Tuesday, October 31, 2017

1 Nephi 1:7-20

After his vision ended, Lehi returned home, having been overcome by the Spirit. Nephi described a similar experience to his brothers.

Behold, my soul is rent with anguish because of you,
     and my heart is pained;
I fear lest ye shall be cast off forever.
Behold, I am full of the Spirit of God,
     insomuch that my frame has no strength.” (1 Nephi 17:47).

When Ammon met Alma2, his joy “was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth” (Alma 27:17).

No sooner had Lehi “cast himself upon his bed,” he saw a second vision. The heavens opened. He saw God sitting on his throne, surrounded by angels singing and praising God. Alma2 would Describing his experience to his son, Helaman, Alma2 used words similar to Nephi’s.

Yea, methought I saw,
     even as our father Lehi saw,
God sitting upon his throne,
surrounded with numberless concourses of angels,
     in the attitude of singing and praising their God;
yea, and my soul did long to be there. (Alma 36:22)

He next saw One descending out of heaven. “[H]is luster was above that of the sun at noon-day” (1 Nephi 1:9). Describing His luster, Richard Dilworth Rust wrote, “As Christ is called a fire, so he is a light in the wilderness (see 1 Nephi 17:13). In vision, Lehi saw the Son of God as glowing brighter than the sun (see 1 Nephi 1:9) … Both physically and figuratively, light and whiteness are associated with truth, purity, and divine guidance, just as darkness is associated with unbelief and error (for example, see Alma 40:14).”[1] 

Twelve followed him, “and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament” (1 Nephi 1:10). The twelve went forth and the One stood before Lehi.

The One, Christ, gave Lehi a book and he was commanded to read the book. He did, and reading the book, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord.

He read a warning about Jerusalem. “Wo, wo, unto Jerusalem, for I have seen thine abominations! Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem- that it should be destroyed, and the inhabitants thereof; many should perish by the sword, and many should be carried away captive into Babylon.” (1 Nephi 1:13). This repeated warnings from the Lord found in the Old Testament. “And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there” (2 Kings 23:27) and “[T]he LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets” (2 Kings 24:2).

The Lord warned the Israelites they would be taken captive to Babylon.

“Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
“And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs [OR officers] in the palace of the king of Babylon” (2 Kings 20:17-18).

The day finally arrived.

“Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts [OR siege-walls] against it round about.
“So the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.
“And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread [OR food] for the people of the land.
“Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king’s garden; (now the Chaldeans were by the city round about:) and they went by the way of the plain.
“Then they took [Zedekiah], and carried him up unto the king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; where he gave judgment upon him.
“Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.
“Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzar-adan, captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem,
“And burned the house of the LORD, and the king’s house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great men, burned he with fire:
“And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down all the walls of Jerusalem round about.
“Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive certain of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away [OR had deserted], that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude” (Jeremiah 52:4-7, 9, 10– 15).

After reading the book and seeing great and marvelous things, Lehi proclaimed:

Great and marvelous are thy works,
O Lord God Almighty!
Thy throne is high in the heavens.
and thy power, and goodness, and mercy
are over all the inhabitants of the earth;
and, because thou art merciful,
thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee
that they shall perish! (1 Nephi 1:14)[2]

Nephi underscored this principle that those who come to the Lord will not perish.

 “He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.
“Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.
“Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
 “Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.
 “Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden” (2 Nephi 26:24– 28).

Alma2 taught the people of Zarahemla this same principle.

“Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.
“Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life [see 1 Nephi 8:5-28]; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely;
“Yea, come unto me and bring forth works of righteousness, and ye shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire-
“For behold, the time is at hand that whosoever bringeth forth not good fruit, or whosoever doeth not the works of righteousness, the same have cause to wail and mourn” (Alma 5:33–36).

The Savior, speaking to the Nephites after the destruction at His death, reinforced this principle.

“O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?
“Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me” (3 Nephi 9:13–14).

