1 Nephi 14-15

15:23-24  And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.

This is my favorite verse from today’s chapters. It captures why reading the Book of Mormon and/or the Bible every day is a priority to me. 

Chapter 14 is the last of the chapters describing Nephi's big vision. There are a few concepts worth explaining. First, the Book of Mormon talks a lot about two broadly-classified groups of people. One is the Jews, or the House of Israel (Lehi, Nephi, and their “seed’” or posterity fit into this category). The other is the Gentiles. Pretty much anyone who is not a Jew is a Gentile. In most of the visions and prophecies of Nephi, the Gentiles he sees are the Europeans and the Americans.

The chapter talks about the Church of the Lamb of God and the church of the devil. The church of the devil does not refer to a specific church but to any person, group, organization, or philosophy that works against the Church of Jesus Christ and the salvation of the children of God. 

There is another Bible celebrity appearance in this chapter. Nephi sees John the Revelator in vision, who wrote the book of Revelation in the New Testament, and even mentions him by name (vs. 27). Not only does Nephi see John, but he gets to see all the same visions that John got to see about the end of the world! But he is commanded to not write about them because that is John's job. Also notice that when Nephi talks about “the book that proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew” he is talking about the Bible. Check it out in 14:18-28!

Chapter 15

Nephi’s vision finishes and Nephi returns to the “real world” and his whining brothers. He finds them arguing over stuff they don’t understand that their father has been preaching about. They ask Nephi about the topics they don’t understand, and Nephi’s response is important for all of us (vs. 8-11):

And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord? And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us. Behold, I said unto them…Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

Laman and Lemuel had a basic belief in what their father had taught them, but they didn’t believe the Lord would give answers to them. How often am I like that? How often do I believe that God is there somewhere, but if I approach Him with individual questions He wouldn’t answer them for me? He has promised that if I ask in faith and with diligence (meaning I might not get the answer right away) then He will answer me. Same goes for you. I believe that.

1 Nephi 11-13

I got thinking about something new while reading chapter 11 this time. Nephi is taken on a grand vision-adventure by the Spirit of the Lord, and he is able to see the birth of the Savior, much of the life of the Savior, and the death of the Savior, which events are nearly 600 years away. He is also shown the Vision of the Tree of Life that his father saw, and he is given the interpretation. But it all starts by the Spirit appearing to Nephi while he is “pondering” and asking him the question, “what desirest thou?” (1 Ne. 11:2)

The Spirit already knew what Nephi wanted—He knows everything. But often when the Lord (or the Spirit) asks someone a question, it is to make him/her think about the answer. So I’ve been thinking about that question for me—what do I desire? What do I desire most? And are my daily choices and behaviors consistent with what I say I desire most?

Nephi is shown MANY visions throughout chapters 11-13, and it is fascinating to identify some of the famous events (historical events for us—future events for him) that he is describing!--As well as other important lessons. Look for the following:

• The Meaning of different elements from the Vision of the Tree of Life:
• The tree—the love of God (11:22)
• The rod of iron—the word of God (11:25)
• The great and spacious building—the pride of the world (11:35-36, 12:18)
• Fountain of filthy water—the depths of hell (12:16)
• Mists of darkness—temptations of the devil (12:17)
• The resurrected Savior appears to the people of the ancient American continent (Nephi’s descendants)—(12:4-11)—don’t worry, you’ll read about this later in the Book of Mormon
• The descendants of Laman eventually kill off all the descendants of Nephi (12:19-23)—spoiler alert! Sorry, this gives away the end of the Book of Mormon
• Christopher Columbus and other early settlers of America (13:12-15)
• American Revolutionary War (13:16-19)
• The Bible (13:20-29)
• The Book of Mormon (13:35-41)

1 Nephi 9 & 10

1 Nephi 9

Nephi gives a rather confusing explanation about two different sets of “plates” or records that he is keeping. Basically he created the “large” plates of Nephi first, on which he intended to keep a full account of the history of his people, focusing on the secular details like the kings and the wars, etc.

What you are actually reading is from the “small” plates of Nephi which he made after the large plates because, “I have received a commandment of the Lord that I should make these plates, for the special purpose that there should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people (vs. 3).” These plates contain more of the preaching and the doctrine of Christ.

In vs. 5-6 Nephi says:

5 Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.

