I appreciate the promise in 1 Nephi 10 that the Lord will bless the righteous and repentant who diligently seek for knowledge of Him regardless of what age they live in. Nephi believed what his father told them he had seen and heard, but Nephi wanted to know for himself. He said the following of the Lord:
18 "For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.
19 "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round."
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
For a wise purpose
1 Nephi 9
This is a short but very significant chapter in the Book of Mormon. Nephi explains that he had been keeping a record of their doings, but the Lord had commanded him to make another record. He wrote:
5 "Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.
6 "But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. . . ."
Nephi explained that these smaller plates (from which this portion of the Book of Mormon was translated) contained the more sacred writings while the larger plates told of the reign of the kings and the wars and contentions of his people. Our Church history further reveals the reason another set of plates was needed. Joseph Smith began the task of translation, working from the set of large plates. A friend of Joseph's who had been very supportive of Joseph begged him to let him take the 116 pages of translated manuscript home to show his skeptical wife. Joseph asked the Lord if it would be all right and was told no, but Martin was persistant, pleading with Joseph to ask again. Finally permission was given and Martin took the manuscript home.
Other skeptical family members were shown the manuscript, and someone stole it in hopes to expose Joseph as a charlatan. Losing the manuscript was an awful ordeal for Joseph, as he knew he had displeased the Lord by letting Martin take it. All the plates were taken from him for a period of time, and when they were finally returned to him, he was told not to retranslate that section from the large plates, as the persons who had stolen the manuscript would change it to be different from a second translation. The Lord, knowing what would happen, had Nephi make a second set of plates (which was even more valuable because of the sacred nature of what was written thereon), and it was no coincidence that the record covered the same time period as the lost 116 pages of manuscript.
This is a short but very significant chapter in the Book of Mormon. Nephi explains that he had been keeping a record of their doings, but the Lord had commanded him to make another record. He wrote:
5 "Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.
6 "But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. . . ."
Nephi explained that these smaller plates (from which this portion of the Book of Mormon was translated) contained the more sacred writings while the larger plates told of the reign of the kings and the wars and contentions of his people. Our Church history further reveals the reason another set of plates was needed. Joseph Smith began the task of translation, working from the set of large plates. A friend of Joseph's who had been very supportive of Joseph begged him to let him take the 116 pages of translated manuscript home to show his skeptical wife. Joseph asked the Lord if it would be all right and was told no, but Martin was persistant, pleading with Joseph to ask again. Finally permission was given and Martin took the manuscript home.
Other skeptical family members were shown the manuscript, and someone stole it in hopes to expose Joseph as a charlatan. Losing the manuscript was an awful ordeal for Joseph, as he knew he had displeased the Lord by letting Martin take it. All the plates were taken from him for a period of time, and when they were finally returned to him, he was told not to retranslate that section from the large plates, as the persons who had stolen the manuscript would change it to be different from a second translation. The Lord, knowing what would happen, had Nephi make a second set of plates (which was even more valuable because of the sacred nature of what was written thereon), and it was no coincidence that the record covered the same time period as the lost 116 pages of manuscript.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Lehi, a loving father
1 Nephi 8
This chapter is the account of Lehi's dream or vision of the tree of life. Nephi's vision of the same is better detailed, so I'll wait and write more when I get to it. Lehi wanted his family to partake of the fruit as he had, and he called and beckoned for them to join him. His wife, Nephi, and Sam came, but Laman and Lemuel refused. When he awoke, he related the dream to them and expressed his concerns for his two eldest sons. Nephi wrote:
37 "And he did exhort them then with all the feelings of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them."
Lehi never did give up trying to help Laman and Lemuel turn their lives around so they could have the blessings and peace of the Gospel. He was faced with the same sorrow that many parents in the Church face today who have rebellious sons and daughters.
This chapter is the account of Lehi's dream or vision of the tree of life. Nephi's vision of the same is better detailed, so I'll wait and write more when I get to it. Lehi wanted his family to partake of the fruit as he had, and he called and beckoned for them to join him. His wife, Nephi, and Sam came, but Laman and Lemuel refused. When he awoke, he related the dream to them and expressed his concerns for his two eldest sons. Nephi wrote:
37 "And he did exhort them then with all the feelings of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them."