Next post here

Lehi continued to rejoice and praise God for what he had seen. Nephi writes,

For his soul did rejoice,
and his whole heart was filled,
because of the things which he had seen,
yea, which the Lord had shown unto him. (1 Nephi 1:15)[3]

“We learn a vital lesson from the example of Lehi in the Book of Mormon. Lehi responded in faith to prophetic instruction and warnings concerning the destruction of Jerusalem. He then prayed unto the Lord ‘with all his heart, in behalf of his people’ (1 Nephi 1:5; emphasis added). In answer to this fervent prayer, Lehi was blessed with a glorious vision of God and His Son and of the impending destruction of Jerusalem (see 1 Nephi 1:6–9, 13, 18). Consequently, Lehi rejoiced, and his whole heart was filled because of the things which the Lord had shown him (see 1 Nephi 1:15). Please note that the vision came in response to a prayer for others and not as a result of a request for personal edification or guidance.”[4]

After sharing his father’s vision, Nephi writes he will not make a full account of everything his father has written, all his dreams and visions, and all his prophesies on these plates. He will make an account of his father’s record on his other plates.

He made one set of plates, which we know them as the large plates of Nephi. The large plates contain an account of his people’s history, their wars, etc. On these plates, which we know as, the small plates of Nephi, contain an account of his ministry (see 1 Nephi 2-4).

Mormon explains how he found the small plates.

“And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from the plates of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake (see Omni 1:22-25), I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi.
“And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass…
“But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be choice unto my brethren.
“And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will” (Words of Mormon 1:3-4, 6-7).

How did Nephi use Lehi’s record? “Most of Lehi’s record must have been completed by the time Nephi made and started writing on the large plates. This would be after arriving in the promised land. Nephi tells us that he recorded on those plates ‘the [abridged] record of my father, and the genealogy of his fathers, and the more part of all our proceedings in the wilderness’ (1 Nephi 19:2). Nephi could have obtained the genealogy from the brass plates, where Lehi had learned about it (see 1 Nephi 5:14). But his father’s own version of the events in the wilderness (for example, 1 Nephi 5:2-6, which happened in Nephi’s absence) would have had to come from another source, most likely Lehi’s own. Lehi probably had begun writing his record while still in Jerusalem so that he could include his visions there while they were still vivid (see 1 Nephi 1:16).”[5]

Marilyn Arnold further explains Nephi’s use of Lehi’s plates. “[We] have only a tiny fraction of Lehi’s words. In my journal I say, referencing verse 16, ‘Nephi notes that Lehi had written a great deal about his visions, dreams, and prophecies.’ In fact, Nephi refers to Lehi’s writings three times in a single verse, twice explaining that he can’t record them all, so vast are they… Both 16 and 17 are important verses if we are to comprehend just how prolific Lehi was and Nephi’s role in dealing with his father’s record. We tend to skip over the passages about Lehi’s writings, and I think we should not. Nephi is careful to add that he will not write an account of his ’proceedings’ until after he has abridged the record of his father (see v. 17). This postponement of his own work in order to prepare his father’s affirms the importance of Lehi’s writings. It also underscores the great respect Nephi shows his father throughout the narrative.”[6]

Why did Nephi make a record of his father’s visions? “In his account of his father’s visions, Nephi seems to be responding in some measure to his brothers’ accusation that Lehi was a false visionary.”[7]

Having received these visions concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, he began to prophesy to the people of Jerusalem, telling them what the Lord had revealed to him. The Jews reject his message. He was mocked because of his words and testimony. “But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy” (2 Chronicles 36:16).

At the time Lehi was preaching, Jeremiah was preaching as well.

“THE word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
“The which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,

“The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
“The which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,
“From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the Lord hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.
“And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear” (Jeremiah 25:1-4).

They were angered because he testified of their wickedness. He clearly told them what had been revealed to him by the Lord. He told them what he read in the book, which testified of the coming of the Messiah to redeem the world.

