2 Nephi 5

They, the people of Nephi, lived after the manner of happiness.  Even though Lehi had just died, Laman and Lemuel were trying to kill Nephi, the people had split into two groups, and the people of Nephi were afflicted by the people of Laman and Lemuel - even after all of this, they lived after the manner of happiness.  How were they enabled to live after the manner of happiness?  Because their lives were centered with exactness on the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Nephi 4

The Psalm of Nephi.  Study this, and let it bring comfort to your heart.  Let your soul delight in the things of the Lord, and let your heart ponder continually upon the things of the Lord.  Place your trust in the Lord forever, and not in the arm of the flesh.  This psalm is a prayer.  Notice how Nephi, under the influence of the Holy Ghosts, remembers all of the things that the Lord has done for him.  The Holy Ghost brings to his remembrance everything that he has been taught, his visions, his blessings, being filled with the love of God unto the consuming of his flesh, the high mountains, and the condescensions of the Lord.  He remembers these moments of enlightenment and revelation, of inspiration and testimony, and he wonders why, after all of these blessings, he should ever yield to weakness or the sins that so easily beset him.  O wretched man that I am!  Nephi recognizes his fallen nature, but he trusts in the Lord, and prays mightily to Him.  Think of it.  Nephi's father Lehi had just died.  His brothers were rebelling against him and causing all manner of afflictions.  He had the mantle and the burden of his father.  He was the prophet-leader of his people, and would soon have to make the decision to separate from his brothers who would not hearken to the revelations of God.  Ponder this chapter, and ponder Nephi's prayer.  Nephi calls his upon his heart to rejoice and to pray.  He turns to the Lord in his afflictions, and he puts his trust in the Lord forever.  This is fervent and sincere prayer:

"O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen." (2 Ne. 4:34-35)

2 Nephi 3

Imagine the Prophet Joseph Smith as he translated this particular portion of the Book of Mormon.  Through it he discovered that he was the one of whom it had been prophesied by Joseph of old, the same Joseph that was sold into Egypt by his brothers, and the same Joseph who forgave them and became a blessing to them.  Joseph, son of Jacob, or Israel, prophesied of Moses, who the Lord God would raise up to deliver His people from bondage in Egypt.  But his prophecies did not end there.

Joseph peered far into the future to see the restoration of the Gospel in the last days.  But these are the words that Lehi spoke to his son Joseph, the words that were recorded by Nephi.  Where did Lehi get these prophecies?  Were they not part of the brass plates in which Lehi also discovered that he was a descendent of Joseph in Egypt?  Joseph in Egypt foresaw Moses, Lehi, and the Last Days.  He was a seer who prophesied of other seers to come, including Moses and Joseph Smith.

It is well to ponder the description of the Prophet Joseph Smith in this prophecy from Joseph who was sold into Egypt:

"And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren." (2 Ne. 3:24)

But why would Lehi teach his youngest son Joseph of these things?  Why did they matter to him?  Why would Nephi record them?  These prophecies were given long before Lehi and his family left Jerusalem, and long before Joseph Smith was born.  But the Lord knew, and knows all things, and His work and glory is not limited by man's reason or by any other thing.  

Joseph Smith, the prophet and seer, was an instrument in the hands of God to bring to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel.  He did that which was great in the sight of God, working mighty wonders, with exceeding faith, and doing much good.  As John Taylor put it:

"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!" (D&C 135:3)

Joseph smith lived for approximately 14 more years after the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon contains revelation for all of God's children in the last days, but certainly the Book of Mormon, and the process of translation, helped Joseph Smith to understand the work that the Lord had given him to do.  The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, and the central purpose of the Book is to testify of Jesus Christ.  But the Book of Mormon also provides witnesses to testify of Joseph Smith, who was a witness of Jesus Christ and a martyr for the Lord's cause.

2 Nephi 2

This is one of the greatest chapters in all of holy writ, and there is no way to do it justice in one blog post.  But as I studied this chapter this morning, I was reminded of the blessings of opposition in our lives.  If we have experienced misery, sin, pain, affliction, or any other mortal problem, so much great then will be our capacity to experience joy, forgiveness, healing, and redemption, because of the Savior Jesus Christ.

Lehi taught Jacob these things, and he was well aware of the tribulations that Jacob had passed through in his youth because of the rudeness of his brethren.  No wonder then that Jacob was perhaps more sensitive to how women and children were being treated, and to the pride of his people in seeking after riches and the vain things of the world.

Jacob saw the glory of the Lord in his youth.  He beheld that glory.  He beheld the things of the Lord, and was like his brother Nephi, and his father Lehi, and Isaiah, as an eye witness of the Lord.  Lehi blessed him to understand the purpose of his afflictions and that the Lord had consecrated them to his eternal welfare.  Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy.  Joy and happiness are the design of our existence...

“Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56).

Jacob was virtuous, upright, faithful, holy, and obedient to the commandments of the Lord.  Therefore he chose liberty and eternal life by hearkening unto the Lord and unto his great commandments.  

