In verse 10, we find that Nephi is talking about the life of Jesus Christ nearly 600 years before it happened. A great thing about this verse is that he mentions stories from, what we can assume, the brass plates. As a testimony of who He is and what He has done, Nephi begins by saying that Jesus is the God of our fathers. He led the Israelites out of Egypt and kept them alive as they wandered in the wilderness. He is the same God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He will come down to the earth live among men and yield himself, according to the words of the angel. I'm assuming that Nephi is referring to the vision he had hosted by an angel (see 1 Nephi 11:32). So, he will give (gave) himself to the traitors and be judged of the people. A prophet named Zenock prophesied that he would be lifted up, and Neum (most likely the Nehum from the Old Testament) said that he was going to be crucified. Zenos, another prophet said that Jesus was then going to be buried in a sepulchre. He also prophesied that there will be three days of darkness on the isles of the sea when Christ dies, which will be given as a sign of His death. A sign more especially for the house of Isreal. This is interesting the "more especially...", because it could mean that there were others on the isles of the sea that might not have been of the house of Israel, who saw the sign. However, we know that the Nephites and Lamanites were of the house of Israel and those that did not die, saw the sign of the three days of darkness (see 3 Nephi 8:20-23).
We can see that Jesus Christ did come to do many things and one was to fulfill all that He caused to be written about His life on earth by the ancient prophets (e.g., Matthew 1:21-23).
So, what about these prophets? In the past, I have thought about these references to scriptures that we do not have. Here is a good entry for Lost Books in the Bible Dictionary that explains some of this. We can also find a little more from the entries of Zenock, Zenos, and Neum from the Index of the Book of Mormon. Here is another interesting article about these men among others.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
1 Nephi 19:8-9
In verse 8, Nephi states that Jesus Christ will come to the earth 600 years after Lehi left Jerusalem. In the next verse, Nephi tell a little about His life. Nephi had seen a vision of the life of Jesus Christ in 1 Nephi, chapter 11. The more particular connections to this verse were in 1 Nephi 11:32-33. Nephi says that because of the world's iniquity they shall judge Him to be a thing of naught. I think that this is as true now as it was when Jesus came. Nephi testifies that they will scourge Him and He will suffer it, or allow it or endure it. They will smite Him and He will suffer it. This suffering and non-retaliation is because of His loving kindness and long-suffering towards the children of men. He truly does love us. He loved those who were His enemies and His friends. He could have retaliated as He did in the temple that one time. But, He loved and loves all men so much that he died for them. He had to let them do it, in order for His sacrifice to be complete. Now, we can return and live with Them in heaven again.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
1 Nephi 19:7
In verse 7, Nephi is just coming off from talking about the sacred nature of the Small Plates and the weakness he has in writing and errors. He states that there exist some things that some men, which includes women, esteem of great worth. It is of a great worth unto body and soul. These same things are set at naught by others, trampling them under their feet. It is sad, but true, the statement that Nephi makes about the very God of Israel men do trample under their feet. He clarifies this by saying that men do this when they set at naught His counsels. It is interesting that Nephi uses the word counsels. I believe that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, in addition to giving commandments, counsel us. They do so through the Holy Ghost. It may even be through one of our spiritual leaders who is inspired by the Holy Ghost. We could be counseled by our spouse, parents, bishop, stake president, the prophet and apostles, and ultimately Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. What do we do when we hear and understand their counsel? We are faced with a choice to follow it or not. Either choice will produce consequences. If we put our faith in the inspired counsel and apply it and follow it, we will receive the blessings that are the consequence. If we do not, we forfeit the blessings and the potential progression (whether spiritual or temporal) that would have come. Three scriptures come to mind:
Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21:
"20 There is a alaw, irrevocably decreed in bheaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all cblessings are predicated—
Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21:
"20 There is a alaw, irrevocably decreed in bheaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all cblessings are predicated—
"21 And when we obtain any ablessing from God, it is by bobedience to that law upon which it is predicated."
I think this means if we obey a commandment we will receive a blessing. This is a binding contract with the Lord from before the very beginning. It is true.
