#20 FEBRUARY 3-9, 2 NEPHI 1

February 3, 2020

#20 FEBRUARY 3-9, 2 NEPHI 1

It’s been a good month!

            We’ve been studying the Book of Mormon together this year for one month! For me, it has been wonderful! I hope it has been for you and your family. I have learned so much! I continue to learn the most from reading the Book of Mormon itself. It speaks with a “familiar spirit” (see 2 Nephi 26:16). It feels good. It’s like an old friend but with new ideas and things to tell me each time I visit it. As I read, I notice things I have never seen before. Who put those words in there? It’s amazing! I believe I am also learning from the Spirit. I have flashes of insight and understanding in my mind. I have moments of deep feelings in my heart and gratitude for these sacred words and those who brought them to us. I am also learning from Come, Follow Me, from the Ensign, from the Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, from Book of Mormon Central, from inspired teachers and from you – your comments in this blog, your emails and our conversations.

            The Lord, through His Spirit, meets each of us where we are individually in the learning process as we read the Book of Mormon. If you are new to reading the Book of Mormon, He’ll help you begin to understand. You can learn “line upon line” and come to understand and love this Book. You can know from the very first time you read it that it is true. The witness of the Spirit is similar whether it is your first or fiftieth time to read it. And for those who are more seasoned in gospel knowledge, the Book of Mormon is a well of understanding the ways of the Lord that cannot be fully plumbed in one lifetime. Reading the Book of Mormon is like the days of creation, whether we are on Day 1 or Day 6 (I don’t know if any of us reach Day 7 in this life.), there are important things to learn and growth to experience at our stage that will prepare you for the next. The most important thing is that we are engaged in reading, studying, learning and listening so the Lord can meet us where we are and teach us what we are prepared to learn. So, keep reading!

            Creating this Book of Mormon reading blog has been a blessing in my life, but a bigger project than I envisioned. I naively thought I could do what I wanted to do with one post a week that would take a couple of hours to write. Guess again! Each post takes hours of study and hours of writing. I hope I haven’t overwhelmed you with too much. It just keeps bubbling up in me and I can’t rest until I get it out. Lori has been a good sport and very supportive. I try to write at times when it doesn’t get in the way of important time together. January has been a good time to write because there isn’t as much to do this time of year (though we had fun skiing together last Saturday). But it will be harder to find time to write when the weather gets better. Maybe it will be a blessing for you if I slow down a little.

            Thanks to many of you for supportive comments by email, FaceBook and in person as I see you at church or other places. Every time someone tells me that reading this blog is helping them better understand and that the Book of Mormon is coming alive for them, I tell myself that it’s worth the time and effort, even if only for one person. After all, the “worth of a soul” is the price of the Atonement. So I plan to keep writing. I hope you will keep reading.

           

Welcome to the Book of Second Nephi

            As I pointed out in the last post, there is only one prophet-author of the Book of Mormon who gets two books named after him and that’s Nephi, the son of Lehi. It must have been important to Nephi to separate these two books. First Nephi is the story of getting to the Promised Land with the family still together. Second Nephi is the story of what happens in the Promised Land after his father dies and the family divides into warring factions. In some ways, these two books describe “the best of times and the worst of times”, at least for the family of Lehi.

            There isn’t much history in the book of Second Nephi, though what happens is pivotal to the rest of the Book of Mormon and the descendants of Lehi. But Second Nephi is one of the great doctrinal books in all of scripture. The book of Second Nephi contains profound doctrinal truths and understanding about such foundational doctrines as the Creation, the Fall, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, agency, the reason for adversity in our lives, the scattering and gathering of Israel, and, most importantly, the Doctrine of Christ and His role as Savior and Redeemer. It contains the testimony of four personal witnesses of the pre-mortal Lord, Jesus Christ – Lehi, Nephi, Jacob and Isaiah. This book, which we will study for the next six weeks, is an absolute treasure! Let’s get started.

2 Nephi Chapter 1

            Nephi devotes the first three chapters and the first 11 verses of chapter 4 of the book of Second Nephi to the words of his father Lehi to his family. Almost all of these verses are directly quoting Lehi. Lehi pleads with his family to hear the words of a trembling parent, whose limbs ye must soon lay down in the cold and silent grave, from whence no traveler can return; a few more days and I go the way of all the earth (v. 14).