Lehi never did give up trying to help Laman and Lemuel turn their lives around so they could have the blessings and peace of the Gospel. He was faced with the same sorrow that many parents in the Church face today who have rebellious sons and daughters.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Forgiveness
1 Nephi 7
The Lord instructed Lehi to send his sons back to Jerusalem, this time to persuade Ishmael to bring his family with them into the wilderness. There doesn't seem to be any arguments from Laman and Lemuel this time, as Ishmael had five daughters of marriageable age. It is thought that there was already a connection between the two families - that Lehi's daughters may have married Ishmael's two sons.
Ishmael's family agreed to go into the wilderness with Lehi's sons. On their journey to Lehi's camp, Laman, Lemuel, two of Ishmael's daughters, and his two sons rebelled against Nephi, Sam, Ishmael and his wife, and Ishmael's three other daughters. It says:
8 "And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them saying, yea, even unto Laman and Lemuel: Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?
9 "How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord?
10 "How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?"
Nephi reminded them of the help they had received from the Lord in delivering them from the hands of Laban and in obtaining the Brass Plates, and he reminded them that "the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him." He pleaded, "Wherefore, let us be faithful to him."
He talked to them of other blessings they had received from the Lord, but they wouldn't soften. Finally, Nephi seems to have had enough, and he told them to go on back to Jerusalem if they wanted, but that they would die with the other inhabitants of Jerusalem when it was destroyed (in the near future). The brothers were even more angry at Nephi's words, and they bound him with cords and were going to leave him in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts. Nephi cried out to the Lord for deliverance, and the cords were loosed from off his hands and feet.
That infuriated Laman and Lemuel even more, and they were determined to get rid of him. Some of Ishmael's family came to his assistance and pleaded with them to let him go. Their hearts were finally softened - even so much that they sorrowed for their wickedness and pleaded with Nephi that he would forgive them.
I've written all the above to get to this one scripture that really impresses me. What a big soul Nephi had!
21 "And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord their God for forgiveness. And it came to pass that they did so. And after they had done praying unto the Lord we did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our father."
All the way through this account of Lehi's family, Nephi does all he can to have peace with everyone. Even though Lehi and his wife are righteous, loving parents, their family is what we call today "disfunctional." Laman and Lemuel had several temporary periods of repentance, but evil lived in their hearts.
The Lord instructed Lehi to send his sons back to Jerusalem, this time to persuade Ishmael to bring his family with them into the wilderness. There doesn't seem to be any arguments from Laman and Lemuel this time, as Ishmael had five daughters of marriageable age. It is thought that there was already a connection between the two families - that Lehi's daughters may have married Ishmael's two sons.
Ishmael's family agreed to go into the wilderness with Lehi's sons. On their journey to Lehi's camp, Laman, Lemuel, two of Ishmael's daughters, and his two sons rebelled against Nephi, Sam, Ishmael and his wife, and Ishmael's three other daughters. It says:
8 "And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them saying, yea, even unto Laman and Lemuel: Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you?
9 "How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord?
10 "How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?"
Nephi reminded them of the help they had received from the Lord in delivering them from the hands of Laban and in obtaining the Brass Plates, and he reminded them that "the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him." He pleaded, "Wherefore, let us be faithful to him."
He talked to them of other blessings they had received from the Lord, but they wouldn't soften. Finally, Nephi seems to have had enough, and he told them to go on back to Jerusalem if they wanted, but that they would die with the other inhabitants of Jerusalem when it was destroyed (in the near future). The brothers were even more angry at Nephi's words, and they bound him with cords and were going to leave him in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts. Nephi cried out to the Lord for deliverance, and the cords were loosed from off his hands and feet.
That infuriated Laman and Lemuel even more, and they were determined to get rid of him. Some of Ishmael's family came to his assistance and pleaded with them to let him go. Their hearts were finally softened - even so much that they sorrowed for their wickedness and pleaded with Nephi that he would forgive them.
I've written all the above to get to this one scripture that really impresses me. What a big soul Nephi had!
21 "And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord their God for forgiveness. And it came to pass that they did so. And after they had done praying unto the Lord we did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our father."
