Seven chapters in the book of Jacob. I wanted to save chapters 5 and 6 to discuss together, so I'm "lumping" chapters 4 and 7 together. Thing is, they seem to go together pretty well when you consider them as the act of a real, live person who loved the Lord and acted on that love.
After delivering a powerful sermon to his people, Jacob takes on the daunting task of putting the message onto golden plates. He tells us that this is the only way to preserve the words: "But whatsoever things we write upon anything save it be upon plates must perish and vanish away..." (Jacob 4:2). He's right; in anything but the most arid of climates, any other written medium would eventually erode and be gone. I know, I know, the Dead Sea scrolls... Think of where they were, though: the most arid of climates. Jacob and his people were (presumably) in central America, most likely in a jungle type of area. Only a metal that does not corrode would survive for any length of time.
Think of what an effort it would take to inscribe words onto metal. "...I cannot write but a little of my words, because of the difficulty of engraving our words upon plates..." (Jacob 4:1). It would have required a metal instrument to literally scratch the writings onto metal plates. Thank goodness it is gold, which is relatively soft as metals go. Still, the effort would be tremendous. It helped that the words were recorded in a succinctly written language. Previously in 1st Nephi, we learn that these words were written in the language of the Egyptians, based on the learning of the Jews (see 1 Ne 1:2). Moroni explains why: "...we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the reformed Egyptian... And if our plates had been sufficiently large we should have written in Hebrew..." (Mormon 9:32-33). Two things come to mind: How likely is it that Lehi would have learned Egyptian sufficiently well, and taught his sons, that they could record these marvelous things in detail? I'll answer: The Lord prepared them for this life-work. Also, it kind of gives a window into the economic and social status of Lehi's family. Could a family who was scratching out a living day-to-day have been able to learn another language so fluently? I don't think so.
So, if it was so hard, why did they do it? Back to Jacob: "...we labor diligently to engraven these words upon plates, hoping that our beloved brethren and our children will receive them with thankful hearts... for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory..." (Jacob 4:3-4). We must be grateful for their efforts to painstakingly engrave their words for our benefit.
Chapter 7 of Jacob brings the first time in the Book of Mormon where we read of the great face-off between good and evil. A man called Sherem comes into the midst of the Nephites and "preaches" his beliefs. He is a smart man and is good with words; Jacob tells us that he uses much flattery in leading people away from Lord. In short, he teaches that there would be no Christ. He tells Jacob to his face that Jacob "... goest about much, preaching that which ye call the gospel, or the doctrine of Christ. And ye have led away much of this people that they pervert the right way of God... into the worship of a being which ye say shall come... this is blasphemy; for no man knoweth of such things..." (Jacob 7:6-7).
Of course, Jacob refutes this man, using powerful weapons: The truth, delivered by the power of the Spirit, and logical common sense. Sherem falls back on that tired old demand "...show me a sign by this power of the Holy Ghost, in the which ye know so much" (Jacob 7:13 - note the sarcasm in Sherem's words). End result: Sherem is disgraced, admits his wrongdoing and dies.
It's interesting to me that Sherem uses Satan's tried and true tactics: semblence of truth and flattery. I think most people can naturally discern truth. Satan knows this; he tries to make his lies resemble truth as closely as he can, then he disguises the lie with flattering words. People fall for the flattery and overlook what they shouldn't miss in the imposter truth.
This continues to happen today. The scary thing is that falling for this trick is a slippery slope. The more we accept the masquerading lie, the easier the next one is to swallow. Our day is full of examples of this. We need to keep close to the Holy Ghost to be able to ward off the flattery and discern the truth. We need to be courageous to expose the faux truth where we can. We need to be seasoned spiritual warriors to see truth and act to further God's kingdom on earth.
Don
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Moving on.... Jacob 1 - 3
Nephi has moved on.... It's now 55 years since Lehi's family left Jerusalem. Nephi turned over the care and trust of the sacred record he was keeping on the small plates of Nephi to his brother Jacob and passes away. It also appears that he handed over the duties of prophet and teacher to Jacob, who is a ready and able spiritual leader; Jacob takes his responsibility to heart and in Jacob 2 - 3 we read an address he delivers to the people of Nephi.
It's interesting to me that the line of authority is carefully observed and the role of a spiritual leader has been preserved. Jacob had been consecrated as a teacher over the people most of his life; he wasn't even born when Lehi's family left Jerusalem. We can assume that he was born before the Lehites ( Lehi's family, including the sons and daughters of Ishmael as well as Zoram) boarded the newly built ship to sail for this continent. It is reasonable, then, that Jacob is at least 47 years old at the point that the book of Jacob is recorded (it was 8 years after leaving Jerusalem that they were in the land Bountiful when Nephi was commanded to build a ship, see 1 Ne 17; 1 Ne 18 declares that Jacob and Joseph were born in the wilderness). Certainly Jacob, and Joseph as well, were well groomed in leading and teaching righteousness to the people. We can see from this example of organizational continuance that the Lord provides righteous leaders for his people.
Jacob was anxious for the welfare of his people and, like a good spiritual leader, sought guidance in which he "...first obtained mine errand from the Lord" (Jacob 1:17). As we serve in church positions, the most basic foundation that can be laid for success is to learn what to do.... including what the Lord would have you focus your attention and energy on. If you are called to a church calling you need to know the whats, the hows, and the whos of the job. The what to do can be learned from reading and being taught by others. The how to do is learned by reading, being taught, and by observing. The who to help and serve comes from being taught, observing, and seeking the spirit's guidance. It's important that we recognize the role of the spirit in our church callings. Certainly Jacob recognized this principle.
Jacob's address to his people is a study in spiritual boldness; he denounces love of riches, pride, and other unholy practices. He addresses unchastity very pointedly in his address. He reminds the people that sin hurts not just their spiritual selves but also hurts their wives and their children. From this we learn that we are not islands. Our actions, for good or for bad, affect others. Committing a sin is like throwing a stone in the lake; anyone near to us will feel the repercussion of the thing we do. Satan would have us think that we are the only one that our sin damages, but this is not true; the effects are felt by our loved ones. Our example is displayed to those around us. We need to keep this perspective always in our lives as motivation to do good.
I am impressed that Jacob would carry out the duty of naming the sins of his people so boldly. Several times during the address he apologizes that he had to discuss the sinfulness of the people - "Yeah, it grieveth my soul and causeth me to shrink with shame before the presence of my Maker that I must testify unto you concerning the wickedness of your hearts" (Jacob 2:6). He talks about his anxiety for the people to the extent that his eyes water his pillow at night. As we serve in our callings, we must take on this level of commitment to our responsibilities. In doing so, we become anxious that those we serve are being touched for the good by our service. In committing ourselves, our service becomes sacred and is prospered by the hand of the Lord. The result is that we prosper and grow right along with those we serve.
Don
It's interesting to me that the line of authority is carefully observed and the role of a spiritual leader has been preserved. Jacob had been consecrated as a teacher over the people most of his life; he wasn't even born when Lehi's family left Jerusalem. We can assume that he was born before the Lehites ( Lehi's family, including the sons and daughters of Ishmael as well as Zoram) boarded the newly built ship to sail for this continent. It is reasonable, then, that Jacob is at least 47 years old at the point that the book of Jacob is recorded (it was 8 years after leaving Jerusalem that they were in the land Bountiful when Nephi was commanded to build a ship, see 1 Ne 17; 1 Ne 18 declares that Jacob and Joseph were born in the wilderness). Certainly Jacob, and Joseph as well, were well groomed in leading and teaching righteousness to the people. We can see from this example of organizational continuance that the Lord provides righteous leaders for his people.
