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)

1 Nephi 20

The mercy of the Lord stands out to me:

"Nevertheless, for my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain from thee, that I cut thee not off.

For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

For mine own sake, yea, for mine own sake will I do this, for I will not suffer my name to be polluted, and I will not give my glory unto another." (1 Ne. 20:10-12)

The furnace of affliction.  I think that most of us have felt the heat of that furnace to some degree in our lives.  It is my understanding that the heat will only intensify.  But the furnace is a blessing.  It refines us.  It burns away the dross.  This reminds me of a favorite hymn:

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, thy dross to consume,
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine." (How Firm a Foundation, verse 5, Robert Keen)

As children of God, we are golden.  When trials and afflictions burn, when the flame intensifies, we can be grateful, for the Lord is consuming our dross, purifying us, and refining the gold within us.

1 Nephi 19

Nephi prophesies of the coming of Christ, His crucifixion, and the scattering and scourging of the Jews.  The Lord bears scourging, smiting, spitting, and suffering because of his loving-kindness and long-suffering towards the children of men.  Nephi's desire is to persuade  his people to remember the Lord their Redeemer, but he also speaks unto all the house of Israel.

Why does Nephi use the verb "speak" instead of "write"?  These words speak from the dust.  The words of prophets whose records we don't yet have access to: Zenos, Zenock, Neum.  Nephi teaches his brothers from the plates.  He teaches them of the doings of the Lord among people of old.  He teaches them from the books of Moses.  Remember verses 23 and 24:

"And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.

Wherefore I spake unto them, saying: Hear ye the words of the prophet, ye who are a remnant of the house of Israel, a branch who have been broken off; hear ye the words of the prophet, which were written unto all the house of Israel, and liken them unto yourselves, that ye may have hope as well as your brethren from whom ye have been broken off; for after this manner has the prophet written." (1 Ne. 19:23-24)

"And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it.

These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man;

For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them;

Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words." (D&C 18:33-36)

1 Nephi 18

Three verses stood out to me:

3 And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.

16 Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions.

21 And it came to pass after they had loosed me, behold, I took the compass, and it did work whither I desired it. And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord; and after I had prayed the winds did cease, and the storm did cease, and there was a great calm.

Do we want the Lord to show us great things?  Do we want to praise God?  Do we want the winds and the storm to cease, and to have great calm?  If so, Nephi shows us a great pattern for obtaining these blessings.  Attend the temple.  Pray.  Look unto the Lord.  Be grateful and praise God.  Pray again.

1 Nephi 17

What a great chapter.  One verse in particular struck me:

"And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led." (1 Ne. 17:13)

The Lord is the light of the world.  He leads us to the promised land, and promised blessings.

1 Nephi 16

A couple of thoughts.  Why is it that Laman and Lemuel are continually rebelling, murmuring, and then humbling themselves before the Lord while Nephi does not murmur, rebel or complain?  This is Nephi's record, but there is a consistent pattern or theme with his brothers, and in this chapter, even with his dad.  They harden their hearts and murmur, but then they are humbled, as Nephi writes, they are humbled before the Lord.  The Lord chastens them continually, and Nephi suffers with them.  But Nephi understands the dealings of the Lord, and therefore does not murmur.

But Lehi understands the dealings of the Lord, so why does he murmur?  I don't think that there is any mortal who at one point or another has not murmured because of afflictions.  Afflictions are not fun.  They hurt.  I imagine that Lehi was murmuring more because of his sons' murmurings than because of their lack of food.

Another interesting thing.  When Nephi and his brothers marry the daughters of Ishmael, Nephi writes that thus his father had fulfilled all the commandments of the Lord, and that he had been exceedingly blessed.  In 1 Nephi 5:20 we read that "thus far" Nephi and his father had kept the commandments of the Lord.  But when Nephi and his brothers and Zoram marry, it is Lehi fulfilling of the commandments of the Lord.

When I read this chapter I wonder: could Joseph Smith have come up with these things on his own?  Words like Zoram, Shazer, Nahom?  A round ball?  Who talks like that?  A straight stick?  Who writes like that?

In any case, Nephi was exceedingly blessed of the Lord.  

