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).

Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi, Chapters 18-20

chapter 18 summary
Through the Lord's guidance and their hard work, the ship is constructed. The family boards and are led to the Promised Land. We learn that Lehi and Sariah had two sons in the wilderness: Jacob and Joseph. On the ship, Nephi's brethren and the sons of Ishmael and their wives begin to "make merry." They are crude in their actions, dancing and speech. Nephi tries to correct them to righteousness. Of course, Laman and Lemuel take Nephi and bind him. The Liahona that guides Lehi's family's way to the Promised Land ceases to work because of their wickedness and lack of obedience to the Lord. A tempest threatens to drown them in the sea. After four days of tossing and turning, Laman and Lemuel finally repent and untie Nephi. Nephi takes the Liahona which begins to work again. The tempest ceases. Nephi guides the ship safely to the Promised Land. They work the land and find that it is well stocked and a blessed land for their inheritance.

stand-out scripture

18:9  And after we had been driven forth before the wind for the space of many days, behold, my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and also their wives began to make themselves merry, insomuch that they began to dance, and to sing, and to speak with much rudeness, yea, even that they did forget by what power they had been brought thither; yea, they were lifted up unto exceeding rudeness. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not ban music or dancing. "Nephi says twice in verse 9 that his brethren and their wives fell into error when their dancing and singing led them 'to speak with much rudeness.' The word rude refers to being harsh, vulgar, or coarse. The Lord has stated that he approves of proper dancing and singing (Psalm 149:1-4). Note from these scriptures that dancing and singing are ways of praising the Lord. However, Satan can use music as a means of corruption and loss of the Spirit. That is why Church leaders caution us about the kinds of music we listen and respond to" (Book of Mormon Manual, 19).

I went to Seminary all four years of high school. Each week-day morning I would go to Seminary around 6:30am at the church nearest school. Though it was hard to get up early and sacrifice some sleep, it was a perfect way to start the day: learning the gospel and remembering I was a choice daughter of God. In my senior year, Sister Garns was our teacher. I just loved her and am still so grateful for the spirit she brought to Seminary. We talked about music one day, and how we each needed to take personal inventory of our music collections and decide if it brought the spirit into our lives or not. If not, she suggested we get rid of it. We were not forced. Many of my classmates brought music in the next day to throw away. So many "things surround us and impact us on a daily basis. Most of those things are not essential, in fact, they may be detrimental in keeping the spirit with us. All media that leads to "rudeness" or is vulgar is not worth our time.

I am amazed at how easy it is to fall into the trap of vulgar music. It sounds cool, everyone is singing it, but when you listen to the words and really grasp what it is saying, it's often a bit horrifying. Did I know I was singing about promiscuity? drugs? murder? alcohol? Did I realize how many swear words I pass over? Laman and Lemuel were common to this problem. Maybe they thought singing Lady Gaga was harmless. Maybe they thought it was cool to freak dance. The Children of Israel acted the same way when they constructed the golden calf. Music is catchy. Music is fun. It seems harmless. But vulgar music isn't. Like anything else that is not praiseworthy, it becomes desensitizing. I've had to personally try and remember: Does this song advocate things I know to be wrong? If the answer is yes. Then WHY SING IT? I need to turn it off.


chapter 19 summary
Upon arriving to the Promised Land, the Lord commands Nephi to make a new set of plates and begin recording.  He does so. Nephi prophesies of Jesus Christ's sufferings and crucifixion and reminds us to cherish the scriptures and apply them and to remember the Lord. Nephi teaches/reads to his brethren the things contained in the scriptures (the brass plates taken from Laban/Jerusalem--essentially the books of Moses and the Mosaic Law--their heritage and culture.)

stand-out scripture

19:13-17  13 And as for those who are at Jerusalem, saith the prophet, they shall be scourged  14 And because they turn their hearts aside, saith the prophet, and have despised the Holy One of Israel, they shall wander in the flesh, and perish, and become a hiss and a byword, and be hated among all nations.  15 Nevertheless, when that day cometh, saith the prophet, that they no more turn aside their hearts against the Holy One of Israel, then will he remember the covenants which he made to their fathers.  16 Yea, then will he remember the isles of the sea; yea, and all the people who are of the house of Israel, will I gather in, saith the Lord, according to the words of the prophet Zenos, from the four quarters of the earth.  17 Yea, and all the earth shall see the salvation of the Lord, saith the prophet; every nation, kindred, tongue and people shall be blessed. by all people, because they crucify the God of Israel, and turn their hearts aside, rejecting signs and wonders, and the power and glory of the God of Israel.

