Free to Choose, But Not the Consequences 1 Nephi 7

The next important event that Nephi records is the requirement, made by the Lord, for he and his brothers to return to Jerusalem to the house of Ishmael to persuade him to join them in their journey to a land of promise. This assignment was important for the propagation of the posterity of Lehi because Ishmael provided daughters for his sons to marry. Although Nephi does not record any rebellion by his brothers concerning the charge to get the wives, he does discuss their reluctance to return back to Lehi in the wilderness and their desire instead to stay in Jerusalem, which was ripe for destruction.

It is interesting to watch the interaction of Nephi with his brothers as they seek to rebel against the Lord and disobey his command. Nephi, who has power in the priesthood, and displays power in his very word, uses a pattern of teaching that is typical of how the Savior taught, speaking as if the Lord himself is speaking.

Look for what the brothers desired.

1 Nephi 7:6 And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold Laman and Lemuel, and two of the daughters of Ishmael, and the two sons of Ishmael and their families, did rebel against us; yea, against me, Nephi, and Sam, and their father, Ishmael, and his wife, and his three other daughters.

7 And it came to pass in the which rebellion, they were desirous to return unto the land of Jerusalem.

Laman and Lemuel wanted to exercise their agency and return to Jerusalem even though it was contrary to the command they had been given. Nephi, their younger brother, was troubled that they needed to constantly be reminded of the word of the Lord by him, as he set the example of obedience.

Side Bar: At this point I would like to interject a possible concern. There have been times when I have wondered how the same incidence, if told in the perspective of Laman and Lemuel, might have differed. Since this record is that of Nephi, I have felt at times that he seems to make sure the record is really slanted in his favor. This perspective changed for me when I realized that Nephi had, I believe, already at this point in his history, progressed to the point that he had received the sealing power. The understanding that I have of this power allows me to now view Nephi quite differently. Suddenly every word that Nephi speaks is as if the Lord himself were speaking. No longer do I view Nephi as boastful, but as a representative of God in every word and deed. This exchange between Nephi and his brothers, or the rebellious, has become a way for me to understand the nature and character of the Lord much better, as it is illustrated by Nephi’s very words and actions.

Nephi provides the type and shadow of the Savior himself as he councils the rebellious.

By the questions Nephi asks his brothers, look for what he is trying to remind them of:

1 Nephi 7:9 How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord?

10 How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?

11 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?

12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.

Nephi reminded his brothers of the Lord’s power unto deliverance if they would exercise faith in him. He used incidents that they were familiar with to jog their memory of what great things they had already heard and seen. He bore testimony of the power of faith, and pled with them to be faithful. He taught, and reminded them of, the first principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is faith, and tried to help their faith to grow.

Nephi then recounted to his brothers the blessings that occur because of faith and obedience:

1 Nephi 7:13 And if it so be that we are faithful to him, we shall obtain the land of promise; and ye shall know at some future period that the word of the Lord shall be fulfilled concerning the destruction of Jerusalem; for all things which the Lord hath spoken concerning the destruction of Jerusalem must be fulfilled.

14 For behold, the Spirit of the Lord ceaseth soon to strive with them; for behold, they have rejected the prophets, and Jeremiah have they cast into prison. And they have sought to take away the life of my father, insomuch that they have driven him out of the land.

By obedience to the word of the Lord by faith, they were to receive all the promised blessings attached to the commands. They not only would obtain a land of promise, they would also know of the definite destruction of the land of Jerusalem, of which had been prophesied. Both of these great blessings were dependent upon their faithfulness.

Nephi then acting as their leader and teacher warned them of the consequences of disobedience, and then boldly required them to choose.

1 Nephi 7:15 Now behold, I say unto you that if ye will return unto Jerusalem ye shall also perish with them. And now, if ye have choice, go up to the land, and remember the words which I speak unto you, that if ye go ye will also perish; for thus the Spirit of the Lord constraineth me that I should speak.

This exchange between Nephi and his brothers teaches us a wonderful lesson of choice and accountability. In the Master Teacher’s way, the “rebellious” are taught about faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, His power to deliver which qualifies Him as one to have faith in, and the blessings that are attached to obedience to His word. The consequences for disobedience are then laid before them in such a way that is unmistakably clear; obedience brings life, disobedience brings death. Finally, he allows them to choose for themselves. The result of their choice is crystal clear. The Lord is the one who provides the terms as shown by the statement that He “constraineth” Nephi, or required him to teach in this way.

Look for the reaction that Laman and Lemuel have to the choice they are given.

1 Nephi 7:16 And it came to pass that when I, Nephi, had spoken these words unto my brethren, they were angry with me. And it came to pass that they did lay their hands upon me, for behold, they were exceedingly wroth, and they did bind me with cords, for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts.