All the way through this account of Lehi's family, Nephi does all he can to have peace with everyone. Even though Lehi and his wife are righteous, loving parents, their family is what we call today "disfunctional." Laman and Lemuel had several temporary periods of repentance, but evil lived in their hearts.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Nephi's Explanation
1 Nephi 6
Chapter 6 has only six verses, but it is an important little chapter, as Nephi explained why he was writing.
Verses 3-6:
"And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all the things of my father, for they cannot be written upon these plates, for I desire the room that I may write of the things of God.
For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.
"Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world.
"Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men."
I think what I'll do from now on is just pick out scriptures along the way that teach important Gospel principles or have special meaning to me. I won't try to go into detail about the story line but only write what is necessary for background to the scriptures I choose.
Chapter 6 has only six verses, but it is an important little chapter, as Nephi explained why he was writing.
Verses 3-6:
"And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all the things of my father, for they cannot be written upon these plates, for I desire the room that I may write of the things of God.
For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.
"Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world.
"Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men."
I think what I'll do from now on is just pick out scriptures along the way that teach important Gospel principles or have special meaning to me. I won't try to go into detail about the story line but only write what is necessary for background to the scriptures I choose.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Lehi's sons return from Jerusalem with the Brass Plates
1 Nephi 5
References to the Lord:
God is good. The Lord protects and delivers. He gives power to man. He is the God of Israel. The Lord preserved Joseph who was sold into Egypt so he could preserve his father and brothers. He led the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt. The Lord has wisdom.
We find Lehi's wife being very much a "worrying mother" in her concerns about her sons who were sent back to Jerusalem to get the Brass Plates. She vented her complaints on Lehi who had sent them. He assured her they would return safely, as he knew the Lord was watching over them. Nephi says "and when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold their joy was full, and my mother was comforted."
I relate to Sariah's concerns about her sons, as I think most mothers would. I appreciate that Nephi included things in his record that help us see that even though Lehi was a prophet of the Lord, he still had to deal with the trials of being a husband and father under very trying circumstances.
We learn in verses 11-13 what records the Brass Plates contained. Lehi searched them and
"He beheld that they did contain the five books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents;
And also a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reitn of Zedekiah, king of Judah;
And also the prophecies of the holy prophets, from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah; and also many prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah."
The chapter ends by Nephi saying "Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise."
It is also wisdom that we have the scriptures and that we study and apply them in our lives.
References to the Lord:
God is good. The Lord protects and delivers. He gives power to man. He is the God of Israel. The Lord preserved Joseph who was sold into Egypt so he could preserve his father and brothers. He led the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt. The Lord has wisdom.
We find Lehi's wife being very much a "worrying mother" in her concerns about her sons who were sent back to Jerusalem to get the Brass Plates. She vented her complaints on Lehi who had sent them. He assured her they would return safely, as he knew the Lord was watching over them. Nephi says "and when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold their joy was full, and my mother was comforted."
I relate to Sariah's concerns about her sons, as I think most mothers would. I appreciate that Nephi included things in his record that help us see that even though Lehi was a prophet of the Lord, he still had to deal with the trials of being a husband and father under very trying circumstances.
We learn in verses 11-13 what records the Brass Plates contained. Lehi searched them and
"He beheld that they did contain the five books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents;
And also a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reitn of Zedekiah, king of Judah;
And also the prophecies of the holy prophets, from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah; and also many prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah."
The chapter ends by Nephi saying "Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise."
It is also wisdom that we have the scriptures and that we study and apply them in our lives.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Nephi obtained the Brass Plates.
1 Nephi 4
References to the Lord:
He is mightier than all the earth. The Lord is able to deliver us. The Spirit led Nephi (and so may we be led). The Spirit "constrains." The Lord may slay the wicked to bring about His purposes. The Lord speaks. He gives commandments. The Lord strengthens man. He lives. The Lord prospers the obedient.
