#27 MARCH 2-8, 2 NEPHI 31-33

March 6, 2020

#27 MARCH 2-8, 2 NEPHI 31-33

Last words of Nephi

            These three chapters are the last words of Nephi in the Book of Mormon. He concludes with the “Doctrine of Christ”, which we will discuss below, and with some important teaching about angels and his testimony.

            The Book of Mormon videos for these chapters are good! There haven’t been any videos since the teachings of Jacob in 2 Nephi 6-10. There are two more videos to view for Second Nephi. I recommend them. The first shows Nephi with his long gray beard, long hair and tanned face and faithful wife at his side teaching his posterity – his children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces and their children. They love him! He is their prophet and king. He is their protector. Their faces show their love and respect for him as he teaches chapters 31 and 32. The temple is in the background. Here is the link: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/video/2-nephi-31-32/2019-10-0400-nephi-teaches-the-doctrine-of-christ-2-nephi-31-32-1080p-eng.

            The second video is interesting. Nephi is alone in his home writing for the last time on the plates. We note some other treasures inside his home including the Small Plates, the Sword of Laban and the Liahona. He will pass them (at least, the plates) down to his younger brother Jacob. He takes out a sheet of metal leaf and begins in the upper right corner writing from right to left, Hebrew style. He is using a stylus to engrave on the plates. There is also a precious glimpse into Nephi as a person in this video. Outside are his smiling wife and his children and grandchildren and other children playing games and having fun. You can feel his love for them and his desires for their happiness. He has already seen in vision that eventually his descendants will be destroyed because of their wickedness. But that won’t be for many generations. These descendants need to live and prepare for the coming of the Savior to this promised land. He is doing his best to teach and lead them and so is his wife. They are good grandparents, just like we want to be! Here is the link to the second video: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/video/2-nephi-33/2019-10-0500-nephi-records-his-final-testimony-2-nephi-33-1080p-eng.

You have got to love Nephi for his painstaking efforts to preserve his own words and the words of his father Lehi, his brother Jacob and Isaiah on his plates! How many hours did he spend inscribing on those plates? How many times did his wife call him to dinner and he said, “Just a minute dear. I’ve just got to finish this one line.” We’ll never know, but we will see him again. He tells us in chapter 33: You and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness. (v. 11) I look forward to seeing him then. I want to thank him personally for all he did to preserve his story and the great lessons we learn from him. I hope he’ll be pleased with how I have treated his words in my life. Interestingly, Moroni makes the same promise in the last verse of the Book of Mormon. (See Moroni 10:34). I look forward to seeing Moroni there, as well.

            Some of the “Ivy League” universities and other schools with a long history of classical tradition have a practice of affording retiring faculty members the opportunity to give a “Last Lecture” to the students and faculty. In this lecture they are to incorporate the most important things they have learned in their professorial career and impart the most important message they want to leave as their legacy. In a sense, the whole of the Small Plates is a “last lecture” by Nephi, but the chapters we are studying this week are the essence of his “last lecture.” These chapters are truly a treasure!

Chapter 31

The Doctrine of Christ

            After teaching us so much in chapters 25-30, Nephi wants to conclude his teaching by speaking of the Doctrine of Christ. He introduces this term in verse 2 and spends the rest of the chapter defining what it is and helping us understand. He will conclude in verse 21 by saying, This is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. These two verses are the “bookends” on his teachings of this most important subject. I learned from this week’s podcast by Halverson and Griffin that this technique of “bookending” teachings like this is actually an “ancient literary technique” known as inclusio. (See link later). This technique is used to “clearly demarcate” where he starts his definition of the Doctrine of Christ and where he ends it. Like chiasmus in the Book of Mormon, this is an internal evidence of the authenticity of this book as having its origin in ancient Hebrew-based writing techniques of which Joseph Smith could have had no knowledge at the time he translated the plates.

