The Process of Recieving 1 Nephi 11

After Lehi had given his children spiritual instruction regarding his vision, and things revealed to him by the Holy Ghost, Nephi explains to us, through his writings, that he too was desirous to know the things his father had seen.  He wanted to know for himself.   In 1 Nephi Chapter 11, Nephi gives us another amazing example of how to receive revelation.  

1 Nephi 11:1 For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.

• 1) He had the desire to know
• 2) He believed that the Lord could make them known to him.  AKA Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
• 3) He pondered about what he had been taught.
• 4) He was given further light and knowledge.

It is amazing to me that this is already the second time Nephi explains this process in his record. Remember the first time was in Chapter 2:

16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.

Nephi wants us to know the process.  Perhaps the process itself is even more important than the information he received by following that process, which was the same dream his father saw, and the interpretation thereof. 

Another important detail that Nephi records is the fact that he was literally transported upwards to receive the information he sought.  He describes the experience as taking place on an “exceedingly high mountain”.  We see an ascension process taking place. Usually, when a mountain is referred to in the scriptures, it can be equated with a sacred experience similar to a temple experience.  In the temple we also have an ascension experience as we move upwards toward the Father.  We literally ascend the “Hill of the Lord.” 

To receive the information Nephi received, I believe, an ascension process was necessary.  As we explore it I believe you will think so too.

More…. great stuff coming!

To be better prepared for what is to come, please click here to re-read this post. 

Why The Jews Look For A Messiah

When studying the scriptures I think it is important to understand the religious and cultural beliefs of the people who are involved in them at the time they were written, and how they compare to the beliefs of those same groups today.  One thing I find of great interest is to study the perspective of the Jewish people and their thoughts on their need for a Messiah.

Do you ever wonder why the Jews did not recognize the Messiah as Jesus Christ when he came the first time?  I believe one of many reasons is because they did not understand the role the Messiah was to play in their personal lives, as a personal Savior.  

Again, I am not a scholar of Jewish tenets but I have done some research into their religious beliefs and come to some conclusions on my own.  This is what I have discovered.

The Messiah that the Jews were looking for, and still look for, is one who will redeem them from political oppression.  The Jewish people understand that they are the “Covenant People”, which they are, and as such deserve to receive their rightful place as a leader in the world order.  Their Messiah will be a great political leader, their rightful king and ultimate world leader, who will come among them as a blessing because of their worship of the God of Israel, who has promised them power.  In short, they will be restored to their original land, which was given them in the Old Testament, and be a political leader among nations.

According to Chabad.org:

“Two of the most fundamental tenets of the Jewish faith – as listed by Maimonides among the Thirteen Principles of the Jewish Faith – are the belief in the ultimate redemption, an awaited era of world peace, prosperity and wisdom, and the belief that the dead will be resurrected at that time.

The Messianic Era will be ushered in by a Jewish leader generally referred to as the Moshiach (messiah: Hebrew for "the anointed one"), a righteous scion of King David. He will rebuild the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and gather the Jewish people from all corners of the earth and return them to the Promised Land.”

What they don’t seem to understand is that the Messiah is needed for a much greater purpose.  They do not have a belief that the Atonement He performed was for their personal salvation.  The Jewish belief is that one can reach perfection by earning it, by living the laws outlined in the Torah.  Simply put, they are the extreme opposite  to the  various Christians who believe that you are saved by grace alone.  They believe that you will be saved solely because of the works you do.  

As referred to before:

“While Jewish belief also speaks of the soul's reward in the hereafter, earned through its toil in the course of life's journey, it sees the refinement of the physical and the infusion of holiness and purpose into the mundane as the paramount objective. It is the sanctification of the human body and the world at large that constitutes the very purpose of its creation.”

By understanding their belief system, one can see more fully why Jesus rebuked the Pharisee’s and Sadducees of His day because they relied only upon the law, preaching justice alone.  They were furthering the mistaken idea that there was no need for a personal Savior, and the concept of mercy and grace.  

I believe if we understand how the Jews perceived their progression as based on obedience to laws alone, and how they sought only for a political leader, we can see more fully the need for The Book of Mormon to correct false beliefs.  

