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)
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)
"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.
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