Chapter 6
Nephi writes of the
things of God—His purpose is to persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham
and be saved. About 600–592 B.C.
Nephi discontinues his narrative at this point. He explains the purpose of this record. Remember, Nephi is writing this record
between 30 and 40 years after they left Jerusalem (see 2 Nephi 5:28, 34). He has had time to ponder the events that
occurred earlier in his life. He sees
them through the eyes of one who has suffered much, but has also been blessed
by the Lord.
Here is his first reference to records other than this and
the brass plates. He informs us he does
not give us the genealogy of Lehi in this record and he will not at any time in
the future. Nephi would later explain that “upon these I write the things of my
soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of
brass. For my soul delighteth in the
scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and
the profit of my children” (2 Nephi 4:15).
Almost in passing, Nephi reminds us they are descendants of
Joseph. Reading the record, there are
times when Nephi seems to identify with Joseph.
He is the righteous younger brother.
His older brothers don’t like him and want to kill him. Eventually, Nephi saves the family and brings
them to the promised land.
“In case we might fail to make the Nephi-Joseph connection
on our own, Nephi mentioned in three places that Joseph was their ancestor. One
place he even reviewed the story for our benefit: ‘That Joseph who was the son
of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt, and who was preserved by the hand of the
Lord, that he might preserve his father, Jacob, and all his household from
perishing with famine’ (1 Nephi 5:14; see 1 Nephi 6:2; 2 Nephi 3:4). Nephi
stressed their lineage even though he wrote that he did not want to use
precious space on the plates with genealogy.”[1]
Nephi then explains that these plates will not contain a
full account of what happened. He is
using the plates that he “may write of
the things of God” (1 Nephi 6:3).
The purpose of the plates would be emphasized when they were passed
on.
“And I, Jacob, saw that I must soon go down to my grave;
wherefore, I said unto my son Enos: Take these plates. And I told him the things which my brother
Nephi had commanded me, and he promised obedience unto the commands. And I make an end of my writing upon these
plates, which writing has been small; and to the reader I bid farewell, hoping
that many of my brethren may read my words” (Jacob 7:27).
“And as these plates are small, and as these things are
written for the intent of the benefit of our brethren the Lamanites, wherefore,
it must needs be that I write a little; but I shall not write the things of my
prophesying, nor of my revelations. For
what could I write more than my fathers have written? For have not they revealed the plan of
salvation? I say unto you, Yea; and this
sufficeth me” (Jarom 1:2).
“And I, Jarom, do not write more, for the plates are
small. But behold, my brethren, ye can
go to the other plates of Nephi; for behold, upon them the records of our wars
are engraven, according to the writings of the kings, or those which they
caused to be written” (Jarom 1:14).
“BEHOLD, it came to pass that I, Omni, being commanded by my
father, Jarom, that I should write somewhat upon these plates, to preserve our
genealogy” (Omni 1:1).
“And behold, the record of this people is engraven upon
plates which is had by the kings, according to the generations; and I
[Abinadom] know of no revelation save that which has been written, neither
prophecy; wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end” (Omni 1:11).
“And I, Amaleki … am about to lie down in my grave; and
these plates are full. And I make an end
of my speaking” (Omni 1:30).
The purpose of the
plates are to “persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved” (1 Nephi 6:4). John’s Gospel would serve much the same
purpose. “And many other signs truly did
Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But
these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:30 - 31).
The things which are pleasing to the world will not be
included in this work. Nephi will write
the things which are pleasing to God. “The
primary and original aim of keeping those records which make up the Book of
Mormon was to preserve the religious tradition of the righteous few
who down through the centuries have heeded God’s word and been guided by his
prophets.”[2]
(Emphasis in original)
Paul would explain
that, “I now persuade [GR appease, aspire to the favor of.; JST Gal. 1:10 ...
please men...] men, or God? or do I seek
to please men? for if I yet pleased men,
I should not be the servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).
Nephi then gives a “commandment
unto my seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not
of worth unto the children of men” (1 Nephi 6:6). We have seen this commandment was passed on
to future generations until the plates were filled (Omni 1:30).
The Book of Mormon teaches the value of writing to please
God. After Nephi read the account of his ancestors, he prepared to
make his contribution to the record. His motive was not self-serving, secular,
or sensational; his intent was to “write the things of God” and to persuade
readers to come unto Christ (1 Nephi 6:3–4). Nephi deliberately excluded
worthless things “which are pleasing unto the world” so that he had room on the
plates to write priceless things “which are pleasing unto God” (1 Nephi 6:5–6).[3]
[3] Beauty on the Mountains: Inspiration from the
Book of Mormon for LDS Writers, Cynthia L. Hallen, Provo, Utah:
Maxwell Institute.
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