1 Nephi 20:3-4

In verse 3, we have that Isaiah has declared these former things (I believe these things are about the wickedness of the house of Israel) from the beginning. He says that he did it because he knew that the house of Israel had necks of iron sinew (stiffnecked in Nephi's terms) and their brows were brass (meaning they were hard-headed). How does this apply to today? I think that we are forewarned about falling into temptation from our leaders in the hope that we won't. It is hard to resist it and not do as the evil one entices. We can resist!! Seek help from the scriptures and good company.

1 Nephi 20:1-2

1 Nephi, chapter 20 is the first time we see Nephi quoting from Isaiah. This chapter is from Isaiah, chapter 48. Remember that Nephi quotes him because he wants to more fully persuade us to believe in the Lord our Redeemer (see 1 Nephi 19:23). I hope to keep that overall purpose in mind as we review the verses that Nephi quotes from Isaiah. We also need to keep in mind that in order to understand Isaiah's teachings and prophesies, we need to know the history and context of the places Isaiah was. I don't know what they are. I remember that Isaiah was called upon a number of times to help kings know how to fight their wars. Some obeyed and some did not. Because the focus is about the Savior, Isaiah has many prophesies of Him. So, this is perhaps the main focus that I will take. Another connection that I've drawn was that not only did the Savior say that the prophesies of Isaiah were great (see 3 Nephi 23:1), but I think that Nephi thought they were, too. They were relatively new scripture for his day. Isaiah lived about 750 B.C. and Nephi left Jerusalem in 600 B.C. This is only a 150 year difference. It would be like how we feel about the Doctrine and Covenants. We feel that this is great scripture. We understand the words because we are familiar with the context of the Doctrine and Covenants. Nephi was familiar with the context of Isaiah. He was taught somewhat in all the learning of his father (see 1 Nephi 1:1). He knew of the culture of the Jews in Jerusalem, but did not pass it on to his family (see 2 Nephi 25:1-2).

"1 Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were ^ahard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews.

"2 For I, Nephi, have not taught them many things concerning the manner of the Jews; for their ^aworks were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of abominations."

Thus, I believe that we will see many prophesies from Isaiah calling them to repentance. Now on to the chapter heading quote. Th chapter headings help us to understand the gist of the chapter. The chapter heading reads the same in both chapters (1 Nephi 20 and Isaiah 48):

The Lord reveals his purposes to Israel—They have been chosen in the furnace of affliction and are to go forth from Babylon

In the first couple of verses, we see that the people of the house of Jacob (remember the comparison to the bough of branches growing over the well which means that they are a large group of people) or Israel are being baptized (perhaps figuratively as well as literally) and thus promising to the Lord that they would be righteous, but it is not truthful or done righteously. Verse 2 states that they call themselves part of the holy city (Jerusalem?), but they do not stay themselves on the God of Israel, the Lord of Hosts. I take this as meaning that they do not build their foundation on the rock like the wise man. They do not do the daily things that they are supposed to do to follow the Savior. So, this is a perfect time for the Lord to have the prophet call them to repentance.

1 Nephi 19:23-EoC

In verse 23, Nephi says that he read many things unto his brethren and people out of the books of Moses. In our Bible, those books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. I'm thinking that they were very similar. His intention was to more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer, so he read from Isaiah. Nephi takes it upon himself to quote extensively from the writings of Isaiah. We will see this in future chapters, starting with chapter 20. I believe that he wants us to be more fully persuaded to believe in the Lord our Redeemer. Do we have this intent in mind when we read Nephi's selections from Isaiah? He also states that it is for our profit and learning.

In verse 24, Nephi states that his people are a branch of the house of Israel and that they are broken off. Footnote 24b points us to Genesis 49:22-26 which says that Joseph is a fruitful bough by a well whose branches run over the wall. His final plea is to liken these words unto ourselves.

