Welcome to the 2012 Book of Mormon Translation Challenge. This is where I will be posting my thoughts as I read The Book of Mormon this time. I am not much of a blogger so it will not be very impressive, but I hope that it will be meaningful to me to reflect on what I have read and try to process it in such a way that I can share something meaningful to me. I hope that you will feel welcome to post your comments as well. I have divided each "comment" section into the different pages that one must read each day to finish The Book of Mormon in the time that Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery translated it. Please email me through this site if you would like me to send you a copy of the bookmark that I have created to help people stay up to date on their reading. I KNOW that The Book of Mormon is a TRUE book of scripture from God. It is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. My testimony of Him grows each time that I complete The Book of Mormon Translation Challenge. That is why I do it year after year. I hope you will join me reading The Book of Mormon this year and participate in the conversation.2012
Welcome to the 2012 Book of Mormon Translation Challenge. This is where I will be posting my thoughts as I read The Book of Mormon this time. I am not much of a blogger so it will not be very impressive, but I hope that it will be meaningful to me to reflect on what I have read and try to process it in such a way that I can share something meaningful to me. I hope that you will feel welcome to post your comments as well. I have divided each "comment" section into the different pages that one must read each day to finish The Book of Mormon in the time that Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery translated it. Please email me through this site if you would like me to send you a copy of the bookmark that I have created to help people stay up to date on their reading. I KNOW that The Book of Mormon is a TRUE book of scripture from God. It is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. My testimony of Him grows each time that I complete The Book of Mormon Translation Challenge. That is why I do it year after year. I hope you will join me reading The Book of Mormon this year and participate in the conversation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Pages 1-6. During my reading I was noticing how 1 Nephi must be understood in the context of the book of Jeremiah. If you have not read the book of Jeremiah, then I would encourage you to study the footnotes from 1 Ne. 1-3 that relate to Jeremiah. What lesson can we learns about God and His Plan when we consider the contrasting lives and missions of two of the Lord's "many prophets" (1 Ne. 1:4) testifying in Jerusalem at that time? In 1 Ne. 2 we learn that Lehi is to leave Jerusalem with his family and "depart into the wilderness" (1 Ne. 2:1-4). According to our record, it isn't until v.20 that Nephi is informed of a "Land of Promise" and a foreshadowing of the events of the entire Book of Mormon history. The phrase, "Let us be faithful in keeping the commandments" (1 Ne.3:16,21;4:1), seems to be a prevailing principle in these pages. Those at Jerusalem had not been "faithful in keeping the commandments", and were about to lose their promised land. The key to residency in the Lord's promised lands has always been, and will be, obedience to the commandments of the Lord. Lehi and Nephi have both heard the Lord teach this lesson specifically to them (1 Ne 2:1,19). Now they are trying to help others realize the same blessings in their lives. Jeremiah on the other hand will be faithful to the command to him to stay at Jerusalem, not have a family, continue to be persecuted throughout his life, and be killed by those he tried so hard to save. So many amazing insights in just the first 6 pages of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. What did you learn in those pages?
ReplyDeletePages 7-12. What stood out to me in these pages is the importance of Scripture. The Lord had sent Lehi's sons back to Jerusalem to obtain the Brass Plates (1 Ne 3:3,19-20; 4:14-17; 5:10-17). These Records were so important that a man had to lose his life so that a nation could be saved (1 Ne 4:13). The first thing that Lehi did after giving thanks to the Lord (1 Ne 5:9) was to "search them from the beginning" (1 Ne 5:10). After which "he was filled with the Spirit, and began to prophesy" (1 Ne 5:17). I know that we too are "filled with the Spirit" as we "search" the Scriptures. I experience this "Scripture Power" each time that I put forth the effort to read God's Holy Word. As Lehi, I have also "found that they [are] desirable; yea, even of great worth" in my life (1 Ne5:21). And as Nephi testifies, I also bear witness that "it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us" as we journey towards our Promised Land (1 Ne 5:22).
ReplyDeleteWhat are your thoughts on pages 7-12?
Pages 13-18. These pages testify over and over of The Messiah! The Messiah is at first seen in Lehi's vision as a Tree, the Tree of Life (1 Ne 8:10). Lehi is well aware of The Messiah's ministry and mission (1 Ne 1:9,19) even before this time. Lehi has a vision in which the Tree of Life--The Messiah--is the focal point. Everything is taught in relation to the Tree. It is the point of reference for all other things in the vision (1 Ne 8:13,19,20,21,22,24,30). His description of the fruit that the Tree bears is quite descriptive of what The Messiah offers all who will come unto Him. It is described as "desirable to make one happy", "most sweet, above all", "white, to exceed all", "filled my soul with exceedingly great joy", "desirable above all" (1 Ne 8:10-12). Lehi's only desire after partaking of The Messiah's fruit is to share it with his family (1 Ne 8:12,15).
ReplyDeleteAfter he relates the Vision of the Tree of Life (Messiah) to his family, he testifies with great clarity and power to them of the coming of The Messiah and the events surrounding His ministry and mission (Note the use of the word Messiah in 1 Ne 10:4,5,6,7,9,10,11,14,17).
Terms such as "Messiah", referring to Jesus Christ", are used every 1.7 verses in The Book of Mormon (every 1.3 in 1 Nephi!). It is indeed "Another Testament of Jesus Christ"!!!
