Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi, Chapters 21-22

chapter 21 summary

Nephi quotes Isaiah 49. He continues teaching his brethren from the brass plates. He teaches of the scattering and gathering of Israel.

stand-out scripture

21:22  Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.

Another beautiful scripture. It makes me want to read all of Isaiah, but that is a task easier said than done. Reading might be hard, but understanding would be very, very difficult. That is why I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon. It helps expound, clarify and prove the Bible. They are truly companions.

The Book of Mormon for Families says this: The "standard" that will be set up is the everlasting covenant; the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ; and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (see D&C 45:9; D&C 115:4-5). It will be established in "a mighty nation among the Gentiles" (1 Nephi 22:7). The gospel was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith in the United States of America.

The Gentiles, us, have a duty to proclaim the gospel and bring Israel's sons and daughters to a knowledge of their Savior and His gospel. The Restoration of the gospel was pivotal to gathering Israel once again.

chapter 22 summary

Nephi finishes quoting Isaiah and then bears testimony of the truth of these things. He clarifies the doctrine and prophecies for his brethren because they have many questions.

stand-out scriptures

22:3-4   Wherefore, the things of which I have read are things pertaining to things both temporal and spiritual; for it appears that the house of Israel, sooner or later, will be scattered upon all the face of the earth, and also among all nations.   4 And behold, there are many who are already lost from the knowledge of those who are at Jerusalem. Yea, the more part of all the tribes have been led away; and they are scattered to and fro upon the isles of the sea; and whither they are none of us knoweth, save that we know that they have been led away.

The Book of Mormon Student Manual: In 1 Nephi 22:3–4 Nephi speaks of the scattering of Israel among the nations of the earth. Sometimes the scattering of the people led to their  (1) being lost to history, such as with the ten tribes after the fall of the northern kingdom. (2) Sometimes groups of Israelites were led away but maintained their identity as a group. Lehi’s family is a good example of that aspect of the scattering.

Another way the scattering took place was (3) for the people literally to be scattered among the nations of the world. The dispersion of the Jews after the fall of Jerusalem is an example of this kind of widespread scattering. This fact is supported by the following scriptural references: Deuteronomy 28:64, 30:1–3, Isaiah 11:11–12, Jeremiah 3:18, 31:8, Ezekiel 11:17–20, 36:19–24, Daniel 9:7, Hosea 8:8, Amos 9:9, 2 Nephi 10:20–22, 3 Nephi 16:4–5, 20:13, Ether 13:11, D&C 33:6, Moses 7:62.

How amazing it must have been for Nephi to read in the brass plates, to read the prophecies of Isaiah, and see them being fulfilled in him and his family. He was a part of Israel that had been scattered. The Lord had told them to flee Jerusalem, because Jerusalem would soon be destroyed and scattered. No wonder Nephi quoted Isaiah and chose to include it in the gold plates. No wonder he so eagerly taught his brethren the importance of the scriptures. No wonder the prophets fought so diligently to preserve the plates that we might have them and see the prophecies fulfilled in our own day. Wow.

Now we must gather Israel. As we do so, we will be blessed.

22:16-17  For the time soon cometh that the fulness of the wrath of God shall be poured out upon all the children of men; for he will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous.  17 Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of this wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire.

The Book of Mormon Student Manual: “I believe that. In the midst of all these tribulations God will send fire from heaven, if necessary, to destroy our enemies while we carry forward our work and push that stone (the Church/the Gospel) until it fills the whole earth!  

“Your destiny is to do that very thing, and this is the kind of protection you will have. You do not need to fear about world conditions. You do not need to fear about anybody. Just serve the Lord and keep his commandments and build the Kingdom, and as you do so you will be protected in these last days” (Mark E. Petersen, in Conference Report, Oct. 1960, p. 82).