BOM and Faith 2 Nephi 1-4

It would be appropriate to call 2 Nephi 1-4 Lehi’s farewell address. He speaks to his family, giving them fatherly counsel and advice. He was blunt in his words. Speaking to Laman and Lemuel, Nephi tells us Lehi spoke to “them in bringing them out of the land of Jerusalem. And he spake unto them concerning their rebellions upon the waters, and the mercies of God in sparing their lives, that they were not swallowed up in the sea” (2 Nephi 1:2-3).

The Lord had revealed to him Jerusalem had been destroyed (2 Nephi 1:4). When he was commanded to leave, Lehi placed his faith in the Lord. Learning of the destruction of Jerusalem validated his faith.

He speaks of this land as a land of promise, “a land for the inheritance of my seed” (2 Nephi 1:5). those that come to this land will “be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord … there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord” (2 Nephi 1:5-6).

“[W]hen the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord … having power given them to do all things by faith … if … they … reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Redeemer and their God, behold, the judgments of him that is just shall rest upon them” (2 Nephi 1:10).

Here Lehi again emphasizes the importance of faith. They will receive power from the Lord “to do all things by faith.” When the lose their faith, they lose this power.

Lehi blessed Zoram because he had been faithful. It would have taken faith to have gone with Nephi into the wilderness. It took faith throughout the journey. His reward was a blessing upon him from Lehi.

As a part of Jacob’s blessing, he was commended for his faithfulness. Dealing with the problems and rebellions of his older brothers must have led to a hard childhood. He was fortunate to have Nephi as his brother. He saw the blessing he received through his faith. He learned the importance of faith throughout his life. As we will see later, Jacob was a powerful prophet to his people after the death of his brother.

Jacob is a great example of what we can become through our faith.

Lehi blesses his youngest son, Joseph. As he did for his other sons, as well as Zoram, he consecrated the promised land as a land of inheritance for both him and his posterity.

He spoke of Joseph, he who was carried into Egypt. He said he saw their day. The Lord promised him “that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel” (2 Nephi 3:5). They would be remembered in the Lord’s covenants “that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days” (2 Nephi 3:5).

Lastly, he called together the children of Laman. He gave them a blessing, that, if they are cursed, the cursing would be taken off them and placed upon the heads of the parents. The children of Lemuel also received the same blessing.

Sam’s family was told they would be numbered among the posterity of Nephi.

After Lehi’s death, Laman, Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael were angry with him again, because of the Lord’s admonitions. Nephi then writes his great psalm.

16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.

23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.

24 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.

25 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.

26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

34 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.

35 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.