Nephi will also have a second “bookend” in chapter 32 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.(v. 6)

Doctrine of Christ vs Gospel of Christ

            What is the difference between the “doctrine of Christ” and the “gospel of Christ”? Interesting question! Brother John Welch explains the difference in these words contained in his notes in Book of Mormon Central. Here is the link: https://bookofmormoncentral.org/come-follow-me/book-of-mormon/come-follow-me-2020-2-nephi-31-33.

            The Doctrine of Christ and the Gospel of Christ are similar, but how do they relate to each other? The doctrine is faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end—those five points. And the Savior says, “And there will be no more doctrine.” In other words, that is the doctrine of Christ. (See 3 Nephi 11:28–39). But in 3 Nephi 27:21, the Savior says, “And this is my gospel.” A few verses earlier, He stated, “This is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross.” So, one might say that when Book of Mormon writers use the word gospel, they may be speaking a little more broadly, referring to something we more often would call the Plan of Salvation. The specific doctrine of Christ is part of and wholly consistent with the Plan of Redemption, the Plan of Happiness. The great plan goes by several names, emphasizing parts of that plan. The terms doctrine of Christ and gospel of Christ, while overlapping considerably, may evoke somewhat different aspects of the same great Eternal Plan of the Father. 

           

            We don’t want to get hung up on the difference or “split hairs” when we talk about the Doctrine of Christ and the Gospel of Christ. But it can be useful to recognize the nuanced difference between them.

The Lord speaks to us in our language according to our understanding

            Before explaining the Doctrine of Christ, Nephi reminds us that his soul delighteth in plainness so I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying. (vs. 2-3) Nephi loves to speak plainly! Not only does Nephi speak in plainness, but he tells us that the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding. (v. 3) This is an important concept for us to understand as we learn the language of the Spirit and learn how to receive and recognize personal revelation in our own lives. The Lord will speak to us in ways that we can understand.

            Millet and McConkie have written in their Commentary:

            When conversing with men, God and his angels speak according to the language and understanding of those they have chosen to address. To Joseph Smith they spoke English; to Adam they spoke pure Adamic; to the Nephites they spoke the language of their day; and so on. To each they also speak according to their level of understanding. To do otherwise would be futile.

            I believe the Lord will speak differently to each of us. Not many (if any) of us will hear the actual audible voice of the Lord or that of an angel in this life. I know that I haven’t. Those who have seldom, if ever, speak openly about it. But He will speak to us in other ways – through impressions, feelings, flashes of insight, original thoughts, etc. He will speak to us in our minds (thoughts) and in our hearts (feelings) (See D&C 8:2).

Let me give a personal example that was instructive for me. Hopefully, it will be for you. When I was called to serve as a stake president about 12 years ago, one of my biggest concerns was to understand how I would know who should be called as a new bishop in each of the wards in our stake when it was time to release the old bishop. I knew how important the calling of a new bishop is to a ward and didn’t want to make any mistakes. I was aware that I had two wise counselors who would advise me and a capable high council from which to receive input, but I knew that “the buck stops here” in the middle chair when it comes to receiving revelation of that kind. I asked other stake presidents how I would know. The only advice I got was, “you will know.” It was a very instructive process and it was different with each bishop. I had to do my homework and pay the price spiritually (studying it out, repentance, fasting, prayer, temple attendance,) but I can tell you that I knew each time. The Lord spoke to me in a language and in a way that I could understand. I never heard a voice or saw a light, but I knew. It is interesting to look back and recall when I knew in the case of each bishop and where I was when the revelation was received. As you might guess, sometimes I was in the temple. Sometimes, I was in a sacrament meeting and, of course, sometimes I was on my knees in prayer at home or in the stake president’s office. But I can also recall sometimes when I was walking across our bedroom changing my clothes to get ready for bed and one time brushing my teeth. But each time, I knew and I knew in a way that I could understand. On another occasion when I needed revelation on an important decision of another type which would affect many people, I really struggled. I struggled for months to get an answer from the Lord. The answer finally came when I was sitting by the side of a stream near our little mountain cabin. On this occasion, the words came clearly into my mind, “You finally got it right!” And those words were in English, so I would understand.