 6 But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words.

Little does Nephi know that Joseph Smith, who translated the plates over 2000 years later would lose a portion of the “large” plates which Nephi had written first (actually, Joseph didn’t lose the plates but he lost the manuscript and was forbidden to re-translate it), and because Nephi had obeyed the Lord and re-wrote much of his history in the “small” plates, we still have Nephi’s account in the Book of Mormon. You can read about the lost manuscript pages here: http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Manuscript,_Lost_116_Pages

1 Nephi 10

This chapter is a prophecy of the coming of Christ (vs. 4-10). Also look for references to John the Baptist, even though he isn’t mentioned by name. I love these kinds of chapters. I think it’s so cool to see so many important details of Christ’s life and His power and purpose that were revealed to prophets hundreds of years before His coming. The whole purpose of any prophet is to testify of Christ. This is mentioned later, in Helaman 8:22

 22 Our father Lehi was driven out of Jerusalem because he testified of these things. Nephi also testified of these things, and also almost all of our fathers, even down to this time; yea, they have testified of the coming of Christ, and have looked forward, and have rejoiced in his day which is to come.

I also love vs. 17-19 of this chapter. After hearing all these prophecies from his father, Nephi wants to know for himself if they are true. He teaches that any of us can receive answers from the Spirit of God (or the Holy Ghost—same thing) if we want to know something for ourselves. “He that diligently seeketh shall find”—and that applies today just as much as it applied in days of old. I know that is true! And I hope as you read the Book of Mormon who will ask God all along the way to show you if it is true. A “testimony” (or a belief or witness) of the Book of Mormon cannot come by any other way than answers from the Holy Ghost. And I really believe He will answer any and all sincere seekers of truth.

 17 And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.

 18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.

 19 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.

1 Nephi 8

This chapter introduces a special and well-loved vision given to Lehi—it is commonly referred to as “the vision of the tree of life.” In this chapter Lehi relates his vision to his family, and in later chapters Nephi will strongly desire to know what the dream means and he will seek (and receive) answers from the Lord. For now, as you read the chapter notice the items/things/people Lehi mentions in his dream, and think about what each might represent. Then in later chapters we will get the interpretation.

Look for the:

• Large and spacious field
• Tree with fruit that was whiter and sweeter than anything he had ever seen or tasted (and “desirable above all other fruit”); tasting it filled his soul with joy
• River of water
• Rod of iron, leading to the tree
• Straight and narrow path running next to the rod of iron
• Fountain
• Mist of darkness
• Great and spacious building, high in the air and full of people who are mocking and laughing 

1 Nephi 7

With all the complaining and drama that Nephi and Lehi experienced in response to the commandment to return to Jerusalem for the brass plates, it’s interesting to note that no one seems to complain when the boys are commanded to return to Jerusalem again—but this time for wives! 1 Nephi 7 is an interesting chapter as somehow the sons of Lehi convince a man named Ishmael and his whole family (mostly girls) to join them in their expedition into the wilderness. I wish we knew more about them.

And a fight breaks out during the journey back to Lehi’s camp! Laman and Lemuel tie Nephi to a tree and want to leave him for dead. Yet somehow everything is resolved (again, I wish we had more details), and Nephi nobly says, “I did frankly forgive them all that they had done.” I wish I were better at that. I’m working on it.

--Megan

1 Nephi 6

This chapter is short but powerful. In a nutshell, verse 3 tells the purpose of this record that Nephi is keeping (and this purpose is repeated/re-phrased by later writers in the Book of Mormon):

 4 For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.

And then I love Nephi’s promise regarding the content of his writings:

 5 Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world.

 6 Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men.

I can say ‘amen’ to the claims in all three of these verses. Nephi’s writings (and those of later writers in the Book of Mormon) have persuaded me over and over again to come closer to God.

Think about Nephi's promise that he won’t put anything in these writings that is “not of worth unto the children of men.” It’s a great exercise to ask yourself while you read the Book of Mormon, “Why would Nephi have included that?” or “Why would Mormon have included that” (because Mormon is the prophet at the end of the history who compiles and condenses almost 1000 years of writings into what is now the Book of Mormon—we’ll read more about that later). As I have read the Book of Mormon dozens of times now, I can tell you that I am always discovering significant new insights in parts I’ve read tons of times, or it will apply in news ways to the challenges I am facing at that time.