Jacob was anxious for the welfare of his people and, like a good spiritual leader, sought guidance in which he "...first obtained mine errand from the Lord" (Jacob 1:17). As we serve in church positions, the most basic foundation that can be laid for success is to learn what to do.... including what the Lord would have you focus your attention and energy on. If you are called to a church calling you need to know the whats, the hows, and the whos of the job. The what to do can be learned from reading and being taught by others. The how to do is learned by reading, being taught, and by observing. The who to help and serve comes from being taught, observing, and seeking the spirit's guidance. It's important that we recognize the role of the spirit in our church callings. Certainly Jacob recognized this principle.
Jacob's address to his people is a study in spiritual boldness; he denounces love of riches, pride, and other unholy practices. He addresses unchastity very pointedly in his address. He reminds the people that sin hurts not just their spiritual selves but also hurts their wives and their children. From this we learn that we are not islands. Our actions, for good or for bad, affect others. Committing a sin is like throwing a stone in the lake; anyone near to us will feel the repercussion of the thing we do. Satan would have us think that we are the only one that our sin damages, but this is not true; the effects are felt by our loved ones. Our example is displayed to those around us. We need to keep this perspective always in our lives as motivation to do good.
I am impressed that Jacob would carry out the duty of naming the sins of his people so boldly. Several times during the address he apologizes that he had to discuss the sinfulness of the people - "Yeah, it grieveth my soul and causeth me to shrink with shame before the presence of my Maker that I must testify unto you concerning the wickedness of your hearts" (Jacob 2:6). He talks about his anxiety for the people to the extent that his eyes water his pillow at night. As we serve in our callings, we must take on this level of commitment to our responsibilities. In doing so, we become anxious that those we serve are being touched for the good by our service. In committing ourselves, our service becomes sacred and is prospered by the hand of the Lord. The result is that we prosper and grow right along with those we serve.
Don
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Nephi's farewell - 2 Ne 29-33
What a great man Nephi must have been... His people loved him. They called him their king and protector. He had great spiritual manifestations and taught many important truths in the things he wrote.
There are many things in these chapters that I could bring up, but I will only touch on a couple of things that interested me:
2 Ne 29: 3-4 "...gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have a Bible and there cannot be any more Bible. ...they shall have a bible and it shall proceed forth from the Jews... And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them?". We do have a bible and it is full of truth and great treasures of spiritual wisdom. But the Lord (through Nephi) says that His words have been given to more than just one people. His word is the same to one nation like unto another nation and is the same yesterday today and forever. For those who say they don't need any more scripture than the bible, the Lord had two words: "Thou fool". I say how sad, because the Book of Mormon is such a great testament of Christ. For those who say that the Book of Mormon was copied from the Bible, please know that these words of Nephi are true. The Lord spoke to his prophets of the Book of Mormon just as he did to the prophets of the Old Testament. If His word is the same to all people and all time, is it any wonder that they sound alike? This is known as the testimony of 2 and 3 witnesses establishing the word of truth. ""And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews" (2 Ne 29:13).
Nephi foreshadows the destruction of his people: "For the time speedily cometh that the Lord God shall cause a great division among the people, and the wicked will he destroy..." (2 Ne 30:10). This happened in the Nephite civilization at least twice: Think of the destruction just before the Savior visited the Nephites. Think of the Nephites final destruction. Now think of this day; are the wicked separating themselves from the righteous?
Obedience of the Savior was seen by Nephi and he discusses this in Chapter 31. Jesus would be baptized by John, in Nephi's vision, even though he was the holy Son of God. Nephi explains: "And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized... ... But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments" (2 Ne 31: 5,7). A question for each of us: Is it easier for Jesus to be obedient to Heavenly Father's commandments than for us? I suggest that it is just as easy for us to be obedient, if we approach the commandments in the proper attitude. Certainly Jesus had the right attitude.
When you're not feeling like praying, look to 2 Ne 32: 8, and if you will "...hearken to the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; fo r the evil spirit teacheth him that must not pray". If feel like you can't or shouldn't pray, that is when you need it the most. Find the courage to start the prayer, then proceed from there. Nephi says to do it.
I have to admire Nephi's black or white outlook. In ending his writings, he speaks in Nephi-fashion: "...I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day. And now, my beloved brethren...Farewell until that great day shall come. And you that will not partake of the goodness of God... I bid you an everlasting farewell, for thes words shall condemn you at the last day..." (2 Ne 33: 12-14). May we heed Nephi's words and meet indeed in the Lord's kingdom.
Don
There are many things in these chapters that I could bring up, but I will only touch on a couple of things that interested me:
2 Ne 29: 3-4 "...gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have a Bible and there cannot be any more Bible. ...they shall have a bible and it shall proceed forth from the Jews... And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them?". We do have a bible and it is full of truth and great treasures of spiritual wisdom. But the Lord (through Nephi) says that His words have been given to more than just one people. His word is the same to one nation like unto another nation and is the same yesterday today and forever. For those who say they don't need any more scripture than the bible, the Lord had two words: "Thou fool". I say how sad, because the Book of Mormon is such a great testament of Christ. For those who say that the Book of Mormon was copied from the Bible, please know that these words of Nephi are true. The Lord spoke to his prophets of the Book of Mormon just as he did to the prophets of the Old Testament. If His word is the same to all people and all time, is it any wonder that they sound alike? This is known as the testimony of 2 and 3 witnesses establishing the word of truth. ""And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews" (2 Ne 29:13).
Nephi foreshadows the destruction of his people: "For the time speedily cometh that the Lord God shall cause a great division among the people, and the wicked will he destroy..." (2 Ne 30:10). This happened in the Nephite civilization at least twice: Think of the destruction just before the Savior visited the Nephites. Think of the Nephites final destruction. Now think of this day; are the wicked separating themselves from the righteous?
Obedience of the Savior was seen by Nephi and he discusses this in Chapter 31. Jesus would be baptized by John, in Nephi's vision, even though he was the holy Son of God. Nephi explains: "And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized... ... But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments" (2 Ne 31: 5,7). A question for each of us: Is it easier for Jesus to be obedient to Heavenly Father's commandments than for us? I suggest that it is just as easy for us to be obedient, if we approach the commandments in the proper attitude. Certainly Jesus had the right attitude.
When you're not feeling like praying, look to 2 Ne 32: 8, and if you will "...hearken to the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; fo r the evil spirit teacheth him that must not pray". If feel like you can't or shouldn't pray, that is when you need it the most. Find the courage to start the prayer, then proceed from there. Nephi says to do it.
I have to admire Nephi's black or white outlook. In ending his writings, he speaks in Nephi-fashion: "...I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day. And now, my beloved brethren...Farewell until that great day shall come. And you that will not partake of the goodness of God... I bid you an everlasting farewell, for thes words shall condemn you at the last day..." (2 Ne 33: 12-14). May we heed Nephi's words and meet indeed in the Lord's kingdom.
Don
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Nephi Prophesies, Continued... 2 Ne. 27 & 28
I start with a challenge: Read through the Isaiah chapters and Nephi's prophesies found in 2nd Nephi; find one page that doesn't have deep meaning to it. Just one. Can't be done.
Nephi talks a lot about the future he has seen and relates it to the classic struggle between those who heed God's commandments and those who don't. He points out some things that have happened that were future to his time:
He sees the lives of his posterity; both those who, in their iniquity, would be destroyed from the earth and those who would exist in our time. He sees the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. He relates the incident with Martin Harris, who takes translated manuscript and copies of the characters Joseph Smith was translating to a professor of Egyptian antiquities (see the account in the Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith History). He sees our day and the multitude of churches. He sees the Book of Mormon being taught to and read by his descendants. That is what these chapters are about: Nephi explains what he saw and how the people dealt with God's commandments. Here's a few things that jumped out at me:
The people or nations that fight against God's kingdom on earth will be left empty and wanting, as a starving man who wakes after dreaming about a sumptuous meal (2 Ne. 27: 3). How descriptive! Hopefully we won't have first hand experiences like this...