One more brief personal example: I wrote in last week’s blog that the Lord has taught me about the atonement and the mission of Christ through movies and books. I mentioned particularly that the Lord taught me something about Gethsemane through the movie Interstellar. He used that movie to teach me because it spoke my language. I don’t know if He did the same for you or anyone else who saw that movie. But I do know that He speaks to each of us, if we are willing to pay the price and listen, in language that we can personally understand. It’s amazing and wonderful!

Steps in the Doctrine of Christ

            Nephi describes five steps in the Doctrine of Christ. The first four steps correspond to our 4^th Article of Faith – first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Articles of Faith 1:4) I could write pages on each of these steps, but I’ll resist the temptation to do so. Obviously, each is critical.

Enduring to the End

The fifth step is also critical – endure to the end. In verse 20, Nephi defines what he means by enduring to the end: Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. In some ways, most of us are in this 5^th phase or on this 5th step in the process of the Doctrine of Christ. We have shown faith, repented, been baptized and confirmed a member of the Church and have been invited to “receive the Holy Ghost.” Having accomplished the first four steps, that means we are in the “endure to the end” stage, which goes on until the end of our mortal lives. Though sometimes it may feel like it, our enduring to the end is not just holding on by our fingernails and with teeth clenched until the end finally comes. Rather, we are to endure cheerfully, productively, optimistically and patiently until the end of this life. And then, for those who die with their covenants intact, the test is over. Elder McConkie made that clear. There is no equivocation, no doubt, no uncertainty in our minds. Those who have been true and faithful in this life will not fall by the wayside in the life to come. If they keep their covenants here and now and depart this life firm and true in the testimony of our blessed Lord, they shall come forth with an inheritance of eternal life. (“The Dead Who Die in the Lord”, General Conference, April 1976)

But in a sense, we are in all five of the steps of the Doctrine of Christ all of the time, or we should be. We need to be continually exerting faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ; repenting regularly and sincerely; weekly partaking of the sacrament in remembrance of our baptismal covenant in order to renew that covenant relationship with Christ; spending our whole lives endeavoring to “receive the Holy Ghost”; and continually press forward with steadfastness in Christ to the end of the race of life.

We learn in several places in the scriptures that the course of the Lord is one eternal round.(See for instance 1 Nephi 10:19). In a sense, our course in this life as we live the Doctrine of Christ can also be “one eternal round” meaning that we can repeatedly and continually go through the same steps of faith, repentance, covenant making, receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. If we diagram this process, it will look like a circle – “one eternal round.” However, with each cycle of that eternal round we move closer to the Lord and to emulating His perfect example. So there is an upward vector to our repeated circles. If you draw repeated circles around a upward vector you get an upward spiral. And as we draw closer to the Lord, the circle gets tighter and tighter until all of the steps merge together into a gospel covenant way of life. I think that’s what Nephi means when he says this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. (v. 21)

In their podcast for this week, Taylor Halverson and Tyler Griffin from Book of Mormon Central, discuss this progression through the steps of the Doctrine of Christ and relate this process to the temple model, both the ancient Tabernacle in the Wilderness and modern temples. I won’t try to recreate here what they say, but it is very good and I recommend you take time to view their podcast for this week, if at all possible for you. It is only about 30 minutes long. Here is the link on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b8pIhU66eE.

Finally, there was an exceptionally good talk in General Conference, October 2016, on “The Doctrine of Christ” by Brother Brian K. Ashton. I recommend it, if you want to learn more. Here is the link: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/10/the-doctrine-of-christ?lang=eng

The Baptism of Christ

            In teaching about the steps in the Doctrine of Christ, Nephi teaches his family and us about the baptism of Christ. There is much that we could say about this subject, but we’ll limit it to two or three points.

