The Nephite were divided into tribes, based on family,
kindred, and friends. The tribes came to
an agreement with one another, agreeing not to go to war against each other. This is as far as the agreements went.
Each tribe had their own laws and government. Because of the agreement not to go to war or
trespass against each other, there was a fragile peace in the land. Even so, they still ignored the word of God
and stoned or cast out prophets who preached to them.
Hugh Nibley examines this division.
[T]his is a beautiful summary of
the splinter group movement. There have always been splinter groups in the
church in every age—among the Jews, the early Christians, etc. Verse 14 talks
about the splinter groups that always take place. You're always going to find
them, and they're characteristic. This is the way it happens. You notice how
rich this verse is. First of all, "they were divided into tribes [you know
the tribes], every man according to his family, kindred and friends" … [T]hey
are formed around families originally. Then the families extend to kindred,
that is, wider associations … Friends join the group, too…
Verse 14: "They would not go
to war one with another; but they were not united as to their laws." They
all had different ideas about things. Invariably they always form about a
strong individual; they depend on the leader. When he's gone, the group usually
collapses and disappears. It says they had peace in the land; they didn't
trespass against one another. But, if you disagree with them in doctrine or if
you drop out or something, look out. Then they play rough, you see. "They
did stone the prophets and did cast them out from among them." The
prophets were among these people, but if anybody had his own idea about the
doctrines and started preaching, he was kicked out. They not only kicked them
out, they denounced them…[1]
Nephi3 was grieved by what he saw – the hardness
of the people’s hearts and the blindness of their minds. He had been visited by angels and heard the
voice of the Lord. He knew about the
ministry of Christ. But he had also saw
their rapid turn from righteousness to wickedness.
He began to testify among the people. He testified as to their sins and their need
to repent and gain remission of the sins through faith in Christ. He ministered to the people. He did many things which “cannot be written, and a part of them would not suffice, therefore
they are not written in this book” (3 Nephi 7:17).
The people were angry with Nephi3. He learned what his original namesake learned
when dealing with Laman and Lemuel. “And it came to pass that I said unto them
that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the
truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be
lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard,
for it cutteth them to the very center” (1 Nephi 16:2).
There was a problem with their anger. “[I]t were
not possible that they could disbelieve his words, for so great was his faith
on the Lord Jesus Christ that angels did minister unto him daily” (3 Nephi
7:18). He went forth and cast out
devils, unclean spirits, and raised his brother Timothy from the dead after he
had be stoned by the people.
Still, they continued to be angry with him. They were angry “because of his power; and he did also do many more miracles, in the
sight of the people, in the name of Jesus” (3 Nephi 7:20).
Nephi3 was able to convert few people to the
Lord. Those who had converted did
testify that they had been visited by the Spirit of God, which was in
Christ. As many as had devils had them
cast out. Those that were ill were
healed of the sicknesses and disabilities.
Healing and casting out devils was a common occurrence by
the true disciple of Christ. During His
ministry, Christ healed the sick. To
demonstrate His powers, he healed a man.
“1I say unto thee, Arise, and take
up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and
went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified
God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion” (Mark 2:11 - 12). While he was preaching the gospel, Phillip
performed miracles. “For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that
were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies [GR paralytic and lame],
and that were lame, were healed” (Acts 8:7).
Mighty miracles were done among the people by Nephi3.
In the thirty-third year [33 A.D.], he continued his
ministry to the people, preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins. Mormon reminds us, “that there were none who were brought unto repentance who were not
baptized with water” (3 Nephi 7:24).
Noel Reynolds emphasizes the importance of baptism.
So baptism is essential. Jacob
affirmed that "the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel" (2 Nephi 9:24),
commands "all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name … or
they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God" (2 Nephi 9:23). This may have been
news to Lehi and Nephi when they were shown the baptism of Jesus in their
vision at the first camp in the wilderness. The evidence would suggest that
their fellow Jews in 600 B.C. did not share this understanding. But we have
seen that Nephi made it standard for his people, and it continues through the
practice of Alma and the Nephite church down to the time of Christ when it was
vigorously reemphasized by the Savior himself in his visit to the Nephites.
Describing the missionary successes just before the Savior's visit, the record
emphasizes that "there were none who were brought unto repentance who were
not baptized with water" (3 Nephi 7:24).[2]
Nephi3 ordained men to assist with the
ministry. All who desired to be a part
of the church were baptized. This was “a witness and a testimony before God, and
unto the people, that they had repented and received a remission of their sins”
(3 Nephi 7:24). The Lord also
emphasized the importance of baptism in this dispensation.
And
again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All
those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come
forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that
they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them
the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and
truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ
unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.
D&C 20:37
At the commencement of the thirty-third year, there were
many who were baptized. “[A]nd thus the more part of the year did
pass away” (3 Nephi 7:26).
[1] Lecture
89: 3 Nephi 7-8, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell
Institute, accessed November 13, 2012.
[2] The
True Points of My Doctrine, Noel B. Reynolds, Provo, Utah:
Maxwell Institute, accessed November 13, 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment