fear about this. But promises are made to the righteous in verses 17 to 26. Nephi promises 8 or 9 times that the righteous need not fear, that they will be protected. And verse 26 is an important teaching: it is the righteousness of the people that causes Satan to have no power. That is true as a people and it is true as individuals.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
1 Nephi 21
There is much dualism in this chapter. The early verses can refer to the Savior, but they can also refer to Joseph Smith. Here's how I think they refer to Joseph Smith in each of the following verses:
1. He was called from the womb. Meaning that he was called and ordained in the premortal life.
2. His mouth being like a sharp sword means that his words divide truth from error. He was kept in the shadow of the Lord's hand or protected. He is made a polished shaft and hid in the quiver. The polished shaft is the last arrow saved for the most important shot. Joseph was kept from the world until the latter-days and the last dispensation.
3. He is the Lord's servant.
4. It will appear that his work was in vain at the time of his martyrdom.
5. He will bring Jacob again, meaning he will restore and gather the House of Israel.
6. Again, he will bring about the gathering of Israel and be a light to the Gentiles who the gospel will go to first.
7. Eventually, the whole world will see the work begun by Joseph.
9. This has dual meaning. The prisoners of sin will be freed through the atonement and ordinances of the gospel.
In the latter verses of the chapter, the Lord tells the prophet that even though Israel has been scattered and all of it's children seem to be lost, he shouldn't feel like the Lord has forsaken Israel or Zion. In verses 15-16, he uses a wonderful comparison of how he cannot forget them and how his sacrifice is a token of the remembrance. In verse 20, he says that even though the children of Israel have been lost, they will be gathered and they will be so many that there will not be room for them. In verse 22, he says that it is through the gentiles that the gospel will be established and they will bring the children of Israel back into the fold.
It's important to see that the Lord never forgets his children regardless of how far they stray. His love never varies but is always there, waiting for when we turn to him again.
1. He was called from the womb. Meaning that he was called and ordained in the premortal life.
2. His mouth being like a sharp sword means that his words divide truth from error. He was kept in the shadow of the Lord's hand or protected. He is made a polished shaft and hid in the quiver. The polished shaft is the last arrow saved for the most important shot. Joseph was kept from the world until the latter-days and the last dispensation.
3. He is the Lord's servant.
4. It will appear that his work was in vain at the time of his martyrdom.
5. He will bring Jacob again, meaning he will restore and gather the House of Israel.
6. Again, he will bring about the gathering of Israel and be a light to the Gentiles who the gospel will go to first.
7. Eventually, the whole world will see the work begun by Joseph.
9. This has dual meaning. The prisoners of sin will be freed through the atonement and ordinances of the gospel.
In the latter verses of the chapter, the Lord tells the prophet that even though Israel has been scattered and all of it's children seem to be lost, he shouldn't feel like the Lord has forsaken Israel or Zion. In verses 15-16, he uses a wonderful comparison of how he cannot forget them and how his sacrifice is a token of the remembrance. In verse 20, he says that even though the children of Israel have been lost, they will be gathered and they will be so many that there will not be room for them. In verse 22, he says that it is through the gentiles that the gospel will be established and they will bring the children of Israel back into the fold.
It's important to see that the Lord never forgets his children regardless of how far they stray. His love never varies but is always there, waiting for when we turn to him again.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
1 Nephi 20
Isaiah is hard to read and one thing that helps me is to focus on or look for three themes. One theme is the wickedness of Israel, their rejection of Christ, and in spite of their wickedness, their eventual gathering and redemption by the Savior. The second theme is prophecies about the coming of the Messiah, and third, prophecies related to Joseph Smith and the restoration in the latter days.
This chapter is about Israel. First, the Lord condemns them for their wickedness. Notice what he says in these verses:
1. They make mention of God, swear or make oaths in his name, but they don't do this truthfully or righteously.
2. They say they are of the holy city or Jerusalem. That's like saying, "I'm righteous because I live in Utah."
4. They are obstinate, hard headed, and prideful.
5-6. The Lord fulfilled prophecies before they were supposed to happen so the people couldn't say the false gods and idols performed the miracles.
8. He condemns them for their lack of knowledge, for not hearing his words. He says from their creation as a nation (from the womb), they have been transgressors.
Then in the following verses, he makes these declarations and promises:
10. He will bring them out of their afflictions and make them a chosen people so his name will not be dishonored.
12-13. The Lord tells Israel he is the pre-mortal God, the Messiah, the Creator, and for his own reasons he will not abandon Israel in spite of their wickedness.
14-16. He loves is prophets. He has not spoken in secret, but openly through them and will bring his word to the people through the prophets.