What might have made them so angry? “Now this man, coming from one of the oldest families and having a most unobjectionable background and education, suddenly found himself in bad with the ‘people that count.’ First, there was mockery, then, anger, and finally, plots against his life (1 Nephi 1:19-20) which, since they were serious, must have been supported in high places, for in openly siding with Jeremiah (cf. 1 Nephi 7:14) he had made himself a traitor to his class and his tradition.”[8]

There were those among the Jews who “sought his life, that they might take it away” (1 Nephi 1:20). Was Lehi’s life in immediate danger? “[When discussing the threat to Lehi, we] probably overstate the actual danger to Lehi in Judah. While it is true that some in Jerusalem had sought to take Lehi’s life (1 Nephi 1:20; 2:1), these may have been spontaneous attempts of individuals angry with his prophecies, not necessarily a conspiracy in which Zedekiah or the government was involved. Once outside the big city, on the wilderness paths to either Jericho or Ein Gedi, Lehi was probably as secure as anyone else traveling the byways of Judah.”[9]

Nephi closes the first chapter by promising us, “I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance” (1 Nephi 1:20). “As I read this sentence, it struck me that we might take this to be Nephi’s ‘thesis statement’ for the Book of Mormon: Nephi and the other Book of Mormon prophets give us to remember the tender mercies of the Lord so that we can be delivered according to our faith.”[10]



[1] Book of Mormon Imagery, Richard Dilworth Rust, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
[2] Formatting for verse 14, The Calling of Lehi as a Prophet in the World of Jerusalem, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
[3]Formatting for verse 15, A Reader’s Library, Kristine Hansen, and Keith Lawrence, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
[4] Pray Always, Elder David A. Bednar, October 2008 General Conference.
[5] Nephi’s Use of Lehi’s Record, S. Kent Brown, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
[6] The Book of Mormon: Passport to Discipleship, Marilyn Arnold, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
[7] Scripture Update: Lehi as a Visionary Man, Matthew Roper, Maxwell Institute.
[8] The Troubled Orient, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
[9] The Wrong Place for Lehi’s Trail and the Valley of Lemuel, Jeffrey R. Chadwick, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
[10] Remembrance, James E. Faulconer, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

1 Nephi 1:3-6

Before we move on to Nephi’s account, I want to mention a couple more things to keep in mind as we read Nephi’s account.

That which we study is more a memoir than a day-to-day account of what occurred. It is written through the eyes of Nephi. He is writing this record, using his previous record, having had time to evaluate events and their place in what had occurred during those forty years. “Nephi’s voice is privileged above all others – as editor and sole narrator he always has the final say – and his standing as a prophet reinforces his unique authority to interpret the events he recounts.”[1]

Returning to Nephi’s record, he tells us that he was “taught somewhat in all the learning of my father” (1 Nephi 1:2). The record he writes is recorded in the language of his father. This “language” consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of Egyptians.

The language used during Lehi’s time was old Hebrew. The Judean kingdom was using Egyptian numerals and other Egyptian materials as well.[2]

Daniel C. Peterson speaks to this Egyptian influence. “1 Nephi 1:2 suggests cultural connections between Egypt and Israel in Lehi and Nephi’s time, and these connections seem to be consistent with what scholars are learning. Interestingly, the very name ‘Nephi’ turns out to be authentically Egyptian. Thus, Nephi’s claim that his father knew Egyptian is borne out by his own name.”[3]

Matthew L. Bowen adds: “That Lehi would give his son an Egyptian name is not unlikely, since Lehi’s language ‘consist[ed] of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians’ (1 Nephi 1:2). One reason Nephi was quick to point out his father’s knowledge of Egyptian may have been to explain the origin of his non-Hebrew name.”[4]

Nephi testifies to the truthfulness of his record. He is making it with his hand and it is based on what he has learned. King Benjamin probably had this in mind when he told his sons, “I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes” (Mosiah 1:6).

We learn about the beginnings of the record with his father, Lehi. Lehi’s story begins in the first year of the reign of Zedekiah. At the time of Zedekiah, Judea was a loyal vassal state of the Babylonian empire. Zedekiah was hand-picked and put on the throne because the Babylonians knew he would be a loyal vassal.[5]

 “Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem” (2 Kings 24:18); “And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem” (2 Chronicles 36:10).