What are your thoughts on pages 13-18?
Pages 19-24. Well I read on 4/10 at 6am and I am finally posting on 4/11 at 12:30am, better make it quick...
ReplyDeleteI know that most people would probably expect to see the picture of Nephi's Vision of the Tree of Life, but I chose a picture that represents the whole reason for the vision. Perhaps it was the fact that we celebrated Easter this past weekend and those of the Jewish faith observed Pesach (Passover), but I couldn't help but notice how often the "Lamb" of God was referred to during Nephi's vision. A quick list of references will illustrate: 1 Ne. 11:21,27,31,32,34,35,36; 12:6,8,9,10,11,18; 13:24,26,28,29,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41. WOW! And it doesn't stop there... keep looking on pages 25-30 in the next reading assignment and you will find it another 17 times! He is the "Lamb" that was slain for us (Isaiah 53), and Nephi wants us to KNOW IT!
Dr. David Bokovoy, a colleague who studied at Brandeis University, taught me about something called "Leitwort" (Leading/Theme word)--intentional use of a word, over and over again to highlight a theme within a text (many example are found in the Bible and other Hebrew texts). Without a doubt (to me) Nephi’s use of the “Lamb” of God is to bring us back, over and over, to the central figure of the vision of the Tree of Life—Jesus Christ—so that we don’t get lost in the vision like so many others actually did. By the time Nephi’s vision ends in chapter 14, one will have read the word “Lamb” over 43 times. That is some serious “Leitwort”!
This is indeed a snapshot of the leitwort that makes up The Book of Mormon—Jesus Christ. My wife, Hilary, once read the entire Book of Mormon and solely marked each reference to Jesus Christ by His many titles. She would tally the total at the end of each page. It is incredible to flip through the pages, with so much marked, and realize that she was only marking references made to the Savior. Perhaps you have done the same. Maybe you will want to make that part of your personal Book of Mormon Translation Challenge. If not, it would at least be worth your time to find the references made to the “Lamb” of God in these pages. Don’t forget about leitwort as you continue reading. That will help you identify the intent of the author and the message that they wished to convey. Happy reading, and good night!
Pages 25-30. “Plain and Precious”! Once again, another theme in Nephi’s vision of the Tree of Life emerges. Today’s reading seemed to focus on the “mist” that would affect the people of the latter days from seeing the “Lamb of God/Tree of Life". The “mist” in the vision “blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men” (1 Ne 12:17). In this part of the vision, Nephi is taught by his angelic guide that Satan tries to “blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men” by having “plain and precious” teachings “taken away" from the Bible (1 Ne 13:24-29,32). The angel teaches Nephi that the Bible was the record of the Jews, contained the covenants of the Lord and many prophesies of the holy prophets, was of great worth, and contained the fulness of the gospel. THEN many plain and precious things began to be “taken away”. Nephi was taught about another book (The Book of Mormon) that would be written by his seed that would restore the “plain and precious” things that had been “taken away”--a book that would “hid up, to come forth unto the Gentiles by the gift and power of the Lamb” (1 Ne 13:35). The Bible and the Book of Mormon work together as companion witnesses of Jesus Christ--The Lamb of God--and testify that “all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved... for there is one God and one Shepherd over all the earth” (1 Ne 13:40-41). To add to this witness, chapter 14 teaches about the Apostle John, by name, and speaks of his future writings, explaining that “the things which he shall write are just and true" (1 Ne 14:23, 27). The scriptures are our “de-MIST-ifiers”. They are the Iron Rod to which we must hold tight (1 Ne 8:30). We must never allow Satan to "blind" us by keeping us from the "plain and precious" scriptures that are "just and true"!
ReplyDeletePart 1, Pages 31-36. Look to the Lord! We start off with good ol' Laman and Lemuel in their usual state of complaint. Nephi quickly points out that the source of their problem is a hard heart, "therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought" (1 Ne 14.3). In verse 7 they are complaining that they "cannot understand" the things Lehi had shared with them about his vision of the Tree of Life and his discourse on the Olive Tree (On a side note, in the ancient world an olive tree was very much a "tree of life". Olive trees provided Israel with food--nourishment, light--vision, healing--life, and anointing--power). Nephi has one simple, and personally tested, question: "Have ye inquired of the Lord?"
ReplyDeleteI would like to pause at this point to leave the murmurous brothers and focus on US. By this point we have read 30 pages of The Book of Mormon. HAVE WE INQUIRED OF THE LORD? If there is something that WE have not understood, have WE asked for His help? Before WE read, are WE asking for His blessing and guidance? While WE read, are WE asking Him to manifest its veracity to you? Or have WE read 30 pages of Christ-centered/filled text and not once thought to "inquire of the Lord?” (1 Ne 15:8)
Alright, back to LAME-man and Lemuel… their reply to Nephi’s soul-searching question is one of spiritual immaturity, doubt, and convenience: WHY TRY? “We have not: FOR the Lord maketh no such thing known unto US” (1 Ne 15:9). Well, even if they were right in that assumption (and they are not!), couldn’t they at least try? The wording seems to imply that they do believe that the Lord will make it know to others, but not them—pretty convenient for them. Don’t give God a chance and you don’t have to do anything yourself either. People do this all the time today. What “sins of omission” may we be committing and simply putting the blame on God without giving Him a chance? As President Monson is fond of saying, “If we do not TRY, then we do not DO. And if we do not DO, then why are we here?” Laman and Lemuel can blame God and appear correct, to themselves (as I said, people do it all the time today—it’s just convenient). But to Nephi, and you, and I, this is a LAME-man response! Nephi not do much more than ask a few more soul-searching questions of them and bear his witness that “if” they would sincerely give the Lord a chance, even in their corrupt state, God would “surely” make these things “known” unto them (1 NE 15:11). Nephi KNOWS! He then goes on to share with them what he has learned by inquiring of the Lord. In the process we not only learn more ourselves about the vision of the Tree of Life, but also the judgment and justice of God (1 Ne 15:26-36).