Alma 12:10:
"10 And therefore, he that will aharden his heart, the same receiveth the blesser portion of the word; and he that will cnot harden his heart, to him is dgiven the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full."
This shows the consequences of those who follow the Lord's counsel and those who do not. Those who do are added upon and added upon until they know all. If they don't they will receive a lesser portion.
Doctrine and Covenants 98:12 (see also Isaiah 20:10, 13; 2 Nephi 28:30; Doctrine and Covenants 128:21):
"12 For he will agive unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will btry you and prove you herewith."
This shows that our progression is little by little according to our obedience to the laws of God. This is how he tries us and proves us.
I may have mentioned this before, but I think about the New Covenant of the Book of Mormon (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:57). Are we trampling under our feet this sacred work? Do we set it at naught as Nephi has said. The Book of Mormon is the very sacred record that Nephi was writing on and about, too.
I think this means if we obey a commandment we will receive a blessing. This is a binding contract with the Lord from before the very beginning. It is true.
Alma 12:10:
"10 And therefore, he that will aharden his heart, the same receiveth the blesser portion of the word; and he that will cnot harden his heart, to him is dgiven the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full."
This shows the consequences of those who follow the Lord's counsel and those who do not. Those who do are added upon and added upon until they know all. If they don't they will receive a lesser portion.
Doctrine and Covenants 98:12 (see also Isaiah 20:10, 13; 2 Nephi 28:30; Doctrine and Covenants 128:21):
"12 For he will agive unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will btry you and prove you herewith."
This shows that our progression is little by little according to our obedience to the laws of God. This is how he tries us and proves us.
I may have mentioned this before, but I think about the New Covenant of the Book of Mormon (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:57). Are we trampling under our feet this sacred work? Do we set it at naught as Nephi has said. The Book of Mormon is the very sacred record that Nephi was writing on and about, too.
Monday, April 27, 2009
1 Nephi 19:5-6
Nephi is talking about how the Lord had commanded him to make two sets of plates, or records of his life and ministry. What we have come to term as the Large Plates of Nephi are a history of the more particular events of Nephi's life, like the wars and contentions of his people. The Small Plates of Nephi were written at a later time and had the express purpose for recording spiritual matters, like prophesies and ministries. In verse 5, Nephi states that he will talk more about the making of the Small Plates later. He says that he continues with his more spiritual account to record more sacred things that they may be kept for the knowledge of his people.
In verse 6, we read that he does not write anything upon the Small Plates but those things that he considered sacred. Then he talks about making mistakes. He says up front here that there might be errors in the writing. He says that they are errors because his is but a man and all men make mistakes when writing, even as those prophets of old who came before them. The cross-references are interesting to this statement. I must say that if one finds fault with the book, then they have great cause to repent. The first verse is found in Mormon 8:17:
"17 And if there be afaults they be the faults of a man. But behold, we know no fault; nevertheless God knoweth all things; therefore, he that bcondemneth, let him be aware lest he shall be in danger of hell fire."
This verse was written by Moroni, the son of Mormon, who wrote the abridgement of the Plates of Nephi, which is the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. He states that if you condemn the book and the faults therein, you shall be in danger of hell fire.
Let's look at one more verse. It is found in Ether 12:23-28:
"23 And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will amock at these things, because of our bweakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us cmighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing; for thou hast made all this people that they could speak much, because of the Holy Ghost which thou hast given them;
In verse 6, we read that he does not write anything upon the Small Plates but those things that he considered sacred. Then he talks about making mistakes. He says up front here that there might be errors in the writing. He says that they are errors because his is but a man and all men make mistakes when writing, even as those prophets of old who came before them. The cross-references are interesting to this statement. I must say that if one finds fault with the book, then they have great cause to repent. The first verse is found in Mormon 8:17:
"17 And if there be afaults they be the faults of a man. But behold, we know no fault; nevertheless God knoweth all things; therefore, he that bcondemneth, let him be aware lest he shall be in danger of hell fire."
This verse was written by Moroni, the son of Mormon, who wrote the abridgement of the Plates of Nephi, which is the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. He states that if you condemn the book and the faults therein, you shall be in danger of hell fire.