The Book of Mormon Student Manual:
"For centuries apostate Christianity used the crucifixion of Jesus as an excuse for persecuting the Jews. Occasionally people still say, “This long history of rejection is the punishment for what they did to Jesus.” In his quoting of Zenos in 1 Nephi 19:13–19, Nephi gave us some important insights into the Jews and their tragic history. There is no indication that because they are “scourged by all people, because they crucify the God of Israel” (v. 13) this scourging is initiated by God. When the Lord’s people reject him, the judgments of God overtake them. Often this is the result of their unwillingness to turn to God for help, protection, or deliverance. People then become victims of their own wickedness.


Mormon made this insightful comment: “Behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed” (Mormon 4:5). Anyone who thinks that persecution of the Jews or other minority groups is pleasing to God is in deep need of repentance (see 2 Nephi 29:5).

Zenos pointed out that punishments came upon the Jews not just because they crucified the God of Israel, but because they turned their hearts aside, thus “rejecting signs and wonders, and the power and glory of the God of Israel” (1 Nephi 19:13). Israel (not just the Jews) had turned their hearts from Jesus (who in his premortal state was Jehovah, the God of Israel) for centuries before he was crucified in Jerusalem. This is the root of Israel’s persecution and tragedy, from the fall of the ten tribes in 721 B.C. to the centuries of persecution of the Jews and the Lamanites. As Christ lamented, “How often would I have gathered thy children together, . . . and ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37). Nephi promises the same judgments for all who harden their hearts (see 1 Nephi 22:18–19).

Zenos promised that the moment Israel turns their hearts to the Holy One of Israel, the Lord will remember his covenants and will restore his people to power and favor. The significance of Zenos’s words lies not just in a commentary on the persecution of the Jews, but also in an invaluable warning for all who claim to be of Israel. Nephi understood this perfectly when he quoted Zenos (see v. 18–19).

I think it is interesting that Nephi includes in his plates, the ones that the Lord commanded him to only use to engrave the plain and precious truths of the gospel to instruct the people, verses 13-17. It tells us that Nephi was concerned the same judgments and the same wickedness would one day affect his people. He wanted to preserve Israel's example, their own history, to remind the people to always look to the Lord and keep his commandments.

We too, must look to the scriptures and remember. We must liken all scriptures to ourselves. Apply them. The Lord commanded Nephi to include certain things/events for a reason. We are that reason. The Lord knew we would need this guidance, need these examples. How grateful I am for Nephi's obedience and hard work in preserving the commandments of the Lord. How grateful I am for all prophets in the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon and our latter-day prophets for their willingness and faith to help me have, hold and understand the scriptures. 

chapter 20 summary

Nephi quotes Isaiah 48 to the family. 

stand-out scripture

20:18-19  O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments—then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.  19 Thy seed also had been as the sand; the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.

These verses are just so poetic to me, and filled with such great promise of blessings and peace if we just live righteously and keep the commandments. I read this chapter after finding out that an old friend would not be getting married in the temple. How my heart truly aches for her, because I know she will not be able to enter the temple and be sealed to her husband and posterity for time and all eternity. So many blessings lay in the temple, so much instruction is ours to have if we make the temple a priority. There is a seminary poster that reads "Aspire to a Higher" and the temple stands in the background. I hope and pray that she keeps the temple a goal, and that she and her husband can get there one day. They are good people and the Lord wants all His children to have the blessings of the temple.

Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi, Chapter 16-17

chapter 16 summary
Nephi's explanation of Lehi's dream is hard for his brothers to fully comprehend, but they humble themselves and Nephi is relieved to say the least. Hopefully, they will continue in righteousness. Lehi's sons marry Ishmael's daughters. The Lord provides them with the Liahona, an compass-like instrument that will lead them to the promised land and that works only be faith and obedience. While hunting, Nephi breaks his bow and the family suffers without a means to get food. The family murmurs, including Lehi, but Nephi is faithful, makes a new bow and asks Lehi where he should go to get food. Lehi's faith and confidence is rallied, humbles himself before the Lord, Nephi finds food and all rejoice. Ishmael dies and part of the family rebels, of course led by Laman and Lemuel, plotting Lehi and Nephi's deaths. The Voice of the Lord rebukes the rebellious members of the family. They repent and are blessed again.

stand-out scriptures

16:7-8   7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, took one of the daughters of Ishmael to wife; and also, my brethren took of the daughters of Ishmael to wife; and also Zoram took the eldest daughter of Ishmael to wife.  8 And thus my father had fulfilled all the commandments of the Lord which had been given unto him. And also, I, Nephi, had been blessed of the Lord exceedingly.

I had never realized how sweet this scripture passage is, especially verse 8. It serves to remind us of the importance of eternal marriage and that it is central to Heavenly Father's plan. The Lord wanted them to go forward to the Promised Land two by two. Nephi rejoices in the blessing of a righteous wife and help-meet for their journey. What a blessing and support Nephi's wife must have been for him, just as Emma was a support to Joseph Smith and countless other couples in the scriptures and Church History.

16:23-25   23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?  24 And it came to pass that he did inquire of the Lord, for they had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul.  25 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came unto my father; and he was truly chastened because of his murmuring against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow.

This passage has always fascinated me and been my favorite insight into Nephi's character. We know from the beginning that Nephi is faithful and obedient. But here we learn that he is supportive, kind, understanding and humble. He could have easily chastised his father. He could have easily gone to the Lord himself. He could have easily assumed the role of leader of the family.

But he did not. Instead, he chose to bolster his father's faith by asking him where to go for food. He treated his father with reverence and respect and encouraged him to carry on the mantle of patriarch of the family.

Elder Marion D. Hanks commented on this saying, "It is a simple thing isn't it? This is what Goethe meant when he said, 'If you treat an individual as he is, he will stay as he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he could be and ought to be, he will become what he ought to be.'"


chapter 17 summary
Lehi's family continues to journey through the wilderness for EIGHT YEARS. (It is approx. 592 BC at the time.) They are strengthened and blessed, bear children, and are faithful in keeping the commandments of God. They reach the seashore which they name Bountiful. The Lord commands Nephi to construct a ship. Nephi asks for direction in making tools and begins the preparations. Nephi's brothers murmur and doubt Nephi's efforts to build a ship. Nephi parallels their own journey and miracles to that of Moses and the Children of Israel. Nephi tells his brothers that he sorrows for them and their wickedness. The brothers become angry and come toward Nephi to throw him in the sea to drown him. Nephi commands them to touch him not for he is filled with the power of God, and if they touch him they will wither as dried leaves. The brothers cower. The Lord tells Nephi to touch his brothers that He might shock them and show them the power of God. They are shocked and fall down to worship Nephi. Nephi tells them to worship only the Lord and to honor their father and mother.

stand-out scriptures

17:45  Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord your God. Ye have seen an angel, and he spake unto you; yea, ye have heard his voice from time to time; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words; wherefore, he has spoken unto you like unto the voice of thunder, which did cause the earth to shake as if it were to divide asunder.

Nephi is continually heartbroken over his brothers wickedness. They do not adhere to the spirit and he tells them it is because they have hardened their hearts insomuch that they cannot hear/feel the Holy Ghost and its promptings. I worry sometimes that I do not hear that still, small voice/feeling when it is speaking to me. How many times has the spirit had to use "the voice of thunder" to get through to me? It is a sobering thought and presses upon me the vitality of standing in holy places, keeping the commandments and maintaining an open heart willing to receive communication from my Heavenly Father.