“Lehi was born in Jerusalem and had dwelt there ‘all his days’ (1 Nephi 1:4). He was likely a husband and father of young children during Josiah’s reforms. If we are to believe 2 Kings 23:2, he was present at the reading of the book of the law that formed the basis of those reforms. I believe that Lehi would have taken these reforms to heart and done his best to teach them to his children. This may explain why one of the central themes of the Book of Mormon is this idea of alternate blessings or curses, depending on the righteousness of the people.”[6]

“And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes [HEB early, promptly], and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:
“But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy” (2 Chronicles 36:15–16). Lehi was one of those messengers sent to call the people of Jerusalem to repentance.

If they didn’t repent, Jerusalem would be destroyed.

“Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spake to all the assembly of the people, saying,
“Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.
“Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls [JST Jer. 26:19 ... and beseech the Lord and repent? and the Lord turned away the evil which he had pronounced against them. Thus by putting Jeremiah to death we might procure great evil against our souls] and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls. and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls” (Jeremiah 26:17–19).

“In order to counter the public sentiment of confidence that emerged during the Babylonian threat, the Lord sent prophets to warn the people … Prophets like Lehi and Jeremiah were threatened with death when they spoke what many Jews considered to be blasphemous words against the holy city (1 Nephi 1:20; Jeremiah 26:12–15; 38:4). In fact, the prophet Urijah was put to death by King Jehoiakim for delivering the same message of destruction that Lehi and Jeremiah did (Jeremiah 26:20–23).”[7]

Lehi went out and prayed on behalf of his people. He was following Jeremiah’s words, “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you [HEB hear you]. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12–13). In what is called the psalm of Nephi, he recorded his experience crying unto the Lord.

Behold, he hath heard my cry by day,
     and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night–time.
And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him;
     yea, my voice have I sent up on high;
          and angels came down and ministered unto me.
And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away
upon exceedingly high mountains.
And mine eyes have beheld great things,
yea, even too great for man;
     therefore I was bidden that I should not write them” (2 Nephi 4:23–25).

“[Lehi] may have gone forth and prayed unto the Lord (1 Nephi 1:5) because he was among the prophets who were already actively crying repentance in Jerusalem, but it appears more likely that he was profoundly moved to pray, motivated by the problems in Jerusalem and by the messages of the prophets whom he had just heard.”[8]

“We know virtually nothing for certain of Lehi or his background except that he is a person of wealth and, as his wife laments and Lehi agrees, is a ‘visionary man’ (1 Nephi 5:2, 4). His first recorded vision occurs as Lehi is praying ‘with all his heart’ (1 Nephi 1:5) on behalf of his people. Strangely, this is the only one of Lehi’s visions about whose content we are told nothing at all. Nephi simply reveals that as Lehi prays, ‘there came a pillar of fire ... and he saw and heard much’ (1 Nephi 1:6). No details of the message, no particulars of any message, are available to distract from the fact of the visitation itself, given to a man who shares neither the public prestige nor, so far as we can tell, the national stewardship of his contemporary Jeremiah.”[9]

Seeing the pillar of fire, this may have reminded Lehi of the Lord’s dealing with Moses during the exodus. “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night” (Exodus 13:21).

What transpired during his vision is unknown. What Nephi wrote is “he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly” (1 Nephi 1:6).

