Once Nephi had told his brothers that they should not touch him, they were probably surprised a little at this and probably didn't know what to think about it. They were also probably wary of him for the next while as they dwelt in the land Bountiful by the sea. I imagine that this is when and why Nephi had more opportunities to say what he did in the next few verses.
In verse 49, he says that they should not murmur against their father, and that they should not withhold their labor from the massive project of building a ship. In the next two verses, he reiterates to them that he can build a ship, and that if God was with him, he could do anything. He even gives an example of saying that if he were to say to the ocean in front of them, "Be thou earth," it would be done. This is the "umpteenth" time he has told his brothers this. Sometimes, even with us, we just don't get it until we have been told a hundred times.
This weekend, we have a chance to be told again the will of the Lord. It is in General Conference. The times are Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. There is also the special Priesthood Session Saturday at 6:00 p.m., but to see it one has to go to an LDS Stake Center. All times are Mountain Daylight Time. To see the regular sessions, one can go to byu.tv.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
1 Nephi 17:48
Nephi has finished his talk with his brothers about how he can build the ship and he can do anything with the Lord's help. He has used the stories of Moses freeing the Israelites as evidence that miracles can happen. He also compared the spirituality of his brothers with the Israelites in their bad times. This, of course, angered his brothers and they decided that it was about time to actually grab Nephi, throw him into the sea, and be done with him. But, in this verse, Nephi tells his brothers not to touch him because the power of God was coursing through him and that whoever would touch him, would wither as a dried reed because the power of God would smite them.
I like this connection to Mosiah 13:3:
I like this connection to Mosiah 13:3:
"3 Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver; neither have I told you that which ye requested that I should tell; therefore, God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time."
Here is a man named Abinadi and he is testifying to a wicked King named Noah and his priests about their wickedness. It seems that people don't take to kindly to someone telling them that they are doing things wrong when they are.
Here is a man named Abinadi and he is testifying to a wicked King named Noah and his priests about their wickedness. It seems that people don't take to kindly to someone telling them that they are doing things wrong when they are.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
1 Nephi 17:46-47
In verse 46, Nephi is trying to convey to his brothers the abilities of God, in order to help soften their hearts. He tells them that God has the power to make the earth pass away. He has the power to make rough places become smooth and vice versa. Then, because of these things Nephi asks them why they are so hard-hearted.
In verse 47, Nephi tells them that he agonizes over their lack of spirituality. He says that, "my soul is rent with anguish because of you," and, "my heart is pained." He says that he always has the fear that they will be cut off. Then he says something interesting. He says that he is full of the Spirit of God insomuch that his frame has no strength. What does that mean? Well, because of time, we will have to find out tomorrow. I do think that the next verse will help us know what he is saying.
In verse 47, Nephi tells them that he agonizes over their lack of spirituality. He says that, "my soul is rent with anguish because of you," and, "my heart is pained." He says that he always has the fear that they will be cut off. Then he says something interesting. He says that he is full of the Spirit of God insomuch that his frame has no strength. What does that mean? Well, because of time, we will have to find out tomorrow. I do think that the next verse will help us know what he is saying.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
1 Nephi 17:45
Nephi continues his verbal assessment of the spirituality of Laman and Lemuel. In verse 45, he says that they are swift to do iniquity and slow to remember the Lord their God. He reminds them that they have seen an angel and that since then they have heard his words from time to time.
I did a quick search of the word "angel" in the Book of Mormon up to this point (i.e., 1 Nephi 1-17). In chapter 1, Lehi sees a vision of angels praising God. In chapter 3, we find the first time the angel appears to Lehi's sons and stops Laman and Lemuel from smiting their younger brothers with a rod and commands them to go back to Jerusalem and Laban would be delivered unto them. In chapter 4, just after they saw the angel, Laman and Lemuel still do not believe that they could get the plates, even if the guardian of those plates would be delivered unto them. They believe that he would still be able to slay 50 people. In chapter 7, Laman and Lemuel are returning from Jerusalem with Ishmael and his family, and they along with some of Ishmael's family do not want to follow the commandment of the Lord to flee Jerusalem to avoid destruction. Nephi is grieved because they had seen an angel and he told them that they must get the plates for their jouney. In chapters 11-15, Nephi receives a vision where an angel shows and teaches him all things. In chapter 16, Laman and Lemuel accuse Nephi of pretending that angels minister unto him. This is odd because angels have ministered unto them, but they treat it as if it were a lie. Even though it happened to them they do not believe it and forget about it. This could also add meaning to the phrase "past feeling" which is what has to do with angels and Laman and Lemuel in chapter 17.
