And again, it showeth
unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the
gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.
And he said unto the
children of men: Follow thou me.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be
willing to keep the commandments of the Father?
Nephi is writing about the Savior leading us to heaven. He tells us the path is strait and the gate
is narrow. What is meant by “strait?” Strait is defined as “archaic; a : narrow;
b : limited in space or time; c :
closely fitting : constricted, tight.”[1]
In the scriptural use, strait is an
adjective. The Online Etymology
Dictionary gives us information about the history of “strait.” “narrow, strict” (late 13c.), from Old French
estreit, estrait “tight, close-fitting, constricted, narrow” (Modern French
étroit), from Latin strictus, past participle of stringere…More or less
confused with unrelated straight (adj.). Related: Straightly.”[2]
Nephi’s use of “straitness” implies the path is narrow
(constricted, tight). It is not an easy
path to follow. There are obstacles
along the path that will cause us to get lost (see 1 Nephi 8:23, 31-34). During His Ministry, the Savior taught,
“Enter ye in at the [narrow] gate: for wide is the gate, and
broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat:
“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
During His ministry, the Savior taught the Nephites,
“Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and
broad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in
thereat;
“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (3 Nephi 14:13-14).
He is repeating His words in the Old World to the Nephites.
Noel Reynolds further explains verse 9.
“The Book of Mormon discussion also makes much clearer what
is meant in the Savior's New Testament references to the ‘strait gate’ (Matthew
7:13; Luke 13:24). Our understanding of this characterization comes from
Nephi's late report of the dream shared by him and his father at their first
camp in the wilderness. In his later writing, Nephi emphasized that the baptism
of Christ occurred as an example to all men, showing them ‘the straitness
[straightness] of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they
should enter’ (2 Nephi 31:9). And even though Jesus was holy, he still provided
a model for the full process. While he, being holy, could not repent of actual
sins, he still ‘humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the
Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments’ by
baptism in water (2 Nephi 31:7; cf. 31:13).”[3]
Since traveling the strait and narrow is a challenge, the
Savior is there to lead us along that path.
He tells us “Follow thou me” (2 Nephi 31:10). During his Old World ministry, He told many
to follow Him. For example, When He
called Simon Peter and Andrew, “… he saith unto them, Follow [JST Matt. 4:18
... I am he of whom it is written by the prophets; follow me], and I will make you fishers of
men” (Matthew 4:19).
He called Matthew. “And
as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the
[tax office]: and he saith unto him, Follow me.
And he arose, and followed him” (Matthew 9:9).
Mormon, writing to Moroni2, emphasized the importance of
following Christ. “For behold, a bitter
fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth
bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow
Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil” (Moroni
7:11).
[1]
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.
[2]
Online Etymology Dictionary.
[3]
The True Points of My Doctrine, Noel B. Reynolds, Maxwell Institute.
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