This is not one of my favorite chapters, but it is an important one. I am always impressed with the faith Nephi showed as he went back into Jerusalem by himself, believing the Lord would help him obtain the Brass Plates but not knowing how it would come about. He came onto Laban lying drunken on the ground near his house. It seems a natural thing for a young man to take note of Laban's sword, and he picked it up and admired the fine workmanship and materials. It would be interesting to know what Nephi first thought of when he found Laban, but obviously it wasn't his intent to kill him. He was horrified when he was commanded twice by the Spirit to slay him, and even though he knew he must obey, he had to convince himself that Laban deserved to die. He was a peace-loving young man who had no desire to harm anyone. By being faithful and obedient, Nephi was able to obtain the plates.
I wish today was more like Nephi's time when a man's word or oath was valid. Laban's servant, Zoram, was frightened when he discovered Nephi was not Laban, but he trusted that Nephi would follow through on his promises, and he willingly went with him into the wilderness. Zoram made an oath that he would go with the brothers to join Lehi, and his word was enough. Trust was established. Today a person's word is almost worthless, even when written, signed, notorized, and whatever else is done to try to make it binding. How wonderful it would be if people were trustworthy and trusting. Some are, but most aren't. Telling the truth and keeping promises are almost lost arts except among the truly righteous.
References to the Lord:
He is mightier than all the earth. The Lord is able to deliver us. The Spirit led Nephi (and so may we be led). The Spirit "constrains." The Lord may slay the wicked to bring about His purposes. The Lord speaks. He gives commandments. The Lord strengthens man. He lives. The Lord prospers the obedient.
This is not one of my favorite chapters, but it is an important one. I am always impressed with the faith Nephi showed as he went back into Jerusalem by himself, believing the Lord would help him obtain the Brass Plates but not knowing how it would come about. He came onto Laban lying drunken on the ground near his house. It seems a natural thing for a young man to take note of Laban's sword, and he picked it up and admired the fine workmanship and materials. It would be interesting to know what Nephi first thought of when he found Laban, but obviously it wasn't his intent to kill him. He was horrified when he was commanded twice by the Spirit to slay him, and even though he knew he must obey, he had to convince himself that Laban deserved to die. He was a peace-loving young man who had no desire to harm anyone. By being faithful and obedient, Nephi was able to obtain the plates.
I wish today was more like Nephi's time when a man's word or oath was valid. Laban's servant, Zoram, was frightened when he discovered Nephi was not Laban, but he trusted that Nephi would follow through on his promises, and he willingly went with him into the wilderness. Zoram made an oath that he would go with the brothers to join Lehi, and his word was enough. Trust was established. Today a person's word is almost worthless, even when written, signed, notorized, and whatever else is done to try to make it binding. How wonderful it would be if people were trustworthy and trusting. Some are, but most aren't. Telling the truth and keeping promises are almost lost arts except among the truly righteous.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Returning to Jerusalem for the Brass Plates
References to the Lord in 1 Nephi 3
One may speak with the Lord. The Lord gives instructions to prophets. The Lord sometimes requires hard things. He gives commandments. He favors those who do not murmur. ". . .the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." The Lord blesses. He allows the wicked to be destroyed. It is important to the Lord that sacred records be available to the faithful. God delivers His word to holy prophets through His Spirit and power. The Lord sends angels to deliver messages. The Lord helps bring about His purposes.
Lehi had taken his family into the wilderness, at the Lord's command, to flee from those who wanted to kill him for calling them to repentance. Laman and Lemuel (the two eldest sons) were rebellious and didn't want to leave their riches and friends, but the rest of the family was cooperative. They were quite some distance from Jerusalem when the Lord told Lehi that he needed to obtain the Brass Plates and take them with them (sacred records that Laban had charge of). So, Lehi told his sons they were to go back to Jerusalem and get the plates from Laban. Laman and Lemuel didn't want to obey Lehi, but Nephi understood that it was the Lord who had given commandment, not Lehi, and he was willing to do whatever was necessary. He knew the Lord would help them accomplish it. His response to Lehi is one of the key scriptures in the Book of Mormon.
1 Nephi 3:7 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
So the four brothers wemt back to Jerusalem, not knowing how they were going to obtain the plates. Laban was not going to be easily persuaded to give them up. They discussed it and cast lots to see who would approach him. The lot fell to Laman, the oldest (whose responsibility it probably should have been, anyway). It would be interesting to know how Laman approached Laban, what the conversation consisted of. I think Laman would have probably gone in apologizing for his "crazy" father's request, letting Laban know it wasn't his idea. The request didn't set well with Laban, and he told Laman to get out, accusing him of being a robber and threatening to slay him.