           

To Fulfill All Righteousness

Why was Christ baptized? The short answer is “to fulfill all righteousness.” But what does that mean? The discussion of this question in the Millet and McConkie Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon is very good. It is a little long, but worth reading. You will be rewarded if you take time to do so.

            Nephi, to dramatize the importance of baptism, tells us that the Savior had to be baptized to “fulfil all righteousness” (2 Nephi 31:5). The doctrine is both little understood and marvelously important. In the high spiritual sense there is no righteousness without willing submission to all the ordinances of salvation. No more perfect example could be found than Christ himself. Christ, who was sinless, had to be baptized in order to be considered righteous. To be righteous, as the word is used in its highest spiritual sense, means far more than being sinless, pure, or merely good. Righteousness is not simply the absence of evil or impropriety; it is the active seeking of the mind and will of the Father and compliance with that will once it has been obtained.

Nephi identifies four ways in which Christ fulfilled all righteousness through his baptism: (1) He humbled himself before the Father (2 Nephi 31:7); (2) he entered a covenant relationship with the Father, promising obedience in keeping the commandments (2 Nephi 31:7); (3) he opened to himself the gate to the celestial kingdom (2 Nephi 31:9); (4) he set a perfect example for all to follow (2 Nephi 31:10).

None but the righteous can be saved; that is, only those who are willing to enter into and honor the covenants of salvation will be heirs of the kingdom of heaven. Christ is the example; all who obtain salvation must obtain it in the same manner that Christ obtained it. As baptism was required of Christ so that he might be an heir of salvation, so it is required of all who seek that blessing. Extending this principle beyond the ordinances of baptism, Joseph Smith taught that “if a man gets a fullness of the priesthood of God he has to get it in the same way that Jesus Christ obtained it, and that was by keeping all the commandments and obeying all the ordinances of the house of the Lord” (Teachings, p. 308).

Christ is our example in all things. He ceases to be that if we excuse him from compliance with the ordinances of salvation or the obligation to keep the commandments. It would hardly be consistent to announce one system of salvation for Christ and another for the rest of mankind, and then to stoutly maintain that Christ’s actions are the example to be followed. Was it necessary for Christ to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands? Was it necessary for him to receive the priesthood in the same manner? Did he comply with temple ordinances? In response it could be asked: Did he “fulfil all righteousness” in baptism or was more required of him? Could he have fulfilled all righteousness by selectively keeping the commandments, or was it necessary, as Joseph Smith taught, for him to keep all the commandments? On such matters Nephi is very emphatic—there is, he declared, but one path to the divine presence and only by following that path could Jesus show us the way (2 Nephi 31:9, 18–19).

“This is something of which uninspired men have no comprehension,” stated Elder Bruce R. McConkie. “Truly, he was the Lord Omnipotent before the world was; truly, he was like unto the Father in the pre-mortal life; truly, he was the Son of God here on earth—and yet, with it all, as with all the spirit children of the same Father, he too was subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Father’s plan. He also was born on earth to undergo a mortal probation, to die, to rise again in immortal glory, to be judged according to his works, and to receive his place of infinite glory in the eternal kingdom of his Everlasting Father. How well Paul said: ‘Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect he became the author [that is, the cause] of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him’ (Hebrews 5:8–9).” (Bruce R. McConkie, “The Mystery of Godliness.”)

There is some profound doctrine in these comments, especially the quotations by Joseph Smith and by Elder McConkie. But a discussion of that doctrine is beyond the scope or propriety of this blog. I’ll leave that for you to ponder. Email me, if you want to discuss.