In the Book of Mormon Institute Manual, we are given some questions that help us liken the scriptures unto ourselves, thinking about the previous stories Nephi has shared:

What scriptural source did Nephi use to teach his brothers concerning “the Lord their Redeemer”? (1 Nephi 19:23). What prophets’ writings were found in that source? What did Nephi urge his readers to do with the scriptures he was citing? The wise reader learns from the lessons of the past. Nephi said he read the scriptures to his people and did “liken all scriptures unto us” (v. 23). How does one liken the scriptures unto himself for his “profit and learning”? (v. 23). The following questions indicate possible ways this can be done: What significance does this particular event or principle have for me today? For example, What does the rebellion of Laman and Lemuel teach me? What can I learn about faithfulness from Nephi’s obedience? If I were in this particular situation or faced with this challenge or question, how would I react? What flaws or strengths would I find in my own character? Am I like Lehi’s family in the wilderness, or am I like Nephi? Do I complain when things get difficult, or do I trust in God no matter what the circumstances? What do I learn about God and his dealings with his children from this event? Why does God put his children through the trials of the “wilderness”? Why did he send Lehi and his family to a whole new land? Why did God not just have them go to some isolated place until Jerusalem was destroyed? As I study the lives of men and women in the scriptures, what do I learn about the things that please or displease God? Why was this particular concept, principle, or event included in the scriptures?

1 Nephi 19:22

In verse 22, Nephi shares that he read many things to his brethren from the plates of brass. He does this because he wants them to know the dealings of the Lord in other lands among the people of old. The phrase "that they might know concerning the doings of the Lord" stands out. I believe that Nephi wants his brethren to get to know their Savior and to know that His work and glory is to bring to pass the eternal life of man (Moses 1:39).

My other point is to bring up the possible attachment that Laman and Lemuel had gotten to the plates of brass. But, judging by their wickedness, I'm not too sure how much this could be true. Later on, like a few hundred years later, this becomes one of the reasons there is strife between the Nephites and Lamanites. One recording is found in Mosaiah 10:16-17:

"16 And again, they [Nephi's brethren] were wroth with him [Nephi] because he departed into the wilderness as the Lord had commanded him [which will eventually happen], and took the ^arecords which were engraven on the plates of brass, for they said that he ^brobbed them."

Here is where I think that Nephi's brethren had some attachment to the plates. Today's verse leads me to think so. The next verse shows from hindsight what Laman and Lemuel did about it:

"17 And thus they have taught their children that they should hate them, and that they should murder them, and that they should rob and plunder them, and do all they could to destroy them; therefore they have an eternal hatred towards the children of Nephi."

There was eventually a thousand year strife between these two people, the Lamanites eventually killing off the Nephites that wouldn't join them in about A.D. 400. Did they want the plates so bad for their monetary value? I'm not inclined to think so because they could get precious metals. But in the end, I'm still not sure because they were wicked and did not have a disposition to follow the word of God, then why read it? What do you think?

1 Nephi 19:21

In verse 21, Nephi illustrates a necessary duality. He talks about prophets of old and how they were shown the future, Nephi's people, and how they came across the sea to the Americas. It was necessary that they knew about it and that they prophesy about it. Perhaps one reason might be so that those who read their words might receive a testimony of their calling as prophet and thus believe and follow their teachings. The other side of the coin is that it was necessary that Nephi had their words and read them and knew them. This is perhaps so that they can know what words to follow, what direction to follow.

I wanted to illustrate one other part in the Book of Mormon where this takes place. In 3 Nephi 19, Jesus is visiting the people and comments on their great faith. They had seen many marvelous works. So, what does Jesus do next. He teaches them about the future. It is interesting that He does this because I'm not exactly sure how it pertains to the people specifically at that time. Maybe they had a question about it.