“We learn a vital lesson from the example of Lehi in the Book of Mormon. Lehi responded in faith to prophetic instruction and warnings concerning the destruction of Jerusalem. He then prayed unto the Lord ‘with all his heart, in behalf of his people’ (1 Nephi 1:5; emphasis added). In answer to this fervent prayer, Lehi was blessed with a glorious vision of God and His Son and of the impending destruction of Jerusalem (see 1 Nephi 1:6–9, 13, 18). Consequently, Lehi rejoiced, and his whole heart was filled because of the things which the Lord had shown him (see 1 Nephi 1:15). Please note that the vision came in response to a prayer for others and not as a result of a request for personal edification or guidance.”[10]


[1] Understanding the Book of Mormon: A Reader’s Guide, Grant Hardy, Oxford University Press, 2010, pg. 281.
[2] Discussions on the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 1-3, KBYU, Dr. Paul Hoskisson.
[3] 1 Nephi 1–7, Daniel C. Peterson, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
[4] Internal Textual Evidence for the Egyptian Origin of Nephi’s Name, Matthew L. Bowen, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
[5] Discussions on the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 1-3, KBYU, Dr. Terry B. Ball.
[6] Jerusalem in Lehi’s Day, Terrence L. Szink, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
[7] How Could Jerusalem, “That Great City,” Be Destroyed? David R. Seely, and Fred E. Woods, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
[8] The Calling of Lehi as a Prophet in the World of Jerusalem, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
[9] Joseph Smith’s American Bible: Radicalizing the Familiar, Terryl L. Givens, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute.
[10] Pray Always, Elder David A. Bednar, October 2008 General Conference.

Thursday, October 26, 2017

1 Nephi 1:1-2

The First Book of Nephi
                                         His Reign and Ministry

An account of Lehi and his wife Sariah, and his four sons, being called, (beginning at the eldest) Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi. The Lord warns Lehi to depart out of the land of Jerusalem, because he prophesieth unto the people concerning their iniquity and they seek to destroy his life. He taketh three days’ journey into the wilderness with his family. Nephi taketh his brethren and returneth to the land of Jerusalem after the record of the Jews. The account of their sufferings. They take the daughters of Ishmael to wife. They take their families and depart into the wilderness. Their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness. The course of their travels. They come to the large waters. Nephi’s brethren rebel against him. He confoundeth them, and buildeth a ship. They call the name of the place Bountiful. They cross the large waters into the promised land, and so forth. This is according to the account of Nephi; or in other words, I, Nephi, wrote this record.

Chapter 1

Nephi begins the record of his people-Lehi sees in vision a pillar of fire and reads from a book of prophecy-He praises God, foretells the coming of the Messiah, and prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem-He is persecuted by the Jews. About 600 B.C.
I,


 Nephi.

Thus begins the Book of Mormon. Who is Nephi, the author of this book? What is his
purpose for writing? Before we begin studying the Book of Mormon, we should know about the author of the first two books in the Book of Mormon.

Nephi was born to Lehi and Sariah. He had three brothers – Laman, Lemuel, and Sam. Two more brothers were born during his journey in the wilderness – Jacob and Joseph. There is no mention of any sisters. This, of course, does not mean he did not have sisters. If he did, he did not identify them.  

As he introduces himself, he gives us his qualification for writing this work – I, Nephi born of goodly parents.[1]

Nephi recorded his life and teachings on two different sets of plates, both called the plates of Nephi (1 Nephi 9:2). On the first set of plates, known as the plates of Lehi, he recorded “an account of the reign of the kings, and the wars and contentions of my people” (1 Nephi 9:2).

Some thirty years after leaving Jerusalem, he received a commandment of the Lord that he should make a second set of plates.

“And thirty years had passed away from the time we left Jerusalem.
“And I, Nephi, had kept the records upon my plates, which I had made, of my people thus far.
“And it came to pass that the Lord God said unto me: Make other plates; and thou shalt engraven many things upon them which are good in my sight, for the profit of thy people” (2 Nephi 5:28-30).
He wrote, “I should make these plates, for the special purpose that there should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people … wherefore these plates are for the more part of the ministry” (1 Nephi 9:3-4).

Nephi had no idea why he was commanded to make the second set of plates.

“Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not. “But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men” (1 Nephi 9:5-6).

Mormon would refer to the records in the Words of Mormon.