The Holy Ghost descended upon him

            Nephi here prophesies (because he has seen in vision) what the gospel writers will later  confirm (see Matt 3) that the Holy Ghost will descend upon Jesus of Nazareth after His baptism in the waters of Jordan at Bethabara by his cousin, John Ben Zacharias, also known as John the Baptist. Because of the wording in some of the scriptures relating to this event, there may be some confusion as to what actually happened. In simple words, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit Man, the third member of the Godhead, descended personally upon the Savior. Those who were spiritually in tune, certainly the Savior, possibly John (see D&C 93:15), and perhaps others saw the Holy Ghost Himself. But all present saw a dove descend and light upon the Savior as He stood in the water. The Holy Ghost is not a dove and does not confine Himself to the body of a dove. But the sign of the dove is the sign of the Holy Ghost. To the less spiritually mature, the sign of the dove was given so they would know that the Holy Ghost was present. Joseph Smith said,

The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost cannot be transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence.” (Teachings, pp. 275–76.)

The straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate

            As we previously discussed in talking about Lehi’s dream, the word strait means “narrow” and is different from the word straight which means without curves or bends. The two are often used interchangeably, sometimes even in scripture, but they have subtle but real differences in meaning. The gate to the path is narrow. The gate is baptism by immersion by one holding the proper priesthood authority under the direction of one holding the proper priesthood keys at the proper age of 8 years of age or older. (Note that age 8 was the practice as early as the 1^st Century Christians as the proper age for baptism of children. See 1 Peter 3:18-20)

            The path is also narrow (strait). All roads may have led to Rome in the ancient Roman Empire, but not all paths lead back to our heavenly home. There is only one path. Our Father, though loving and wanting all of His children to return home, is also a God of Order. Paul tells us there is One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, (Ephesians 4:5-6). The path we are to follow is the covenant path described by Nephi as the Doctrine of Christ and spoken of so frequently by our current beloved Prophet, President Nelson. In his first news conference after being sustained as president of the Church, he said, To each member of the Church I say, keep on the covenant path. Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere. “As We Go Forward Together,” Ensign, Apr. 2018, 7. Most recently in a “Special Invitation” to all of the members of the Church on 26 February 2020, President Nelson concluded his message with these words, Now, as one of the Lord’s special witnesses, I bless you in your efforts to get on and stay on His covenant path, and strive with all your heart, might, mind and soul to Hear Him!

Three way dialogue – Father, Son and Nephi!

            Embedded in the middle of this remarkable Chapter 31 is a most amazing dialogue, unique as far as I know in all of scripture. This dialogue occurs in chiasmatic form between the Father, the Son and Nephi. Watch how this unfolds:

11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.

12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

            13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart . . .

14 But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying:

15 And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved (vs. 11-15, emphasis added)

            Nephi is so spiritually in tune that he can distinguish the voices of the Father and the Son when they separately speak to him. Amazing! As I said, I believe this three way interchange is unique in all of the scriptures.

Chapter 32

There are only 9 verses in this short but doctrinally dense chapter. Time allows only a few comments.

The tongue of angels

            As we continue in the covenant path defined by the Doctrine of Christ and endeavor to truly “receive the Holy Ghost”, Nephi tells us that we will be able to speak with the tongue of angels. He goes on to explain that Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost. If I understand that correctly, it means that, when an angel or messenger from heaven speaks to us, it will feel like the Holy Ghost is speaking. And we know what the impressions of the Holy Ghost feel like. I wonder if the converse is not also true. I believe it is. I believe that the Holy Ghost speaks to us through angels, messengers sent by a member of the Godhead, in this case the Holy Ghost, with a message of comfort, counsel, warning or guidance for us. Joseph F. Smith said:

            In like manner our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, or reproof and instruction, to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh. Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. (1939), 436

            I wrote in an earlier post in this blog (#10) the following about this quote: “I learned years ago when I become aware of the presence of someone from the other side of the veil (I’ve never seen anyone or heard a voice, but sometimes I can definitely tell they are there.) to ask, “Who is it?” Sometimes it is immediately made known who it is, usually a deceased family member. Sometimes, it’s not clear. No particular person is made known. Since “angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost” (2 Nephi 32:3), when a messenger comes from beyond the veil, it feels like the “Spirit”, like the Holy Ghost. … I suspect that many times when we feel “the Spirit” and receive a message from the Lord it is actually delivered by an angel, probably a deceased family member, sent under the direction of the Holy Ghost. Someday we’ll know.”