He tells them that he has spoken in a still, small voice and that they could not feel his words because they were past feeling. And so, if the angel needed to convey a message, he has to use a voice of thunder insomuch that the earth would shake and threaten to split into two.
Let us not forget our spiritual experiences and later deny them as Laman and Lemuel. Let us use them as motivators for doing what it right and helping others do so as well. One way to do this is to record these experiences in a personal spiritual journal.
I did a quick search of the word "angel" in the Book of Mormon up to this point (i.e., 1 Nephi 1-17). In chapter 1, Lehi sees a vision of angels praising God. In chapter 3, we find the first time the angel appears to Lehi's sons and stops Laman and Lemuel from smiting their younger brothers with a rod and commands them to go back to Jerusalem and Laban would be delivered unto them. In chapter 4, just after they saw the angel, Laman and Lemuel still do not believe that they could get the plates, even if the guardian of those plates would be delivered unto them. They believe that he would still be able to slay 50 people. In chapter 7, Laman and Lemuel are returning from Jerusalem with Ishmael and his family, and they along with some of Ishmael's family do not want to follow the commandment of the Lord to flee Jerusalem to avoid destruction. Nephi is grieved because they had seen an angel and he told them that they must get the plates for their jouney. In chapters 11-15, Nephi receives a vision where an angel shows and teaches him all things. In chapter 16, Laman and Lemuel accuse Nephi of pretending that angels minister unto him. This is odd because angels have ministered unto them, but they treat it as if it were a lie. Even though it happened to them they do not believe it and forget about it. This could also add meaning to the phrase "past feeling" which is what has to do with angels and Laman and Lemuel in chapter 17.
He tells them that he has spoken in a still, small voice and that they could not feel his words because they were past feeling. And so, if the angel needed to convey a message, he has to use a voice of thunder insomuch that the earth would shake and threaten to split into two.
Let us not forget our spiritual experiences and later deny them as Laman and Lemuel. Let us use them as motivators for doing what it right and helping others do so as well. One way to do this is to record these experiences in a personal spiritual journal.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
1 Nephi 17:44
In verse 44, Nephi transitions from talking about the spirituality of the Israelites and their decedents to the spirituality of his brothers. He compares them again to the Jews that sought to take away the life of their father. He says an interesting comment after that. Because they've obviously have not gone through with it, but have thought about it and seriously have wanted to do it, he's said that they are murderers in their hearts. Thus, they were just like the majority of the Jews in Jerusalem at that time. I thought that this was interesting because they were somewhat guilty of the sin for even just thinking about it, wanting to do it, and not doing it. Now, I think that if one is repentant they can be forgiven of bad thoughts and intentions, but we have commented on this before, with respect to Laman and Lemuel, and later on we will see their choice of whether or not to follow God.
Now, I'm not the judge and some might think Nephi seems harsh in his comment, but I am inclined to believe him and say that even our thoughts will condemn us and we must master not only our body in this mortal existence, but our minds, too. This idea comes from a few other places in the scriptures that talk more about it.
The first comes from Alma 12:14, which says:
"For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence" (emphasis added).
The next scripture comes from Mosiah 4:30, which says:
"But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not."
The final scriptures are about committing adultery in your heart. This is a lot like the phrasing that Nephi uses, but with regard to adultery rather than murder, which is the next worst sin to commit (see Alma 39:5). We begin with Jesus's commandment from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:28, 3 Nephi 12:28), which says:
"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
The Doctrine and Covenants adds to this by saying:
"And he that looketh upon a woman to lust after her shall deny the faith, and shall not have the Spirit; and if he repents not he shall be cast out" (Doctrine and Covenants 42:23, 63:16).
Because this is true, I will guess that because no one can see our thoughts, then we are tempted to think what we please. President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles gave us a great suggestions to help control our thoughts in his talk Worthy Music, Worthy Thoughts.
Now, I'm not the judge and some might think Nephi seems harsh in his comment, but I am inclined to believe him and say that even our thoughts will condemn us and we must master not only our body in this mortal existence, but our minds, too. This idea comes from a few other places in the scriptures that talk more about it.
The first comes from Alma 12:14, which says:
"For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence" (emphasis added).
