In this section, Nephi speaks more about his vision and the large and spacious building that his father saw. He says that the interpretation thereof is that it represents the pride of the world. It also represents the vain imaginations of the world. Pride of the world is, I believe, straightforward enough, but what could "vain imaginations" mean? It probably could be a lot of things, but I think that the dictionary can help. Sometimes the dictionary does not really help with scriptural terms, but here it showed two different definitions.
1. vain: having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth. OR
2. vain: producing no result; useless.
I think that the phrase "vain imaginations" can be thought of using both definitions. The people in the great and spacious building have these imaginations that they are beautiful, all-powerful, and all-important. Which, in a sense, is true in Heavenly Father's eyes. But, they do not see it in His way. They look for the glory of men. He loves them, but is sad when they behave in this way. Lehi did say that they mocked those who partook of the fruit of the tree (see 1 Nephi 8:27). This is what is sad. Jesus said once, too, if ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren you have done it unto me (see Matthew 25:40).
In the other sense, their imaginations produce no result in the long term. The things that they desire are trilling for a moment, but only end up in sadness. This is what Satan does to them when they listen to him, and will not support them at the last day (see Alma 30:60). Earlier, Nephi even said that large and spacious building did not have a foundation, or in other words, no support (see 1 Nephi 8:26) and great will be the fall of the large and spacious building (see 1 Nephi 11:36).
So now, let us not follow the ways of the world and enter into that large and spacious building, but help them through our examples to realize what they're doing and help them to come to the tree.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
1 Nephi 12:11-17
We begin today with another reference to the atonement. Nephi is seeing in vision that three generations after the visit of Jesus Christ to his people pass away in righteousness. He sees them in white because of their faith in Jesus Christ, His blood has made their garments white. In addition, many of the fourth generation pass away. Then he sees that multitudes of the seed of his older brothers gather together against his seed for battle.
Then the angel connects the scene back to symbols from Nephi's father's dream. He mentions a fountain of filthy water that Lehi saw and a river, and that those are symbolic of the depths of hell. And that the mists of darkness that come are the temptations of the devil, whose temptations blindeth their eyes and harden their hearts, and lead them into broad roads and are lost. I know that this happens to people. It just seems like you are powerless to get them to snap out of it. They are adamant about their false ideas, and then they go off on that path and you never see them for months or years at a time. When you hear news of them, they are still going down the broad road and are lost. Every once in a while they plead with you to help them with their problems. You might even tell them, "Hey you are on a broad road, blinded by the devil, come back!" but they don't understand and it sounds like gibberish to them. For all those out there that are in that state, we are praying for you that somehow you can come to your senses...
Then the angel connects the scene back to symbols from Nephi's father's dream. He mentions a fountain of filthy water that Lehi saw and a river, and that those are symbolic of the depths of hell. And that the mists of darkness that come are the temptations of the devil, whose temptations blindeth their eyes and harden their hearts, and lead them into broad roads and are lost. I know that this happens to people. It just seems like you are powerless to get them to snap out of it. They are adamant about their false ideas, and then they go off on that path and you never see them for months or years at a time. When you hear news of them, they are still going down the broad road and are lost. Every once in a while they plead with you to help them with their problems. You might even tell them, "Hey you are on a broad road, blinded by the devil, come back!" but they don't understand and it sounds like gibberish to them. For all those out there that are in that state, we are praying for you that somehow you can come to your senses...
Thursday, October 16, 2008
1 Nephi 12:1-10
Nephi's vision deals with many eras of history. In Verse 1 of Chapter 12, Nephi is given a vision of his descendants in the land of promise. He sees that they will become more numerous than the sands of the sea. He is also shown that they will have battles with each other and that many will be slain on both sides by the sword.
He is now shown that after many generations, that there are so many cities that he did not number them. In Verse 4, he sees that there will be much darkness and many storms will destroy many of those cities. After the mists of darkness lift, he saw that those who had survived were able to receive a visit from Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. At this point he truly is the Lamb of God because he had been sacrificed and killed, as the people would do with sacrificing a lamb under the law of Moses. Nephi sees that the Holy Ghost fell on twelve others of his seed and they were chosen and ordained of God.
