Compare to Isaiah 29
This is one Isaiah chapter that I can give a little insight into. And because the prophecies are directly related to the Book of Mormon, I think it is relevant for a deeper-dive in a blog post.
Below I have connected verses from 2 Nephi 27 with other
scriptural references that tell the story of the fulfilling of the prophecies
in 2 Nephi 27. Keep in mind that the prophecies of Isaiah were written years
before Christ, and the fulfillment occurred in the 1800’s. I think this is
pretty rad.
2 Nephi 27:6 ---> 2 Ne.
26:17 (16–17)
The Book of Mormon is the “words of them which have slumbered”
The Book of Mormon is the “words of them which have slumbered”
Part of the Book of Mormon was a “sealed” book
“a man” (vs. 9)= Joseph Smith
“another” (vs. 9, 15 )= Martin Harris (friend of Joseph
Smith’s who helped with the translation of the Book of Mormon)
“the learned” (vs. 15, 18)= Professor Charles Anthon in New York City
“him that is not learned” (vs. 19-20)= Joseph Smith
“the man” (vs. 17)= Martin Harris
“I will proceed to do a marvelous
work among this people, yea, a marvelous work and a wonder (v26)”= the
restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ through the prophet Joseph Smith
(including the translation of the Book of Mormon)
And a beautiful verse to finish off with—I believe God is a
God of miracles… not just in ancient scriptural times, but NOW. And he reveals
his word to prophets, apostles, and each of us today if we will seek Him.
23 For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.
Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough! For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. (vs. 29-30)
This chapter is fascinating and eye-opening. If you have
ever been critical of organized religion, you may relate to some of the
prophecies in this chapter. These are all prophecies of OUR time (written
around 550 BC)!
Below are important verses from the chapter and a little commentary about each set:
3 For it shall come to pass in that day that the churches which are built up, and not unto the Lord, when the one shall say unto the other: Behold, I, I am the Lord’s; and the others shall say: I, I am the Lord’s; and thus shall every one say that hath built up churches, and not unto the Lord—4 And they shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance.
Joseph Smith as a young boy struggled with this “battle” of
churches and how each claimed to be right. Read his account in Joseph Smith History
1:5-20. Verse 10 is particularly applicable: “ In the midst of this
war of words [between different Christian churches] and tumult of opinions, I
often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right;
or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and
how shall I know it?
5 And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men;6 Behold, hearken ye unto my precept; if they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work.
Many churches feel like God cannot/does not perform miracles
or speak to His children today—that only happened in Bible times. The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is built on the premise that God speaks to
his children today, and He leads his people/church through living prophets and
apostles like in old times. And that He is a God of miracles—today, yesterday,
and forever!
Here are more attitudes/perspectives of people in OUR time, prophesied thousands of years ago. Do any of these sound familiar?
8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.
9 Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.
Do you see these attitudes
in anyone you know? Or in yourself?
The following are more tactics the devil uses to subtly and
slowly ensnare people. Can you recognize any of these in people you know, or
in yourself?
20 For behold, at that day [TODAY!] shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.
21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.
Do you see people getting too comfortable in life?—not
concerned to fight for what is right or make the world a better place. God tells us that if you are not for Him, you are
against Him.
22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.
I think lots of people don’t believe there is really a
devil. Think of what a powerful and conniving adversary he can be if people are
willing to overlook that he even exists! I’ve found in my life that
identification is powerful—when I identify lies or bad thoughts in my head as
coming from him rather than coming from me, that is half the battle! Then I
know to focus my attention on fighting those bad thoughts or desires out of
me.
28 And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.
This reminds me of 2 Nephi 9:40: “Do not say that I have
spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth;
for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard
against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the
truth and are not shaken.
29 Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!
30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.
These verses are so important! Many Christian churches are
fiercely opposed to the Book of Mormon because they already have a Bible, and
they believe they don’t need anything else besides the Bible. But here God tells
us that He teaches people little by little, one piece at a time.
When someone seeks one piece of knowledge and accepts it, God will add a little
more so they continue to grow in knowledge and truth. But people who say, “I
already know/have enough! Don’t give me anymore” will lose the understanding
they currently have. It is important we do not close the door on knowledge or
revelation from God!
I love the Book of Mormon!!!
It's so true that God gives us line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. Beginning a study of the Book of Mormon or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Days Saints may seem overwhelming. But one piece at a time, God fills in the gaps if we are consistent and diligent in trying to get to know him. And I love that the LDS church teaches others to bring all the good they already have, and only see if we may add to it. If you have a good and true principle, Mormons will embrace it. I love that fact.
ReplyDelete