1 Nephi Chapter 8
If you ask me this is the most significant of the visions that are revealed in the Book of Mormon. I’m not the smartest guy but I think this is the only “Dream” or vision that is described in detail in the Book of Mormon. I know the prophets of the Book of Mormon describe other revelations but they don’t come in the allegorical form as this one does. I may have to correct myself later.
I don’t think the vision Alma the Younger has counts, his is more experiential and doesn’t use types and shadows like this one does.
I like to think that the sealed portion of the scriptures has more of these beautiful visions that are described with such clear detail and description. I fear that some of the clarity of description was lost in translation during the repeated transcription of the Biblical scrolls. Not to mention the possibility that some editorial changes could have been made at each step. I’m not saying for sure that happened, I’m just saying that the possibility is there.
1 Nephi Chapter 7
There is a lot that happens in the first 6 verses of this chapter. First, Nephi gets to find out that they don’t have to go alone. (I have that oldies song in my head “Chapel of Love”) GREAT news, but now they go back to Jerusalem, and we already talked about how long that must have taken.
I imagine them showing up at Ishmael's house, a quick knock, and ‘hey wanna come with us to a new world, across the great sea?” and a quick “yea sure, oh by the way i have a whole household that will come too, maybe you could marry my daughters!?” Then they start walking back and the 2 brothers and their newfound friends say something like “Yea, this is lame...;” Maybe they are the only ones who are making sense considering all the stuff that is going on. Not lame, but wicked, it turns out, they are acting without faith in a situation that was completely governed by prophecy.
Did I mention the angel? Yea the brothers ‘grimm’ had seen an angel that stopped them from beating their brother Nephi to death. Sorry about the sarcastic tone here... The hard hearted brothers, see the angel, see the providence of the Lord, and now see Nephi through the power of the Lord convince Ishmael and his daughters (his whole household) to leave everything to join the Prophet in fleeing from a city that was soon to be destroyed. Evidence after evidence, after evidence. Still no faith, no action.
In all the reminding Nephi does in this chapter, the only result is that the brothers are more angry and they tie Nephi up with the intention of leaving him to be devoured by nature. Nephi prays and the bindings loosen, which doesn’t amaze the brothers, it just makes them more angry. Finally it seems that a small population of the house of Ishmael are able to bring everyone around... completely.
what a roller coaster...
1 Nephi Chapter 6
Really this is the chapter that I feel like I need to declare that indeed this record is the Stick of Joseph that is spoken of in the old testament.
EZEK. 37: 16, 19
16 MOREOVER, THOU SON OF MAN, TAKE THEE ONE STICK, AND WRITE UPON IT, FOR JUDAH, AND FOR THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HIS COMPANIONS: THEN TAKE ANOTHER STICK, AND WRITE UPON IT, FOR JOSEPH, THE STICK OF EPHRAIM, AND FOR ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL HIS COMPANIONS:
• • •
19 SAY UNTO THEM, THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; BEHOLD, I WILL TAKE THE STICK OF JOSEPH, WHICH IS IN THE HAND OF EPHRAIM, AND THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL HIS FELLOWS, AND WILL PUT THEM WITH HIM, EVEN WITH THE STICK OF JUDAH, AND MAKE THEM ONE STICK, AND THEY SHALL BE ONE IN MINE HAND.
1 Nephi Chapter 5
Sorry that it has been nearly a year since the last entry. God had promised Nephi that he would provide a way to accomplish his will, he did it and we move on.
The first 8 verses in this chapter are a unique look at Nephi’s Mom, Sariah. As is common in the Book of Mormon, and the Bible for that matter there is not much discussed about the wives of the prophets. Lehi’s wife had followed him humbly into the wilderness. They had been traveling some time when Nephi had been asked to go back with his 2 brothers.
Sariah’s concern and worry come out here. She complained! Not all prophets wives “never complain” She calls her husband a “visionary man.” Now in many cases now-a-days this would be a good thing but in those says she was calling him a dreamer.
As you would expect from any husband he defends himself and it seems to me, sort of how the story reads in the scripture, that Nephi arrives back home almost in the midst of the ‘discussion’
the quoted verse above is the result; she knew but now she knows. The work they are engaged in is real, and true, and that her husband is indeed inspired.
I think a great sermon can be preached here but I will leave that to someone who has thought it out more.
The other significant thing in this chapter is that we learn what exactly were in the plates of brass. The first five books of moses. and genealogy, the genealogy of Laban and Lehi in fact. Also we learn that Laban’s family were the record keepers. An most significantly that Laban was of the house of Joseph, the same guy who wore the technicolor dream coat.
Also Lehi makes a prophecy about the contents of these plates.
Stick of Joseph....
1 Nephi Chapter 9
These smaller chapters present a problem for me because there isn’t a lot of content to present a commentary on. Actually sometimes this is a blessing also because many chapters of the Book of Mormon have so much information that entire books could be, or have been written on single verses. Not to mention that some chapters contain doctrine on multiple subjects.
This chapter is a maintenance chapter. Nephi tells us that there are lots of records and that these records are going to contain more information about the teachings of Nephi. Ministry is the word he uses.
Its important to recognize that Nephi is still new at keeping records so he finds that its important to keep us appraised of his plan. In doing so he expresses his faith. He says that he doesn’t know exactly why he is asked to do what he is doing. Hindsight is 20/20. Remember that story of Martin Harris and 116 pages. Now we don’t know what exactly was lost as far as words on these pages but we know that the important stuff will be preserved “for a wise purpose.”