Keep this information in mind in all your studies of the scriptures and I believe you will see a greater emphasis on the correct doctrine of the fall, the Atonement, and the need for a personal Savior, to even get us to the place where we can receive the blessings of such. 

This understanding has changed how I view all the teachings we are given, especially the teachings of Jesus Christ to the people in the New Testament times.

Blog Restructure

I have decided that my Blog is simply not efficient enough for me.  In all reality I started writing this Blog over three years ago, (my how time flies, doesn’t it?) and have written quite a few of my personal thoughts down about insights I have learned through my studies of the scriptures.  Over the years I have tried to post thoughts that corresponded with what I was studying for my Institute class.  As a result I have a lot of "commentary" type of posts relating to specific chapters or sections, whatever the case may be, from the Standard Works.   

Long story short… even I can’t find them with ease!  I have decided to include what scriptures I am discussing in the titles of my posts.  This will help me as I try and compare things I have already discovered through the spirit with things I am discovering still.  

In case you haven’t noticed, I am  currently studying The Book of Mormon.  This Blog has become my personal journal of sorts, containing spiritual insights that I have observed.  If anyone is reading this, please always ponder and pray about what you read, so that you can know for yourself if they are true.  

I guess this Blog is really my personal spiritual journey which I hope to share with my posterity someday.  When they are ready to know, they will seek.  

Cheers, and thanks for listening to my babbling!

What Lehi Knew About The Jews- 1 Nephi 9-10

We interrupt this dream to interject some personal commentary.  That is exactly what Chapter 9 of 1 Nephi is.  It is the personal touch Nephi adds to his record to make sure we understand that it is HIS record, and that he was commanded to make the account according to HIS perspective.  I know that I keep hammering that idea home, but it is a very important one to understand.  Just like Mormon interjects his own personal commentary in the parts of The Book of Mormon he abridged, in chapter 9 Nephi has done the same.  

Then beginning in Chapter 10, as Nephi continues recording what his father saw in his vision, Nephi makes sure we understand that  the need for relating the dream to us  is because it effects the details of his own account which is to follow.  

Part of Lehi’s visionary history that is often overlooked is the fact that he probably saw everything from the “beginning to the end” concerning his posterity, much like the other prophets of old which we study in the scriptures.  This is subtly told to us as through Nephi’s account of his father’s teachings.  He begins by giving Lehi’s account of what will happen to the Jews who were left behind in Jerusalem. 

Lehi told them that the Jews would be scattered, and then gathered again.

1 Nephi 10:3 That after they should be destroyed, even that great city Jerusalem, and many be carried away captive into Babylon, according to the own due time of the Lord, they should return again, yea, even be brought back out of captivity; and after they should be brought back out of captivity they should possess again the land of their inheritance.

Lehi explained that the Messiah would come, and when.

4 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.

Lehi explained the NEED for the Messiah, which was not truly understood by the people of Jerusalem.

6 Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer.

Lehi prophesied about John the Baptist and his ministry. (vs. 7-10)

Lehi explained that the Jews would not understand the gospel which the Messiah would preach and because of their unbelief they would kill the Messiah. (vs. 11)

Lehi then taught that the Messiah would rise from the dead, at which time he would manifest himself to the Gentiles by the Holy Ghost. (vs.11)

Lehi then quite possibly related the “Allegory of the Olive Tree”, which was recorded by the prophet Zenos, to his sons in an attempt to help them understand their place in all that was happening.  The language is too similar to ignore. (vs. 12-15) I believe he wanted them to understand the reason that they were brought to this “land of promise” was so that they could help the House of Israel not only come to a knowledge of the Redeemer, but to help them understand their personal need for one. He wanted them to know what role their posterity would play as the “righteous branch” or the remnant that would save the world in the last days.  

Did they all fully understand exactly what Lehi was trying to teach to them about their calling in the Lord’s work?  Do we understand what ours is today? We have been given the same information as they were given through this account which was recorded by Nephi.  What must we do to understand? Is it any different for us then it was for them?  

I love Nephi because he knew the process of enlightenment is the same for everybody. He works very hard to help us come to understand our “calling” in the same way he came to understand his.  

