1 Nephi 13

I wonder what Nephi actually saw that was the church of the devil. What did he see that he called it a church? Who were the saints of God being destroyed?

It really was amazing that the colonies were able to win their independence through war. It seems like no explanation but the intervention of God could explain it, especially the more I read about it.

It’s also interesting that the plates of brass contain more than the Bible. I’ve never noticed that before.

The angel tells Nephi the Lord won’t suffer the Gentiles to completely destroy his seed, or the Lamenites, or the gentiles to be in darkness forever. But he did allow it for a long time. Was it just an agency issue, or was it accomplishing some other purpose of the Lord? Why the long delay in intervention, if intervention was an acceptable thing?

The Lord told Nephi he would bring forth “much of my gospel” at that day. I sometimes forget about the sealed portion of the plates. I suppose it’s hard enough for me to live the parts of the gospel I know. But it’s hard for me to imagine what else there is. Wait, he was talking about when He visited the Nephites. So do we now have the fullness of the gospel, as in everything, but they did not then?

Verse 40: “the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved.” How can anyone have read the Book of Mormon and say we are not Christian, or even more crazy, that we worship Joseph smith! It is so plain and precious!

1 Nephi 12

For all the wickedness and wars of Nephi’s posterity, and even the great destructive judgment of the Lord, they were still so highly favored as to have the incomparable visit with the Lamb of God. When I began reading this chapter I thought how sad it was for Nephi to see all the awful things that happened to his posterity. But in the big picture, they were really so blessed. So am I. No matter what my trials or struggles are, I too know the Son of God. And that blessing outweighs everything else. If only I can keep that as my focus.

When they angel was talking about the gulf that divides the great and spacious building from the righteous, and how it is great and terrible because it is the judgment of God it made me think of how we try to make the gap smaller and pretend that we can satisfy both. That we can somehow change the straight path and broaden it to include more choices and more ideas. But really, the gulf is terrible and immovable because it is His perfect wisdom, and we cannot change that.

Finally, I always thought that the Lamenites dwindling in unbelief was about their belief dwindling, but it could also mean their numbers. There was no great nation of Lamenites when the European explorer arrived here. I guess and eye for an eye, living in war, would definitely destroy a nation.

1 Nephi 11

I’ve never paid attention to the fact that Nephi was speaking to the Spirit of the Lord in the form of a man. I didn’t realized anyone had ever seen that Holy Ghost in that form.

It’s amazing to me that Nephi was able to understand the meaning of the tree once he had seen the condescension of God. He must have been so inspired, to my less inspired mind that isn’t such an obvious connection.

1 Nephi 10

It’s interesting in verse 9 that Lehi specifies that John would baptize with water. I know there are lots of different baptisms, but what is there other than water? Is this to differentiate baptism by fire? So he was saying John’s was an Aaronic Priesthood ordinance?

It’s also interesting in 10 that there was no confusion about what type of Messiah he would be. Lehi’s family was not looking for a political Savior as many of the Jews were. The truth gets so lost without a prophet. In 17 Nephi clarifies even farther who the Messiah was.

I have never noticed before that Lehi’s power to speak by the Holy Ghost came from faith on the son of God. 

I also appreciate that he specifies if we have “sought” to do wickedly we are in trouble, not if we have done wickedly. It’s what we are seeking that will get us where we are going, eventually. That’s such a comfort to me, in all my imperfections and struggles, but I don’t WANT to be wicked. I want to be good. Sometimes I feel like that has to be immediate to count, but the seeking is the thing, thankfully. What a timely reminder!

1 Nephi 8

There was a field before the tree, which itself was a relief from the lone and dreary waste. The closer we get to God, the happier we are, the better the world is, even before we make it all the way to partaking of His love. But far away from God, so many people we love are so lost, and unhappy, not even to the field. He is our only joy and hope.

Do I, when I experience joy, immediately wish to share it with my family? It’s interesting how God’s love turns our thoughts outwards. Lehi didn’t think, I’d like to sit here and keep eating this fruit, it’s delicious, he thought, I need to share this with the people I love.

I am grateful for the understanding that Laman and Lemuel “would not” come. Not that they were  chosen to be bad, but that we have our agency, and they used theirs poorly. Even though, even in his dream, Lehi tried to show them the way to come. On the other hands it’s hard breaking that we can teach our kids the truth and they may still not choose it. I hate the thought of them having to suffer through the darkness of sin instead of enjoying the love of God. Oh, that the Lord will be with them!

The mists of darkness are such an interesting analogy. Are those the times of doubt and distance, when we can’t really see where we are going, but we press forward clinging to what we have known. Trusting that it will get us through. I’ve often heard them described as trials and temptations, and I’m sure that is also true. But I think the darkness is more than that in my life. It would be so easy to get lost…. .

1 Nephi 7

I think it is significant that they gained favor with Ishmael before they spoke to him the word of the Lord. They established a relationship first. Sometimes I feel like I have to be in such a hurry for missionary work, but being kind to people and making friends is an important first step.

I also love that Nephi gives all the credit to the Lord for softening Ishmael’s heart. It wasn’t about them and their great persuasive powers or testimony, it was the Lord.

Laman and Lemuel are such a cautionary tale of completely turning away from our sins. It’s so easy to fall back into the worldly traps, especially caring about things that don’t really matter. Even tonight I’ve been sitting here worrying so much about how my house or my snacks will look for book club. Isn’t that all pride and silliness? Or the things we can’t afford—that make me want to work, when I know what the will of the Lord is. It’s so important to stay close to him and not forget. Have I seen fewer miracles than Laman and Lemuel? No! 

It’s interesting also that they weren’t angry with Nephi because he tried to stop them. He told them to go. They were mad only at what he had said. If they didn’t know it was true, it wouldn’t bother them. The guilty taketh the truth to be hard (1 Nephi 16:2). I’ve seen this played out so often with myself, and my brothers, even our friends. Ah that pride again!

Did Laman and Lemuel really intend for him to die? Or was it just some irrational anger for a moment? They were sorry when they came off of the angry high. I wish I didn’t know those feelings so well. I wish I wasn’t so quick to anger with my sons. My sorrow is always real afterwards, but when I read this, does that make Laman and Lemuel seem any better? I pray that that thought will help me tomorrow. Oh, Lord be with me, and make me better than I am alone!

How much of Laman and Lemuel’s spiritual canker was their anger? Is that really what kept them so far from God? What a frightening thought.