Of course Laman and Lemuel cannot feel very good about themselves after hearing the plain truth of God’s judgment and justice. Instead of changing anything, they once again complain. “Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear” (1 Ne16:1). Wow! Are they serious? It is indeed true that, “the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for (because) it cutteth them to the very center” (1 Ne 16:2). The truth can either CUT or TOUCH, it just depends on what your HEART is made of. HARD hearts must be CUT; SOFT hearts need only be TOUCHED. I am sure that as you read the truths in chapter 15 you were touched. However, it appears that the same exact words will CUT those who are of a hard heart. Nephi leaves them with the perfect reflective “If…, then…” statement to ponder and invitation to repent (1 Ne 16:3-4).
Part 2, Page 31-36. Well, the families grow and prepare to move on. But before they leave their temporary residence they are given “means” to guide them. Lehi finds a “round ball of curious workmanship” that “pointed the way” they should go on their journey (1 Ne 16:10). They would indeed need this divine guide, since the wilderness they were entering was called “Shazer”, meaning “twisting” (1 Ne 16:13). However, with the help of their guide they were able to not only find their way, but also keep to the “most fertile parts” of the wilderness (1 Ne 16:14,16).
ReplyDeleteOnce again, we depart from the story for a likening moment to ourselves. What has the Lord given us to guide us through our “twisted” journey here on earth? Many of the brethren have compared this round guide, later identified as being called the Liahona, to God-given guides such as the Holy Ghost, a Patriarchal Blessing, and the Scriptures. And just as the Liahona worked “according to the faith and diligence and heed” they gave to it, we must do the same with Life’s Liahona’s that we have been given (1 Ne 16:28). For, as Nephi said, “thus we see that by SMALL MEANS the Lord can bring about GREAT THINGS (1 Ne 16:29. See also, Alma 37:6-7—really you need to reference the whole chapter for proper perspective). Are we using Life’s Liahona’s to look to the Lord and encounter the “most fertile” parts of the “twisted” wilderness that this world seems to place in front of us?
Laman and Lemuel would not look to the Lord and inquire. Lehi temporarily lost sight of the Lord (1 Ne 16:20-27). Nephi’s questions properly persuade people to look to the Lord (1 Ne 15:8; 16:23).
By the time we come to the end of chapter 16, we find that Nephi was right all along and Laman and Lemuel are left without excuse, because even as they reach an extreme state of rebellion “the voice of the Lord came and did speak many words unto them (Laman and Lemuel), and did chasten them exceedingly” (1 Ne 16:39). I guess God has left them without excuse and convenience. The fact of the matter is that the Lord did make such things “known unto” them, and they can never deny it.
LOOK TO THE LORD! D&C 6:36-37.
Pages 37-42. What do you KNOW?
ReplyDeleteIn these pages we find Nephi receiving the command to build a ship. His efforts are mocked by brothers, Laman and Lemuel--the infamous naysayers. Their rant against Nephi consists of several "we knew" and "we know" statements (1 Ne 17:19-22). However, Nephi is quick to point out to them the truth about what they know (1 Ne 17:25-29,42,46). He reminds them of something similar to a bumper sticker I remember reading: "Jesus loves you, but I'm His favorite!"(1 Ne 17:35,40; 1:20. More on this concept can be studied by reading Elder Russell M. Nelson's article entitled, Divine Love. You must read the references in the talk for it to make sense--very insightful!). Nephi is the perfect example of "likening" scriptures. It seems that almost every time that he is trying to persuade someone to follow God he uses an experience from what we consider the Old Testament (their Brass Plates). In just this one instance he refers to the liberating of the Israelites from bondage, the crossing of the Red Sea and destruction of Pharaoh and his army, the manna, water from the rock, the pillar of light and cloud by day that led and protected them, their subsequent wondering and regeneration before entering the Promised Land, and even the reason for the current residents being expelled from the land. He caps it all off by reminding them that one can either become RIGHTEOUS or RIPE (1 Ne 17:35). This is the perfect LIKENING because they are also going to cross the water to enter a Promised Land. But he is not done yet. In verse 41 he likens his brothers to the faithless and fearful Israelites who had to be chastened and "straitened". Nephi seems surprised that after all that the Lord has done those at Jerusalem are "nearly unto ripeness" (1 Ne 17:43). He continues to liken Laman and Lemuel to those who are ripening and points out that they are "swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord" (1 Ne 17:44-45). Nephi's words seem to infuriate the already agitated brothers, but the Spirit of God seems to protect Nephi much the way it will when Abinadi testifies before the evil king Noah. Unlike in Abinadi's situation however, Nephi is commanded to "shock" his brethren with a bit of God's power. It makes sense that the Lord would do this. Being so hard of heart, and so focused on the physical, it seems that the physical is all they will respond to (1 Ne 17:53-55; 18:20). Interestingly enough the chapter ends in a very different, but similar way to its beginning. Laman and Lemuel once again exclaim, "we know", but this time they are correct in their statements.