Feast upon the words of Christ

            In the very important verse 20 in the last chapter, which defines the process of pressing forward, i.e. enduring to the end, we are told that part of the journey is feasting upon the word of Christ. Now in this chapter, Nephi amplifies a little more on that important thought: Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. As we walk the covenant path, we have two guides to help us through the inevitable mists of darkness. The first is the companionship of the Holy Ghost, promised to us after we enter in by the gate of baptism. The other guide is the “words of Christ”, represented by the Rod of Iron in Lehi’s dream. As we feast (not nibble, taste a little or occasionally binge) on the words of Christ, they will “tell [us] all things we should do.” That’s amazing! What is not included in “all”? I believe that means “all things [we] should do” for our happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. With these two infallible guides, the Gift of the Holy Ghost and the words of Christ (who is, by the way, The Word) we can negotiate the strait (narrow) but very tortuous path of life with all of its twists, turns, bends, dead ends, precipitous drops and steep climbs. The Lord does not leave us without the help we need.

The Spirit stoppeth mine utterance

            Nephi would like to say more, but the Spirit has stopped him. I believe the Spirit said something like this, “Nephi, you’ve been very plain. You’ve given them all they need to make it along the path to their heavenly home. Now they need to take charge of their lives and be responsible for their personal righteousness and spirituality. You can’t do it for them, so that’s enough.”

            So Nephi gives us one last bit of counsel since he can’t tell us any more about how to walk the covenant path. His counsel is very simple: Ye must pray always, and not faint; (v. 9) Nephi says, “I’ve told you all I can. I’ve been very plain. If you will pray, feast on the Words of Christ and listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, you’ll be fine. I’ll meet you at the final bar of God. You can make it home. Good luck! I’ll be praying for you.”

Chapter 33

Nephi loves his people!

            Nephi is a remarkable leader! You have got to love Nephi! You have got to love a leader who says to his people and to us, I pray continually for [you] by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of [you]; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry. And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for [your] gain.

            Nephi loves everyone! He has charity for his people (the Nephites), for the Jew (even the wicked people left behind in Jerusalem) and for the Gentiles (those who haven’t yet accepted the gospel of Christ.) (vs. 7-9) He didn’t say it here, but I’m sure he also has charity for his brethren, the Lamanites, even though they have already fought wars with each other. They are still his brethren.

Nephi’s final testimony of Christ

            This remarkable prophet closes his writings with his testimony of Christ, who is no stranger to him. Here are some of his words:

            I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell. (v.6)

            Believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me. (v. 10)

            If they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words. (v. 11)

            I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day. (v. 12)

Nephi’s farewell to us and our farewell to him

            I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust: Farewell until that great day shall come.

            For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen. (vs. 13, 15)

Notice that Nephi, always the model of obedience, concludes with “and I must obey.” Truly, this great prophet is the “poster child” of personal obedience and is a great example to us all!

            We will see Nephi again! I look forward to shaking his powerful hand or embracing his broad shoulders and thanking him for his exemplary, courageous life and for his powerful words recorded for us on metal plates so that they would remain until our time to guide us through our lives. Thank you, Nephi! Well done, thou good and faithful servant!

Farewell, Nephi, until we meet you and can personally thank you for your gift to us and other believers. We hope you are pleased with our efforts to treasure the things you have written and to be guided by them. We’ll do our best with what you have given us. May the Lord bless and keep you, our good brother, until that joyful day. Surely, He must be pleased with His obedient servant, Nephi, son of Lehi and Sariah!

            Amen and Amen!

Thanks for reading!

Richard