The next scripture comes from Mosiah 4:30, which says:
"But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not."
The final scriptures are about committing adultery in your heart. This is a lot like the phrasing that Nephi uses, but with regard to adultery rather than murder, which is the next worst sin to commit (see Alma 39:5). We begin with Jesus's commandment from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:28, 3 Nephi 12:28), which says:
"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
The Doctrine and Covenants adds to this by saying:
"And he that looketh upon a woman to lust after her shall deny the faith, and shall not have the Spirit; and if he repents not he shall be cast out" (Doctrine and Covenants 42:23, 63:16).
Because this is true, I will guess that because no one can see our thoughts, then we are tempted to think what we please. President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles gave us a great suggestions to help control our thoughts in his talk Worthy Music, Worthy Thoughts.
Monday, March 23, 2009
1 Nephi 17:42-43
Before we begin with verse 42, we look at the Book of Mormon Institute Manual at this point in our reading. It has an entry thus:
1 Nephi 17:23–34. The Miracles of the Exodus
“The so-called higher critics of the Bible have raised the question as to whether or not the miracles of the exodus of Israel under Moses actually happened as they are recorded in the Old Testament. (See Exodus 14:19–20, 26–31; 16:4, 15; 17:5–6; Numbers 21:6–9.) However, the Book of Mormon substantiates the actuality of these miraculous events. (1 Nephi 17:23, 26, 28, 29, 30, 41.) Inasmuch as Nephi’s knowledge of these miracles came from the authentic account on the brass plates of Laban (1 Nephi 5:11), Latter-day Saints should have no question concerning the reliability of the biblical account. Once again the Book of Mormon serves as a witness to its companion scripture, the Bible” (Daniel H. Ludlow, A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, p. 115).
Nephi seems to see in his experiences a type or parallel of the wanderings of Israel in the wilderness (see 1 Nephi 17:13, 23, 30, 41–42).
Verse 42 has an interesting point to me. Nephi shares that the Israelites, as they were led in the wilderness, hardened their hearts from time to time and reviled against Moses and God from time to time, nevertheless they were led by His matchless power to a land of promise. Why was the Lord so merciful to them, I thought. I wonder if it was because of the faith and faithfulness of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob or that of Moses and their other spiritual leaders. The Lord promised to them that their seed will be as the sands of the sea. I guess in order to do that, He would have to provide a place for them to have that seed.
In the next verse, Nephi shares that their descendants have now grown wicked enough that they will be destroyed, except a few of the righteous that the Lord will lead away, and a few who will be taken captive to Babylon. Part of these people are the current Jews in Jerusalem at the time of Nephi. Nephi again testifies of their wickedness. Again, we may contrast this with Laman and Lemuel's opinion of them in verse 22.
1 Nephi 17:23–34. The Miracles of the Exodus
“The so-called higher critics of the Bible have raised the question as to whether or not the miracles of the exodus of Israel under Moses actually happened as they are recorded in the Old Testament. (See Exodus 14:19–20, 26–31; 16:4, 15; 17:5–6; Numbers 21:6–9.) However, the Book of Mormon substantiates the actuality of these miraculous events. (1 Nephi 17:23, 26, 28, 29, 30, 41.) Inasmuch as Nephi’s knowledge of these miracles came from the authentic account on the brass plates of Laban (1 Nephi 5:11), Latter-day Saints should have no question concerning the reliability of the biblical account. Once again the Book of Mormon serves as a witness to its companion scripture, the Bible” (Daniel H. Ludlow, A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, p. 115).
Nephi seems to see in his experiences a type or parallel of the wanderings of Israel in the wilderness (see 1 Nephi 17:13, 23, 30, 41–42).
Verse 42 has an interesting point to me. Nephi shares that the Israelites, as they were led in the wilderness, hardened their hearts from time to time and reviled against Moses and God from time to time, nevertheless they were led by His matchless power to a land of promise. Why was the Lord so merciful to them, I thought. I wonder if it was because of the faith and faithfulness of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob or that of Moses and their other spiritual leaders. The Lord promised to them that their seed will be as the sands of the sea. I guess in order to do that, He would have to provide a place for them to have that seed.