The Book of Mormon will come forth, and the words will be "...of them which have slumbered" (2 Ne. 26:6). Nephi says that the Book of Mormon will "...be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ..." (2 Ne. 27:11). Learned men will not translate the book, but a man who is not learned will bring the book forth (2 Ne. 27 15-22); by doing so, God shows that He is a God of miracles, and is the same in all times (2 Ne. 27:23). The things written in the Book of Mormon "...shall be of great worth unto the children of men, and especially [Nephi's] seed, which is a remnant of the house of Israel" (2 Ne. 28:2). These few passages alone could be pondered for hours. I testify that the Book of Mormon truly is a divine work, written by God's prophets and miraculously translated and published for our day.
Our times were seen by Nephi; think of these vividly recognizable things: Many churches would be built up and their doctrine would be based upon the principles of man, mingled with some of God's teachings. They would contend with each other but would deny the spirit of God in their teachings and actions. People would believe things that are not of God and treat the true word of God with disdain. Pride would corrrupt God's word, and people would call good evil and evil good. Do any of these things remind you of this day and age? We hear about these things happening every day. Just try to talk to a proponent of gay marriage about God's commandments!
God has promised that in the end He would welcome those who repent and accept him: "...nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them [the gentiles], sayeth the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts" (2 Ne. 28:32).
I pray that we can recognize and accept the gifts from Heaven. I pray that we can recognize and reject the snares of Satan. If we can only hold true to the promises and covenants we have made with God, God our Father will hold true to the marvelous blessings he has in store for us.
Don
Nephi talks a lot about the future he has seen and relates it to the classic struggle between those who heed God's commandments and those who don't. He points out some things that have happened that were future to his time:
He sees the lives of his posterity; both those who, in their iniquity, would be destroyed from the earth and those who would exist in our time. He sees the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. He relates the incident with Martin Harris, who takes translated manuscript and copies of the characters Joseph Smith was translating to a professor of Egyptian antiquities (see the account in the Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith History). He sees our day and the multitude of churches. He sees the Book of Mormon being taught to and read by his descendants. That is what these chapters are about: Nephi explains what he saw and how the people dealt with God's commandments. Here's a few things that jumped out at me:
The people or nations that fight against God's kingdom on earth will be left empty and wanting, as a starving man who wakes after dreaming about a sumptuous meal (2 Ne. 27: 3). How descriptive! Hopefully we won't have first hand experiences like this...
The Book of Mormon will come forth, and the words will be "...of them which have slumbered" (2 Ne. 26:6). Nephi says that the Book of Mormon will "...be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ..." (2 Ne. 27:11). Learned men will not translate the book, but a man who is not learned will bring the book forth (2 Ne. 27 15-22); by doing so, God shows that He is a God of miracles, and is the same in all times (2 Ne. 27:23). The things written in the Book of Mormon "...shall be of great worth unto the children of men, and especially [Nephi's] seed, which is a remnant of the house of Israel" (2 Ne. 28:2). These few passages alone could be pondered for hours. I testify that the Book of Mormon truly is a divine work, written by God's prophets and miraculously translated and published for our day.
Our times were seen by Nephi; think of these vividly recognizable things: Many churches would be built up and their doctrine would be based upon the principles of man, mingled with some of God's teachings. They would contend with each other but would deny the spirit of God in their teachings and actions. People would believe things that are not of God and treat the true word of God with disdain. Pride would corrrupt God's word, and people would call good evil and evil good. Do any of these things remind you of this day and age? We hear about these things happening every day. Just try to talk to a proponent of gay marriage about God's commandments!
God has promised that in the end He would welcome those who repent and accept him: "...nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them [the gentiles], sayeth the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts" (2 Ne. 28:32).
I pray that we can recognize and accept the gifts from Heaven. I pray that we can recognize and reject the snares of Satan. If we can only hold true to the promises and covenants we have made with God, God our Father will hold true to the marvelous blessings he has in store for us.
Don
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Nephi Prophesies - 2 Ne. 26
Nephi taught us some great things in the final words in 2nd Nephi. He was honest, plain, and direct (true to his character) in testifying that the Savior would come to the Earth and the purpose for the Savior's mission. He told of the ulitmate fate of many of his people, including his descendants, in the last days. He described the things that have happend and will happen in these last days. There are so many things I could mention for a reader to ponder from these chapters, I just can't discuss everything. Read the book. Re-read it. If you do, and if you ask for a witness of it's truth, you'll be happy that you did it. And you'll have a better understanding of the things that Nephi discusses in these chapters.
Nephi talks about the Savior's birth and of his resurrection. He says: "great and terrible shall that day be unto the wicked, for they shall perish...because they cast out the prophets, and the saints and stone them, and slay them; wherefore the cry of the blood of the saints shall ascend up to God..." (2 Ne 26:3).
I have always wondered about the blood crying out for vengeance. This concept is found in the Book of Mormon in several places: 2 Ne 28:10; Mos. 27:29; Alma 1:13, 3 Ne. 21:21, Mormon 3:15. It is found in the Bible: Gen. 4:10; Rom 12:19 and in many other places. Clearly the Lord, who said "Vengeance is mine, and I will repay", reserves His right to punish the wicked. Does this make him a uncaring, unfeeling, unloving Father? Look at 3 Ne. 21:21-22: "And I will execute vengeance and fury upon them, even as upon the heathen, such as they have not heard. But if they (the unrepentant wicked) will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob...". This threat and this promise applies to everyone, all who have been mortal upon the earth.... aren't we all sinners? We can heed this promise and be numbered among His children by repenting, following His word and not becoming hard-hearted to the Gospel. If we choose otherwise, we face the penalty which was described above.
How does blood cry from the ground? This may be is a figure of speech; the Lord, who is omniscient, certainly knows what happens when His prophets and His children suffer at the hands of wickedness. Because of his obligation to justice, He must exact the penalty for sin; it can be no other way. But if the sinner becomes the repentant, the repentant can lean on the mercy of Christ, our Redeemer and mediator.
I find verse 4 of 2 Ne. 26 very interesting: "Wherefore, all those who are proud, and that do wickedly, the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, for they shall be as stubble" (2 Ne 26:4). This is very close to what Malachi said in the close of the Old Testament (Mal. 4:1), and what was said by the Savior to the Nephites, spared from calamity and destruction, when He visited them following His crucifixion and resurrection (3 Ne. 25:1). Here is Nephi, approximately 550 years before the Savior is born on earth, expressing extremely similar words to Malachi and to words of the Savior. Some Book of Mormon critics would say that Joseph Smith copied these words from the Bible. They would say this is evidence that he was a fraud and the entire Book of Mormon is a work of fiction, or worse. It would perhaps be easy to understand their line of thinking.
The Lord indicates in many places in the scriptures that His word would be established by multiple testaments. His word is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. It doesn't surprise me that the expressions used in these different circumstances would be similar, if not the same. We can take these similarities as proof of their authenticity and not as proof of deception. How many mathematicians does it take to prove that two plus two equals four? (By the way, similarities like this are found all over in the scriptures; The Beatitudes are in the New Testament and 3 Nephi; the Charity never faileth message is found several places; description of the creation is found multiple times in the scriptures. The New Testament has 4 description of the Savior's mortal life. We shouldn't be surprised when similar phrases are used).