“I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from the plates of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates[what would be called the small plates of Nephi], which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi.
“And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass-
“Wherefore, I chose these things, to finish my record upon them, which remainder of my record I shall take from the plates of Nephi; and I cannot write the hundredth part of the things of my people.
“But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be choice unto my brethren.
“And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.” (Words of Mormon 1:3–7)
                         
The reason for the second set of plates became clear during the translation process.

The first set of plates translated [the large plates] contained the record of the reign of the kings as well as wars and contentions. This portion of the record made up the first 116 pages of manuscript that had been translated.

Martin Harris served as Joseph’s first scribe. Because of his involvement with “Joe Smith and his golden Bible,” he faced criticism from his wife and other family members. He asked Joseph to allow him to take the manuscript pages to show his wife and other family members. This would “allay their skepticism and criticism of the translation.”[2] Joseph inquired of the Lord twice, and each time was told no. Harris persisted, and Joseph went to the Lord a third time. This time, he received permission to allow Harris to take the manuscript. “The Prophet required Harris to solemnly covenant that he would show them only to his brother, his parents, his wife, and her sister.”[3]

Harris did not return the manuscript when he said he would. Joseph, living in Harmony, PA at the time, returned to Manchester, NY. There, he learned the manuscript had been lost. Harris had not kept his word, and “indiscriminately showed it to persons outside his family … The most widespread rumor was that Harris’ wife, irritated at having earlier been denied a glimpse of the ancient plates, had removed the manuscript translation from Martin’s unlocked bureau and burned it.”[4]

Hearing this, Joseph cried, “Oh, my God! ... All is lost! all is lost! What shall I do? I have sinned-it is I who tempted the wrath of God.”[5] He was chastised by the Lord.

“Behold, you have been entrusted with these things, but how strict were your commandments; and remember also the promises which were made to you, if you did not transgress them.
“And behold, how oft you have transgressed the commandments and the laws of God, and have gone on in the persuasions of men.
“For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God. Although men set at naught the counsels of God, and despise his words-
“Yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble.
“NOW, behold, I say unto you, that because you delivered up those writings which you had power given unto you to translate by the means of the Urim and Thummim, into the hands of a wicked man, you have lost them.” (D&C 3:5-8, 10:1)

This was the “wise purpose” why the Lord commanded Nephi to write the plates and Mormon to include them, unabridged, at the end of the record.  

“And, behold, Satan hath put it into their hearts to alter the words which you have caused to be written, or which you have translated, which have gone out of your hands.
“And behold, I say unto you, that because they have altered the words, they read contrary from that which you translated and caused to be written;
“And, on this wise, the devil has sought to lay a cunning plan, that he may destroy this work” (D&C 10:10-12).

Just a note on the use of “it came to pass” so often in the record. It came to pass Hebrew way to introduce starting a new thought.[6] In Hebrew, only four characters were used to denote the change. This is a possible reason why Nephi used this phrase so often.


[1] Discussions on the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 1-3, KBYU, Dr. Gaye Strathearn.
[2] Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Manuscript, Lost 116 Pages, Chritchlow, William J., III, Encylopedia of Mormonism, pgs. 854-855, Macmillan Company (1992), Daniel H. Ludlow, editor
[5] Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005), Richard L. Bushman, 67.
[6] Discussions on the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 1-3, KBYU, Dr. Gaye Strathearn.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

A Look at the Introduction to the Book of Mormon III

Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile.[1]

“[Moroni] said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants” (Joseph Smith-History 1:34).

The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.[2]

In a revelation to Joseph Smith, the Lord reminded him…

“Behold thou hast a gift, and blessed art thou because of thy gift. Remember it is sacred and cometh from above” (D&C 6:10).

An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven.

The heading to the Book of Ether, written by Moroni, said, “The record of the Jaredites, taken from the twenty-four plates found by the people of Limhi in the days of king Mosiah” (Ether Preface: Heading).