As we continue to study The Book of Mormon we need to be aware of what Nephi is really trying to help us understand, the process of knowing. 

Section 76: Lehi's Dream of The Tree of Life

In an effort to picture in our mind exactly what Lehi might have been shown in the “Tree of Life Vision” we have a tendency to limit our perspective to the physical items that he describes he saw.

For example he saw a large and spacious field (vs. 9 & 20), a tree with fruit (vs. 10-11), a river of water (vs. 13), a rod of iron (vs. 14), a strait and narrow path (vs. 20), a fountain (vs. 20), and a great and spacious building (vs. 26).  Many artists have given their interpretation or rendition of this scene in various types of mediums.   Each is only an opinion drawn by what they read in Nephi’s account. 

Looking beyond the items in the vision, I would like to concentrate on the groups of people that Nephi remembers being told about.  In an effort to compartmentalize the groups of people that are spoken of in Lehi’s Dream I have made a comparison of Lehi’s Vision with the Vision which was recorded in Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants.  The similarities are stunning.  

The first group of people is seen in 1 Nephi 8:21-23.   

Look for what the people were doing:

21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.

 22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.

 23 And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.

This group of people started on the path and moved forward.  They did not however take hold of the “iron rod”, either because they did not know to, or they chose not to, and when the “mists of darkness” came, they wandered off and got lost.  In my mind I compared them to the description of those who inherit terrestrial glory.  

See if you can see any similarities:

Section 76: 72-75

72 Behold, these are they who died without law; (no iron rod)

73 And also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh;

74 Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it. (never actually partook of the fruit)

75 These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men. (mists of darkness clouded their way)

The next group of people is spoken of in 1 Nephi 8: 24-28. 

Look for what this group of people is doing:

24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.

 25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.

 26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.

 27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

 28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.

Can you guess which particular group this describes?

Section 76:35-36

35 Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame.  ( remember they actually ate the fruit)

36 These are they who shall go away into the lake of fire and brimstone, with the devil and his angels—(fell away to forbidden paths and were lost)

The third group described is found in 1 Nephi 8:30. 

Look for what this group is doing:

30 But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.

I love how he explains that this group “fell down” before they partook of the fruit.  In my mind I picture the position of ultimate worship being performed here.

Likewise the vision in Section 76 records:

51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given— (fell down, partook of the fruit)

 52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;

 53 And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.

The last group described is found in 1 Nephi 8:31-32. 

Look for what this group is doing:

31 And he also saw other multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.

32 And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of the fountain; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads.

This group never even made it to the path at all. They were drowned in the fountain from the very beginning or lost from view, wandering strange roads.  They only knew the great and spacious building as their goal, they didn’t even desire the fruit, or work towards the tree. 

Section 76: 81-82 shows a great representation of this group of people. 

81 And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of the glory of the moon in the firmament.

 82 These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus. (no path, no rod, no tree, no fruit)

Joseph Smith explained that only a small portion of what they were shown in vision, which makes up Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants, could even be recorded.  Likewise Nephi tells us that he “does not speak all the words” of his father.  These two visions were so intricate that we have been given only the tip of the iceberg of what they actually were taught by the Lord regarding our post-mortal probation.  I believe to understand it more fully we must be taught directly from the Lord, as these men illustrate is possible.  

I believe that Section 76 and the “Tree of Life” Vision are literally the same thing, told in different ways.  

Lehi's Dream 1 Nephi 8

Probably one of the most discussed topics, when it comes to The Book of Mormon, is Lehi’s Dream.  Since the abridgment of Lehi’s account of the Tree of Life Dream, or Vision, made by Mormon is part of the translation that was lost, the only account we have today is what Nephi felt impressed to write about regarding his father’s dream.  I think it is important to keep that in mind as we study what Nephi recorded, of the things he remembered, that his father told them he saw.  

Later, when Nephi desires to know for himself the meaning of the things his father saw, we discover a more in depth view of what Lehi might have really seen, but the first account we are given in 1 Nephi Chapter 8 is simply Nephi’s perspective of what transpired.

With that in mind, can you figure out what might have weighed most heavily on Nephi’s heart and mind?