            The video for these chapters is very good and quite touching! I recommend you take time to watch it, just over 13 minutes. It’s fun to see Lehi with his grandchildren and with young Jacob and Joseph. Faithful Sariah is always at his side. Laman and Lemuel are their usual cheerful, supportive selves. After laying Lehi in his grave, Sariah gives the Liahona to Nephi, indicating that he is now to lead the family. Laman and Lemuel stomp away prefiguring what will come in chapter 5 when the family separates. Here is the link for the video – enjoy!: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media-library/video/2-nephi-1-4?lang=eng.

Evangelists           

            The 6^th Article of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says, We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

What in the world (or in the church) are “evangelists”? You won’t find that calling on the ward list and you have never raised your hand to sustain someone called to be an “evangelist” in your ward or stake. Or have you? An “evangelist” in our church is a called an ordained patriarch. The Bible Dictionary defines an evangelist thus: in latter-day revelation an evangelist is defined as a patriarch (D&C 107:39–53). Joseph Smith taught that “an Evangelist is a Patriarch, even the oldest man of the blood of Joseph or of the seed of Abraham. Wherever the Church of Christ is established in the earth, there should be a Patriarch for the benefit of the posterity of the Saints” (HC 3:381).

Patriarchs and Matriarchs

So in our church, we believe in patriarchs. The word itself means “ancient father.” Lehi is the patriarch of his family. Just as there was never a father without a mother in a family, there are no patriarchs in families without matriarchs. Sariah and her husband are the venerable oldest members of their family, the matriarch and the patriarch. In most cultures, they are venerated, i.e. respected, honored and listened to. (I don’t want to define a matriarch as an “ancient mother” or I’ll get in trouble at home, but that’s what she is and she is a wonderful matriarch to our large family!)

In each stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a mature priesthood holder is nominated by the stake presidency to serve as stake patriarch, approved by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and, under their direction, called and ordained by the stake president. He then serves the members of his stake as a stake patriarch to give worthy stake members their patriarchal blessing upon recommendation from their bishop. He may also give patriarchal blessings to his direct posterity, even if they live outside his stake. Righteous fathers holding the Melchizedek Priesthood may certainly give father’s blessings to their children, but they are not authorized to pronounce lineage and the blessings they give are not recorded in the Church archives as are “official” patriarchal blessings. Most stakes have only one functioning patriarch at a time, though occasionally may have more than one based on local needs. Note that the patriarch is “ordained” not “set apart.” Patriarch is an office in the Melchizedek Priesthood, an office that is held for life.

Patriarchal (and matriarchal) counsel and blessing of their posterity

Back to Lehi and Sariah – they are the patriarch and matriarch of their growing posterity, i.e. their children, in-law children, one “adopted” child (Zoram) and grandchildren. Lehi, with Sariah at his side, will now give prophetic counsel to his posterity and pronounce inspired blessings upon them. I suspect he and Sariah have counseled together in advance so that Lehi’s words speak for both of them. That’s how it usually is (or ought to be.) On the other hand, Lehi, as a prophet, may have received revelation in the process of giving this counsel and these blessings. Sometimes priesthood leaders are taught by the things that come out of their mouths under the influence of the Spirit. Lehi and Sariah may have been instructed and even surprised by some of the things that were prophesied and promised in these blessings.

Those of us who, like Lehi and Sariah, are seeing our posterity grow and our children now with children of their own, would do well to consider what influence we have on the “rising generation.” We did our best to raise their parents. Now, how do we bless the lives of our grandchildren? How do we pass on to them what is most precious to us? In some cases what we pass on may have to skip a generation if their parents are not fulfilling their obligation to teach their children (our grandchildren) the gospel (see D&C 68:25-28). These are delicate family matters and the Spirit must guide. But grandparents can have a powerful influence on their grandchildren. (See the example of the grandmother of Elder Richard G. Scott. He tells about her in his General Conference talk in April 2014. Here is the link: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/04/i-have-given-you-an-example.)