17: 55  And now, they said: We know of a surety that the Lord is with thee, for we know that it is the power of the Lord that has shaken us. And they fell down before me, and were about to worship me, but I would not suffer them, saying: I am thy brother, yea, even thy younger brother; wherefore, worship the Lord thy God, and honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God shall give thee.

The brothers of Nephi further demonstrate that they are not truly converted when they begin to worship Nephi and not the Lord. It seems they act more out of fear than love and respect for God. They confuse the man with the power of God with God, the source of the power.

***

Family Home Evening

lesson: "Ammon Helped Me Reach My Neighbors" by S. Michael Wilcox

activity: meet the neighbors!

treat: chocolate chip cookies

Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi, Chapter 14-15

 chapter 14 summary
Nephi's vision continues. He sees the church of the devil persecuting the Church of Jesus Christ.

stand-out scripture

14:3 And that great pit, which hath been digged for them by that great and abominable church, which was founded by the devil and his children, that he might lead away the souls of men down to hell—yea, that great pit which hath been digged for the destruction of men shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction, saith the Lamb of God; not the destruction of the soul, save it be the casting of it into that hell which hath no end.

The angel promises Nephi in this vision that if the Gentiles (us) follow Christ and "harden not their hearts" they/we will be blessed with: 1.) inclusion in the House of Israel, 2.) a promised land forever, and 3.) deliverance from the "great and abominable church" which will persecute them/us.

14:14 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.

As Latter-day Saints we can be blessed with the power and protection of Christ.

"To be armed with righteousness is to be armed with the power of God and to be worthy of the Lord's protecting care. The Lord has made it clear that those who will be safe in the last days are those who have 'received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide' (D&C 45:57)" (Book of Mormon Student Manual, 14).

chapter 15 summary
Nephi returns from the vision and goes unto his brothers. They are quarreling over Lehi's dream because they don't understand it. Nephi is sorrowed because they have not asked the Lord for guidance and understanding. Nephi explains the dream to his brothers and answers many questions.

stand-out scripture

15:3, 8-11  3 For he truly spake many great things unto them, which were hard to be understood, save a man should inquire of the Lord; and they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought.  ...  8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?  9 And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us. 10 Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts? 11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

Nephi has just seen in vision that his brother's seed, the Lamanites, will turn to wickedness and turn their back on Jesus Christ. When he finds that his brothers are sitting arguing and have not inquired of the Lord, it is to much to bear. Right in front of him he sees the causes of their imminent downfall. He knows they are lacking in faith and do not remember to heed the Lord's commandments. He tries to bolster their faith and give them knowledge by explaining their Father's dream. How disheartening it must have been for Nephi to see his brothers already on the path to apostasy.

Elder Boyd K. Packer taught:

"Everyone may receive spiritual guidance in the same way as an Apostle if they will diligently seek the Lord, ask with faith, and obey his commandments...
Young people, carry a prayer in your heart always. Let sleep come every night with your mind centered in prayer...
Stay away from places and things that common sense tells you will interfere with inspiration. Develop your spiritual capacities. Learn to tune out the static and the interference. Avoid substitutes and counterfeits! Learn to be inspired and directed by the Holy Ghost" (Conference Report, Oct. 1979, p. 30).

(one man truly inspired by the Holy Ghost was General Washington--as well as our Founding Fathers.)

monday: Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi, Chapters 3-13

I have been remiss in dedicating myself to this blog. In order to catch up a little, I am listing my favorite/most thought-provoking scripture from each chapter.

chapter 3 summary 
Nephi, Laman, Lemuel and Sam return to Jerusalem to get the brass plates from Laban.

3:7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

Not only does this scripture show Nephi's obedience and faith, but it shows the mercy and love of God. The path of discipleship, of going and doing as God commands, is hard. But, God will always bless us in our efforts and provide a way for us to succeed in our righteous endeavors. 

chapter 4 summary

Nephi goes to Laban a second time. He is told by the Spirit to slay Laban. He obeys and thus retrieves the brass plates. 