1 Nephi 15

Nephi shows us a pattern of revelation.  Nephi received his own testimony through the Spirit and by a vision that his father spoke the truth, but Nephi's brothers did not understand the vision.  Because their hearts were hard, and because they had not asked of the Lord, they did not understand, and because they did not understand, they disputed with each other.  Nephi was grieved because of their wickedness, because he loved them and wanted them to enjoy the same blessings of revelation that he had received.  His question: Have ye inquired of the Lord? is a poignant one.  When his brothers answer in the negative, Nephi is more grieved, and he begins to teach and testify to them of the truth. How is it?  Do you not remember? Are we not a branch of the house of Israel?  Nephi explains the meaning of their father's vision because his brothers did not know the meaning for themselves.

But one interesting thing is the nature of Nephi's brothers' questions.  At first they are curious to know the meaning of the natural branches of the olive-tree and the Gentiles.  They are disputing about these symbols.  What do they mean?  It is important to understand what Lehi's dream symbolizes, but these symbols are not the central focus of Lehi's dream or vision.  In other words, Laman and Lemuel are squabbling over insubstantial things because of the hardened condition of their hearts, and their refusal to inquire of the Lord.  But as Nephi teaches them, and testifies to them, their hearts are softened, and they become more subdued.  At least, this is how Nephi describes these events.  If we had Laman and Lemuel's records, we might see a different picture.  In any event, Nephi explains the meaning of the different symbols in Lehi's dream, and he teaches and testifies to his brothers.  He rehearses unto them the words of Isaiah.  The words of Isaiah are powerful.  Nephi's words are spoken with such energy of heart and love that his brothers are "pacified" and "humble themselves before the Lord."

At this point, their questions change.  When they are humble they no longer dispute about inconsequential, ancillary ideas.  They begin to ask real, sincere, searching questions.  They want to know what the tree is all about.  They want to understand what the rod of iron is all about.  When they are humble, their focus shifts to things that matter most.  It is Nephi's love, and the Spirit of the Lord that moves upon them and softens their hearts.  Unlike Nephi who prayed for the Lord to soften his own heart so that he could believe, the softening of Laman and Lemuel's hearts came from exterior influences.  But it still came.  This shows that through faith in Christ, the Lord can soften our own hearts and the hearts of those around us.  Furthermore, it proves that the way in which we ask questions matters.  Nephi didn't just seek the truth.  He sought with lowliness of heart and sincerity.  As soon as Laman and Lemuel were humble enough to ask the right questions, the Lord enabled Nephi to answer their questions.  What is the meaning of the tree?  What is the meaning of the rod of iron?  These beautiful and powerful verses are a response to their good questions:

"And it came to pass that they did speak unto me again, saying: What meaneth this thing which our father saw in a dream? What meaneth the tree which he saw?

And I said unto them: It was a representation of the tree of life.
And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?

And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction." (1 Ne. 15:21-24)

As Nephi's brothers humbled themselves, asked the right questions, and received an answer through the Spirit, Nephi then extended an invitation to them to act:

"Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things." (1 Ne. 15:25)

There is a lot more that could be written about this chapter, and verse 24 is only one of many verses worth ponderizing.

1 Nephi 14

Two things.  The first thing that stood out to me is that the numbers of the church of the Lamb of God are few.  Few.  Many are called, but few are chosen.  (D&C 121)

"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matt. 7:14)

"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (3 Ne. 14:14)

"And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants; and they were few." (Jacob 5:70)

"And yet, notwithstanding his mighty works, and miracles, and proclamation of the truth, in great power and authority, there were but few who hearkened to his voice, and rejoiced in his presence, and received salvation at his hands." (D&C 138:26)

Why were the numbers few?  Because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon the many waters.  The dominions of the Church of the Lamb of God are small.

The second thing that caught my attention was that the angel told Nephi to look, and he beheld a man in a white robe, namely John the Beloved.  This reminds me of the man in the white robe who stood before Nephi's father Lehi.

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.  

1 Nephi 12

Nephi's vision continues.  Again Nephi writes the phrase "And I saw the heavens open."  These chapters are deserving of more careful study, but in today's reading verses 16 and 17 stood out to me.

"And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the fountain of filthy water which thy father saw; yea, even the river of which he spake; and the depths thereof are the depths of hell.