We ought, like Lehi and Sariah, to consider carefully how best to bless the lives of all of our posterity.

Lehi’s Land of Promise

            Nephi begins (vs.1-2) by referring to the words of Lehi to his family, how how great things the Lord had done for them in bringing them out of the land of Jerusalem and the mercies of God in sparing their lives, that they were not swallowed up in the sea. Nephi then goes on (vs. 3-4) to quote Lehi’s words that, I have seen a vision, in which I know that Jerusalem is destroyed; and had we remained in Jerusalem we should also have perished. If their family had stayed in Jerusalem, they would either have been killed or carried off captive to Babylon. Neither is a great option. I wonder if Laman and Lemuel believe him. I doubt it. By this time, their hearts are pretty well petrified.

            The remainder of this chapter, as well as chapters 2 ,3 and part of 4, are the words of Lehi to different members of his family as recorded by Nephi on the Small Plates.

            Lehi begins by speaking of a land of promise. This exact term is used 20 times in the scriptures, 15 of which are in the Book of Mormon, almost always in the Small Plates except once by Alma and three times by Moroni writing in the Book of Ether. The term promised land is used another 10 times in the Small Plates. This is obviously an important subject to these people who have now arrived in the promised land. (By the way, you won’t find the terms America or Americas anywhere in the text of the Book of Mormon, though it is used in some chapter headings. And you won’t find the terms Western Hemisphere or New World in the Book of Mormon.)

Our land of promise

            Lehi tells his family (v. 5) that the Lord God hath covenanted with me [this] should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. He tells them that the Lord has promised this land to him and his children forever. But not only to them but also to all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord (v. 5). Most of us reading this, at least those who are living in America, are not the posterity of Lehi, so our claim on this land is because we descend from those who have been led here from other lands. There is a fascinating quote in the Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon (DCBM) by Orson Pratt which relates to this concept.

Elder Orson Pratt observed: “Different portions of the earth have been pointed out by the Almighty, from time to time, to His children, as their everlasting inheritance. As instances—Abraham and his posterity, that were worthy, were promised Palestine. Moab and Ammon—the children of righteous Lot—were promised a portion not far from the boundaries of the twelve tribes. The meek among the Jaredites, together with a remnant of the tribe of Joseph, were promised the great western continent. The righteous of all nations who shall in this dispensation be gathered to that land, will receive their inheritance in common with the meek who formerly sojourned upon the land. In the resurrection, the meek of all ages and nations will be restored to that portion of the earth previously promised to them. And thus, all the different portions of the earth have been and will be disposed of to the lawful heirs; while those who cannot prove their heirship to be legal, or who cannot prove that they have received any portion of the earth by promise, will be cast out into some other kingdom or world.” (JD 1:332–33.)

To put this statement by Elder Orson Pratt, one of the early apostles of the Church, into proper perspective, it is important to quote again something I previously shared in this blog. This is from President Lee quoting Elder McConkie who was speaking to the Saints in Mexico:

Now I call your attention to the facts, set forth in these scriptures, that the gathering of Israel consists of joining the true church; of coming to a knowledge of the true God and of his saving truths; and of worshiping him in the congregations of the Saints in all nations and among all peoples. Please note that these revealed words speak of the folds of the Lord; of Israel being gathered to the lands of their inheritance; of Israel being established in all their lands of promise; and of there being congregations of the covenant people of the Lord in every nation, speaking every tongue, and among every people when the Lord comes again.

The place of gathering for the Mexican Saints is in Mexico; the place of gathering for the Guatemalan Saints is in Guatemala; the place of gathering for the Brazilian Saints is in Brazil; and so it goes throughout the length and breadth of the whole earth. Japan is for the Japanese; Korea is for the Koreans; Australia is for the Australians; every nation is the gathering place for its own people. (“Strengthen the Stakes of Zion”, Ensign, July 1973)

If I understand these two statements correctly, the righteous Saints throughout the world will earn an eternal inheritance in their own “promised land” represented by the stake of Zion to which they belong. So to my dear brothers and sisters in England and Wales, you won’t have to ever leave your “green and pleasant land” to inherit your promised land if you are faithful to your covenants.