1 Nephi 5

Lehi’s wife, Sariah, begins to panic that her boys have died on their quest back to Jerusalem, but they return safe and sound and everyone celebrates. Lehi takes time to review the contents of the brass plates and finds much of the content we are familiar with as the beginning books of the Bible (in the Old Testament).

The last couple verses summarize the chapter and the whole purpose of the dangerous mission they went on:

 21 And we had obtained the records which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable; yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children.

 22 Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise.

1 Nephi 4

Gem in verse 1: “…Let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands?”

This chapter is a fascinating one, and possibly one of the most controversial in the Book of Mormon. Nephi slips into the city at night and stumbles across Laban who is alone and passed-out drunk on the streets. Nephi is commanded by the Spirit of the Lord to slay Laban who has been delivered into his hands. Nephi has never killed a man and is terrified at the thought—it’s against the commandments to kill! But the spirit gives this reason to Nephi:

Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.

Nephi then reflects on how important it will be for his family to take the scriptures with them in order for their posterity to remain faithful to the Lord.

I’m going to let you read the chapter to find out if Nephi kills Laban or not, and if he gets the brass plates or not.

So what do you think? Would the Lord ever command someone to kill someone else? Would he sacrifice one man in order to preserve a nation?

--Megan

1 Nephi 3

The Lord commands Lehi in a dream that his sons should return to Jerusalem to get the brass plates, which contain the records of the prophets (basically they contain early-Old-Testament writings). It is important that Lehi’s family take the scriptures with them so they have the Word of God and to ‘preserve their language’ and also the record of their genealogy.

The problem is that a wicked man named Laban keeps the plates. The boys make 2 failed attempts at getting the plates from Laban. First Laman draws the “short straw” and goes in to ask Laban for the plates (Laman=Nephi’s oldest brother, Laban=keeper of the brass plates; confusing, I know). Laban accuses Laman of being a thief and throws him off his property. Next Nephi and brothers go to their old home in Jerusalem where they abandoned all their nice stuff, and they gather gold and silver and bring it to Laban to exchange for the brass plates. Laban tells his guards to kill the brothers, and they run for their lives and have to leave their treasures behind.

Laman and Lemuel are ticked at Nephi and at their father Lehi for sending them on this mission. They start to beat Nephi and Sam with a rod when an angel appears and tells them to stop. The angel tells them to go back to Jerusalem and the Lord will deliver Laban into their hands.

Best verse of this chapter:

 7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

The Lord still commands us to do hard things today (not retrieving ancient records from greedy men, but perhaps loving our neighbor, or keeping the Sabbath day holy, or making special sacrifices). He won’t command us to do something that we are not capable of doing. He will provide a way. Nephi is an awesome example of faith to obey.

--Megan

1 Nephi 2 (the book of 1 Nephi, chapter 2)

Lehi is told by the Lord to take his family and escape from Jerusalem to save their lives. They leave behind everything they own except the essentials. The whole family struggles with this (they have lived in Jerusalem their whole lives and now they are just going on Dad’s word that the Lord says they need to leave!).

You’ll find that Laman and Lemuel (the oldest brothers) are constant whiners through the whole journey. But to their credit—they go! Laman and Lemuel make me think about how often I cooperate with God’s commandments but complain about it the whole time. I love the insight in this verse:

 12 And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them.

I can think of lots of hard times in my life that I regret moaning over so much because now I can see the good that came of them. Heavenly Father probably got a bit annoyed that he was doing something good for me and I only gave Him grief the whole time. 

Nephi and his brother Sam have a better attitude about the whole thing—but notice it wasn’t automatic. 

 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.

 17 And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words.

Nephi had to want to believe/feel good about it, and then seek help from the Lord. It’s ok to ask God to help us change our hearts when we need it—or even to help us know IF we need to change our hearts in the first place.

--Megan

1 Nephi 1 (The book of 1 Nephi, chapter 1)

The Book of Mormon starts with the Book of Nephi. The paragraph before the start of Chapter 1 is a summary of the whole Book of Nephi written by Nephi himself (you will also find a little summary at the beginning of each chapter in italics that was added later by editors).

