3 Nephi 1 - Waiting for Christ

As a preface, this chapter (and basically 3 Nephi in general) is essentially the climax of the Book of Mormon. Every prophet prior and every prophet after pointed to Christ. It is interesting to consider the perspective of the believers at this time since they had the blessing of being alive at the time in which the prophecies of which they had record would come to fruition. Christ was the focus of every prophet who taught in ancient times. Likewise today, Christ is at the center of everything that we teach.

The time had arrived of which Samuel, the Lamanite, and other prophets had borne testimony as to when the phenomena should appear bearing witness of the birth of the Son of God: "Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews- even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world." (I Nephi 10:4) "And behold He comethI Nephi 19:8) "For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God, His Name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (II Nephi 25:19) Listen again to the words of Samuel, "And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on His Name." (Helaman 14:2. About B.C. 6) according to the words of the angel, in six hundred years from the time my father left Jerusalem."1

The atonement was taught to the children of Lehi and their descendants as an event that had already taken place despite its being 630+ years in the future. Certainly, given the eternal nature of the atonement, this was not unreasonable...but, it required a different degree of faith. In our day, we have the benefit of knowing that Christ has already made his first earthly appearance and are aware of his having performed the atonement already. But, we are required to have no less faith. We have not seen him and did not witness the atonement in the events that brought it about. However, with the eye of faith we may know that Christ lived, and still lives. And, in a vein similar to the Nephites, we have the second coming of Christ to look for. The signs of the second coming are not entirely unlike those for his first. We need to be as the faithful among the Nephites and "watch steadfastly."

The first item of particular note in this chapter is the departure of Nephi. The footnote on verse 3a takes us to Alma 45:18-19. Essentially, the wording in concept are similar. Alma seems to have simply left and disappeared. The passage even goes so far as to include the speculation (possibly Mormon's) that Alma was translated, "even as Moses." Millet and McConkie assume that this is the case:

...we assume that the Lord chose to translate him, to receive him into a terrestrial state without his tasting death. If so, then Nephi, like three others who will follow such a course in thirty-four years, was given power over death, power over the elements power to come and go among the children of men as need arose and power to continue his mortal work in bringing souls unto Christ either on this or some other planet or planets.2

Now in regards to translation, it is important to note that the Lord always has a very specific purpose for translating people. It is not simply a reward for every person who is righteous. The Bible dictionary points out that "It was necessary that [Moses] be translated, in order to have a body of flesh and bones...Had he been a spirit only, he could not have performed the work on the mount of giving the keys to the mortal Peter, James and John." Therefore, we may deduce that if both Alma and Nephi were, in fact, translated, it was because the Lord had some purpose for them that required that they have bodies of flesh and bone. We need not presume that Nephi, the son of Nephi, who was left behind was less righteous or entitled to the blessing of being transfigured as his father was. We later learn that Nephi had such great faith that "angels did minister unto him daily" (3 Nephi 7:18) There are a multitude of incredibly righteous people who do not have the blessing of being translated. It is merely a condition that the Lord grants to those whom he has delegated to a very specific task, even though we may not always be told what that task is.

One of the most crucial points within this first chapter of Nephi that I wish to emphasize before I move on is the idea that all of the prophecies regarding any aspect of the Gospel will be fulfilled. They may not come at the time that we think they should because they are not dictated by God's children. But, we may rest assured that God keeps his promises. Whether they be great or small, Heavenly Father will deliver. The faithful among the Nephites were watching for the signs which Samuel had foretold. Some of those signs had already come to pass (verse 4) but with the pressure created by those who did not believe, some of those signs were not being fulfilled soon enough and some even doubted (verse 7).

When the earlier coming of Jesus was imminent, signs abounded. Still, for some, there were “doubtings.” (3 Ne. 8:4.) But the faithful prevailed and were vindicated.

There were determined detractors then, mocking the faith of believers, briefly creating “a great uproar,” even rejoicing over the seeming prospect that the faith of Christ’s followers would be in vain. (See 3 Ne. 1:5–7.) It was not. Members kept the faith, and the faith kept them!

For today’s spiritually attuned, the reassurances will be there, as with Elisha’s young servant. Encircled by an outnumbering enemy, the young man rightly sought reassurance from the prophet and seer, who told him, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” (2 Kgs. 6:16.) But the young man could count, and, clearly, it did not look that way to him—until after the prophet’s prayer in his behalf. Then, the young man’s eyes were opened, and he saw the mountain filled with horses and chariots of fire.3

The Lord will vindicate his people. When we have a promise from the Lord, we will recieve the promised blessing. The only way that we will not is if we forsake our condition on that promise: being righteous and obedient. The Lord cannot keep His promises with people who doubt His power and His ability to keep His promises. This is what we do when we doubt and turn away. If the Lord promises health and strength for carefully studying and living the word of wisdom, we will have that blessing when we do so, but probably not immediately. There will be some immediate benefit, but we musn't predetermine what those benefits will be. It may be a fairly common mistake that we make to decide what the blessings will be. But, we must remember that they are not our blessings, they are the Lords. All we must do is be obedient and have faith that He will reward "them that diligently seek him." (Heb. 11:6)
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1. George Reynolds and Janne M. Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 7, p. 45
2. Robert L. Millet and Joseph Fielding McConkie, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 4, p. 4
3. Neal A. Maxwell, “The Great Plan of the Eternal God,” Ensign, May 1984, p. 21

Helaman 13:5-10- The Prophecy Begins

Samuel begins his message to the delinquent people of Nephi with a very specific warning regarding their eventual destruction. As this chapter began, it was about 6 BC. If we read in Mormon 6:15, Mormon describes how all of his people have been slain except 24 and a handful who had escaped or deserted. The beginning of that chapter is estimated to have been recorded around 385 AD. Not long after, the Nephites were extinct.