Prophecy of the future of Lehi’s promised land

Lehi goes on to further prophesy (vs. 6-7) that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord. Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring  and that they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.

That is a sober warning to those of us living in this land of promise as we see the growing iniquity across the land and the escalating discord in our government. How can we expect the protection of the Lord when there is so much iniquity among us? I can only hope that the presence of the restored Church including sacred temples and the righteousness of the Saints and other good people not of our faith will be sufficient to save our land and other lands in a similar state of affairs. We can only hope and pray that the Lord will be merciful and patient with us.

Lehi then proceeds to prophesy about his own posterity having been brought out of Jerusalem to inherit this land of promise. If the day shall come that they will reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Redeemer and their God, behold, the judgments of him that is just shall rest upon them (v. 10). That’s what eventually happened to his posterity. The Nephites were killed because they rejected the Messiah four generations after He manifested Himself to them. And the Lamanites, though surviving, dwindled in unbelief. Only since the Restoration of the Gospel, after being “scattered and smitten” for generations, are they being gathered out of obscurity into the light of the gospel.

Lehi’s words to his rebellious sons

Lehi now turns more specifically to his rebellious sons and tells them (v. 17) that I have feared, lest for the hardness of your hearts the Lord your God should come out in the fulness of his wrath upon you, that ye be cut off and destroyed forever. He pleads with them (v.19) O my sons, that these things might not come upon you, but that ye might be a choice and a favored people of the Lord.

Lehi then reminds his rebellious sons (and us) of the condition upon which the promised land is, in fact, promised (v. 20) Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence. That is a promise and warning to us as it was to them. Wherever our “promised land” may be, prospering in our land of promise is contingent upon keeping the commandments of the Lord, as we covenant to do each Sunday in taking the sacrament. There is no other way!

            Hoping to inspire them, Lehi invites his rebellious sons (v. 21) to arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity. He encourages them (vs. 24-25) to rebel no more against your brother, . . . [for] I know that he hath not sought for power nor authority over you, but he hath sought the glory of God, and your own eternal welfare.

Who will inherit the birthright?

            Turning specifically now to Laman, Lemuel, Sam and the sons of Ishmael, each of whom is senior in birthright to Nephi, Lehi soberly warns them (vs. 18-29) if ye will hearken unto the voice of Nephi ye shall not perish. And if ye will hearken unto him I leave unto you a blessing, yea, even my first blessing. But if ye will not hearken unto him I take away my first blessing, yea, even my blessing, and it shall rest upon him. Unfortunately, Laman, Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael weren’t able to do this, they weren’t able to “hearken” to the voice of their younger brother Nephi so the birthright goes to Nephi. (Note that Sam did hearken to his younger brother,  so his inheritance is with Nephi)  This issue is at the crux of the contentions and wars between the Lamanites and the Nephites for which go on for nearly 1000 years – wars that cost literally millions of lives. It is an ominous warning from their father, the patriarch-prophet, and thus comes from the Lord Himself.

Lehi’s words to Zoram

Finally, Lehi speaks to his “adopted” son, Zoram (vs. 30-32) I know that thou art a true friend unto my son, Nephi, forever.  . . .  Because thou has been faithful thy seed shall be blessed with his seed . . . Wherefore, if ye shall keep the commandments of the Lord, the Lord hath consecrated this land for the security of thy seed with the seed of my son. Zoram stays loyal to Nephi throughout their lives but in later generations some of his descendants wander. Some scholars have suggested that Zoram may have a military background, perhaps the reason for his trusted position in the house of Laban. It seems that his descendants are often named in military battles. But they are generally a part of the Nephites or allies with them.

            Lehi will go on to say much more to his youngest sons Jacob and Joseph (chapters 2 and 3) and then will speak to the children of Laman and Lemuel (first part of chapter 4) before he concludes his patriarchal counsel and blessing of his posterity. These are powerful chapters! There is much in them for us in our day, especially for those of us with posterity of our own, to learn from Lehi and Sariah. “He [or she] that hath ears to hear, let him [or her] hear!” (Matt 11:15)

Thanks for reading!

Richard