Nephi then is instructed by the Lord on how exactly to go about building the ship (1 Ne 18:1-4), which will become the stage for the next dramatic episode of the dubious Laman and Lemuel (1 Ne 18:9-20). I guess it is not enough to "know", we must always act on what we "know" to be right, but first we must make sure that what we "know" IS right.
So what do you "KNOW", and how does that affect how you ACT? Are you becoming RIGHT or RIPE before God? Remember what Joseph Smith taught the brethren about The Book of Mormon: "the most correct of any book on earth,... and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, that by any other book". Happy sailing on your personal journey to God's Promised Land--The Celestial Kingdom!
Pages 43-48. Dinner or Dessert?
ReplyDeleteI refer to these pages as dinner or dessert because it helps me understand how the Large and Small Plate of Nephi work. He had originally referred to the fact that there were two sets of records back in 1 Ne 9. He now repeats that he does not know why he has been commanded to make similar records, but emphasizes once again that it is for a "wise purpose" (1 Ne 9:5-6; 19:3). Mormon will submit his will and record to God under the same reasoning (Word of Mormon 1:7). From latter-day events we are able to understand God's "wise purpose". With the loss of the 116 manuscript pages that Martin Harris had helped Joseph Smith to translate, the Lord would provide an even greater witness of the Savior (D&C 3:19-20; 10:38-46).
The records that Nephi recorded are referred to as the Large Plates and the Small Plates. At one point I had a hard time remembering which contained more history and which contained more ministry. I would usually have to go back to 1 Nephi 19 to figure it out. On one of these occasions when I was trying again to remember it occurred to me to think of the Plates of Nephi like literal plates. So as I read it this time I actually took two disposable paper plates, one large and one small, and wrote down on each one what was contained--Large had history, Small had ministry. Through the Martin Harris incident we lost part of Nephi's Large Plate account. In the Doctrine and Covenants we find the Lord's wisdom in commanding Nephi to create the Small Plates. The history would be lost, but his ministry would be preserved. As I looked at the plates it reminded me of a BBQ. If I could only choose to have one set of plates at a BBQ, which would it be. At first you think, "The Large of course". But you have to think of the purpose for each type of plate. Just as Nephi's Plates served different purposes, so do the plates at a BBQ. What is the Large plate for? The main course--you can put lots of different things on there. Now what are the Small plates for? That's right! Dessert!!! It is smaller, and you have to be a bit more selective on what you put on it, but to me it is THE BEST part of any meal. Now, if I was given the option of choosing just one plate at a BBQ, I would pick the Small plate. I love desserts! Yes I like the meats and all that other good stuff. BUT I LOVE DESSERTS! When I am eating somewhere that dessert is served at the same time as the main course, I ALWAYS eat my dessert first (ask my wife, she is witness). Now dietary wise, it is a very poor choice that I am making, but it just tastes soooooo good. I LOVE IT!
Now the point to this whole rant is this: Nephi's Large Plates had a lot of room for a lot of stuff, but for the most part where historical in nature. Good stuff, and lots of it, but not quite as "tasty" as what was on his Small Plates. The Small Plates, like the dessert plate at a BBQ, did not have as much room and therefore Nephi had to be more selective and stick to the best of the best in recording his ministry to the people. The Small Plates are the Dessert of the Gospel--the best tasting stuff he had to offer.
So the next time you are at a BBQ you can remember Nephi’s ministry is on the Small Plates by having DESSERT FIRST!
Pages 49-54. Nephi's Isaiah for Dummies (Laman and Lemuel)
ReplyDeleteIn today's reading we get Nephi's commentary on Isaiah 48 & 49. The great thing about reading Isaiah in The Book of Mormon is that you get prophetic commentary from those who saw what he saw and lived where he lived. The bad thing is that sometimes we may identify more with Laman and Lemuel than with Nephi when reading Isaiah... After Nephi reads these chapters from Isaiah his brothers ask, "What meaneth these things [Isaiah 48-49] which ye have read?" (1 Ne 22:1). How many times have you thought that same thing while reading Isaiah? Nephi is kind enough to elaborate on Isaiah's writing which pertain "to things both temporal and spiritual" (1 Ne 22:3). In this case Isaiah's writing focus primarily on the scattering and gathering of Israel.
This happens in modern life as people depart from the standards of the gospel in their personal life (spiritual scattering—self-inflicted). Soon they no longer wish to gather with the Saints and find themselves in a personal “Diaspora” (physical scattering—also self-inflicted).
The pattern for most of those who find themselves in this situation today parallels the general gathering of Israel outlined by Isaiah and Nephi. They will usually experience a spiritual gathering through the help of loving family, friends, neighbors, etc (just as this occurs for Israel through the Gentiles generally, 1 Ne 22:8). As they experience an increase of the Spirit of the Lord, their desire to gather physically with the Saints increases (1 Ne 22:12).