Let's look at one more verse. It is found in Ether 12:23-28:
"23 And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will amock at these things, because of our bweakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us cmighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing; for thou hast made all this people that they could speak much, because of the Holy Ghost which thou hast given them;
"24 And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the aawkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in bwriting like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he cwrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them.
"27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their aweakness. I bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my cgrace is sufficient for all men that dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make eweak things become strong unto them.
"28 Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that afaith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all brighteousness."
Again, Moroni is worried about the people who may mock the weakness in writing of the prophets in the Book of Mormon. The Lord comforts him by saying that fools mock and they shall morn, my grace is sufficient, no one shall take advantage of your weakness. He promises Moroni that even though there may be some weakness found in the writing, no one will take advantage of it. He also told Moroni that fools mock and they shall morn. I think that if one is a fool they mock. I also believe the converse, those who mock are fools. No one should make fun of or mock other's actions. I'm told that I'm too sensitive, but even if people are joking, it has an effect on the person that was made fun of. Sometimes people say they don't mean it, but I'm not sure that takes away the initial awkwardness or hurt caused by the initial comment. Let us try a little more to think before we speak. I will try, too.
Again, Moroni is worried about the people who may mock the weakness in writing of the prophets in the Book of Mormon. The Lord comforts him by saying that fools mock and they shall morn, my grace is sufficient, no one shall take advantage of your weakness. He promises Moroni that even though there may be some weakness found in the writing, no one will take advantage of it. He also told Moroni that fools mock and they shall morn. I think that if one is a fool they mock. I also believe the converse, those who mock are fools. No one should make fun of or mock other's actions. I'm told that I'm too sensitive, but even if people are joking, it has an effect on the person that was made fun of. Sometimes people say they don't mean it, but I'm not sure that takes away the initial awkwardness or hurt caused by the initial comment. Let us try a little more to think before we speak. I will try, too.
Friday, April 24, 2009
1 Nephi 19:4
In verse 4, Nephi talks a little more about the Large Plates. He says that that account contains a greater account of the wars, contentions, and destructions of his people. This is quite a jump from our story. Up to this point, pretty much all we know about the family is that they have arrived to the promised land and have tilled the ground. He lets us in on the fact that there was/will be many wars, contentions, and destructions to be had. For me it is kind of sad that Laman and Lemuel did not repent and work to destroy Nephi. In 1 Nephi 2:24, we read, "24 And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a ascourge unto thy seed, to bstir them up in the ways of remembrance." So, it seems that they will rebel and scourge the seed of Nephi. Let us continue with the story and find out how that takes place.
In the rest of the verse, Nephi states that he has instructed his people what they should do with the records that he is making and that they should hand them down from generation to generation, from one prophet to another, until there are further commandments from the Lord. It is amazing that the Lord protects the plates and this happens from generation to generation for just over a thousand years. Until Mormon abridges the records, gives them to his son Moroni, who buries them in the earth in New York. When in 1823, Moroni appears to a young man named Joseph Smith and tells him of the plates (see Joseph Smith--History 1:29).
In the rest of the verse, Nephi states that he has instructed his people what they should do with the records that he is making and that they should hand them down from generation to generation, from one prophet to another, until there are further commandments from the Lord. It is amazing that the Lord protects the plates and this happens from generation to generation for just over a thousand years. Until Mormon abridges the records, gives them to his son Moroni, who buries them in the earth in New York. When in 1823, Moroni appears to a young man named Joseph Smith and tells him of the plates (see Joseph Smith--History 1:29).
Thursday, April 23, 2009
1 Nephi 19:2-3
In about 588 B.C. Nephi was commanded to make a record of his life. These are the Large Plates of Nephi. In verse 2, he states that when he was commanded to make the Large Plates, he did not know about the future commandment to make the Small Plates, in about 569 B.C. So, he recorded a more particular account of everything that had transpired up to this point on those plates. Things like the record of his father, the genealogy of his fathers, and their proceedings in the wilderness. Then he makes a distinction or contrast between the Large Plates and the Small Plates, as he currently writes this on the Small Plates, which is that the Small Plates would contain the more plain and precious parts of their ministries and prophesies. They were to be kept for the instruction of the people. Jacob reiterates this commandment and desire in Jacob 4:1-6 or so.