17. He will lead his people in the way they should go.
18-19. He tells them of Abraham's covenant, that had they been righteous, their peace would have been as a river, their righteousness like the waves of the sea, their offspring as many as the sands of the sea, and they would not have been cut off and destroyed (scattered).
20-22. Then at the end of the chapter, he tells them to flee from the wicked influence of other nations, to remember that he lead Israel out of Egypt through the deserts and gave them water that flowed from rock, and yet they are still wicked and not at peace.
All of this is about ancient Israel, but in Isaiah, there is dualism. What he says about the people in one time, can also apply to people in another time. So this could apply to ancient Israel, or Israel at the time of the Savior, or the latter-days. Nephi says we should liken Isaiah's words unto ourselves. Can you see how this can also apply to our own time?
This chapter is about Israel. First, the Lord condemns them for their wickedness. Notice what he says in these verses:
1. They make mention of God, swear or make oaths in his name, but they don't do this truthfully or righteously.
2. They say they are of the holy city or Jerusalem. That's like saying, "I'm righteous because I live in Utah."
4. They are obstinate, hard headed, and prideful.
5-6. The Lord fulfilled prophecies before they were supposed to happen so the people couldn't say the false gods and idols performed the miracles.
8. He condemns them for their lack of knowledge, for not hearing his words. He says from their creation as a nation (from the womb), they have been transgressors.
Then in the following verses, he makes these declarations and promises:
10. He will bring them out of their afflictions and make them a chosen people so his name will not be dishonored.
12-13. The Lord tells Israel he is the pre-mortal God, the Messiah, the Creator, and for his own reasons he will not abandon Israel in spite of their wickedness.
14-16. He loves is prophets. He has not spoken in secret, but openly through them and will bring his word to the people through the prophets.
17. He will lead his people in the way they should go.
18-19. He tells them of Abraham's covenant, that had they been righteous, their peace would have been as a river, their righteousness like the waves of the sea, their offspring as many as the sands of the sea, and they would not have been cut off and destroyed (scattered).
20-22. Then at the end of the chapter, he tells them to flee from the wicked influence of other nations, to remember that he lead Israel out of Egypt through the deserts and gave them water that flowed from rock, and yet they are still wicked and not at peace.
All of this is about ancient Israel, but in Isaiah, there is dualism. What he says about the people in one time, can also apply to people in another time. So this could apply to ancient Israel, or Israel at the time of the Savior, or the latter-days. Nephi says we should liken Isaiah's words unto ourselves. Can you see how this can also apply to our own time?
Monday, January 25, 2010
1 Nephi 19
Nephi is making the large and small plates. Once again, I find it helpful to write the word "small" where he says "these plates," and "large" where he says "first plates" or "other plates."
There will come a sad day when those who deny or criticize the Book of Mormon will realize that what they have actually been doing is denying Christ. There is no doubt that Nephi knows what he is writing is true. His last words will be his testimony that what he has written are the words of Christ and in this chapter he says that any weakness is not in the truth, but in his ability as a mortal to write about eternal things. If you can sense the surety of his belief, you can sense the truth that is in the Book of Mormon.
Nephi quotes three prophets we know nothing about, Zenos, Neum, and Zenock. Their writings were on the brass plates, but we don't have them. Zenos makes an interesting prophecy about the Jews. He says the Jews in Jerusalem will scourged by all people because they crucify their God and they turn their hearts aside and reject the signs, wonder, power, and glory of God. Because they "depised" Christ, they "will wander in the flesh and perish, and become a hiss and a byword, and be hated among all nations." There is no doubt as to the fulfillment of that prophecy. But, Zenos says that when the Jews no longer turn their hearts against Christ, he will remember the promises he made to Abraham and their other prophets, and will gather all the house of Israel, and through Israel, all the world will come see the that salvation is in Christ and all people will be blessed. If the Book of Mormon was a fraud, I wonder if Joseph Smith would have made the connection between condemning the Jews, which would be easy, and the fulfillment of the ancient covenants made to Israel regarding the last days.
Nephi issues a challenge that many in the church find very difficult, he tells us that to be more fully persuaded that Jesus is the Christ and Redeemer, we should read the words of Isaiah. Are you up for it?
There will come a sad day when those who deny or criticize the Book of Mormon will realize that what they have actually been doing is denying Christ. There is no doubt that Nephi knows what he is writing is true. His last words will be his testimony that what he has written are the words of Christ and in this chapter he says that any weakness is not in the truth, but in his ability as a mortal to write about eternal things. If you can sense the surety of his belief, you can sense the truth that is in the Book of Mormon.