Here are the next few chapter synopses that will show us a little about what He taught them about the future:

Chapter 20: Jesus provides bread and wine miraculously and again administers the sacrament unto them—The remnant of Jacob shall come to the knowledge of the Lord their God and shall inherit the Americas—Jesus is the prophet like unto Moses, and the Nephites are children of the prophets—Others of the Lord’s people shall be gathered to Jerusalem.

Chapter 21: Israel shall be gathered when the Book of Mormon comes forth—The Gentiles shall be established as a free people in America—They shall be saved if they believe and obey; otherwise they shall be cut off and destroyed—Israel shall build the New Jerusalem, and the lost tribes shall return.

Chapter 22: In the last days, Zion and her stakes shall be established, and Israel shall be gathered in mercy and tenderness—They shall triumph—Compare Isaiah 54.

Chapter 23: Jesus approves the words of Isaiah—He commands the people to search the prophets—The words of Samuel the Lamanite concerning the resurrection are added to their records.

Chapter 24: The Lord’s messenger shall prepare the way for the Second Coming—Christ shall sit in judgment—Israel is commanded to pay tithes and offerings—A book of remembrance is kept—Compare Malachi 3.

Chapter 25: At the Second Coming the proud and wicked shall be burned as stubble—Elijah shall return before that great and dreadful day—Compare Malachi 4.

Finally, in chapter 26, Jesus expounds all things unto the people. What an amazing thing. What we have touched on in the chapter descriptions is in the process of happening or has not happened yet. We need to study these words and those of Isaiah, too, and we will know more about what will happen when Jesus comes again, which the prophets say is close.

1 Nephi 19:20

In verse 20, Nephi tells us about his gratitude to the Lord for teaching him, through the Holy Ghost, about the need to leave Jerusalem and their spirituality level.

He says that he has had many workings in the Spirit. I don't doubt that he did work to know the truthfulness of the words of his father. But the very nature of being under the influence of the Spirit to behold the things of God consumes in a sense one's physical strength, so much so that they need a period of recovery. The footnotes to verse 20 give us some examples.

My example is that of the first prophet of this dispensation, Joseph Smith. When he was 14, Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It was a great experience. He prayed to know which church was true. As an answer to his prayer, They came and said to join none at the time. He would be the instrument through which they would restore the true church of Christ, the very same that existed when He walked the earth.

Here is a portion of Joseph Smith's words from his account in the Pearl of Great Price:

"20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself ^alying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, ^bmother inquired what the matter was. I replied, 'Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.' I then said to my mother, 'I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.'"

Later on in Joseph's life, he grew accustomed to this type of experience. He gained a strength to handle such intensely spiritual experiences. I remember that when he and Sidney Rigdon both received section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants Sidney was like Joseph used to be. Here is a portion of the account of the experience as recorded by Philo Dibble:

"Joseph sat firmly and calmly all the time in the midst of a magnificent glory, but Sidney sat limp and pale, apparently as limber as a rag, observing which, Joseph remarked, smilingly, 'Sidney is not used to it as I am.'" (Juvenile Instructor, May 1892, pp. 303–4.)

In the end of verse 20, Nephi acknowledges the mercy of the Lord in sparing his life. He says that the Lord had preserved him from destruction by leading him out of Jerusalem.

1 Nephi 19:19

In verse 19, Nephi extends his promise that not only shall his people be saved if they remember the Lord their Redeemer, but he also makes this promise to all the house of Israel. It can also be thought of a testimony to all, that if they do accept Jesus Christ as their redeemer, and follow Him, they will be saved. This will be a short entry today, but my testimony of Jesus Christ is that He will save us, if we follow the commandments. We must do our part, then He will make up the difference. I know that this is true because He cannot lie. He has promised peace and comfort if we come to Him and pray for it. I have felt it. He has said through his prophets that we shall be saved after all we can do. For example, in 2 Nephi 25:23, we read:

"23 For we labor diligently to write, to ^apersuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by ^bgrace that we are saved, after all we can ^cdo."

I know this is true.