This gathering leads to a unity in faith and heart with the Saints that hasten one’s personal millennial blessings. Nephi refers to the actual blessings of the Millennium in 1 Ne 22:15-28 that are enjoyed by the righteous. As you read those verses you will readily recognize that you enjoy those same blessings every time that you live up to that standard of righteousness. Just as it is possible for each of us to experience personal scattering (Diaspora) and gathering, it is also possible to enjoy personal millennial blessings here and now. Isaiah enjoyed those blessings in his time; Nephi enjoyed them in his; and you can enjoy them now!
This is exactly what Lehi continues to explain to his sons, Laman and Lemuel in 2 Nephi 1. As he calls his sons to “be men” (verse 21) and repent and return (gather spiritually and physically with them), he paraphrases Isaiah as well (Compare Isaiah 52 with the verbs he admonishes them with in 2 Ne 1:12-24). Lehi’s Isaiah for Dummies (Laman and Lemuel) is an invitation for us also to claim our personal millennial blessings. As Isaiah teaches, Nephi explains, and Lehi confirms, you must first spiritually and physically gather with the Saints. Then you can begin to experience those personal millennial blessings in your life—HERE & NOW! (1 Ne 22:30-31; 2 Ne 1:28-32)
Pages 55-60. ACT & CHOOSE.
ReplyDeletePretty simple tonight. Lehi teaches great doctrine about the Plan of Salvation to his son, Jacob.
Jacob appears to be relatively young, but very spiritually mature (2 Ne 2:2-4). Lehi is able to lay out God's Plan in such a way that we are able to see clearly that ANYONE can have ETERNAL LIFE—you just have to want it MORE than anything else.
Therein lays the problem for me. Sometimes I am willing to give up what I want MOST for what I want at the MOMENT. I know what I should do, but I don't always do it; and I know what I shouldn't do, and I sometimes do it anyway.
The fact of the matter is, God has given me EVERYTHING that I need to gain Eternal Life (2 Ne 2:4-9). There are no excuses for me. I am free to ACT for myself (2 Ne 2:14,26). I CHOOSE my own outcome (2 Ne 2:27-29). As President Packer is fond of saying, "The Lord is voting for me, and Lucifer is voting against me, but it is my vote that counts"
My every action and choice I make is either helping me gain "liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator... or… captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil" (2 Ne 2:27). God wants me to choose “joy” (2 Ne 2:25). During this season of politics I guess it is safe to conclude by saying: It really is MY VOTE THAT COUNTS!
Pages 61-66, Defining Moments.
ReplyDeleteThese pages begin with the conclusion of the final blessings of Lehi upon his posterity. As he addresses his youngest son, Joseph, we learn a great deal about how great a Seer Joseph of Egypt, from the Genesis account, really was (2 Ne 3:5-24; 4:1). Lehi uses the prophecy of Joseph of Egypt to explain the blessings that Joseph, Lehi's son, will enjoy. This is because of the covenant that God made with Joseph of Egypt, and Lehi's family is from the lineage of Joseph of Egypt. This is a defining moment for Joseph. If he chooses to live the covenants that his forbearers have made, he will receive great blessings.
Lehi also leaves his blessings upon the children of Laman and Lemuel, his grandchildren, from which we can glean important insights about the responsibility that parents have to bring up children in the ways of the Lord (2 Ne. 4:3-9). This is a defining moment for Laman and Lemuel as patriarchs in their homes.
Sure and steady Sam is then blessed with a simple and profound blessing (2 Ne 4:11). Good old Sam has always been right there with Nephi, and he will receive the same blessing. Without father Lehi Sam must decide who will become his “patriarchal figure”. This is a defining moment for Sam.
We now reach a very tender moment—Nephi’s defining moment. Lehi dies and Nephi exposes his soul to us. Unlike the murmuring account of the children of Ishmael when he died, we find Nephi, as son of God, turning to his Heavenly Father when his earthly father passes (2 Ne 4:12-35). Not only are Nephi’s words in this account are illustrative of his “defining moment”, but he is literally “defining” himself to us. He shows us the Nephi that we could never imagine (2 Ne 4:17-19), and yet at the same time he shows us a new and improved Nephi (2 Ne 4:28-35).
In stark contrast to this tender account, 2 Nephi 5 marks a defining moment for The Book of Mormon. God's pattern will be repeated once again—the righteous must flee the wicked (2 N5 5:3-9). Just as Lehi had to leave his home at Jerusalem, Nephi and other faithful family members must leave their first home in the Promised Land and establish a new home. With this new start Nephi states, "…we lived after the manner of happiness” (2 Ne 5:27). An examination of verses 10-18 of chapter 5 give us clues to how we too can live after “the manner of happiness".
Additionally, chapter 5 also gives us clues about how defining moments can bring the cursing of God upon us (2 Ne 5:2-3, 20-24). Indeed, “The word of the Lord was fulfilled” (2 Ne. 5:20), just a Lehi, Joseph of Egypt, Zenos, Isaiah, and other Seers had prophesied. These defining moments led to two nations residing in the Promised Land—one in opposition to the other— only one will endure. This is the story of The Book of Mormon. What will you do with your DEFINING MOMENTS?