They obviously did not like the outcome of their choice if they disobey. They desired to choose for themselves, but are upset that they have no control of the consequences of their choice, which were set previous to the choice itself. They first became angry, then laid hands on their brother binding him with cords, and ultimately wished to take his life. The reaction that is displayed by these “rebellious” brothers is the same reaction that Jesus Christ himself received as he sought to teach these same truths to the rebellious of Jerusalem. The pattern is always the same.

The Lord loves us and allows us to choose for ourselves. He is a great parent, in that; He does not allow us to choose the consequences. He makes them clear and then lets us make a choice based on what we want to receive. This information allows us to exercise our agency properly. Some do not like this option because it makes them be accountable for their own actions.

Nephi later teaches this principle again:

1 Nephi 16:2 And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.

Understanding this principle as I do, I often wonder why I have such a rebellious soul at times. How about you?

The next part of the lesson in Chapter 7 is really my favorite part… you will see why…. in the next post.

Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen- Section 121

I believe that there are still many more insights that can be gained from the correspondence received and given to the Prophet Joseph Smith while in Liberty Jail. Another one of my favorite teachings is found in Section 121, starting at verse 34, wherein the Lord describes those who are “called and chosen.”

At the time the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote the letter from Liberty Jail to the Saints who had fled to Quincy, Illinois, there were many people, in and out of the church, which were of questionable character. Some of the most seemingly loyal followers of the Prophet were exposed as bitter enemies to the Church. It was a time when the Saints had to exercise much caution when deciding who to follow in the absence of their beloved leaders. I believe that those in jail were trying to discover who might still be on their side or who might have fled with the opposition.

Joseph writes: We feel to inquire after Elder Rigdon; if he has not forgotten us, it has not been signified to us by his writing. Brother George W. Robinson also; and Elder Cahoon, we remember him, but would like to jog his memory a little on the fable of the bear and the two friends who mutually agreed to stand by each other. And perhaps it would not be amiss to mention uncle John Smith, and various others. A word of consolation and a blessing would not come amiss from anybody, while we are being so closely whispered by the bear.

It is apparent that loyalties were being questioned from all angles. It is also a time when decisions were required in Quincy to facilitate the gathering of the Saints into one body. This lack of trust among the leaders and the Saints, and the necessity to press forward nonetheless, was the basis for the instruction given on distinguishing who was “called and chosen.”

Again Joseph writes: We have a fervent desire that in your general conferences everything should be discussed with a great deal of care and propriety, lest you grieve the Holy Spirit, which shall be poured out at all times upon your heads, when you are exercised with those principles of righteousness that are agreeable to the mind of God, and are properly affected one toward another, and are careful by all means to remember, those who are in bondage, and in heaviness, and in deep affliction for your sakes. And if there are any among you who aspire after their own aggrandizement, and seek their own opulence, while their brethren are groaning in poverty, and are under sore trials and temptations, they cannot be benefitted by the intercession of the Holy Spirit, which maketh intercession for us day and night with groanings that cannot be uttered. We ought at all times to be very careful that such high-mindedness shall never have a place in our hearts; but condescend to men of low estate, and with all long-suffering bear the infirmities of the weak.

This information was a precursor for the instruction starting in Section 121, verse 34, explaining how to recognize one who is actually chosen to lead.

Section 121:34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sin, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.

39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.

40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.

First, it might be important to understand exactly who was “called” to be holders of priesthood authority, and when and where they were called. We sometimes refer to this calling to priesthood with the term “foreordained.”

The prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon explains this doctrine beautifully in Alma Chapter 13. Look for who, when, and why they are called.

Look for how they choose, or choose not to accept.

1 And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time when the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children; and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people.

2 And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption.

3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such.

4 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren.

5 Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared—

6 And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest—

7 This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things—

8 Now they were ordained after this manner—being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end—

9 Thus they become high priests forever, after the order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, who is without beginning of days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth. And thus it is. Amen.

It appears to me that each individual who was given the opportunity to come to earth and gain a body chose “good” in their first estate. Having chosen “good” they were called and “ordained” into the holy order of the priesthood, this presupposes their earthly experiences and is referred to as “foreordination” to earth life. This ordination occurred because of their faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and because they did not harden their hearts, or in other words, were humble and teachable. These same individuals now have a chance to “choose” again in this life whether they will accept the “call” that they have previously been given. The same requirements of faith and humility are required. Unfortunately because of the “hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds” many reject this great privilege that they have been called to, thus, “many are called but few are chosen.” Ultimately the choice belongs to each individual.

We can recognize those who have made the choice to “receive” the priesthood ordination with which they have been foreordained to receive, by their actions and intentions.

The Lord gives us a standard by which to judge in Section 121:

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

I believe that our choice to be righteous priesthood holders in this life, allows us to be “Kings” and “Queens” in training, receiving our call or “foreordination” for that great event to come, which will be given to us by our own “free will and choice.”

Many are called, but few will be chosen. What will we choose?