I thought I would get through multiple chapters in this post, but I am still thinking of Chapter 26. One last thing: Nephi was shown in detail what would befall the earth's inhabitants, especially his descendants. Imagine seeing your posterity killing each other. Imagine seeing them perverting their beliefs, their lives and completely turning away from the Lord. Can you imagine seeing their destruction? Nephi did. It must have been awful; he exclaims "O the pain, and the anguish of my soul for the loss of the slain of my people! For I, Nephi, have seen it, and it well nigh consumeth me before the presence of the Lord; but I must cry unto my God: Thy ways are just." As awful a thing to witness as that must have been, Nephi still bows to his God's will.
Don
Nephi talks about the Savior's birth and of his resurrection. He says: "great and terrible shall that day be unto the wicked, for they shall perish...because they cast out the prophets, and the saints and stone them, and slay them; wherefore the cry of the blood of the saints shall ascend up to God..." (2 Ne 26:3).
I have always wondered about the blood crying out for vengeance. This concept is found in the Book of Mormon in several places: 2 Ne 28:10; Mos. 27:29; Alma 1:13, 3 Ne. 21:21, Mormon 3:15. It is found in the Bible: Gen. 4:10; Rom 12:19 and in many other places. Clearly the Lord, who said "Vengeance is mine, and I will repay", reserves His right to punish the wicked. Does this make him a uncaring, unfeeling, unloving Father? Look at 3 Ne. 21:21-22: "And I will execute vengeance and fury upon them, even as upon the heathen, such as they have not heard. But if they (the unrepentant wicked) will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob...". This threat and this promise applies to everyone, all who have been mortal upon the earth.... aren't we all sinners? We can heed this promise and be numbered among His children by repenting, following His word and not becoming hard-hearted to the Gospel. If we choose otherwise, we face the penalty which was described above.
How does blood cry from the ground? This may be is a figure of speech; the Lord, who is omniscient, certainly knows what happens when His prophets and His children suffer at the hands of wickedness. Because of his obligation to justice, He must exact the penalty for sin; it can be no other way. But if the sinner becomes the repentant, the repentant can lean on the mercy of Christ, our Redeemer and mediator.
I find verse 4 of 2 Ne. 26 very interesting: "Wherefore, all those who are proud, and that do wickedly, the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, for they shall be as stubble" (2 Ne 26:4). This is very close to what Malachi said in the close of the Old Testament (Mal. 4:1), and what was said by the Savior to the Nephites, spared from calamity and destruction, when He visited them following His crucifixion and resurrection (3 Ne. 25:1). Here is Nephi, approximately 550 years before the Savior is born on earth, expressing extremely similar words to Malachi and to words of the Savior. Some Book of Mormon critics would say that Joseph Smith copied these words from the Bible. They would say this is evidence that he was a fraud and the entire Book of Mormon is a work of fiction, or worse. It would perhaps be easy to understand their line of thinking.
The Lord indicates in many places in the scriptures that His word would be established by multiple testaments. His word is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. It doesn't surprise me that the expressions used in these different circumstances would be similar, if not the same. We can take these similarities as proof of their authenticity and not as proof of deception. How many mathematicians does it take to prove that two plus two equals four? (By the way, similarities like this are found all over in the scriptures; The Beatitudes are in the New Testament and 3 Nephi; the Charity never faileth message is found several places; description of the creation is found multiple times in the scriptures. The New Testament has 4 description of the Savior's mortal life. We shouldn't be surprised when similar phrases are used).
I thought I would get through multiple chapters in this post, but I am still thinking of Chapter 26. One last thing: Nephi was shown in detail what would befall the earth's inhabitants, especially his descendants. Imagine seeing your posterity killing each other. Imagine seeing them perverting their beliefs, their lives and completely turning away from the Lord. Can you imagine seeing their destruction? Nephi did. It must have been awful; he exclaims "O the pain, and the anguish of my soul for the loss of the slain of my people! For I, Nephi, have seen it, and it well nigh consumeth me before the presence of the Lord; but I must cry unto my God: Thy ways are just." As awful a thing to witness as that must have been, Nephi still bows to his God's will.
Don
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Nephi Discusses Isaiah - 2 Ne. 25
It's pretty interesting reading what Nephi says after he recorded chapters of Isaiah on the plates reserved for spiritual things. It's always been a contradiction to me that Nephi says he glories in plainness and then says he glories in the writings of Isaiah. Isaiah's writings, to me, have been anything but plain. But in carefully reading 2 Nephi 25, you can see that it really isn't a dichotomy. For one thing, I think Nephi misses his old neighborhood - Jersalem - somewhat, but growing up there gives him insight. He also tells us the key to understanding gospel truth. He says:
1) Isaiah is hard to understand unless you've lived among the people of Jerusalem and understood their ways; Nephi says "I came out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews..." (2 Ne 25:5).
2) The prophecies of Isaiah are plain when discerned by the spirit of prophecy: "... the words of Isaiah...are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy." (2 Ne 25:4).
Nephi teaches us in these passages these lessons:
The Lord's word can be felt, understood, and learned when we have the spirit with us. If we don't have the spirit, we are left to the devices of man and therefore we can't feel, understand, or learn His word.
The more familiar we are with the gospel - the scriptures, the hymns, the ordinances - the more we can understand and appreciate them.
We need to pray for guidance whenever reading the scriptures. Listen to the prelude music and feel the prayer when you attend Sacrament meeting. Open your spirit, mind, and heart when you are at Sunday School. Do this and the spirit will attend you in your spiritual life. Do this regularly and with purpose, and you become ever so much closer to God's word.
True to his nature, Nephi tells us - in his plain and direct way - about the visions and revelations he was given. He starts off by saying what every person on the planet ever needs to know and do: "...we labor diligently to write to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. ...we are made alive in Christ because of our faith... And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, rejoice in Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies..." (2 Ne 25:23-26).
The rest of the next few chapters consist of Nephi prophesying and relating the visions he has had and then tying them to relevant Gospel living. He is very specific about the future of his descendants. These chapters are a treat to read and re-read. If you have breezed through 2nd Nephi in the past, I challenge you to go back and read them carefully. More to come concerning the rest of 2nd Nephi.
Don
1) Isaiah is hard to understand unless you've lived among the people of Jerusalem and understood their ways; Nephi says "I came out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews..." (2 Ne 25:5).
2) The prophecies of Isaiah are plain when discerned by the spirit of prophecy: "... the words of Isaiah...are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy." (2 Ne 25:4).
Nephi teaches us in these passages these lessons:
The Lord's word can be felt, understood, and learned when we have the spirit with us. If we don't have the spirit, we are left to the devices of man and therefore we can't feel, understand, or learn His word.
The more familiar we are with the gospel - the scriptures, the hymns, the ordinances - the more we can understand and appreciate them.
We need to pray for guidance whenever reading the scriptures. Listen to the prelude music and feel the prayer when you attend Sacrament meeting. Open your spirit, mind, and heart when you are at Sunday School. Do this and the spirit will attend you in your spiritual life. Do this regularly and with purpose, and you become ever so much closer to God's word.
True to his nature, Nephi tells us - in his plain and direct way - about the visions and revelations he was given. He starts off by saying what every person on the planet ever needs to know and do: "...we labor diligently to write to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. ...we are made alive in Christ because of our faith... And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, rejoice in Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies..." (2 Ne 25:23-26).
The rest of the next few chapters consist of Nephi prophesying and relating the visions he has had and then tying them to relevant Gospel living. He is very specific about the future of his descendants. These chapters are a treat to read and re-read. If you have breezed through 2nd Nephi in the past, I challenge you to go back and read them carefully. More to come concerning the rest of 2nd Nephi.