Pages 67-72. "Jehovah Saves".
ReplyDeleteThe first thing we read after the separation of the righteous Nephites from the wicked Lamanites is a discourse by Jacob, the brother of Nephi (2 Ne 6:1-3). What will be his text? Isaiah 49:22-52:2. What will be his purpose? Help us “learn and glorify the name of [our] God” (2 Ne 6:4).
Isaiah means “Jehovah Saves”. His name alone helps us to “learn and glorify” the name of God! But as Jacob points out, Isaiah’s name and words are not enough. His teachings must be “likened unto you” (2 Ne 6:5).
This is not the first time that Isaiah will be quoted in The Book of Mormon, nor will it be the last (see the post on “Isaiah for Dummies—Laman & Lemuel). It is also not the first time, nor the last, that a prophet will teach us that the words of Isaiah must be “likened” to us (1 Ne 19:23).
As you read these pages discover what Jacob and Isaiah share that will help you “learn and glorify the name of your God”.
As Jacob points out in 2 Ne 9:1, one of the things that will help you “learn and glorify the name of your God” is to learn from these pages “concerning the covenants of the Lord… with all the house of Israel”. He also expects that once we have finished studying these pages we will “rejoice, and lift up [our] heads forever” (2 Ne 9:3). Sounds like it is worth the time to really try and understand these pages.
One other reason to pay the price for understanding these pages is because Jacob will use them as his springboard for the rest of 2 Nephi 9—one of the greatest doctrinal discourses on “the merciful plan of the great Creator” (2 Ne 9:6) that I have found in scripture (I am excited for tomorrow’s read!).
Jacob’s use of Isaiah’s Messianic chapters are indeed a powerful tool that help us to “learn and glorify” the name of our God, and strengthens our witness that “Jehovah Saves”!
Pages 73-78. Scripture FOIL.
ReplyDeleteStarting in verse 10 of 2 Nephi 9, Jacob seems to use a literary technique known as a foil (a person or thing that makes another seem better/worse by contrast). Jewelers do this when they put a diamond on black velvet. The black absorbs the light and the diamond refracts it, thus causing the diamond to stand out more than it normally would. Well, since Jacob’s original intent from the last reading was to help us learn and glorify the name of God, what would be the perfect foil for God? That’s right, Satan!
Returning our attention to 2 Nephi 9:10 we are able to see the genesis of this foil that Jacob will use: “O how GREAT the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this AWFUL monster” (emphasis added). As you continue reading from verse 10 you will want to pay attention to the words GREAT and AWFUL, and what they refer to. Jacob does not want us to miss out on God’s “greatness”, nor does he want you to be ignorant of how “awful” Satan really is.
“Remember the GREATNESS of the Holy One of Israel” (2 Ne 9:40, emphasis added). Life truly is GREAT with God, and AWFUL without Him!
Pages 79-84. "SNellFour"
ReplyDeleteAs Jacob concludes his invitation to come unto Christ (2 Ne 10), Nephi validates his words by letting us know that Jacob has seen Jesus Christ (2 Ne 11:3). Nephi invokes the Law of Witnesses by stating that he has also seen Christ (2 Ne 11:2). In that same verse we are told that one of the reasons he loves the words of Isaiah so much are because Isaiah has also seen Christ.
The key phrase in this chapter seems to be "my soul delighteth” (2 Ne 11:2,4,5,6). This chapter precedes Nephi recording 13 chapters from the writings of Isaiah (2 Ne 12-14; Isaiah 2-14). You may want to see exactly what his soul delights in before you read these chapters so that you can LOOK FOR those elements in the writings of Isaiah that he will quote.
One insight that was shared with me many years ago by a collegue (Brother Todd Davis) is found in 2 Ne 11:4. He referred to this verse as SNellFour (if you break up the spelling of the name it is a clever abbreviation of the scripture reference). We learn from this verse that “all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of Him [Christ]”. So the term SNellFour refers to any THING, PERSON, PLACE, etc. that is a type or shadow of Christ. This is one of the keys to understanding Isaiah and the Old Testament and Book of Mormon as a whole. For example, the Law of Moses typifies Christ and proves He shall come. Every prophet is a type of Christ (Jonah in the great fish for 3 days and subsequent release foreshadows the Savior’s entombment and resurrection). Christ points out that the Manna that gave their fathers life in the wilderness was a SNellFour meant to teach Israel about the Bread of Life that would come to them. The list of SNellFours seems endless. The great thing about such a large list is that each SNellFour points to different things that we can learn about the Savior and His attributes, ministry, mission, etc. As we read the writings of Isaiah that are quoted by Nephi we will discover several things about the Savior by simply seeing these things, people, places as SNellFours. The Temple in 2 Nephi 12 is a SNellFour—what do we learn about Christ when we remember that the Temple represents Christ? In chapter 13 Christ is both the Advocate and the Judge—what do these SNellFours teach us about Him and our relationship to Him? In chapter 14 Isaiah refers to a SNellFour that we are familiar with from the Exodus experience—what can we learn about Christ and His grace by referring to Him as “a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night”?
Once you are aware of what SNellFours are, and you begin to watch for them, you will develop a new appreciation for Isaiah, the Scriptures in general, and the Savior specifically. Think over the things you have read in the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon that are SNellFours. What SNellFours can you recognize from those memories? LOOK FOR SNellFours as you study Isaiah and you will discover things that you had never noticed before!