Nephi quotes three prophets we know nothing about, Zenos, Neum, and Zenock. Their writings were on the brass plates, but we don't have them. Zenos makes an interesting prophecy about the Jews. He says the Jews in Jerusalem will scourged by all people because they crucify their God and they turn their hearts aside and reject the signs, wonder, power, and glory of God. Because they "depised" Christ, they "will wander in the flesh and perish, and become a hiss and a byword, and be hated among all nations." There is no doubt as to the fulfillment of that prophecy. But, Zenos says that when the Jews no longer turn their hearts against Christ, he will remember the promises he made to Abraham and their other prophets, and will gather all the house of Israel, and through Israel, all the world will come see the that salvation is in Christ and all people will be blessed. If the Book of Mormon was a fraud, I wonder if Joseph Smith would have made the connection between condemning the Jews, which would be easy, and the fulfillment of the ancient covenants made to Israel regarding the last days.
Nephi issues a challenge that many in the church find very difficult, he tells us that to be more fully persuaded that Jesus is the Christ and Redeemer, we should read the words of Isaiah. Are you up for it?
Saturday, January 23, 2010
1 Nephi 18
Nephi tells us something insightful about revelation. In verse 1, he says, "the Lord did show me from time to time... " I think that is just how revelation comes. I don't think it's ever a steady stream, even for a prophet. I think the Lord expects us to keep moving forward in faith. As long as we're trying to do the right thing, he will guide us from time to time and will warn us if something is wrong. I often find that confirmation of a decision does not come from the Lord until after I have taken action on the decision. We have to have faith that if it is a wrong decision, the Lord would let us know so we can avoid making serious mistakes. What's important is to listen. If we don't listen and hear him warning us, he will not interfere with our agency and allow us to make mistakes and hopefully learn from them.
Nephi's building of the ship was an act of faith and to me it was an act of worship, something totally dedicated to the Lord and his purposes. Perhaps we should look at what we do, our work, our families, as something that is an act of faith and worship. Joseph Smith said we should never start a day without dedicating it and ourselves to the Lord. I wonder how that would change our outlook on what we do. Maybe it would make it easier to keep moving even though we can't see our promised land because we're not there yet.
Nephi says the ship was of curious workmanship. To me, that means it was different than anything he had ever seen. He also says they went "down into the ship." It makes me wonder if it was something similar to the Jaradite ships. It must have been unusual.
Nephi's building of the ship was an act of faith and to me it was an act of worship, something totally dedicated to the Lord and his purposes. Perhaps we should look at what we do, our work, our families, as something that is an act of faith and worship. Joseph Smith said we should never start a day without dedicating it and ourselves to the Lord. I wonder how that would change our outlook on what we do. Maybe it would make it easier to keep moving even though we can't see our promised land because we're not there yet.
Nephi says the ship was of curious workmanship. To me, that means it was different than anything he had ever seen. He also says they went "down into the ship." It makes me wonder if it was something similar to the Jaradite ships. It must have been unusual.
Friday, January 22, 2010
1 Nephi 17
The complaining of Laman and Lemuel continues. They talk of how foolish Nephi and Lehi are and you have to wonder why they didn't just go back? They weren't be forced to leave Jerusalem. Anytime along the way, they could have returned and returned much quicker than it had taken them to get where they were. When they say they know that the people in Jerusalem are righteous and keep the commandments, it is obvious they don't see that their wickedness is the same. And their anger will continue to increase until Nephi and his people will have to flee for their lives. I admire Nephi's courage when he tells them that they are murderers in their hearts and just like the people in Jerusalem. This man is no wimp!
Nephi says something I think is very important when he says to his brothers, "... and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words." Understanding religious truth is a feeling. It isn't uncommon for religions who fight against the church to attack prayer. I can remember reading an evangelical tract that said, "Do not pray about these things. You cannot trust your feelings." The Savior said to pray always. In Matthew, the Savior chastises unbelievers for not understanding with their hearts so they can be converted and he can heal them. When we listen with our hearts instead of our heads, we not only find truth, but we feel it is true. But first, we have to learn to trust our feelings so we can recognize the promptings of the still small voice. Truth will always feel good. Falsehood will not.
Nephi says something I think is very important when he says to his brothers, "... and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words." Understanding religious truth is a feeling. It isn't uncommon for religions who fight against the church to attack prayer. I can remember reading an evangelical tract that said, "Do not pray about these things. You cannot trust your feelings." The Savior said to pray always. In Matthew, the Savior chastises unbelievers for not understanding with their hearts so they can be converted and he can heal them. When we listen with our hearts instead of our heads, we not only find truth, but we feel it is true. But first, we have to learn to trust our feelings so we can recognize the promptings of the still small voice. Truth will always feel good. Falsehood will not.
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