In the next verse, Nephi shares that their descendants have now grown wicked enough that they will be destroyed, except a few of the righteous that the Lord will lead away, and a few who will be taken captive to Babylon. Part of these people are the current Jews in Jerusalem at the time of Nephi. Nephi again testifies of their wickedness. Again, we may contrast this with Laman and Lemuel's opinion of them in verse 22.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
1 Nephi 17:41
Nephi continues to use illustrations from the story of the Israelites to demonstrate to his brothers what they are doing and what they should do because of it. It is very interesting that there are so many parallels between these stories, because of the way humans are so consistent. There will always be some who rebel and some who will stay on the Lord's side. It is also interesting that Nephi knows about their forefathers. He had the plates of brass. He read them and pondered them, and because of that he knows how to apply them to his life.
In verse 41, he says that the Lord straitened out the Israelites in the wilderness. Other words for strait in this sense are strict and narrow. He did this by sending fiery flying serpents to them and and they bit them. He prepared a way for them to be healed, by having Moses place one on his staff and all they had to do was look, and they would be healed. Those that did not look were the unbelievers and they perished, because of the simpleness of the way and the easiness of it.
Nephi also said, in that verse, that the Israelites were hard hearted, as his brothers had become at the time of their conversation. This is a significant point. We shall see how they behave in the next little bit.
In verse 41, he says that the Lord straitened out the Israelites in the wilderness. Other words for strait in this sense are strict and narrow. He did this by sending fiery flying serpents to them and and they bit them. He prepared a way for them to be healed, by having Moses place one on his staff and all they had to do was look, and they would be healed. Those that did not look were the unbelievers and they perished, because of the simpleness of the way and the easiness of it.
Nephi also said, in that verse, that the Israelites were hard hearted, as his brothers had become at the time of their conversation. This is a significant point. We shall see how they behave in the next little bit.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
1 Nephi 17: rest of 40
Nephi tells his brothers that the Lord loved their fathers, Abraham, Issac, and Jacob so much that He made a covenant with them. The Abrahamic Covenant is what we call it today. The link takes you to a commentary on the covenant in the Bible Dictionary. It gives the specific references to what was covenanted to him and where it can be found in the Bible. It is an amazing covenant. If we are faithful and join the Church, we can make that covenant with God and be part of the house of Israel, either through actual lineage or adoption.
What a great opportunity because God will not break His part of the covenant, ever. He has also provided a way for us to come back into the covenant if we break our part. When we participate in the covenant of celestial marriage, the marriage performed in the temple, we will have the promise of personal salvation and eternal increase. We will be save and not be stopped in our learning and creation. We will also be together as a family forever. This is a special thing.
Finally, according to the Bible Dictionary article, the covenant with Abraham contained promises of land for his posterity. This is why the Lord prepared the way, through Moses, for the Israelites to be brought out of bondage in Egypt. Nephi knew this, and he mentions it at the end of verse 40.
What a great opportunity because God will not break His part of the covenant, ever. He has also provided a way for us to come back into the covenant if we break our part. When we participate in the covenant of celestial marriage, the marriage performed in the temple, we will have the promise of personal salvation and eternal increase. We will be save and not be stopped in our learning and creation. We will also be together as a family forever. This is a special thing.
Finally, according to the Bible Dictionary article, the covenant with Abraham contained promises of land for his posterity. This is why the Lord prepared the way, through Moses, for the Israelites to be brought out of bondage in Egypt. Nephi knew this, and he mentions it at the end of verse 40.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
1 Nephi 17: beginning of 40
Nephi testifies that, "[the Lord] loveth those who will have him to be their God." This phrase has always interested me. First, I think about whether or not I fit into this category. I would quickly say that I love Him. However, do my actions reflect this? I would think so, but like all of us, we have faults. But, we cannot use this quality of our natural component as an excuse, because "the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance" (Doctrine and Covenants 1:31).
What does it mean to have the Lord as our God? I think that it means that we follow the first commandment in Exodus 20:2-6:
"2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
What does it mean to have the Lord as our God? I think that it means that we follow the first commandment in Exodus 20:2-6:
"2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments."
It think that it is interesting that we have been talking a lot about the Israelites and that this phrase has yet another connection to them. Verse 6 of the quote is related to the phrase too, because He loves us that have Him as our God and we love Him by keeping His commandments.
There were two talks from Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles that have discussed this commandment in light of an application to today's living. The first is called, "Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods" and the second, "Living By Scriptural Guidance." From the second we find this quote:
"God declared in the first of His Ten Commandments, 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Yet carnal man tends to let his loyalty drift toward idols.