I believe that many times people wonder what was contained in the record of these events on the Large Plates of Nephi. We do not have them. But I distinctly remember in Institute one time that our teacher put forth the argument that the content that we have now from the Small Plates is of greater worth to our souls that what was contained on the Large Plates. I believe these verses are one of the reasons why. On these plates, we have more plain and precious parts of the ministries and prophesies of the people of Nephi. Nephi delves into them deeper and deeper as he gets older and as we proceed through the rest of 1 Nephi and through 2 Nephi. It is amazing.
I believe that many times people wonder what was contained in the record of these events on the Large Plates of Nephi. We do not have them. But I distinctly remember in Institute one time that our teacher put forth the argument that the content that we have now from the Small Plates is of greater worth to our souls that what was contained on the Large Plates. I believe these verses are one of the reasons why. On these plates, we have more plain and precious parts of the ministries and prophesies of the people of Nephi. Nephi delves into them deeper and deeper as he gets older and as we proceed through the rest of 1 Nephi and through 2 Nephi. It is amazing.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
1 Nephi 19:1
Nephi is now in the promised land. The time is somewhere between 588 B.C. and 570 B.C. and will be until 2 Nephi 5. It is interesting that this is the time when he is commanded by the Lord to make a record of his life. The next time he mentions a specific year was when he was commanded by the Lord to make another record, one of his spiritual life.
So, in verse 1, we read that Nephi was commanded by the Lord to make a record of his people on plates of ore. Nephi shares with us that he engraved (1) the record of his father, (2) their journeyings in the wilderness, (3) the prophesies of his father, and (4) many of Nephi's own prophesies.
I thought a moment about the record that Lehi kept. He was probably commanded by the Lord to make a record, quite possibly at the time he was called to be a prophet. Like Nephi, Lehi probably wrote a lot of the important spiritual events up to that time in hindsight. But, who knows for sure. However, Nephi copied it down on his plate. We'll get more into this, but Nephi will share that his Large and Small Plates are for the prophets to hand them down from generation to generation. This would end up being Jacob's posterity for the rest of the Small Plates. But I wondered what happened to the actual record of Lehi. Nephi had made a copy of it and put it in his Large Plates (which were eventually translated by Joseph Smith taking up 116 pages of paper and such translation was stolen and/or lost while in the care of Martin Harris). I thought about this and I wonder if Lehi had given his copy of the record to Laman and Lemuel's posterity in hopes that it might convince them of the truth and to bring them to repentance. We can see Lehi's desire for such change in 2 Nephi 1:10-27 or thereabouts. But, who knows. : )
So, in verse 1, we read that Nephi was commanded by the Lord to make a record of his people on plates of ore. Nephi shares with us that he engraved (1) the record of his father, (2) their journeyings in the wilderness, (3) the prophesies of his father, and (4) many of Nephi's own prophesies.
I thought a moment about the record that Lehi kept. He was probably commanded by the Lord to make a record, quite possibly at the time he was called to be a prophet. Like Nephi, Lehi probably wrote a lot of the important spiritual events up to that time in hindsight. But, who knows for sure. However, Nephi copied it down on his plate. We'll get more into this, but Nephi will share that his Large and Small Plates are for the prophets to hand them down from generation to generation. This would end up being Jacob's posterity for the rest of the Small Plates. But I wondered what happened to the actual record of Lehi. Nephi had made a copy of it and put it in his Large Plates (which were eventually translated by Joseph Smith taking up 116 pages of paper and such translation was stolen and/or lost while in the care of Martin Harris). I thought about this and I wonder if Lehi had given his copy of the record to Laman and Lemuel's posterity in hopes that it might convince them of the truth and to bring them to repentance. We can see Lehi's desire for such change in 2 Nephi 1:10-27 or thereabouts. But, who knows. : )
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