The first reference to the Jaredites is found in Omni. Amaleki explained…

“And it came to pass in the days of [Mosiah1], there was a large stone brought unto him with engravings on it; and he did interpret the engravings by the gift and power of God.
“And they gave an account of one Coriantumr, and the slain of his people. And Coriantumr was discovered by the people of Zarahemla; and he dwelt with them for the space of nine moons.
“It also spake a few words concerning his fathers. And his first parents came out from the tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people; and the severity of the Lord fell upon them according to his judgments, which are just; and their bones lay scattered in the land northward” (Omni 1:20-22).

The people of Limhi found the land of the Jaredites.

“Now, as soon as Ammon had read the record, the king inquired of him to know if he could interpret languages, and Ammon told him that he could not.
“And the king said unto him: Being grieved for the afflictions of my people, I caused that forty and three of my people should take a journey into the wilderness, that thereby they might find the land of Zarahemla, that we might appeal unto our brethren to deliver us out of bondage.
“And they were lost in the wilderness for the space of many days, yet they were diligent, and found not the land of Zarahemla but returned to this land, having traveled in a land among many waters, having discovered a land which was covered with bones of men, and of beasts, and was also covered with ruins of buildings of every kind, having discovered a land which had been peopled with a people who were as numerous as the hosts of Israel.
“And for a testimony that the things that they had said are true they have brought twenty-four plates which are filled with engravings, and they are of pure gold.
“And behold, also, they have brought breastplates, which are large, and they are of brass and of copper, and are perfectly sound.
“And again, they have brought swords, the hilts thereof have perished, and the blades thereof were cankered with rust; and there is no one in the land that is able to interpret the language or the engravings that are on the plates. Therefore I said unto thee: Canst thou translate?” (Mosiah 8:6-11).

Which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever.

Nephi frequently wrote concerning the House of Israel. For example…

“And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6; see also 1 Nephi 21:6).

And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations.

“Wherefore, he shall bring forth his words unto them, which words shall judge them at the last day, for they shall be given them for the purpose of convincing them of the true Messiah, who was rejected by them; and unto the convincing of them that they need not look forward any more for a Messiah to come, for there should not any come, save it should be a false Messiah which should deceive the people; for there is save one Messiah spoken of by the prophets, and that Messiah is he who should be rejected of the Jews” (2 Nephi 25:18).

“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (2 Nephi 25:26).

“And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews, that Jesus is the very Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God” (2 Nephi 26:12).

“And many of the people did inquire concerning the place where the Son of God should come; and they were taught that he would appear unto them after his resurrection; and this the people did hear with great joy and gladness” (Alma 16:20).

“And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them” (Mosiah 3:13).

“And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.
“And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives” (Mosiah 5:7-8).

And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment–seat of Christ.

“AND now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men” (2 Nephi 33:1).

“And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these. Behold, I am Moroni; and were it possible, I would make all things known unto you” (Mormon 8:12).

“And if our plates had been sufficiently large we should have written in Hebrew; but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also; and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold, ye would have had no imperfection in our record.
“But the Lord knoweth the things which we have written, and also that none other people knoweth our language; and because that none other people knoweth our language, therefore he hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof” (Mormon 9:33-34).


[1] See the “Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed” section.
[2] See the “Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed” section.

Sunday, October 22, 2017

President Russell M. Nelson's Book of Mormon List - The Book of Mormon reveals information previously unknown I

The Book of Mormon reveals information previously unknown:

-- Baptisms were performed before Jesus Christ was born.

“And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.
“And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it” (emphasis mine) (2 Nephi 9:23-24).

“And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son” (emphasis mine) (2 Nephi 31:11).

“Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost” (emphasis mine) (2 Nephi 31:17).

“And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
“Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
“Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you” (emphasis mine) (Mosiah 18:8-10).

“And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried, saying: O Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart.
“And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world.
“And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam were buried in the water; and they arose and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit.
“And again, Alma took another, and went forth a second time into the water, and baptized him according to the first, only he did not bury himself again in the water.
“And after this manner he did baptize every one that went forth to the place of Mormon; and they were in number about two hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters of Mormon, and were filled with the grace of God” (emphasis mine) (Mosiah 18:12-16).

“Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness” (emphasis mine) (Alma 7:14).

-- Temples were built and used by people in ancient America.

“And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon’s temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine” (emphasis mine) (2 Nephi 5:16).

“Wherefore I, Jacob, gave unto them these words as I taught them in the temple, having first obtained mine errand from the Lord” (emphasis mine) (Jacob 1:17).

“Now, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, according to the responsibility which I am under to God, to magnify mine office with soberness, and that I might rid my garments of your sins, I come up into the temple this day that I might declare unto you the word of God…
“Wherefore, I must tell you the truth according to the plainness of the word of God. For behold, as I inquired of the Lord, thus came the word unto me, saying: Jacob, get thou up into the temple on the morrow, and declare the word which I shall give thee unto this people” (emphasis mine) (Jacob 2:2, 11).

“And now, it came to pass that Mosiah went and did as his father had commanded him, and proclaimed unto all the people who were in the land of Zarahemla that thereby they might gather themselves together, to go up to the temple to hear the words which his father should speak unto them” (emphasis mine) (Mosiah 1:18).

“I am Amulek; I am the son of Giddonah, who was the son of Ishmael, who was a descendant of Aminadi; and it was that same Aminadi who interpreted the writing which was upon the wall of the temple, which was written by the finger of God” (emphasis mine) (Alma 10:2).

“And Alma and Amulek went forth preaching repentance to the people in their temples, and in their sanctuaries, and also in their synagogues, which were built after the manner of the Jews” (emphasis mine) (Alma 16:13).

“Yea, he sent a decree among them, that they should not lay their hands on them to bind them, or to cast them into prison; neither should they spit upon them, nor smite them, nor cast them out of their synagogues, nor scourge them; neither should they cast stones at them, but that they should have free access to their houses, and also their temples, and their sanctuaries” (emphasis mine) (Alma 23:2).

“But behold, a hundredth part of the proceedings of this people, yea, the account of the Lamanites and of the Nephites, and their wars, and contentions, and dissensions, and their preaching, and their prophecies, and their shipping and their building of ships, and their building of temples, and of synagogues and their sanctuaries, and their righteousness, and their wickedness, and their murders, and their robbings, and their plundering, and all manner of abominations and whoredoms, cannot be contained in this work” (emphasis mine) (Helaman 3:14).

“And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place” (3 Nephi 11:1).

-- Joseph, 11th son of Israel, foresaw the prophetic role of Joseph Smith.

“Wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light—yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom.
“For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins.
“Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers.
“And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him. And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work.
“And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.
“And Moses will I raise up, to deliver thy people out of the land of Egypt.
“Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.
“And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.
“And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;
And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation” (emphasis mine) (2 Nephi 3:5-9, 12-15).

-- Nephi (600-592 B.C.) foresaw the discovery and colonizing of America.

“And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land.
“And it came to pass that I beheld the Spirit of God, that it wrought upon other Gentiles; and they went forth out of captivity, upon the many waters.
“And it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of the Gentiles upon the land of promise; and I beheld the wrath of God, that it was upon the seed of my brethren; and they were scattered before the Gentiles and were smitten.
“And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the Gentiles, and they did prosper and obtain the land for their inheritance; and I beheld that they were white, and exceedingly fair and beautiful, like unto my people before they were slain.
“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord; and the power of the Lord was with them.
“And I beheld that their mother Gentiles were gathered together upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them.
“And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle.
“And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations” (emphasis mine) (1 Nephi 13:12-19).

-- Plain and precious parts of the Bible have been lost.

“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that they did prosper in the land; and I beheld a book, and it was carried forth among them.
“And the angel said unto me: Knowest thou the meaning of the book?
“And I said unto him: I know not.
“And he said: Behold it proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew. And I, Nephi, beheld it; and he said unto me: The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles.
“And the angel of the Lord said unto me: Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew it contained the fulness of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God.
“Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God.
“And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.
And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men” (emphasis mine) (1 Nephi 13:20-27).