1 Nephi 2:21-24
1 Nephi 2:21
21 And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.
THE FORMER INHABITANTS OF THE AMERICAN CONTINENT
I have been thinking today also, of the pioneers, but of other pioneers who preceded the ones we have been honoring today. About twenty-five centennials ago, a hardy group left the comforts of a great city, crossed a desert, braved an ocean, and came to the shores of this, their promised land. There were two large families, those of Lehi and Ishmael, who in not many centuries, numbered hundreds of millions of people on these two American continents. Their scriptures and records taught them of God. They had many blessings, and many promises. They were given, by the creator of this land, a clear title to the Americas—a certificate of title, free and clear of all encumbrance. There was, however, one condition: They must serve the Lord their God if they were to retain title to the property. Their wickedness brought on wars, which scattered and destroyed them and divided them into two factions, the Nephites and Lamanites, and finally they peopled the continents. The years went apace; the Savior came to them after his resurrection—which glorious event we are celebrating today, this Easter day. The Savior so inspired them that for twice the period of our own Church history they were righteous and were devoted to their Heavenly Father. And then came prosperity and wealth. The sins of the world overtook them, and for about one hundred and seventy years, both factions were wicked, very wicked indeed, until the great battle on Cumorah when the Nephites were literally destroyed. The Prophet Mormon recounted two hundred and thirty thousand people lying in their blood in death, and this because of their wickedness. Their enemies had been permitted to come upon them. Mormon exclaims:
And my soul was rent with anguish because of the slain of my people, and I cried:
O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you!
Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen (Morm. 6:16-18).
The penalty for their wickedness was that they were to be scattered and driven, cursed and scourged. They were to be "cut off from the presence of the Lord" (1 Ne. 2:21). Scales of darkness were to be their curse (2 Ne. 30:6), and they were to become "as chaff is driven before the wind" or "a vessel is tossed about upon the waves without sail or anchor or anything wherewith to steer her" (Morm. 5:18).
. . . wherefore, as they were white, and exceeding fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.
. . . I will cause that they shall be loathsome unto thy people . . .
And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their seed; . . .
. . . they did become an idle people, full of mischief and subtlety (2 Ne. 5:21-24).
1 Nephi 2:22
22 And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren.
No Specific Reference
1 Nephi 2:23
23 For behold, in that day that they shall rebel against me, I will curse them even with a sore curse, and they shall have no power over thy seed except they shall rebel against me also.
The joyful news for anyone who desires to be rid of the consequences of past poor choices is that the Lord sees weaknesses differently than He does rebellion. Whereas the Lord warns that unrepented rebellion will bring punishment,16 [See 1 Samuel 12:15; Isaiah 1:20; 1 Nephi 2:23; Mosiah 15:26; Alma 9:24; Doctrine and Covenants 76:25; Moses 4:3.] when the Lord speaks of weaknesses, it is always with mercy.17 [See Proverbs 28:13; 1 Corinthians 2:3; 15:43; 2 Corinthians 13:4; James 3:17; 2 Nephi 3:13; Jacob 4:7; Alma 34:17; 3 Nephi 22:8; Ether 12:26–28; Doctrine and Covenants 24:11; 35:17; 38:14; 62:1.]
1 Nephi 2:24
24 And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in the ways of remembrance.
Brethren and sisters, let us be encouraged; for the day is ours, the kingdom is ours, all is ours; for the Lord is on our side,
and we have nothing to be afraid of from our enemies. We have more to be afraid of from ourselves than anything else; and as long as men and women will do as they are told and keep it in their hearts to do good continually, they are safe.
and we have nothing to be afraid of from our enemies. We have more to be afraid of from ourselves than anything else; and as long as men and women will do as they are told and keep it in their hearts to do good continually, they are safe.
There is no need to fear about anything. Some of the brethren and sisters feel fearful; sometimes they are weak: they do not feel to do wrong—they have no wish to violate any law, but they are subject to temptations and weaknesses.
There are some who know what it is to be driven from their homes, and that in the dead of winter, cold and barefooted; and many of those persons are here, and have survived and come up to this place with the Church. There may be trials equally as severe as those already past; but if we do right, all will be well with us. There never was a truer thing said, than that if this people have to leave here, it will be for our good, for our salvation, temporal and spiritual, and they will be better off than ever. But still, if the people will keep humble and do as they are told, they will stay here as long as they have a mind to, and then go back and build the Temple in the Center Stake of Zion.
Perhaps I do not feel right, but this is my feeling all the time—that the Lord Almighty will deliver us, and we shall find everything to work together for our salvation, for our good and welfare, and for the welfare of Zion. I never heard nor read of any people under heaven, when they were obedient to the Prophets of God—to those that led them—I say I never heard of such a people being given into the hands of their enemies.
When the Nephites were given up to their enemies, it was when they became wicked and disobedient, and made derision of the Prophets and Apostles that were sent unto them;
but when they were obedient to their Apostles and Prophets and to the servants of God, then their enemies had no power over them.
So it is and will be with this people.
but when they were obedient to their Apostles and Prophets and to the servants of God, then their enemies had no power over them.
So it is and will be with this people.
I can speak good of Zion, for I know the people are obedient. I have really thought in some places that the people would be willing to sacrifice everything, if called upon to do it, and also to lay down their lives for the cause of God and to carry out the counsel of the servants of the Lord.
Every man and every woman seem determined to put forth their hands to sustain the servants of God in the cause in which we are engaged. It is generally said that actions speak louder than words, and with us it is as brother Grant used to say, “Yankee doodle, do it;” and as long as this people do this, all will prosper with Israel.
The Saints who are filled with the Spirit of the living God like to go and hear the servants of the Lord proclaim the words of life and salvation.
END OF CHAPTER 2. NOW GO AND READ THE ENTIRE CHAPTER IN ITS ENTIRETY AND SEE IF YOU UNDERSTAND THINGS DIFFERENTLY. WHAT ENLIGHTENMENT DID YOU RECEIVE?
1 NEPHI 2
Additional Reading for Understanding! I am going to start using the "Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home Study Seminary Students" to enhance my learning to further enhance my study of the Book of Mormon. I will post links on END of CHAPTER DAYS. So here is the link for 1 Nephi 2
No comments:
Post a Comment