4:12-18 12 And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me again: Slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands; 13 Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief. 14 And now, when I, Nephi, had heard these words, I remembered the words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness, saying that: Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land of promise. 15 Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law. 16 And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass. 17 And again, I knew that the Lord had delivered Laban into my hands for this cause—that I might obtain the records according to his commandments. 18 Therefore I did obey the voice of the Spirit, and took Laban by the hair of the head, and I smote off his head with his own sword.

These scriptures are the fulfillment of Nephi and God's covenant. Nephi promised to "go and do" and obey. God promised to provide the way to help Nephi obey. God delivered Laban into Nephi's hands. It is sometimes hard for others to understand why Nephi killed Laban. Nephi himself was taken back when the spirit told him to do it. But he obeyed.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gives a great statement on this sometimes controversial topic for non-members.
Here is an excerpt:

"It would seem, finally, that obedience to divine revelation, not death, is the focal point of this story. God can restore life in time and eternity; he can do almost nothing with willful disobedience. The quality of our obedience to God’s commandments is still the clearest expression of the quality of our faith in him."

chapter 5 summary
Lehi's sons return with the plates. Lehi searches the plates (scriptures) and is filled with the Spirit.

5:21-22  21 And we had obtained the records which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable; yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children. 22 Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise.

I am so blessed to have the scriptures in my life to help me and guide me as I journey toward eternal life.

chapter 6 summary
"Nephi writes to encourage all people to come unto Jesus Christ and be saved." He counsels his future record keepers to write only things which are of worth and value to the children of men.


chapter 7 summary
Nephi and his brethren return to Jerusalem again (24-28 days roundtrip). They were commanded by the Lord to go and get Ishmael and his family.

Lehi and Nephi were "of the lineage of Manasseh; but that Ishmael was of the lineage of Ephraim, and that his sons married into Lehi's family, and Lehi's sons married Ishmael's daughters, thus fulfilling the words of Jacob upon Ephraim and Manasseh in the 48th chapter of Genesis, which says, 'And let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the land.' Thus these descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim grew together upon this American continent..." (Book of Mormon Student Manual, 9).

chapter 8 summary
Lehi's Vision of the Tree of Life.

8:12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.

When you love the gospel, you want to share it with everyone. I admire new converts to the church because their testimonies are always so strong. The goal is to be like new converts and have, like Lehi, the desire to spread the gospel with everyone. 

chapter 9 summary
By the Lord's command, nephi engraves and makes two sets of records.

chapter 10 summary
"Lehi and Nephi prophesy about the coming of the Messiah and His ministry, death, and Resurrection."
Lehi prophesies of the scattering of Israel and John the Baptist.

10:8 Yea, even he should go forth and cry in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for there standeth one among you whom ye know not; and he is mightier than I, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. And much spake my father concerning this thing.

chapter 11 summary
Nephi sees the vision of the tree of life and learns of the condescension of Jesus Christ.

"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" (Book of Mormon Student Manual, 12).

chapter 12 summary

Nephi's vision continued. He sees Jesus Christ descend from heaven.

12:18  And the large and spacious building, which thy father saw, is vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men. And a great and a terrible gulf divideth them; yea, even the word of the justice of the Eternal God, and the Messiah who is the Lamb of God, of whom the Holy Ghost beareth record, from the beginning of the world until this time, and from this time henceforth and forever.

Vain Imaginations--desires or thoughts with no lasting value.
We should only be concerned of things which uplift us. Worldly possessions, glory and pride contribute nothing to our spiritual growth. You cannot take your riches with you.

chapter 13 summary
Nephi sees in vision the destruction of his seed, the Nephites, by the seed of his brethren, the Lamanites. He also sees the gospel taken to the Gentiles, Christopher Columbus, the Pilgrims, the establishment of America, the Bible's plain and precious truths taken out, and the Restoration of the Gospel in the latter days.

Not all of Nephi's seed, or descendants, would be destroyed. Some would intermarry with the seed of his brothers.

This was something I had never considered. Interesting to think that Nephite blood may still exist in modern-day Native Americans Indians.

***

Family Home Evening

lesson: Hymns & Primary Songs 

activity: Learn sign language to song to be performed in primary program

treat: Brownies