With Laman's failure, Nephi's brothers wanted to give up. But Nephi made an oath that they would not go back to their father in the wilderness until they had the plates, so they devised another plan. They would return to their home and gather up their father's inheritance - gold, silver, and all manner of riches - which he had left behind, and offer it to Laban in exchange for the plates. When Laban saw their wealth he lusted after it. But instead of trading the plates for it, he thrust the brothers out of his presence and called his servants to slay them. They fled out of Jerusalem, leaving their wealth behind and again failing to obtain the sacred records.
Laman and Lemuel were so angry by this time that they beat Nephi and Sam with a rod and spoke "many hard words" to them. An angel appeared to them, chastizing Laman and Lemuel and telling them that the Lord had chosen Nephi to be a ruler over them because of their iniquities. He instructed them to return to Jerusalem again and said that the Lord would deliver Laban into their hands.
I'm sure at least Nephi had been praying fervently for the Lord to help them accomplish what He had commanded, but so far He hadn't helped. I've thought about how they had tried to get the plates and have wondered why their plans hadn't worked. Maybe the first one failed because Laman was a rebellious, mean spirited man, and the Lord wouldn't help him. And maybe the second one failed because they couldn't "buy" the Lord's help with their wealth. In applying those thoughts to life, the Lord wants worthy servants and blesses the efforts of those who serve Him. The records on the Brass Plates were sacred, and they were not to be obtained by rebellious Laman. Also, we cannot buy the sacred things of the Lord with wordly wealth. Maybe the Lord showed the brothers that they could not buy His word or His assistance. They could only receive His help by exercising faith in Him, not by depending upon their own plans.
One may speak with the Lord. The Lord gives instructions to prophets. The Lord sometimes requires hard things. He gives commandments. He favors those who do not murmur. ". . .the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." The Lord blesses. He allows the wicked to be destroyed. It is important to the Lord that sacred records be available to the faithful. God delivers His word to holy prophets through His Spirit and power. The Lord sends angels to deliver messages. The Lord helps bring about His purposes.
Lehi had taken his family into the wilderness, at the Lord's command, to flee from those who wanted to kill him for calling them to repentance. Laman and Lemuel (the two eldest sons) were rebellious and didn't want to leave their riches and friends, but the rest of the family was cooperative. They were quite some distance from Jerusalem when the Lord told Lehi that he needed to obtain the Brass Plates and take them with them (sacred records that Laban had charge of). So, Lehi told his sons they were to go back to Jerusalem and get the plates from Laban. Laman and Lemuel didn't want to obey Lehi, but Nephi understood that it was the Lord who had given commandment, not Lehi, and he was willing to do whatever was necessary. He knew the Lord would help them accomplish it. His response to Lehi is one of the key scriptures in the Book of Mormon.
1 Nephi 3:7 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
So the four brothers wemt back to Jerusalem, not knowing how they were going to obtain the plates. Laban was not going to be easily persuaded to give them up. They discussed it and cast lots to see who would approach him. The lot fell to Laman, the oldest (whose responsibility it probably should have been, anyway). It would be interesting to know how Laman approached Laban, what the conversation consisted of. I think Laman would have probably gone in apologizing for his "crazy" father's request, letting Laban know it wasn't his idea. The request didn't set well with Laban, and he told Laman to get out, accusing him of being a robber and threatening to slay him.
With Laman's failure, Nephi's brothers wanted to give up. But Nephi made an oath that they would not go back to their father in the wilderness until they had the plates, so they devised another plan. They would return to their home and gather up their father's inheritance - gold, silver, and all manner of riches - which he had left behind, and offer it to Laban in exchange for the plates. When Laban saw their wealth he lusted after it. But instead of trading the plates for it, he thrust the brothers out of his presence and called his servants to slay them. They fled out of Jerusalem, leaving their wealth behind and again failing to obtain the sacred records.