The angel then instructs Nephi that the people of the House of Israel will be judged of the original twelve apostles. Nephi and his seed are included in that because they are of the House of Israel. I believe that we will, too, because I am of the tribe of Ephraim, a grandson of Israel. All of us will be. Lastly, for today, Nephi is told that the twelve disciples of the New World will be righteous men, and because of their faith on the Lamb of God they will be righteous forever, and also because of this faith, their garments are made white in the blood of Jesus Christ. I know that if we have this faith (remember that faith is an action word) in Him, our garments will be made white, too.
He is now shown that after many generations, that there are so many cities that he did not number them. In Verse 4, he sees that there will be much darkness and many storms will destroy many of those cities. After the mists of darkness lift, he saw that those who had survived were able to receive a visit from Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. At this point he truly is the Lamb of God because he had been sacrificed and killed, as the people would do with sacrificing a lamb under the law of Moses. Nephi sees that the Holy Ghost fell on twelve others of his seed and they were chosen and ordained of God.
The angel then instructs Nephi that the people of the House of Israel will be judged of the original twelve apostles. Nephi and his seed are included in that because they are of the House of Israel. I believe that we will, too, because I am of the tribe of Ephraim, a grandson of Israel. All of us will be. Lastly, for today, Nephi is told that the twelve disciples of the New World will be righteous men, and because of their faith on the Lamb of God they will be righteous forever, and also because of this faith, their garments are made white in the blood of Jesus Christ. I know that if we have this faith (remember that faith is an action word) in Him, our garments will be made white, too.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
1 Nephi 11:34-EoC
Nephi is continuing his vision of the future. In Verse 34, he sees that after Christ was crucified, the multitudes of the earth gathered to fight the apostles. It was as if they were in a large and spacious building, like the one that his father saw. Here is the interpretation of the large and spacious building: it is the world and the wisdom thereof. In Verse 36, Nephi describes it as the pride of the world. Then he sees it fall, and great is the fall. The angel finishes the chapter by saying that this is what happens to all those who fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
It is interesting to note that nearly all the apostles were martyrs and all stayed true to the faith of Jesus Christ. I'm not sure if all those nations that killed them had fallen yet as foretold by this vision (but the prophesy must come true), but I do know that the Roman Empire fell just as the angel said. But what did Rome do you might ask? Well, Emperor Nero was the one that is attributed to ordering the deaths of Peter and Paul. It is interesting that when they died, the Roman Empire was on the rise reaching its greatest extent in A.D. 117. Soon after they died, perhaps in the same year even, Nero was about to be ousted by the Roman Senate and seeing that this was going to happen committed suicide. Wikipedia said this of the eventual state of Rome after the whole empire was gone:
"Following years of grinding war the city was by 540 AD near-abandoned and desolate with much of its environment turned into an unhealthy marsh, an inglorious end for a city that once ruled much of the known world."
It is interesting to note that nearly all the apostles were martyrs and all stayed true to the faith of Jesus Christ. I'm not sure if all those nations that killed them had fallen yet as foretold by this vision (but the prophesy must come true), but I do know that the Roman Empire fell just as the angel said. But what did Rome do you might ask? Well, Emperor Nero was the one that is attributed to ordering the deaths of Peter and Paul. It is interesting that when they died, the Roman Empire was on the rise reaching its greatest extent in A.D. 117. Soon after they died, perhaps in the same year even, Nero was about to be ousted by the Roman Senate and seeing that this was going to happen committed suicide. Wikipedia said this of the eventual state of Rome after the whole empire was gone:
"Following years of grinding war the city was by 540 AD near-abandoned and desolate with much of its environment turned into an unhealthy marsh, an inglorious end for a city that once ruled much of the known world."
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
1 Nephi 11:28-33
Verse 28 has an interesting contrast. Nephi is seeing the life of Christ in vision. He states that he beheld Jesus going forth among the people and ministering to them in great power and glory, the multitudes were gathered to hear Him, but in some circles they cast Him out from among them. He was either loved or loathed.
Nephi is shown the twelve apostles and shown that they followed Jesus. He sees more of the work of Jesus upon the earth. He saw Him heal the sick and cast out devils, all by the power of the Lamb of God.