Pages 85-90. Hypostasis, “But His hand is stretched out still”
ReplyDeleteNephi continues to quote Isaiah in these chapters (2 Nephi 15-20). One footnote of interest prior to this reading is found in 2 Nephi 12:2, footnote a, “Comparison with the King James Bible in English shows that there are differences in more than half of the 433 verses of Isaiah quoted in the Book of Mormon, while about 200 verses have the same working as the KJV.”
An example of how this comparison is helpful is found in 2 Nephi12:16, footnote a, “The Greek (Septuaging) has ‘ships of the sea.’ The Hebrew has ‘ships of Tarshish.’ The Book of Mormon has both, showing that the Brass Plates had lost neither phrase” (see, "Upon All the Ships of the Sea, and Upon All the Ships of Tarshish": Revisiting 2 Nephi 12:16 and Isaiah 2:16 for an insightful article on this verse).
One thing that has always stood out to me in these pages is the phrase, “but his hand is stretched out still”. It follows the very threatening phrase, “his anger is not turned away” (2 Ne 15:25; 19:12,17,21; 20:4). So is it a good thing or a bad thing that “his hand is stretched out still”? I guess it depends on what you decide to do when God stretches His hand out to you (For a great article on this thought see, "His Hand Is Stretched Out Still": The Lord's Eternal Covenant of Mercy).
Hypostasis is a technique that is used frequently in the scriptures. This technique uses a part of the corporeal nature of God to represent God as a whole. An example of this is when the scriptures say something to the effect of “the voice of the Lord”, “the face of God”, “the arm of the Lord”. These “parts” of God are used to imply that God himself, whole and complete, what actually present in each occurrence. So, if “his hand is stretched out still”, then HE is still near.
What I am referring to can be illustrated in Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life that we have discussed in previous posts. The Rod of Iron is usually thought of and portrayed in visuals as something akin to a guardrail. However, Lehi, Nephi, and Isaiah NEVER use the word rod in this way (see, 2 Ne 20:5,15,24,26, for example). They always use the word rod to talk about something that is held in the hand and stretched out (with the exception of 2 Nephi 21:1,4; Isaiah 11:4, although these work too). What does this change about how you picture, or think, of the “rod” that is coming from the Tree of Life”? The Tree typifies Christ (SNellFour). What is The Tree of Life holding out to all? Is His hand “stretched out still”? Just like it depended on how the people reacted to the “rod” in the vision, it will depend on how we react when His hand/presence is “stretched out still”. If His hand is stretched out, then we must do as Isaiah write, “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).
Pages 91-96. Be Aware & Beware of Pr-I-de.
ReplyDeleteIn these pages we see the destruction of the wicked nations Assyria and Babylon as types and shadows of the destruction that will befall the worldly preceding the Millennial reign of the Messiah. What seems to lead to the imminent destruction of the wicked is illustrated quite well in 2 Ne 24:12-17. You will notice that phrase “I will” repeated over and over with reference to Lucifer. This directly contrasts the Saviors “Thy will” statement that represented His entire life.
Pr-I-de is an “I” problem. “I” am at the center! In his Book, “How To Win Friends And Influence People”, Dale Carnegie writes “The New York Telephone Company made a detailed study of telephone conversations to find out which word is the most frequently used. You have guessed it: it is the personal pronoun ‘I.’… It was used 3,900 times in 500 telephone conversations. ‘I.’ ‘I.’ ‘I.’ When you see a group photograph that you are in, whose picture do you look for first?”
These Isaiah chapters that Nephi quotes seem to be teaching us that we need to eliminate pr-I-de in our life. If we do we can enjoy and incredible Millennial experience with the Savior Jesus Christ! As President Ezra Taft Benson pleaded with the Saints, BEWARE OF PR-I-DE!
Pages 97-101. Importance of Plainness
ReplyDeleteThese pages mainly consist of 2 Nephi 25. I loved studying this chapter for so many different reasons. Some of my favorite verses were vv.23,26,29.
Some of my favorite things it taught were: (1) keys to understanding Isaiah; (2) the importance of Isaiah's writings; (3) the scattering and gathering of Israel; (4) Nephi's testimony of Jesus Christ's ministry and mission.
What really stood out to me during this reading was Nephi's sincere desire to be so PLAIN that "no man can err" (vv.7,20,28). This seems to be the pattern of The Master Teacher that Nephi has espoused. It reminds me of a quote by President Harold B. Lee: “You’re to teach the old doctrines, not so plainly that they can just understand, but you must teach the doctrines of the Church so plainly that no one can misunderstand.” (“Loyalty” [address to religious educators, July 8, 1966], p. 5.) I think that is what I truly love about Nephi’s writings. His “plainness” allows him to testify and teacher so powerfully of Jesus Christ. My testimony is strengthen in the Savior every time I read the writings of Nephi. He even gives commentary on Isaiah to help it be more “plain” to us so that “no man can err”. THANK YOU, NEPHI!!!