Laman and Lemuel were so angry by this time that they beat Nephi and Sam with a rod and spoke "many hard words" to them. An angel appeared to them, chastizing Laman and Lemuel and telling them that the Lord had chosen Nephi to be a ruler over them because of their iniquities. He instructed them to return to Jerusalem again and said that the Lord would deliver Laban into their hands.
I'm sure at least Nephi had been praying fervently for the Lord to help them accomplish what He had commanded, but so far He hadn't helped. I've thought about how they had tried to get the plates and have wondered why their plans hadn't worked. Maybe the first one failed because Laman was a rebellious, mean spirited man, and the Lord wouldn't help him. And maybe the second one failed because they couldn't "buy" the Lord's help with their wealth. In applying those thoughts to life, the Lord wants worthy servants and blesses the efforts of those who serve Him. The records on the Brass Plates were sacred, and they were not to be obtained by rebellious Laman. Also, we cannot buy the sacred things of the Lord with wordly wealth. Maybe the Lord showed the brothers that they could not buy His word or His assistance. They could only receive His help by exercising faith in Him, not by depending upon their own plans.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Comments on 1 Nephi Ch. 2
1 Nephi Chapter 2
Some references to the Lord in this chapter:
The Lord speaks. The Lord commands prophets to speak His words. He may command people to change location. The Lord has dealings with mankind. God created man. Being filled with the Spirit gives one power. God has mysteries. He visits people through the Spirit and softens hearts to believe in His word. He manifests Himself through the Holy Spirit. He leads the obedient to "a land of promise" and prospers them. He blesses faithful people. He curses the rebellious.
Nephi had three brothers: Laman, Lemuel, and Sam. Nephi believed the words of their father Lehi, and when the Lord commanded Lehi to take his family away from Jerusalem, Nephi was supportive and obedient to his father. Even though Nephi believed his father's words, he deeply desired to understand the things of God for himself. He cried to the Lord to know, and his prayers were answered.
Verses 16-18 tell us alot about the four brothers.
16 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.
17 "And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words.
18 "But, behold, Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words; and being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts I cried unto the Lord for them."
Nephi was spiritually in tune, able to accept and believe the word of the Lord through a prophet, who happened to be his own father. But he wasn't satisfied to just believe the prophet, he wanted to know for himself. No doubt it took much prayerful effort along with obedience to the Lord's commandments, but he was able to receive the knowledge he desired directly from the Lord through the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost). Sam believed Nephi and was apparently faithful to the Lord. But Laman and Lemuel were hard-hearted and didn't want to have anything to do with spiritual matters. Because of their attitude, they couldn't recognize the truths that were being taught by Lehi and Nephi. They were angry and hateful because of the truth.
How well those verses point out different reactions people have when exposed to spiritual truths. Some hunger and thirst after the things of God and seek to be filled with knowledge and the Lord's Spirit. Others believe and obey but are content to learn from those who have greater spiritual experience than they. And others deny spiritual truths and even become angry when taught or confronted with them.
We all have freedom of choice and can choose what kind of person we want to be, spiritually.
Some references to the Lord in this chapter:
The Lord speaks. The Lord commands prophets to speak His words. He may command people to change location. The Lord has dealings with mankind. God created man. Being filled with the Spirit gives one power. God has mysteries. He visits people through the Spirit and softens hearts to believe in His word. He manifests Himself through the Holy Spirit. He leads the obedient to "a land of promise" and prospers them. He blesses faithful people. He curses the rebellious.
Nephi had three brothers: Laman, Lemuel, and Sam. Nephi believed the words of their father Lehi, and when the Lord commanded Lehi to take his family away from Jerusalem, Nephi was supportive and obedient to his father. Even though Nephi believed his father's words, he deeply desired to understand the things of God for himself. He cried to the Lord to know, and his prayers were answered.
Verses 16-18 tell us alot about the four brothers.
16 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.
17 "And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words.
18 "But, behold, Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words; and being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts I cried unto the Lord for them."