Nephi is the son of a prophet named Lehi who lived in Jerusalem around 600 B.C. during the time of the prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament. Lehi has been preaching to the people of Jerusalem, telling them to repent or the city will be destroyed. They mock him and want to kill him. But the Lord shows Lehi remarkable visions, and he rejoices in the goodness of God and the promised-coming of a Messiah.

Lehi preaches to the people of Jerusalem

I’ve always really liked the very first verse of the Book of Mormon. Nephi introduces himself by saying, “I, Nephi… having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God…” So in the same breathe Nephi is saying that he has had a really difficult life, but he has been “highly favored” of God. I love his acknowledgement that even though bad and hard things happen to him, it doesn’t mean God is not aware of him, has abandoned him, or does not exist. It is very strengthening in the middle of challenges to be able to recognize the ways God blesses us and to see his goodness, even if we don’t fully understand the “mysteries” of why certain things happen as they do. This doesn’t mean we have to like the challenges or pretend they don’t hurt. It just means don’t overlook the blessings and mercies that also exist. 

--Megan

Title Page/Introduction/"Brief Explanation about the Book of Mormon"

The Title Page and “Brief Explanation about the Book of Mormon” attempt to briefly summarize the different authors, sections, and make-up of the Book of Mormon. It would be helpful for you to read over this, but don’t panic if it doesn’t all make sense. I will dissect the book chapter by chapter as we read through it.

As the Title Page states, the purpose of the Book of Mormon record is “to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.” The Book of Mormon is very much like the Bible, and even from a similar time period, but written by people living in a different part of the world (what is now the American continent). To me, it demonstrates that God is aware of, and communicates with, his children all over the earth who will hear His voice—not just to one group of people. 

I think these are important overview excerpts from the Introduction:

The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel.

 The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites… After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians.

 The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after his resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.

I love reading “The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith” in the introduction. This tells the story of how the Book of Mormon came to be, as told by the translator. I love studying about Joseph Smith—his life was incredible and so difficult. The more I learn about him, the more I am amazed (and fascinated!). 

And in my opinion these are the most important paragraphs of all the introductory pages:

We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3–5.)

 Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah.

What a cool promise. And I believe it from experience.

Excited to dive in tomorrow?? Have your questions for God ready to go.... :)

-Megan

An Invitation

Happy New Year!

I have a unique invitation to extend at the beginning of this new year. As you probably know, I’m quite in-love with my faith as it’s my favorite thing on the planet. A big piece of my religion, which most people have heard of but very few people know hardly anything about, is the Book of Mormon. I recently finished reading the Book of Mormon for the ump-teenth time and have felt a particularly strong desire to share the amazing peace, direction, and strength that I get from reading it. I have come to notice I literally have a greater capacity to cope with daily challenges when I am reading it regularly than when I am not. 

That said, the Book of Mormon can also be difficult to understand on your first go. It can be heavy in parts, is full of new names and places as well as old biblical allusions, and it uses old-style speak. So here comes the invitation. I am starting tomorrow to read the Book of Mormon again from start to finish, and I would like to invite you to read it with me. My goal is to read one chapter a day (which is usually a couple pages), and for the big chapters I will split them up across a couple days. I have started a blog—www.bookofmormonwithmurff.blogspot.com—where I will post daily thoughts or summaries about the chapter I read that day.

My daily notes will vary—sometimes I will quote my favorite verse of the day; sometimes I’ll just share a quick thought; sometimes I may even write a lengthy personal story or analysis (if I have time…we will see)! 

There is something very special about the Book of Mormon. I believe you can find the answer to ANY question or dilemma by reading it. Sometimes the answer comes straight off the page, and other times it comes to your mind while you are reading. But either way, I can confidently promise that if you accept this challenge to read the Book of Mormon, and begin with a question (or even a list of questions) you have for God, you will have answers by the time you have finished. I can’t think of anything more awesome I could offer you.  What a great way to start the new year!

You are welcome to comment on the blog, ask questions, start a discussion, or just remain silently on the outskirts and read when you have time. I hope you will read the Book of Mormon along with me, but even if you aren’t keeping up then you can still receive my daily emails/posts on the blog. 

You can find the Book of Mormon for free online at http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng or I would be happy to send you your own copy if you don’t have one.

Love and best wishes to you in 2013!

Megan Murff