It think that it is interesting that we have been talking a lot about the Israelites and that this phrase has yet another connection to them. Verse 6 of the quote is related to the phrase too, because He loves us that have Him as our God and we love Him by keeping His commandments.
There were two talks from Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles that have discussed this commandment in light of an application to today's living. The first is called, "Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods" and the second, "Living By Scriptural Guidance." From the second we find this quote:
"God declared in the first of His Ten Commandments, 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Yet carnal man tends to let his loyalty drift toward idols.
"For example, we marvel at computers and the Internet that enable transmission of data with remarkable speed. We are truly grateful for these electronic servants. But if we let them take over our time, pervert our potential, or poison our minds with pornography, they cease being servants and become instead false gods.
"The Master warned of those who 'seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol.'
"False gods can only lead to dead ends. If our journey through life is to be successful, we need to follow divine direction. The Lord said, 'Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.' And the Psalmist wrote, 'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.'
Following such counsel demands not only conviction but conversion and often repentance. That would please the Lord, who said, 'Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn … from all your abominations.'"
False gods could mean any vice. We must turn to the Lord and serve Him above all.Saturday, March 7, 2009
1 Nephi 17: end of 35-39
Nephi is talking about how the Lord blesses those that are righteous and does not bless (or even destroys) those who are wicked. He then explains to his brothers that the Israelites were good enough at one point to finally obtain a promised land. In the land that the Lord wanted them to inherit, there were people that were wicked. Therefore, the Lord felt that they needed to be destroyed and then the Israelites could dwell there.
In verse 36, Nephi also explains that the purpose of the creation of the Earth was for man (and women), the Lord's greatest creations, to inhabit it. He delights in raising up righteous nations. However, there are times where He must destroy wicked ones. If there are groups of people that can multiply to righteous nations, He leads them away to precious lands. If they do not follow Him, then He curses the land for their sake. (We will see this with the nations of the Nephites and Lamanites.)
He rules from the heavens which are high above the earth, and the earth is His footstool. This last sentence is from verse 39. It struck me as something interesting. What does it mean? Why would Nephi put it in and phrase it so? Perhaps we need to know that that is the nature of the Lord.
In verse 36, Nephi also explains that the purpose of the creation of the Earth was for man (and women), the Lord's greatest creations, to inhabit it. He delights in raising up righteous nations. However, there are times where He must destroy wicked ones. If there are groups of people that can multiply to righteous nations, He leads them away to precious lands. If they do not follow Him, then He curses the land for their sake. (We will see this with the nations of the Nephites and Lamanites.)
He rules from the heavens which are high above the earth, and the earth is His footstool. This last sentence is from verse 39. It struck me as something interesting. What does it mean? Why would Nephi put it in and phrase it so? Perhaps we need to know that that is the nature of the Lord.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
1 Nephi 17:34-beginning of 35
Nephi is conversing with his brothers about the commandment to build a ship to cross the ocean. He is discussing the nature of following the commandments of God based off the scriptural accounts that he probably read from the brass plates about their forefathers, the Israelites. In verse 34, he asks his brothers if their forefathers would have been more choice if they were righteous? Nephi says no, because in the beginning of the next verse he says that the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one. Some cross-references help us understand this statement:
In Romans 2: 11 it says, "11 For there is no respect of persons with God," meaning that he does not love any person less than another. In 2 Nephi 26: 33, it says, "33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile."
Nephi continues to say that the Lord does favor the righteous. In Acts 10:15, it says, "15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." He favors people, or blesses them, because they have followed His commandments. Nephi, himself, in the very first verse of his writings (1 Nephi 1:1) states, "1 I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days." Nephi was all about following the commandments, as we see in this chapter again.
In Romans 2: 11 it says, "11 For there is no respect of persons with God," meaning that he does not love any person less than another. In 2 Nephi 26: 33, it says, "33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile."
Nephi continues to say that the Lord does favor the righteous. In Acts 10:15, it says, "15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." He favors people, or blesses them, because they have followed His commandments. Nephi, himself, in the very first verse of his writings (1 Nephi 1:1) states, "1 I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days." Nephi was all about following the commandments, as we see in this chapter again.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
1 Nephi 17:32-33
In verse 31, Nephi is talking about how the Lord was there for the Israelites when they were righteous. When Moses died and Joshua was to lead them to their promised land, the Lord prepared a place for them and the Israelites helped in this. They were Nephi's forefathers and commanded to drive the "children of the land" out so they could inhabit this place on the other side of the Jordan River. I wondered who the children of the land were. Nephi says that they were not righteous and that is why the Lord saw fit to allow them to be driven out. The cross-reference for verse 32 helps us with this. It refers to Exodus 34:11, which says:
"11 Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite."
