Up to this point, Nephi is desirous to see the things his father saw. I assume that he has been thinking about these quite frequently, because Verse 1 begins with him sitting and pondering these things in his heart. The Book of Mormon Institute Manual says that it is important to ponder. Joseph Smith and Sydney Rigdon were pondering a verse from the Book of Mormon and were caught away in a vision which is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 76. Joseph F. Smith was pondering a few verses from the New Testament and was caught away in a vision which is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 138.
I think that it is also important to note that Nephi was caught away in the Spirit to an exceedingly high mountain, one that he had never before seen or set foot upon (whether physically or spiritually, I'm not sure). He has a marvelous vision and is instructed there. A frequent metaphor for mountain in the scriptures is the temple, where we also are instructed.
In Verses 2-6, Nephi talks with the Holy Ghost about the words of Lehi. The Spirit asks him if he believed them. Nephi says yes, and tells the Spirit that He knows that Nephi believes them. It is interesting that the Spirit required a verification of Nephi's faith, before the vision was given. It is a pattern that has been used before, probably always before a miracle is shown or given.
There are many examples in the scriptures of this. Here are a few:
In Matthew 8:13, Jesus healed a centurion because of his belief.
In Matthew 9:28, Jesus healed a blind man after asking if he believed it could be done.
In Mark 9:16-29 has a great story about Jesus healing the son of a man in the multitude. The man said that his son has had an evil spirit in him since he was a child. The apostles couldn't cast it out. He then asks the man if he believed it could be done. This is hard. Up to this point, there isn't really any evidence that it could be done. The man then says that he does believe, and asks for help with his unbelief. The spirit was cast away, and the apostles asked Jesus why they couldn't do it. Jesus simply answered that this kind does not come without fasting and prayer. I think that many of us are like this man. We believe a lot of things, but we need help to believe others. Do we believe that it would be somehow hurt us (I'm not sure how to put this) if we don't read our scriptures one day? Or fail to say a morning prayer? Or miss a class in church one Sunday? These are commandments that are given to us, to pray every morning and night, to read from the Book of Mormon every day, and to go to our church meetings.
Lastly, I wanted to mention was of the belief of the Brother of Jared (see Ether 3:6 and on). He was show all things like Nephi or Moses, maybe more. The Lord appeared to him in a cloud. Then the Brother of Jared saw His finger. Then the Lord asked him if he believed the words which He would say. The Brother of Jared said yes, and had his marvelous vision. Later on in Ether (Ether 12:6 and on), Moroni describes many stories and miracles from the Book of Mormon that happened because of the great faith of the people involved. They are powerful stories. It also says that there has not been a miracle wrought without someone first having faith. The Medieval times was a point in history where few, if any, true miracles from the Lord were seen, because of the lack of faith.
In 1820, Joseph Smith saw the miracle of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ come down from heaven again (see Joseph Smith-History 1:10 and on). The first time in centuries. This was because there was enough faith on the earth again for more miracles to happen. Joseph Smith had tremendous faith that his prayer would be answered about which church to join. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ said he should join none, but would be an instrument to restore the true Church of Christ again. It happened and I know it did.
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2 comments:
This is a great entry. I really like the parallel to our daily scripture study and prayer. I couldn't agree with you more. I think we go about our lives living "good" lives and expect that the spirit will always just be there. I think he is, but I also think (now keep in mind this is just my thought) that he can be there is a greater degree if we do these things, like prayer, scripture study and church meetings. By doing these things and INVITING the spirit into our lives, not just expecting him to always be there, we are better prepared to learn, teach and help others around us in the ways The Lord wants us to.
I think that you are correct. You have a great thought extending the subject of my entry. I also think that it is important that you have noticed the varying degrees the Spirit can be with us as people.
I strive to do all I can to maintain a performance of those daily and weekly commandments so that the Spirit can be in our home and with me the greater degree. Alma 12:10 states that if we do these thing like not hardening our heart and receiving the greater portion of His word, we can be given to know the mysteries of God, even until we know them in full. What a wonderful blessing that would be.
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