BOM and Faith 1 Nephi 10-12

Having explained the purpose of the small plates, Nephi continues his record.

Having heard his father’s words, Nephi was again “desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost … that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men” (1 Nephi 10:17). 

Nephi went off alone to a mountain he had never before seen. He began to pray, having faith the Lord would hear his prayer and answer his questions.

An angel appeared to him and began to ask him questions.

First, he was asked what he desired. Nephi responded he wanted “to behold the things which my father saw” (1 Nephi 11:3).

The angel could have answered his prayer, but he continued questioning Nephi. “Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken” (1 Nephi 11:4).

Even though Nephi had shown great faith in the past, it was essential he still exercised that same faith. He simply replied, “thou knowest that I believe all the words of my father” (1 Nephi 11:5).

It was only after Nephi had shown the strength of his faith that the angel granted his request. It was through his faith his prayer was answered.

Here are some key points of Nephi’s vision.

• ·        He saw the son of God descending out of heaven (1 Nephi 11:7).
• ·        He saw Mary, the mother of Christ (1 Nephi 11:15-20).

o   He learned the meaning of the tree – “it is the love of God … most desirable above all things” (1 Nephi 11:21-22).

• ·        He saw Christ’s ministry (1 Nephi 11:24).

o   He learned the meaning of the iron rod – “which was the word of God” (1 Nephi 11:25).

o   He learned “the tree of life was a representation of the love of God” (1 Nephi 11:25).

• ·        He saw Christ’s baptism by John and he “beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove” (1 Nephi 11:27).
• ·        He saw Christ ministering to the people, healing the sick and casting out unclean spirits (1 Nephi 11:31).
• ·        He saw Christ judged by the world (1 Nephi 11:32).
• ·        He saw Christ’s crucifixion (1 Nephi 11:33).
• ·        He saw multitudes fight against the apostles of the Lamb (1 Nephi 11:34).

o   The multitudes were found in the large and spacious building (1 Nephi 11:35).

§  The great and spacious building represented the pride of the world (1 Nephi 11:36).

• ·        He saw the land of promise (1 Nephi 12:1)
• ·        He saw wars and rumors of wars and great slaughters among his people (1 Nephi 12:2).

o   The wars went on for generations (1 Nephi 12:3).

• ·        He saw darkness come upon the face of the land and lightnings and thunderings and earthquakes and all form of destruction (1 Nephi 12:4).
• ·        Through the darkness, he saw Christ descending out of heaven, showing Himself to his people (1 Nephi 12:5-6).
• ·        He saw the calling of the Nephite twelve (1 Nephi 12:7).
• ·        He saw four generations pass in peace (1 Nephi 12:12).
• ·        He saw wars again throughout the land (1 Nephi 12:15).
• ·        He saw…
• ·        the fountain of filthy water represents the depths of hell (1 Nephi 12:16).
• ·        the mists of darkness represent the temptations of the devil (1 Nephi 12:17).
• ·        the gulf between the field and the spacious building is the “vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men” (1 Nephi 12:18).
• ·        He saw the destruction of his people (1 Nephi 12:19-21).