Alma, in speaking to his oldest son, Helaman, said: "I have somewhat to prophesy unto thee; but what I prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known; yea, what I prophesy unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy is fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say. And these are the words: Behold, I perceive that this very people, the Nephites, according to the spirit of revelation which is in me, in four hundred years from the time that Jesus Christ shall manifest himself unto them, shall dwindle in unbelief. Yea, and then shall they see wars and pestilences, yea, famines and bloodshed, even until the people of Nephi shall become extinct."1

One important thing to remember regarding the council given both by Samuel as well as the leaders of our church today is that it is never simply condemnation (or at least it shouldn't be.) The message may begin, "The Lord is most displeased with your behavior and you will be punished for it..." but it doesn't end there. It continues with "...unless you repent, accept Christ as your Savior, and embrace and live his doctrines." The Lord does not wish to condemn. He wishes for men to repent, follow him and ultimately return to live with him again. One of the things that Millet/McConkie point out in their commentary on the prophecy of the future destruction of the Nephites was that "such a great length of time would pass before all these judgments came upon them attests to God's great patience and long suffering."2
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1. Robert L. Millet and Joseph F. McConkie, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 3, p. 400
2. Millet/McConkie, p. 400

Helaman 13:1-4- The Appearance of Samuel the Lamanite

Interestingly, the account of Samuel's visit to the Nephites (as we have it) would not have been complete except for an admonition from the Savior to the disciples (specifically to Nephi) that the entirety of Samuel's words be recorded.

"Has the world ever seen a more classic example of indomitable will, of faith and courage than that displayed by Samuel the Prophet: "One of the Lamanites who did observe strictly to keep the commandments of God . . . ". Visualize, if you can, this despised Lamanite standing on the walls of Zarahemla and while arrows and stones were shot at him, crying out to his white accusers that the sword of justice hung over them. So righteous was he that God sent an angel to visit him. His predictions were fulfilled in due time relating to the early coming of Christ, his ministry, death and resurrection, and the eventual destruction of these Nephite people. So great faith had he that the multitudes could not harm him until his message was delivered and so important was his message that subsequently the Savior required a revision of the records to include his prophecies concerning the resurrection of the Saints"1

The scripture to which President Kimball refers is 3 Nephi 23:9-13. The savior lovingly but emphatically reminds the disciples that they were in error for not including the prophecy of Samuel regarding the return of many saints from the dead. This may not necessarily have any sort of doctrinal implications in the strictest sense. But it is noteworthy that the Savior made such a point to say "This must be included." Perhaps the doctrinal significance may be that the words of the prophets must be recorded.

Rejection seems to be a fairly common theme for prophets. While reading verse two, I was reminded of the same sort of rejection experienced by Alma during his visit to the city of Ammonihah (Alma 8). It would be par for the course. Alma had things to tell the people of that city regarding their wrongs. Similarly, Samuel had come not only to proclaim the message of the coming Messiah, but also to speak by way of condemnation. Alma was reviled, spit upon and finally cast out (it would seem forcefully) from Ammonihah. Samuel was also cast out and, as we shall read later, was shot at with arrows and spears. Now, naturally, our present day prophets don't frequently have people spit upon them or hurl deadly projectiles at them...but, their words of council, wisdom, doctrine and occasionally rebuke are no less disregarded. Certainly I don't believe that there are many members of the church that are so stung by the words of the prophet that they would launch a spear at him...but, I know that there are those who say that he is wrong or that he is off base, out of touch or out of line. I'm certain that many Nephites said the same of Alma and Samuel.

Another strong doctrinal point that is made in this set of verses is that of the concept of revelation. The scripture states that Samuel prophesied "whatsoever things should come into his heart." We know from D&C 8:2-3 that the Lord tell us in our mind and in our heart the things that are important for us to know, do and say. This speaking to the combination of mind and heart is described by the Lord as the "spirit of revelation." There are numerous places within the scripture and particularly the Doctrine and Covenants that tell us to "open [our] mouth[s]."

Regarding the concept of speaking "whatsoever things should come into his heart," Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet wrote:

This phrase is an appropriate description of the spirit of revelation. The Lord told Oliver Cowdery that he would be told things in his mind and in his heart, while Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were directed by the Lord to lift up their voices and "speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts." With this direction came the promise that they would not be confounded. Such was the nature of the revelation Joseph Smith had that led him to the Sacred Grove. Describing the feelings that he experienced when he read James 1:5 he said: "Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again."2

There is a lot to be gleaned from just these introductory verses. Samuel is a prophet who is somewhat ephemeral. His appearance was brief and momentous. He is certainly one of the most memorable people from the Book of Mormon because of his courageous declaration of the things that were in his heart, including his very detailed prophecy regarding the coming of Christ.
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1. Spencer W. Kimball, Conference Report, April 1949, pp. 103-113
2. Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 3, p. 400

Attempting Again

So, I have decided to attempt to blog during the week when I study my scriptures.

This is kindof a branch off of the Nighspace blog. It is intended to be a little less newsy and a little more spiritually geared. This way I will avoid political rants and things of that nature.

It may be a while before this gets up and running as Lisa and I seem to be in a constant state of transition. If we ever find a way to make a routine stick, I may be able to write here quite faithfully. Otherwise, it may be another blog with a minimal number of entries and a frustrated audience.