And the mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men, and leadeth them away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost." (1 Ne. 12:16-17)

Nephi is shown in vision the things that his father saw in vision, but there are significant differences, either in what was shown or in what was reported.  Perhaps each was shown essentially the same vision but each noticed different things.  Nephi was Lehi's son, but he was still a different and a unique individual.

The angel teaches Nephi that his father saw "the fountain of filthy water."  The way that Nephi describes his father's vision and his own vision causes me to wonder if the tree of life, which is a fountain of living waters, and is pure at the source, is polluted down stream.  In other words, there are two different kinds of waters that are described, one water that is pure and clean, and another that is filthy.  By the way, who would write the phrase "a river of water"?  Doesn't that sound redundant?  What else can rivers be made of, if not water?  

In these visions there are descriptions of rivers and fountains.  In Lehi's vision, he sees people who feel their way toward the great and spacious building, and he sees people who are drowned in the depths of the fountain.  (1 Ne. 8:32)  This is the river of which Lehi spoke, but his mind was swallowed up in other things, so he did not notice the filthiness of the river.  (1 Ne. 16:26-29)  Lehi's mind was swallowed up in the vision of the tree of life.  He was focused on the tree of life, which is also like a fountain: 

"And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God." (1 Ne. 11:25)

It seems to be that there are two fountains, one of pure water, or living water, and one of filthy water.  In Nephi's account of his father's vision, Lehi notices that Sariah, Sam and Nephi stood at the head of the river that was near the tree of life.  Nephi seems to write of the river and the fountain interchangeably, but Laman and Lemuel are not standing at the head of the river as are Sariah, Sam and Nephi.  The symbolism of the tree of life and the fountain of pure water seem to be connected with Sariah, who is the mother of Sam and Nephi.  Sam and Nephi are standing close to their mother, the source of their life, whereas Laman and Lemuel are not.  In any case, the fountain of filthy water that Lehi saw was representative of the depths of hell.  Whether it was a different river or the same river that was polluted down stream, I do not know.  The important thing is that the fountain of living waters is a representation of the love of God, and it is the most desirable above all things.

Someday we'll be able to read the text in the original reformed Egyptian, and we'll have Lehi's own account of his vision.  Until then, these are a few of the things that gave pause for reflection in this chapter.

1 Nephi 11

What is most joyous to the soul?

"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. 11:22-23)

This chapter, like chapter 8 of First Nephi, is rich with the Spirit and with plain and precious truths.  I can't possibly do justice to this chapter, let alone any chapter in the Book of Mormon, but I can remember that certain key phrases stand out to me or give me pause for reflection.  Of the many beautiful things in this chapter, it was impressed upon my mind that Nephi saw the heavens open.  He records three times that he saw the heavens open.  

This reminded me of the blessings of paying tithing:

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:10)

Nephi had the windows of heaven opened unto him.  He saw the heavens open.  These are blessings that are available to everyone, not just Nephi.

1 Nephi 10

I really like this chapter. It is true. Nephi was immersed in the history of the Jews, and both he and his father prophesied of the coming of the Messiah. Nephi learned a lot from his righteous father, but he reached a point in his life when he wanted to know for himself, by the power of the Holy Ghost, the truth concerning God, Jesus Christ, and the vision of his father. I have always liked verse 19:

"For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round."

The word "unfolded" strikes me as significant.  Revelation is not something that can be forced or demanded according to our own whims or time tables.  As we prepare ourselves spiritually, seek diligently, and keep the commandments, the Lord can unfold his mysteries to us.  While visions and dreams are more rare, revelation through the power of the Holy Ghost can be a daily experience.  God has not changed, and He does not cease to reveal truth to those who sincerely and diligently seek it, as the following chapters of Nephi's account attest.

1 Nephi 9

Nephi's faith in Christ is so strong that he deliberately trusts whatever it is that the Lord desires of him.  He doesn't question it, even when he doesn't know exactly why he is doing certain things.  He knew that he was commanded to engrave other plates for the purpose of the ministry, but he also knew that the Lord had greater purposes that were understood only to Him.  However, Nephi makes explicit the commandment that an account be engraved of the ministry of his people.  That is the phrase that caught my attention this morning: "the ministry of my people."  Nephi wasn't just engraving a record of his father's ministry, or even of his own ministry.  He was preparing a record of the ministry of his people throughout succeeding generations.  The difference between the large and the small plates of Nephi isn't just a difference between sacred and secular accounts.  The account of the reign of the kings also contained much that is of spiritual worth.  But this record is special.  Nephi knew that the Lord knows what He is doing.  All we really need to know is that God knows everything.  He is omniscient and He loves and blesses all of His children.