In Numbers 33:52-53, we see a little why the Lord had wanted them to be driven out (they broke the first commandment):
"52 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:
53 And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it."
Then, as a third witness, we have the scripture from Joshua 24:8, which says:
"
Nephi then asks his brothers if they thought that the children of the land were righteous, and that these things would have happened because they were righteous. He answered the question himself and said that they would not have happened if they were righteous.
"11 Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite."
In Numbers 33:52-53, we see a little why the Lord had wanted them to be driven out (they broke the first commandment):
"52 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:
53 And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it."
Then, as a third witness, we have the scripture from Joshua 24:8, which says:
"
Nephi then asks his brothers if they thought that the children of the land were righteous, and that these things would have happened because they were righteous. He answered the question himself and said that they would not have happened if they were righteous.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
1 Nephi 17:23-31
Nephi is in a conversation with his brothers about the task of building a boat. He wants to make a point to his brothers that anything can be accomplished with the help of the Lord and someone has to do it, so He calls men to do His works.
Starting in verse 23, he retells the story of their forefathers, the children of Israel, and how they were held captive by the Egyptians. They were led out because they were righteous and hearkened unto the words of the Lord (v. 23). They would not have been led out of bondage if there wasn't someone to do it (v. 24). Moses was prepared for this purpose among others (v. 24). They were very burdened and so it was a good thing that they could be led out (v. 25). Again, Moses was commanded to do a work (v. 26). It was through him that the Lord divided the waters of the Red Sea and the Israelites could pass through on dry ground (v. 26). Then He allowed the waters to fall in on the armies of Pharaoh (v. 27). He fed them manna in the wilderness (v. 28). He gave them water when He commanded Moses to smite a rock with his staff (v. 29). The Lord had thus led them by day, led them by light at night, gave them food and drink, and did all things that were expedient for them and still they ended up reviling Moses and the Lord (v. 30). So, in verse 31, Nephi says that by the Lord's word He did destroy them, lead them, and did all thing for them. Then he says that there was nothing that He didn't do, save it was by His word.
I think that this is one of the Nephi's points. And so if the Israelites were good, then the Lord continued His care and guidance. If not, He could and did destroy them by His word. I think that in this part, he wanted his brothers to know that in order for the Lord to do His work, he calls men to do it. If they are obedient, then they prosper. If they are not, then they do not, and are sometimes destroyed. Nephi had been called to build a ship and oversee the construction. The Lord wanted them to go to the Americas. They were going to go. So, we shall see how this unfolds...
Starting in verse 23, he retells the story of their forefathers, the children of Israel, and how they were held captive by the Egyptians. They were led out because they were righteous and hearkened unto the words of the Lord (v. 23). They would not have been led out of bondage if there wasn't someone to do it (v. 24). Moses was prepared for this purpose among others (v. 24). They were very burdened and so it was a good thing that they could be led out (v. 25). Again, Moses was commanded to do a work (v. 26). It was through him that the Lord divided the waters of the Red Sea and the Israelites could pass through on dry ground (v. 26). Then He allowed the waters to fall in on the armies of Pharaoh (v. 27). He fed them manna in the wilderness (v. 28). He gave them water when He commanded Moses to smite a rock with his staff (v. 29). The Lord had thus led them by day, led them by light at night, gave them food and drink, and did all things that were expedient for them and still they ended up reviling Moses and the Lord (v. 30). So, in verse 31, Nephi says that by the Lord's word He did destroy them, lead them, and did all thing for them. Then he says that there was nothing that He didn't do, save it was by His word.
I think that this is one of the Nephi's points. And so if the Israelites were good, then the Lord continued His care and guidance. If not, He could and did destroy them by His word. I think that in this part, he wanted his brothers to know that in order for the Lord to do His work, he calls men to do it. If they are obedient, then they prosper. If they are not, then they do not, and are sometimes destroyed. Nephi had been called to build a ship and oversee the construction. The Lord wanted them to go to the Americas. They were going to go. So, we shall see how this unfolds...
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