Don
Friday, March 4, 2011
Nephi Quotes Isaiah - 2 Ne. 12-23
Not to minimize the value and importance of the Isaiah chapters of 2nd Nephi, I decided to cover them all in one post. (By the way, I know I've slowed down in making entries in this blog; I am forging ahead, however. My reading has taken me almost to the end of 2nd Nephi, and I would like to catch up a little).
There can be no doubt that Nephi wanted his future readers - his posterity and us - to learn specific things from these chapters. Isaiah held a special place in Nephi's heart. He must have, to take the time to inscribe upon metal plates all these chapters. I think that Nephi saw himself to be like Isaiah... he identified with him, especially since he grew up in Jerusalem (perhaps the fact that Nephi left his homeland made reading Isaiah more poignant to him. When I saw the movie "Jeremiah Johnson" I lived in New Jersey. The movie was filmed in the Wasatch mountains of Utah, not far from where I grew up. Seeing and recognizing those mountains struck a chord with me). As I read these chapters, I picked a few things to discuss, which I will do below. First, though, I want to give you my overall observation of these passages.
In these 11 chapters we find the message stated and restated: Israel has gone away from Lord. Israel would be punished for their wanton abandonment of the Lord and His commandments. Although they were to be punished and suffer great calamities due to their wickedness, the Lord would remember the promises He made to their fathers, and in the last days He would restore them to their inheritance. What lesson can we gain from this repeated message? Nothing, if not this: Without the Lord in our lives, we are nothing but mortal people and are subject to the whims of the flesh. Without God we become carnal, sensual, devilish. With God, we become Kings and Queens, children of the Heavenly Promise. That's the sum total of what I read in these chapters, and I think it is a vitally important lesson to learn. We have promises from our Heavenly Father which will be kept if we keep our covenants. That's it, period.
The other thing interlaced in these chapters, like gold amid sand, are the prophecies of the coming of the Savior... classic verses that can inspire us, and did inspire the likes of George Frederic Handel to write one of the greatest oratorios known to man!
A couple of interesting thoughts as I read the Isaiah chapters of 2nd Nephi:
Chapter 12: "in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord's house will be established in the top of the mountains... ...people shall go up and say Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord...". Last days? Mountains? Mountain of the Lord? Again with the Wasatch mountains, huh? After all, this is where modern day Zion was established, right? I'm not sure we fully appreciate that we are living the fulfillment of prophecy.
Chapter 13 gives an example of the predictions of punishment that would be meted out upon errant Israel. "Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched-forth necks and wanton eyes... ...the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion and will discover their secret parts... ...instead of sweet smell there shall be stink...". What a mental picture. Here's a question: Is it just for this kind of punishment to befall this wayward people? Is it too harsh? If we truly read these passages and listen to the Spirit I think the answer can only be yes. A better question: Imagine that, after we've been given the great gift of a testimony, of spiritual manifestations, of living witnesses of God's love; Imagine that we were to turn away to complete abject rejection of God; if we were to not just "go inactive" but were to reject the things we had received spiritual witness of and totally turn to worldly, earthy beings. Would we be worthy of the Lord's condemnation? The road to this is slipperier than one would think.
Chapter 14: Isaiah describes the depth that Israel has sunk to: "... my people are gone in captivity because they have no knowledge [of the Lord]... their honorable men are famished and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore, hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth wihthout measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp , and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.". How pompous men are throughout the ages! Continuing: "Wo unto them that call evil good and good evil, that put darkness fo rlight and light for darkness...". That doesn't happen in these days, right? Right?? Yeah, right.
Chapter 19: Messianic prophecy... "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." It gives me chills an waters my eyes just to read these words!
Chapter 20 contains a warning to refrain from puffing ourselves up because we may have been instruments in God's hands: "Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up... ...Therefore shall the Lord... send among his fat ones, leaness...". Who does the Lord's work? We are instruments in His hands and we are rewarded, not for our achievements, but for our willingness.
As I said, there are many lessons to be learned from these chapters. Isaiah is said to be hard to understand, but I think that in reading each verse for meaning, rather than skimming them to get through them, we can obtain much!
Don
There can be no doubt that Nephi wanted his future readers - his posterity and us - to learn specific things from these chapters. Isaiah held a special place in Nephi's heart. He must have, to take the time to inscribe upon metal plates all these chapters. I think that Nephi saw himself to be like Isaiah... he identified with him, especially since he grew up in Jerusalem (perhaps the fact that Nephi left his homeland made reading Isaiah more poignant to him. When I saw the movie "Jeremiah Johnson" I lived in New Jersey. The movie was filmed in the Wasatch mountains of Utah, not far from where I grew up. Seeing and recognizing those mountains struck a chord with me). As I read these chapters, I picked a few things to discuss, which I will do below. First, though, I want to give you my overall observation of these passages.
In these 11 chapters we find the message stated and restated: Israel has gone away from Lord. Israel would be punished for their wanton abandonment of the Lord and His commandments. Although they were to be punished and suffer great calamities due to their wickedness, the Lord would remember the promises He made to their fathers, and in the last days He would restore them to their inheritance. What lesson can we gain from this repeated message? Nothing, if not this: Without the Lord in our lives, we are nothing but mortal people and are subject to the whims of the flesh. Without God we become carnal, sensual, devilish. With God, we become Kings and Queens, children of the Heavenly Promise. That's the sum total of what I read in these chapters, and I think it is a vitally important lesson to learn. We have promises from our Heavenly Father which will be kept if we keep our covenants. That's it, period.
The other thing interlaced in these chapters, like gold amid sand, are the prophecies of the coming of the Savior... classic verses that can inspire us, and did inspire the likes of George Frederic Handel to write one of the greatest oratorios known to man!
A couple of interesting thoughts as I read the Isaiah chapters of 2nd Nephi:
Chapter 12: "in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord's house will be established in the top of the mountains... ...people shall go up and say Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord...". Last days? Mountains? Mountain of the Lord? Again with the Wasatch mountains, huh? After all, this is where modern day Zion was established, right? I'm not sure we fully appreciate that we are living the fulfillment of prophecy.
Chapter 13 gives an example of the predictions of punishment that would be meted out upon errant Israel. "Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched-forth necks and wanton eyes... ...the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion and will discover their secret parts... ...instead of sweet smell there shall be stink...". What a mental picture. Here's a question: Is it just for this kind of punishment to befall this wayward people? Is it too harsh? If we truly read these passages and listen to the Spirit I think the answer can only be yes. A better question: Imagine that, after we've been given the great gift of a testimony, of spiritual manifestations, of living witnesses of God's love; Imagine that we were to turn away to complete abject rejection of God; if we were to not just "go inactive" but were to reject the things we had received spiritual witness of and totally turn to worldly, earthy beings. Would we be worthy of the Lord's condemnation? The road to this is slipperier than one would think.
Chapter 14: Isaiah describes the depth that Israel has sunk to: "... my people are gone in captivity because they have no knowledge [of the Lord]... their honorable men are famished and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore, hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth wihthout measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp , and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.". How pompous men are throughout the ages! Continuing: "Wo unto them that call evil good and good evil, that put darkness fo rlight and light for darkness...". That doesn't happen in these days, right? Right?? Yeah, right.
Chapter 19: Messianic prophecy... "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." It gives me chills an waters my eyes just to read these words!
Chapter 20 contains a warning to refrain from puffing ourselves up because we may have been instruments in God's hands: "Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up... ...Therefore shall the Lord... send among his fat ones, leaness...". Who does the Lord's work? We are instruments in His hands and we are rewarded, not for our achievements, but for our willingness.