This chapter teaches plainly and clearly the most important truths concerning Heavenly Father's plan of salvation:

"Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise." (2 Ne. 2:8)

When I ponder the things that are most important to the Lord, it is clear that one of the greatest, if not the greatest duty is to preach the Gospel, particularly by example.  

“After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 113).

Lehi had none other object than the everlasting welfare of the souls of his children.  His greatest object was to bring souls unto Christ.  He had this testimony and this desire from his youth, to be sure, but his vision of the tree of life, and his conversion caused him to share these truths all of his life, and to be a tender parent, full of the love of God.

I noticed in this chapter that the forbidden fruit was placed in opposition to the tree of life, the one being sweet, and the other bitter.  We can recall the sweetness of the fruit of the tree of life in Lehi's dream or vision:

"And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.

And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.

And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit." (1 Ne. 8:10-12)

Nephi also learned that this fruit of the tree of life, the love of God, was the most desirable above all things.  Nephi's conversation with the angel of the Lord reveals much more about the plan of salvation, and the role of the Savior:

"And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?

And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.

And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.

And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!

And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.

And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?

And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.

And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul." (1 Ne. 11:16-23)

What is this love of God?  It is charity, the pure love of Christ.

It is what Enos felt upon receiving forgiveness of his sins.  It is what Alma, and Alma the Younger felt.  Alma the younger described his joy in the following terms:

"And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, havemercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.

And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy." (Alma 36:17-21)

Here is the question:

"And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" (Alma 5:26)

This is the Gospel: Joy.

"Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them!" (D&C 128:19)

2 Nephi 1

As Lehi approaches his last days in mortality, he has some important things to teach his sons.  One theme that he repeats over and over again is that of keeping the commandments.  If ye shall keep the commandments, ye shall prosper in the land.  This land, America, or the American continent(s) were consecrated by the Lord for a sacred purpose, that all those who would be blessed to inherit the land would serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ.

Lehi clearly teaches that if the people who inherit the land of America turn away from God and to iniquity, the Lord will bring other people to the land, people who will serve Him.  If we think of the history of the Americas, from the Jaredites, to the Nephites, Mulekites, and Lamanites, and to our time, when the pilgrims and colonists settled this land, we can view the history of this land of freedom through an eternal lens.

In other words, there are patterns throughout the history of the Jaredites, Nephites, and the establishment and growth of the United States of America, that are worthy of consideration.  The cycle of civilizations relates to the pride cycle, which is simply that people who are free to serve the Lord and who do so, and keep the commandments as Lehi said, prosper both temporally and spiritually.  The tendency for those who prosper is to forget the Lord, to forget the source of blessings, Him from whom all blessings flow, even Jesus Christ, and to become proud, heard hearted and impenitent.  When the pride of the people becomes incurable or when the cup of iniquity is full, or when the people are ripe in iniquity, eventually the Lord sends warnings and calls people to repent, whether through prophets, or through the voice of nature and calamity, war and famine, pestilence and destruction.  When these things occur, sometimes the people humble themselves before the Lord and repent of their sins, and begin again to serve the Lord and to prosper.  This cycle is observable on a grand scale throughout the scriptures and throughout the history of the nations of the world, but it can also be observed in our individual lives.

Lehi is a loving father who is tenderly offering his testimony of the most important things to his children.  He is also sustaining Nephi in his calling, because he knows that Nephi will carry out the Lord's work after he has passed away.

"But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love."

Lehi beheld the glory of the Lord, as did Nephi, and Jacob, as did Isaiah about a century earlier.  These witnesses of Jesus Christ prepared the way for the new civilization on the American continent that would serve the Lord.  Lehi teaches his sons to arise from the dust, to be men, and to be united.  He exhorts them to put on the armor of righteousness.  He blesses them, and he blesses Zoram along with them.  

Lehi felt anxiety for the welfare of his people.  This is a word that Jacob also uses.  Why do the prophets feel anxiety?  Is anxiety a bad thing?  There was a good reason for this anxiety, and it was an anxiety for the eternal welfare of souls within their stewardship.

1 Nephi 22

Nephi gives a nice little summary of the Gospel in this chapter.

"But, behold, all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people shall dwell safely in the Holy One of Israel if it so be that they will repent.

And now I, Nephi, make an end; for I durst not speak further as yet concerning these things.

Wherefore, my brethren, I would that ye should consider that the things which have been written upon the plates of brass are true; and they testify that a man must be obedient to the commandments of God.

Wherefore, ye need not suppose that I and my father are the only ones that have testified, and also taught them. Wherefore, if ye shall be obedient to the commandments, and endure to the end, ye shall be saved at the last day. And thus it is. Amen." (1 Ne. 22:28-31)

Repent.  Be obedient.  Endure to the end.  Simple.  True.

1 Nephi 21

It's been a delightful Sabbath day.  It's been a difficult Sabbath day.  This is the section of chapter 21 that always stands out to me:

"But, behold, Zion hath said: The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me—but he will show that he hath not.

For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." (1 Ne. 21:14-16)