Nephi then sees that Jesus is taken captive and judged of the world. When Nephi puts it that way, you know that the trial will not go well for the Son of the everlasting God. Then Verse 33 says, "And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world." Yes, He was slain...and the price of sins was completely paid at that moment. It began in the Garden of Gethsemane and was finished when He died on the cross. A related scripture that I'd like to connect is 2 Nephi 10:3-4. Nephi's younger brother, Jacob, is prophesying of Christ to the Nephites. It is entirely possible that at this time (about 30 years or more from this point) that he is having the same type of vision. He says:
"Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ—for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this should be his name—should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God.
" For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations they would repent, and know that he be their God."
Jesus had to come among the Jews at that time. No one would have crucified him if He came to a people and taught them and showed miracles. They would have believed. This says a lot about the people of our day. When Jesus comes again, they will know that He is the Christ.
Nephi is shown the twelve apostles and shown that they followed Jesus. He sees more of the work of Jesus upon the earth. He saw Him heal the sick and cast out devils, all by the power of the Lamb of God.
Nephi then sees that Jesus is taken captive and judged of the world. When Nephi puts it that way, you know that the trial will not go well for the Son of the everlasting God. Then Verse 33 says, "And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world." Yes, He was slain...and the price of sins was completely paid at that moment. It began in the Garden of Gethsemane and was finished when He died on the cross. A related scripture that I'd like to connect is 2 Nephi 10:3-4. Nephi's younger brother, Jacob, is prophesying of Christ to the Nephites. It is entirely possible that at this time (about 30 years or more from this point) that he is having the same type of vision. He says:
"Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ—for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this should be his name—should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God.
" For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations they would repent, and know that he be their God."
Jesus had to come among the Jews at that time. No one would have crucified him if He came to a people and taught them and showed miracles. They would have believed. This says a lot about the people of our day. When Jesus comes again, they will know that He is the Christ.
Monday, October 13, 2008
1 Nephi 11:27
In this selection, we are still with Nephi who is continuing his vision of Christ. In this verse, Nephi sees John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. He sees that Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist. The heavens open and the Holy Ghost descends "in the form of a dove." When I read this one time a long time ago, I wondered, "Did the Holy Ghost transform into a dove?" In Matthew's account, Matthew 3:16-17, he says that the Holy Ghost descended "like a dove." So, I wondered what that was all about? Today, I searched in the institute manual for the New Testament and found this entry:
"What Is the Significance of the Holy Ghost Descending 'like a Dove'? 'All four gospel authors record that the Spirit descended 'like a dove'; Luke adds that he also came in 'bodily shape'; and the Book of Mormon accounts say he came 'in the form of a dove.' (1 Ne. 11:27; 2 Ne. 31:8.) Joseph Smith said that John 'led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, and had the privilege of beholding the Holy Ghost descend in the form of a dove, or rather in the sign of the dove, in witness of that administration.' Then the Prophet gives this explanation: 'The sign of
the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost cannot be transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence.' (Smith, Teachings,
pp. 275–76. Italics added.) It thus appears that John witnessed the sign of the dove, that he saw the Holy Ghost descend in the 'bodily shape' of the personage that he is, and that the descent was 'like a dove.'" (McConkie, DNTC, 1:123–24.)
So, I guess that clears it up. : ) Well, I'm still curious as to what the "sign of the dove" is. This excerpt from the institute manual does clarify that the Holy Ghost did not confine Himself to an actual dove. We also learned that the devil cannot do the sign of the dove. Then we learned that the Holy Ghost's sign was a confirmation that the event was witnessed. Heavenly Father was also a witness. In the Matthew account, He said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." It is interesting to note that the three separate members of the Godhead were present for this event. Heavenly Father was in the heavens and said His statement above. Jesus Christ was in the waters of Jordan getting baptized, and the Holy Ghost descended like a dove.
"What Is the Significance of the Holy Ghost Descending 'like a Dove'? 'All four gospel authors record that the Spirit descended 'like a dove'; Luke adds that he also came in 'bodily shape'; and the Book of Mormon accounts say he came 'in the form of a dove.' (1 Ne. 11:27; 2 Ne. 31:8.) Joseph Smith said that John 'led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, and had the privilege of beholding the Holy Ghost descend in the form of a dove, or rather in the sign of the dove, in witness of that administration.' Then the Prophet gives this explanation: 'The sign of
the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost cannot be transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence.' (Smith, Teachings,
pp. 275–76. Italics added.) It thus appears that John witnessed the sign of the dove, that he saw the Holy Ghost descend in the 'bodily shape' of the personage that he is, and that the descent was 'like a dove.'" (McConkie, DNTC, 1:123–24.)