Nephi was spiritually in tune, able to accept and believe the word of the Lord through a prophet, who happened to be his own father. But he wasn't satisfied to just believe the prophet, he wanted to know for himself. No doubt it took much prayerful effort along with obedience to the Lord's commandments, but he was able to receive the knowledge he desired directly from the Lord through the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost). Sam believed Nephi and was apparently faithful to the Lord. But Laman and Lemuel were hard-hearted and didn't want to have anything to do with spiritual matters. Because of their attitude, they couldn't recognize the truths that were being taught by Lehi and Nephi. They were angry and hateful because of the truth.
How well those verses point out different reactions people have when exposed to spiritual truths. Some hunger and thirst after the things of God and seek to be filled with knowledge and the Lord's Spirit. Others believe and obey but are content to learn from those who have greater spiritual experience than they. And others deny spiritual truths and even become angry when taught or confronted with them.
We all have freedom of choice and can choose what kind of person we want to be, spiritually.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Another beginning - with the Book of Mormon
It's been almost two years since I posted last. I don't know why except that I guess I just lost interest in writing. I did finish reading the New Testament then went on to read the Book of Mormon two or three times after that. I finished the Book of Mormon again on Thanksgiving Day of this year, having read it with the four-volume commentary by Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert Millet. Over the years I've read it many times, sometimes just reading, and other times while trying different study methods. I love it, and I know it is the word of God as written by several ancient prophet writers and brought forth to us today through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
I'm starting it again today and decided to write a little in here as I go along. I'm not sure how long the writing will last - but we'll see. I'll do something I did several years ago - note what is said about the Lord in each chapter, statements easily overlooked as we read the stories and doctrinal discourses. It is truly a witness for Him. Also, I'll choose and write about a scripture or two from each day's reading that I especially like or that has special meaning to me.
1 Nephi Chapter 1
One can be favored of the Lord. He is good. One can pray to the Lord and receive answers. God has a throne and is "surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God. Christ's luster is above that of the sun. One can be filled with the Spirit of the Lord. The Lord's works are great and marvelous. His power and goodness and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth. The Lord is merciful. Those who come unto Him will not perish. The Lord shows things to man (eternal truths). The Messiah will come and bring redemption to the world. The Lord has tender mercies over those who have faith in Him.
I appreciate it that in this very first chapter Nephi establishes the fact that the Messiah will come and that He is watchful over the inhabitants of the earth and reveals His will through prophets. Nephi's father, Lehi, was one of the Lord's prophets. In verses 8-11 we read of a vision wherein Lehi saw the Lord:
8 "And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.
9 "And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day.
10 "And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament.
11 "And they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth. . . ."
I like what Lehi did after the vision.
14 "And when my father had read and seen many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord; such as: 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 are merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!
15 "And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his God; 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."
Lehi was commanded to teach what he had seen to the people of Jerusalem. And from there we have the beginning of the Book of Mormon records.
I'm starting it again today and decided to write a little in here as I go along. I'm not sure how long the writing will last - but we'll see. I'll do something I did several years ago - note what is said about the Lord in each chapter, statements easily overlooked as we read the stories and doctrinal discourses. It is truly a witness for Him. Also, I'll choose and write about a scripture or two from each day's reading that I especially like or that has special meaning to me.
1 Nephi Chapter 1
One can be favored of the Lord. He is good. One can pray to the Lord and receive answers. God has a throne and is "surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God. Christ's luster is above that of the sun. One can be filled with the Spirit of the Lord. The Lord's works are great and marvelous. His power and goodness and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth. The Lord is merciful. Those who come unto Him will not perish. The Lord shows things to man (eternal truths). The Messiah will come and bring redemption to the world. The Lord has tender mercies over those who have faith in Him.
I appreciate it that in this very first chapter Nephi establishes the fact that the Messiah will come and that He is watchful over the inhabitants of the earth and reveals His will through prophets. Nephi's father, Lehi, was one of the Lord's prophets. In verses 8-11 we read of a vision wherein Lehi saw the Lord:
8 "And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.
9 "And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day.
10 "And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament.
11 "And they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth. . . ."
I like what Lehi did after the vision.
14 "And when my father had read and seen many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord; such as: 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 are merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!
15 "And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his God; 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."
Lehi was commanded to teach what he had seen to the people of Jerusalem. And from there we have the beginning of the Book of Mormon records.
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