As I said, there are many lessons to be learned from these chapters. Isaiah is said to be hard to understand, but I think that in reading each verse for meaning, rather than skimming them to get through them, we can obtain much!
Don
Friday, February 25, 2011
Notes from 2nd Nephi
Random thoughts from my reading of 2nd Nephi. By the way, it would be great if you were reading along together. Perhaps what I observe and write about will be more meaningful if we were on the same page. I would welcome your comments on what I say.
OK, I'm just going to blow through some of these observations. My apologies up front; it probably seems like I'm overlooking some important points but in reality I don't want to write so much that you, the readers, will be scared away through sheer volume! I am carefully reading these chapters, hi-lighting the things that jump out to me. As I read, I have some notions that strike me as something I should mention in this blog. But the bottom line for me in this read-through is that I am getting a lot more than I ever have before. I guess the blog idea has worked!
In chapter 5, the Lehi family separates themselves due to mounting conflict and tension; Nephi is warned and takes all those who would go with him and flees into the jungle, several days journey from where they all had originally settled. It's interesting to me to see who went with Nephi: Sam, Jacob, Joseph; Nephi's sisters (who are unfortunately unnamed to us); Zoram; others who would accompany them. I wonder how that all went down... did they flee in secret, so that Laman, Lemuel and their camp didn't know they were going? Or were they given the boot as they left? It seems that their departure couldn't have been too much of a secret to anyone who was truly observing since they took all they needed to survive (see v7). They also brought the brass plates of Laban and the ball or compass. I can't help but wonder if there was any fuss at the time... my curiosity about this partly comes from knowing that later in the Book of Mormon Lamanites talk about how the Nephites robbed them of these artifacts.
The narrative in this chapter covers a 10+ year period of time, so not a lot is discussed of the happenings. Nephi mentions that his people are industrious and prosper. He also mentions that in that time they had war and contention with the Lamanites.
In chapters 6 - 10, Nephi records a sermon that was delivered to the people by his brother Jacob. It seems that during this time-period not much was written about, Jacob had been busy teaching and preaching, learning and growing and getting close to the Lord. In these chapters, Jacob quotes Isaiah (from the brass plates, obviously). He dwells on the future of Israel and of the tribe of Joseph (their people). These chapters are a textbook example of how to develop a good scripture-based sermon or talk. Jacob executes it flawlessly, not because he was a skilled orator or superior speech writer, but because he spoke with the Spirit and because he was passionate in urging the people to be righteous.
Isaiah writes that Israel would be blessed to have the Messiah come from it's numbers but will be so wicked that they will slay Him. The result will be that they will be hated, persecuted, smitten and scattered and many would perish. But Isaiah points out that they would not be utterly destroyed and the Lord would ultimately remember His promises to them. Jacob develops his sermon from this theme and discourses how his people should live to be able to receive the Lord's promises.
A few interesting quotes: 2 Ne 6:18 - "I will feed them that opreess the with htheir own fles and they shall be drunken with their own blood". A perfectly ickky thought!
2 Ne 7:11 - "Behold all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the hlight of your fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand - ye shall lie down in sorrow." Makes me think of self-important people who aggrandize themselves at the expense of humbler, kinder, more righteous people.
2 Ne 8:11 - "Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion: and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads; and they shall obtain gladness and joy...". That's the side I want to be on, but it sometimes hard to remember or to envision that. I want to be a glad head.
2 Ne 9:8-9 - (to paraphrase) Without the plan of salvation, without the resurrection, we would all become like Lucifer, spirits forever, and remain in misery. But we do have the way to escape this doom and to return to our Heavenly Father's kingdom!
2 Ne 9: 28-31 - (More paraphrasing) Wo to the learned who think they are wise but do not hear the God calling them. Wo to the rich as to the world but are poor as to the spirit. Wo unto they that are deaf to the Spirit. We see this so much today! People who think that religion is not needed anymore, that moral values are subjective and that consider things of the Spirit is passe. I don't want to be in those shoes at the last day.
2 Ne 10:3 - Jacob names the name of the Savior, as told him by an angel in the night. Certainly Jacob shows himself as the prophet and leader that will step in for Nephi when the time comes. Nephi tells us in a later chapter that Jacob has seen the Savior, just as he had. Jacob turned out to be a great and righteous leader, too.
Well, as I said, there are many great things in these chapters that I have skipped over in the interest of brevity. (yeah, I was really brief, wasn't I). I encourage you to study these chapters carefully and dig the golden nuggets out of them.
Don
OK, I'm just going to blow through some of these observations. My apologies up front; it probably seems like I'm overlooking some important points but in reality I don't want to write so much that you, the readers, will be scared away through sheer volume! I am carefully reading these chapters, hi-lighting the things that jump out to me. As I read, I have some notions that strike me as something I should mention in this blog. But the bottom line for me in this read-through is that I am getting a lot more than I ever have before. I guess the blog idea has worked!
In chapter 5, the Lehi family separates themselves due to mounting conflict and tension; Nephi is warned and takes all those who would go with him and flees into the jungle, several days journey from where they all had originally settled. It's interesting to me to see who went with Nephi: Sam, Jacob, Joseph; Nephi's sisters (who are unfortunately unnamed to us); Zoram; others who would accompany them. I wonder how that all went down... did they flee in secret, so that Laman, Lemuel and their camp didn't know they were going? Or were they given the boot as they left? It seems that their departure couldn't have been too much of a secret to anyone who was truly observing since they took all they needed to survive (see v7). They also brought the brass plates of Laban and the ball or compass. I can't help but wonder if there was any fuss at the time... my curiosity about this partly comes from knowing that later in the Book of Mormon Lamanites talk about how the Nephites robbed them of these artifacts.
The narrative in this chapter covers a 10+ year period of time, so not a lot is discussed of the happenings. Nephi mentions that his people are industrious and prosper. He also mentions that in that time they had war and contention with the Lamanites.
In chapters 6 - 10, Nephi records a sermon that was delivered to the people by his brother Jacob. It seems that during this time-period not much was written about, Jacob had been busy teaching and preaching, learning and growing and getting close to the Lord. In these chapters, Jacob quotes Isaiah (from the brass plates, obviously). He dwells on the future of Israel and of the tribe of Joseph (their people). These chapters are a textbook example of how to develop a good scripture-based sermon or talk. Jacob executes it flawlessly, not because he was a skilled orator or superior speech writer, but because he spoke with the Spirit and because he was passionate in urging the people to be righteous.
Isaiah writes that Israel would be blessed to have the Messiah come from it's numbers but will be so wicked that they will slay Him. The result will be that they will be hated, persecuted, smitten and scattered and many would perish. But Isaiah points out that they would not be utterly destroyed and the Lord would ultimately remember His promises to them. Jacob develops his sermon from this theme and discourses how his people should live to be able to receive the Lord's promises.
A few interesting quotes: 2 Ne 6:18 - "I will feed them that opreess the with htheir own fles and they shall be drunken with their own blood". A perfectly ickky thought!
2 Ne 7:11 - "Behold all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the hlight of your fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand - ye shall lie down in sorrow." Makes me think of self-important people who aggrandize themselves at the expense of humbler, kinder, more righteous people.
2 Ne 8:11 - "Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion: and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads; and they shall obtain gladness and joy...". That's the side I want to be on, but it sometimes hard to remember or to envision that. I want to be a glad head.
2 Ne 9:8-9 - (to paraphrase) Without the plan of salvation, without the resurrection, we would all become like Lucifer, spirits forever, and remain in misery. But we do have the way to escape this doom and to return to our Heavenly Father's kingdom!