So, I guess that clears it up. : ) Well, I'm still curious as to what the "sign of the dove" is. This excerpt from the institute manual does clarify that the Holy Ghost did not confine Himself to an actual dove. We also learned that the devil cannot do the sign of the dove. Then we learned that the Holy Ghost's sign was a confirmation that the event was witnessed. Heavenly Father was also a witness. In the Matthew account, He said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." It is interesting to note that the three separate members of the Godhead were present for this event. Heavenly Father was in the heavens and said His statement above. Jesus Christ was in the waters of Jordan getting baptized, and the Holy Ghost descended like a dove.
Friday, October 10, 2008
1 Nephi 11:26
The angel says to Nephi, "Look and behold the condescension of God!" Earlier, the angel asks Nephi if he knew what that meant. He said that he did know the meaning of all things. Here is the excerpt for the Institute Book of Mormon manual on the subject:
"In 1 Nephi 11:26 Nephi is taught a second time about the condescension of God. The first time this subject was taught (see v. 16) it was followed by a vision of the birth of the Son of God. The second time it is followed by a vision of Christ’s ministry. Elder Bruce R. McConkie commented on the two different senses of the condescension of God in this way: 'The condescension of God (meaning the Father) consists in the fact that though he is an exalted, perfected, glorified Personage, he became the personal and literal Father of a mortal Offspring born of mortal
woman. And the condescension of God (meaning the Son) consists in the fact that though he himself is the Lord Omnipotent, the very Being who created the earth and all things that in it are, yet being born of mortal woman, he submitted to all the trials of mortality, suffering ‘temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death’ (Mosiah 3:5–8), finally being put to death in a most ignominious manner' (Mormon Doctrine, p. 155)."
Condescension is from the Latin con- which means "with" and descendere which means "to descend." So, in the sense of a heavenly being condescending, I think that Elder McConkie captured the definition and the phenomenon pretty well in the description above.
Why is this important for our day? Well, it is vital that we understand that Jesus Christ was part god and part man. In this way, he was able to be the perfect sacrifice for us. He took upon Himself all the sins, pains, and sorrows that we have, are, and will face. This was able to be done because of His god-like quality. He was able to pass through these feelings like we do/would. This was because of His man-like quality.
In Alma 7:10-12, Alma testifies about this very thing to the people of Gideon. He said, "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people." Then we can put our sins and pains on Him, that He can pay the price of the pain and so we do not have to feel it and go through it, if we but ask. What a marvelous thing. We need to be sincere and we cannot let His sacrifice be for not.
"In 1 Nephi 11:26 Nephi is taught a second time about the condescension of God. The first time this subject was taught (see v. 16) it was followed by a vision of the birth of the Son of God. The second time it is followed by a vision of Christ’s ministry. Elder Bruce R. McConkie commented on the two different senses of the condescension of God in this way: 'The condescension of God (meaning the Father) consists in the fact that though he is an exalted, perfected, glorified Personage, he became the personal and literal Father of a mortal Offspring born of mortal
woman. And the condescension of God (meaning the Son) consists in the fact that though he himself is the Lord Omnipotent, the very Being who created the earth and all things that in it are, yet being born of mortal woman, he submitted to all the trials of mortality, suffering ‘temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death’ (Mosiah 3:5–8), finally being put to death in a most ignominious manner' (Mormon Doctrine, p. 155)."
Condescension is from the Latin con- which means "with" and descendere which means "to descend." So, in the sense of a heavenly being condescending, I think that Elder McConkie captured the definition and the phenomenon pretty well in the description above.
Why is this important for our day? Well, it is vital that we understand that Jesus Christ was part god and part man. In this way, he was able to be the perfect sacrifice for us. He took upon Himself all the sins, pains, and sorrows that we have, are, and will face. This was able to be done because of His god-like quality. He was able to pass through these feelings like we do/would. This was because of His man-like quality.
In Alma 7:10-12, Alma testifies about this very thing to the people of Gideon. He said, "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people." Then we can put our sins and pains on Him, that He can pay the price of the pain and so we do not have to feel it and go through it, if we but ask. What a marvelous thing. We need to be sincere and we cannot let His sacrifice be for not.
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