Pages 102-108. The Book & The Marvelous Work
ReplyDeleteAlthough in these pages Nephi is not exactly quoting Isaiah like he did before (2 Ne 12-24), he is relying on the teachings of Isaiah heavily to teach about the coming forth of his writings (2 Ne 26:15; 27:6-22) and the Restoration of Christ’s Kingdom on the earth (2 Ne 27:24-26). The Book of Mormon was the forerunner to the Restoration. It was during the translation process that Joseph and Oliver received the Priesthood and received 12 major revelations contained in the Doctrine and Covenants. The Book of Mormon is not only inspired writing that must be studies by the Spirit of Inspiration, but it is also a catalyst for inspiration. As I read The Book of Mormon I am constantly inspired by not just the words that I read, but more particularly by the Spirit that is invited to accompany and teach me.
As Joseph Smith taught the Brethren, he stated that the Book of Mormon is “the keystone of our religion”. A keystone is the central stone in an arch. It holds all the other stones in place, and if removed, the arch crumbles. Just as a keystone holds an arch in place, knowing that the Book of Mormon is true holds together the house of faith built on the sturdy foundation of apostles, prophets, and the Lord Jesus Christ. For example, one cannot fully accept the Book of Mormon without also accepting the means by which it came forth—the Prophet Joseph Smith.
President Ezra Taft Benson further added, “There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in our witness of Christ. It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of testimony.” (CR, Oct. 1986, 4–5; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 5–6)
I have found this Keystone to be TRUE and FAITHFILLED, and I am eternally grateful for that witness!
Pages 109-115. Dueling Doctrines
ReplyDelete2 Nephi 28 exposes the “false and vain and foolish doctrines” of the devil (vv.9). Pride seems to be the main reason for people embracing Satan’s system of justification (vv.12,13,14,15). Unlike Nephi, who main concern what to teach with such “plainness” that “no man can err” (2 Ne 25:7,20,28), Satan prefers the “precepts of men” which lead people to “err” (2 Ne 28:14). His tactics are also exposed in vv.20-22. Perhaps some of these have even worked on you or me. Nephi is quick to warn us of accepting such tempting SIN-speration. Just take a look at the number of wo’s that are found in vv.15-32. One way to define wo is “grief, sorrow, misery”. Not a very tempting doctrine in the end.
However Satan is very persuasive, and if he can’t get you to accept his doctrine, perhaps he can get you to reject God’s doctrine. This seems to be the message of 2 Nephi 29. Instead of embracing The Book of Mormon as Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Satan is able to convince people that “there cannot be any more Bible”, nor is there need for more of God’s word (v.3). In this chapter it is actually the Lord explaining to us that there is absolutely no way that this should be a reasonable thought (2 Nephi 28:30 is the transition from Nephi writing to the Lord speaking. Chapter 29 begins with the word “But”, and is a continuation of the Lord’s speech.) The Lord runs through a series of questions to help us understand this (vv. 4-8). He then goes on to explain that there are other books that have been written by the lost tribes of Israel that will also be added to the records of the Jews and the Nephites (vv.9-14. See also an object lesson about the gathering of Israel that uses the Bible and The Book of Mormon as an illustration in, Ezekiel 37:15-20). I think that God gets His point across quite well.
On the other hand, 2 Nephi 30 is Nephi speaking again and he will use the next two chapters to explain to us THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST (2 Ne 31:2,21). Chapter 30 is Nephi’s argument for The Book of Mormon and its power to help gather both Gentiles and the House of Israel. Chapter 31 is an illustration of “the doctrine of Christ” (v.2,21), using Jesus as the example. However, it is not all Nephi. Both the Father and the Son are quoted in this chapter (vv.11,12,15,20) and explain “the doctrine of Christ”. I will leave it to you to discover this doctrine and contrast it with the doctrine proposed by Satan in 2 Nephi 28. A good talk to go along with your study was given by Elder D. Todd Christofferson during the April 2012 Annual General Conference (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/the-doctrine-of-christ?lang=eng).
Pages 115-120. From Nephi to Jacob
ReplyDeleteThese pages mark a major transition in The Book of Mormon. Nephi’s final words are found in chapters 32-33. Once again we find his great anxiety for our welfare and his compulsiveness for plainness (2 Ne 32:8; 33:3-9). His final words are an invitation to “hearken unto these words and believe in Christ” (2 Ne 33:10-15). A more simple, yet perfectly suited ending could not have been better for Nephi’s writings: “for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey” (2 Ne 33:15). No wonder Nephi’s name seems to spring from our lips when asked about examples of obedience!
Jacob inherits Nephi’s Small Plates and is given instruction on what should be recorded on them (Jacob 1:1-4). Jacob is not at all new to The Book of Mormon. In fact, much of 2 Nephi is actually Nephi recoding Jacobs teaching and preaching. Many of our favorite teachings from 2 Nephi came from Jacob (2 Nephi 9 is just one example). As Nephi dies, Jacob takes the ecclesiastical reign of the Nephite society. Unfortunately, the Nephites are struggling with quite a few spiritual problems (Jacob 1:15-16). Reminiscent of many prophets before, and others yet to come, Jacob uses the Temple as his stage for calling the people to repentance. Nephi’s “plainness” seems to have had an effect on his preaching as well (Jacob 2:11). Jacob must now help the people overcome their love of riches (v.12), their pride (vv.13-21), and their unchastity (vv.23-35). It’s a tough job, but Jacob is up to the task (Jacob 1:17-19; 2:1-7)