1 Nephi 13

There is so much in this chapter. The great and abominable church, Columbus, the Bible, the Book of Mormon, Zion. Nephi's vision is remarkable. It is a revelation that spans far into the future. There are a lot of interesting verses that might give hints about Book of Mormon geography, and there are other interesting subjects that Nephi writes about. But this morning I was most inspired by verse 37. Through an angel, the Lord speaks directly to Nephi and to us, with a promise that He will manifest Himself to Nephi's seed. He promises to minister "plain and precious" things that will be recorded, hid up, and brought forth. Thus Nephi sees the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and other books that will contain the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His rock and His salvation. Verse 37 describes a blessing that is still in effect:

"And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be." (1 Ne. 13:37)

I love this verse.  It also reminds me of a tribute that Elder Holland recently paid to President Thomas S. Monson:

"In that regard, I pay a personal tribute to President Thomas Spencer Monson. I have been blessed by an association with this man for 47 years now, and the image of him I will cherish until I die is of him flying home from then–economically devastated East Germany in his house slippers because he had given away not only his second suit and his extra shirts but the very shoes from off his feet. “How beautiful upon the mountains [and shuffling through an airline terminal] are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace.”20 More than any man I know, President Monson has “done all he could” for the widow and the fatherless, the poor and the oppressed."

I love the Book of Mormon.  It is a true testament of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who has exemplified so well what it means to bring good tidings, and to publish peace.