2 Ne 9: 28-31 - (More paraphrasing) Wo to the learned who think they are wise but do not hear the God calling them. Wo to the rich as to the world but are poor as to the spirit. Wo unto they that are deaf to the Spirit. We see this so much today! People who think that religion is not needed anymore, that moral values are subjective and that consider things of the Spirit is passe. I don't want to be in those shoes at the last day.
2 Ne 10:3 - Jacob names the name of the Savior, as told him by an angel in the night. Certainly Jacob shows himself as the prophet and leader that will step in for Nephi when the time comes. Nephi tells us in a later chapter that Jacob has seen the Savior, just as he had. Jacob turned out to be a great and righteous leader, too.
Well, as I said, there are many great things in these chapters that I have skipped over in the interest of brevity. (yeah, I was really brief, wasn't I). I encourage you to study these chapters carefully and dig the golden nuggets out of them.
Don
Sunday, February 20, 2011
2nd Nephi 4
A few more words about Lehi's farewell; Lehi was obviously a family man and loved his children and their spouses and his grandchildren. From our readings, we can see that he was concerned about their future. I'm sure that he agonized over what would befall Laman's and Lemuel's lives, as well as their posterity. What great and terrible thing it would be to be shown the future of your offspring! On one hand, knowing that in generations to come, many of your posterity would embrace the Savior and live His commandments would certainly be balm to your soul. But on the other hand, to know that many of your progeny would turn from the Lord and live in hatred, sin, and godlessness would be agonizing. I don't want to know the future. I do want my children to teach their children the Gospel and help them to learn to live uprightly before God. This pattern will repeat itself when followed carefully and lovingly.
Chapter 4 contains what is known as Nephi's Psalm. This passage gives me great hope for myself. Nephi has seen great and wondrous things in his life, yet he laments "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. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins" (2 Ne. 4: 17 - 19).
If Nephi struggled with his mortal self and was able to do so great things, perhaps I can hope that the things that tempt and try me the most can be overcome. I can hope to say, as Nephi did: "...nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted... My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions... He hath filled me with his love... he hath heard my cry... O then, if I have seen so great things... why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow... because of mine afflictions?" (2 Ne. 4: 19 - 26).
We have hope, just as Nephi did, because of the Son of God, whom Nephi knew and whom we can know. This is the challenge of our lives; to know the true God and follow Him.
Don
Chapter 4 contains what is known as Nephi's Psalm. This passage gives me great hope for myself. Nephi has seen great and wondrous things in his life, yet he laments "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. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins" (2 Ne. 4: 17 - 19).
If Nephi struggled with his mortal self and was able to do so great things, perhaps I can hope that the things that tempt and try me the most can be overcome. I can hope to say, as Nephi did: "...nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted... My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions... He hath filled me with his love... he hath heard my cry... O then, if I have seen so great things... why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow... because of mine afflictions?" (2 Ne. 4: 19 - 26).
We have hope, just as Nephi did, because of the Son of God, whom Nephi knew and whom we can know. This is the challenge of our lives; to know the true God and follow Him.
Don
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Lehi's Farewell, Pt. 1 - 2nd Ne 1 & 2
Lehi is growing old and decides it's time to bid his family farewell... It's actually that he is giving his patriarchal blessing to his family, rather than saying goodbye. He leaves some real gems for his family, and us, to think about.
Lehi pleads with his sons to be Godly. He uses words and phrases with meaning: "Remember my words"; "Hearken unto my words"; "awake from the sleep of hell"; "shake off the awful chains"; "awake and arise from the dust"; and other phrases like these. It is clear that he is concerned about his offspring, that they would not live righteously. Being a parent never stops; even when your children have grown up, a parent is still worrying about them, encouraging them, trying to be an example to them and move them in the right direction. This is how it is, and I believe that Heavenly Father is like this with us. As parents, we should follow this example. As children, we should accept the loving guidance and direction when we can.
Lehi tells Laman, Lemuel, Sam, the sons of Ishmael and Zoram that if they listen to Nephi they have his blessing, but if not, they have no blessing. What would it be like to hear that from your father? Laman and Lemuel already resent Nephi; did this directive help Nephi's case or not? It seems that Sam was amenable to Lehi's words, as was Zoram. Ultimately Laman and Lemuel were not and as a result there became two distinct nations in the land which came from the split in Lehi's family.
Lehi shares some major doctrine as he blesses his son, Jacob (in chapter 2).
The plan of happiness: "...the way is prepared from the fall of man and salvation is free."
More plan: "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."
Redemption: "...redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah... he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin...".
Man's preparation: "...men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil..."
Need for experience: "...it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things...". And "...the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other."; and "...they are free to choose liberty and eternal life...or to choose captivity and death...".
God knows best: "...all things have been done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things.".
These are great concepts for us to know and ponder. If life were a college course, 2nd Nephi Chapter 2 would be required reading. We would do well to read these chapters over and over; think about the things Lehi teaches and jot them down for future reference. Most of all, it would be well to internalize these things, and make them part of our daily lives.
Don
Lehi pleads with his sons to be Godly. He uses words and phrases with meaning: "Remember my words"; "Hearken unto my words"; "awake from the sleep of hell"; "shake off the awful chains"; "awake and arise from the dust"; and other phrases like these. It is clear that he is concerned about his offspring, that they would not live righteously. Being a parent never stops; even when your children have grown up, a parent is still worrying about them, encouraging them, trying to be an example to them and move them in the right direction. This is how it is, and I believe that Heavenly Father is like this with us. As parents, we should follow this example. As children, we should accept the loving guidance and direction when we can.
Lehi tells Laman, Lemuel, Sam, the sons of Ishmael and Zoram that if they listen to Nephi they have his blessing, but if not, they have no blessing. What would it be like to hear that from your father? Laman and Lemuel already resent Nephi; did this directive help Nephi's case or not? It seems that Sam was amenable to Lehi's words, as was Zoram. Ultimately Laman and Lemuel were not and as a result there became two distinct nations in the land which came from the split in Lehi's family.
Lehi shares some major doctrine as he blesses his son, Jacob (in chapter 2).
The plan of happiness: "...the way is prepared from the fall of man and salvation is free."
More plan: "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."
Redemption: "...redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah... he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin...".
Man's preparation: "...men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil..."
Need for experience: "...it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things...". And "...the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other."; and "...they are free to choose liberty and eternal life...or to choose captivity and death...".
God knows best: "...all things have been done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things.".
These are great concepts for us to know and ponder. If life were a college course, 2nd Nephi Chapter 2 would be required reading. We would do well to read these chapters over and over; think about the things Lehi teaches and jot them down for future reference. Most of all, it would be well to internalize these things, and make them part of our daily lives.
Don
Saturday, February 12, 2011
1st Nephi 21-22
There are just so many things to talk about in 1st Nephi... I didn't mention a lot of what could have been brought up that would have made for great discussions! As you have seen, I've gone on and on about what I did cover, so it's probably good that I skipped all that I did. I do try to bring up some of the points I find that particularly strike my interest though.
I can't help wonder about the dynamics of Lehi's family. Here is a family that is probably typical for their day, except that the father is a prophet and his 4th son is following in his footsteps. There was probably bickering among them while they were growing up. I can definitely see that, having grown up in a large family. I can see Nephi being the favored son, since he tries to understand his father more than the others and ends up having the same experiences. Would that rankle his older brothers? In many families of our day I've seen the youngest child get preferential treatment (according to the siblings anyway). Resentment, for sure! Wanting kill Nephi.... resentment to the extreme, I would think (not to excuse Laman and Lemuel, though). At least Sam was on his side.