1 Nephi 8

Lehi partakes of the most desirable fruit and is filled with joy

This chapter deserves much more time, perhaps even a life time of study, but this morning a few things stood out to me.  First thing: if you find yourself in a dark and dreary wilderness, and you decide to pray, and a man dressed in a white robe appears to you and bids you to follow him, I can't help but suppose that it would be a good thing to do as he says.  There are probably a lot of speculations about who this man in a white robe was that appeared to Lehi.  I wonder if it was the Lord.  I wonder if it was the pre-mortal future author of the Book of Revelation.  Whoever it was, he asked Lehi to follow him, and Lehi obeyed.  Curiously, however, Lehi wasn't immediately led to something better after he prayed.  He was led, even with all of the tender mercies of the Lord, first to a dark and dreary waste.  Then after he prayed, he was led to a large and spacious field, after which he beheld a tree.  Answers to our prayers don't always come immediately.

If it was the Lord that led Lehi to the tree of life, it is an interesting parallel to Nephi's later vision in which the Spirit of the Lord leads Nephi for a time, and then delegates the rest of the vision to an angel.  The man in a white robe (think of Lehi's earlier vision of the twelve and the One), leads Lehi to the field (the world), and shows him the tree.  But then where is the man in the white robe?  Is this similar to Nephi's vision?  Once Lehi sees the tree, as far as I can tell, we read no more about the man in the white robe.  Maybe there is a reason for this.

Whatever the case, the tree, and the fruit thereof, are spectacularly white and beautiful.  The fruit is exceedingly delicious.  It is the most desirable fruit.

There is just too much in this vision, in this chapter.  Maybe I'll spend another day on it, or another couple of days.  Or a week.  It's just too good.

1 Nephi 7

Nephi and his brothers speak the words of the Lord to Ishmael and his family

Once again, the thing that stood out to me in this reading of 1 Nephi 7 is that Lehi and his family were quick to offer thanks unto the Lord.  In spite of all of their hardships, they were a grateful people.

Many have pointed out how Laman and Lemuel did not murmur this time on their way to Jerusalem, because they were going to get wives.  Getting them to leave Jerusalem was a chore, persuading them to go back to Jerusalem to get the plates was like pulling teeth, but as soon as they found out that they were to return again to Jerusalem for the women folk, they apparently had no problem with that.  They did have a problem on their return journey, however, because they began to wonder if it might not have been better to return to Jerusalem for good.  They had quickly forgotten everything that Lehi and Nephi had shown them.  Lehi and Nephi knew that Jerusalem was on the brink of destruction, and they did everything in their power to persuade their rebellious family members to hearken unto the Lord, and to high-tail it out of the wicked city of Jerusalem.  Once Ishmael and his family were ready, it was time to skedaddle, but Laman and Lemuel incited a rebellion because they thought they knew better than the prophet Lehi.  Or, perhaps, they just missed the comfortable living that they had enjoyed.  The Lord was trying to reveal unto them a better way, a promised land, and to save them from destruction, but they kept looking back on what they thought would make them happy.

But the thing that stood out most to me in this reading was the differences in conditions of the heart.  Nephi's heart was soft, pliable, receptive to the Lord's instructions.  The Lord softened the heart of Ishmael, so that he too was receptive to the Spirit.  Contrary to the mistranslation of the story of Pharaoh in the Old Testament, the Lord never hardens hearts.  He softens them.  He softens them with   gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned, and with his Spirit.  He softens the hearts of those who seek a change of heart through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  This is one of the greatest miracles of the Gospel.

Lehi and Sariah had softened hearts as well, which is what led them to continually offer thanks for their blessings and to offer sacrifices unto the Lord.  Nephi's heart was soft, which enabled him to quickly and frankly forgive his offending brethren.  His soft heart is what enabled his faith to grow ever stronger.

This entire chapter gives example after example of how the Lord softens peoples hearts.  I like that.

When the link to the Patheos discussion of the same chapter appears, I will post it too.  Here it is.