Nephi reads another chapter of Isaiah and the explains them to his brothers. I find it interesting that Nephi's brothers respect him and believe him enough that they ask him for his interpretation, since they can't seem to understand what Isaiah had written. Much of chapter 21 - what we know as Isaiah 49 - discusses the future of the house of Jacob. Nephi picks up on how this affected their line, the line of Joseph. Nephi tells his brothers about how in the last days the posterity of Jacob would be hunted and hated and eventually would become blessed, to the point kings and queens would be their nursing fathers and mothers. He talked about our time. This makes me think about how the state of Israel has been hated and has also been supported by powerful nations which have enabled Israel's survival. Isaiah truly prophesied and Nephi recognized and confirmed the prophecies. Nephi was shown the fate of his people, and he discusses them at length in these chapters. Who wouldn't be interested in what will happen to their children's children's children?
It is important to point out that Nephi indicates that the catalyst to this future revolves the coming of the Savior. These things that were prophesied would come about because their posterity would come to know Jesus and would accept Him as their Messiah, their King, their Redeemer. This would be true for Lehi's posterity and is true for us in this day. We can only be saved in our Heavenly Father's kingdom if we embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ and make him the focal point of our lives.
Don
I can't help wonder about the dynamics of Lehi's family. Here is a family that is probably typical for their day, except that the father is a prophet and his 4th son is following in his footsteps. There was probably bickering among them while they were growing up. I can definitely see that, having grown up in a large family. I can see Nephi being the favored son, since he tries to understand his father more than the others and ends up having the same experiences. Would that rankle his older brothers? In many families of our day I've seen the youngest child get preferential treatment (according to the siblings anyway). Resentment, for sure! Wanting kill Nephi.... resentment to the extreme, I would think (not to excuse Laman and Lemuel, though). At least Sam was on his side.
Nephi reads another chapter of Isaiah and the explains them to his brothers. I find it interesting that Nephi's brothers respect him and believe him enough that they ask him for his interpretation, since they can't seem to understand what Isaiah had written. Much of chapter 21 - what we know as Isaiah 49 - discusses the future of the house of Jacob. Nephi picks up on how this affected their line, the line of Joseph. Nephi tells his brothers about how in the last days the posterity of Jacob would be hunted and hated and eventually would become blessed, to the point kings and queens would be their nursing fathers and mothers. He talked about our time. This makes me think about how the state of Israel has been hated and has also been supported by powerful nations which have enabled Israel's survival. Isaiah truly prophesied and Nephi recognized and confirmed the prophecies. Nephi was shown the fate of his people, and he discusses them at length in these chapters. Who wouldn't be interested in what will happen to their children's children's children?
It is important to point out that Nephi indicates that the catalyst to this future revolves the coming of the Savior. These things that were prophesied would come about because their posterity would come to know Jesus and would accept Him as their Messiah, their King, their Redeemer. This would be true for Lehi's posterity and is true for us in this day. We can only be saved in our Heavenly Father's kingdom if we embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ and make him the focal point of our lives.
Don
Friday, February 4, 2011
Nephi and Isaiah Testifiy: 1 Ne 19-20
My apologies, I've been under the weather for the past few days and haven't made any entries.
Nephi talks about his record keeping. The Lord told him to make a second set of plates that he would use to keep record of his ministry and the prophecies that he (they?) had been given and would receive, which he said "for a wise purpose that I know not" (somewhat paraphrased and borrowed from another chapter). The Lord knows all things of course, and it is likely He knew that the Joseph Smith's original translation of the beginning of the Book of Mormon would be lost, as it was by Martin Harris. Not knowing what the first translation contained, I think that this record is as great, or greater, worth to us than the original may have been.
Speaking of worth, Nephi talks about the righteous versus the world; he talks about how the things he has related and taught to his people are considered of little value to some of them (not pointing any finger, mind you). How prophetic this is... The Book of Mormon, and other truths that we know as Latter day Saints, are considered outrageous, ridiculous, blasphemous, or downright insulting to many people in the world, including many Christian sects. There was a group in Salt Lake City recently, a "Christian" band of people, who publicly called the temple the "Salt Lake whorehouse". While I was bishop in New Jersey, the church sent several sets of informational books about the church, and very nice ones, to us to be placed in local libraries. Most were willing to take them, but one township's library threw them out with the trash. Trampled by the feet of men.
Nephi points out that trampling of heavenly things carried (or will carry, from his point of view) over to the Savior Himself. People of His day, although considered great by some, were ambivalent at best, cruel and murderous at worst. The worst of them were from the prominent religious groups of the day. The Savior bore this treatment because of the love of the Father in Him. We usually don't face such treatment today, but we are called upon by Jesus to bear our tribulations with the same steady, long-suffering demeanor that He did.... He said "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matt 16:24) Nephi certainly bore up under many difficulties that were inflicted upon him. We must stand true no matter what we go through.
Nephi quotes Isaiah because of the great worth of Isaiah's message. For the most part, the things that Nephi includes in his journal of sacred things pertain to a testimony of the Savior. Some of these verses always make me think of Handel's Messiah. One thing I found in curious in chapter 20: Verse 1 indicates who his words are directed to: the house of Jacob. He includes both those who are born to this heritage "are come forth out of the waters of Judah", as well as those who have been adapted into this lineage "or out of the waters of baptism". We, who are not by birth of the house of Jacob, are adopted into this line when we are baptized and live the commandments of the Lord. We have always been taught this, but isn't it wonderful to have Old Testament scripture that reinforces the concept?
Don
Nephi talks about his record keeping. The Lord told him to make a second set of plates that he would use to keep record of his ministry and the prophecies that he (they?) had been given and would receive, which he said "for a wise purpose that I know not" (somewhat paraphrased and borrowed from another chapter). The Lord knows all things of course, and it is likely He knew that the Joseph Smith's original translation of the beginning of the Book of Mormon would be lost, as it was by Martin Harris. Not knowing what the first translation contained, I think that this record is as great, or greater, worth to us than the original may have been.
Speaking of worth, Nephi talks about the righteous versus the world; he talks about how the things he has related and taught to his people are considered of little value to some of them (not pointing any finger, mind you). How prophetic this is... The Book of Mormon, and other truths that we know as Latter day Saints, are considered outrageous, ridiculous, blasphemous, or downright insulting to many people in the world, including many Christian sects. There was a group in Salt Lake City recently, a "Christian" band of people, who publicly called the temple the "Salt Lake whorehouse". While I was bishop in New Jersey, the church sent several sets of informational books about the church, and very nice ones, to us to be placed in local libraries. Most were willing to take them, but one township's library threw them out with the trash. Trampled by the feet of men.
Nephi points out that trampling of heavenly things carried (or will carry, from his point of view) over to the Savior Himself. People of His day, although considered great by some, were ambivalent at best, cruel and murderous at worst. The worst of them were from the prominent religious groups of the day. The Savior bore this treatment because of the love of the Father in Him. We usually don't face such treatment today, but we are called upon by Jesus to bear our tribulations with the same steady, long-suffering demeanor that He did.... He said "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matt 16:24) Nephi certainly bore up under many difficulties that were inflicted upon him. We must stand true no matter what we go through.
Nephi quotes Isaiah because of the great worth of Isaiah's message. For the most part, the things that Nephi includes in his journal of sacred things pertain to a testimony of the Savior. Some of these verses always make me think of Handel's Messiah. One thing I found in curious in chapter 20: Verse 1 indicates who his words are directed to: the house of Jacob. He includes both those who are born to this heritage "are come forth out of the waters of Judah", as well as those who have been adapted into this lineage "or out of the waters of baptism". We, who are not by birth of the house of Jacob, are adopted into this line when we are baptized and live the commandments of the Lord. We have always been taught this, but isn't it wonderful to have Old Testament scripture that reinforces the concept?
Don
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