Jacob 6

Jacob 6

Jacob 6: 1-5

surely come to pass................................................Jacob bears testimony to Zeno's prophecy
last time...............................................................a time in last days for the gathering
the servants....................................................................great blessings
others.............................................................................destroyed as if by fire
remembers roots and branches.............................................both the apparent and the less so
repent.............................................................................the underlying message to the House

The prophecy set forth in the parable is a true message to the House of Israel to change its way in order to be found among the servants of the Lord, and not among the one destroyed in the fires.

Jacob 6: 6-12

harden not.....................................................................seek the spirit
nourished for good............................................................the Lord has given constant messages
rejection of word.............................................................shuts off the salvation of the Lord
stand with shame................................................................accountability before God
justice............................................................................if we break the law we are cursed
narrow way................................................................a specific method that must be met
wise..............................................................................we must exercise spiritual wisdom

God reminds us that salvation is a human choice.  The offer is there, the method is specific, and men are accountable for what they do with their free agency.

Jacob 6: 13

farewell..............................................................seen as his last set of entries

Jacob 6 is a strong message to anyone who comes into connection with the gospel.  Once we do this we become accounable before Gdo how we invite or reject the spirit of God into our lives.  it can either bless us and bring out the gifts of salvation, or it can lead to personal destruction through our rejection.  We will all answer for it.

1 Nephi 17

1 Nephi 17

1 Nephi 17: 1-13

wade through affliction.................................................the journey through the desert is difficult
bear without murmuring............................................the women become tough like men, enjoy the journey
fulfilled...............................................................the Lord's blessing make the life of journeying enjoyable
8 years.........................................................the journey is slow and tedious.
Land of Bountiful.............................................the end of the desert journey situated in a very fruitful place
many waters......................................................edge of the Indian Ocean
voice of the Lord......................................................Nephi instructed by the Lord
construct a ship..........................................................the migrants are to build a ship according to a divine design
whither for ore........................................................Nephi realizes that he does not have resources necessary
Lord told me................................................................the question is answered.
2 stones for fire.............................................................Nephi breaks the tradition of having no fire
not make much fire.......................................................generally the group had gone without cooked food
led.........................................................................their instructions were to move when instructed, listening to the Lord

A long journey takes place across the desert. The object is not speed, but rather safety.  So the group must move slowly, cautiously.  Once arriving at the sea shore, they settle down for a good rest.  This is ended when Nephi is instructed to make a ship.  He learns from the Lord where and how to do this.

1 Nephi 17: 14-22

delivered you........................................................the Lord was filling them with faith for their even greater journey.
exhort brethern.........................................Nephi teaches his brothers about what they must do
brother is a fool..............................................they find his intentions laughable and mock him
made tools................................................Nephi makes the necessary metal tools
not labor........................................................brothers not convinced.  Do not see it a good enterprise
rejoice over him..........................................a haughty attempt to put Nephi down for foolishness
like our father..............................................equate Nephi's visionary attitude with their father's dreams
would have enjoyed................................the brothers are angry over the loss of the family fortune
they are righteous.....................................the brothers are incredibly wrong about the people left behind
murmur and complain..................................the situation turns into a nasty confrontation

The duty of the family is made more known.  Nephi has no luck trying to convince his brothers to help in th endeavor.  In fact, they accuse his of foolishness and express their disdain.

1 Nephi 17: 23-31

Another leading away...................................Nephi compares their flight with that of those from Egypt
commanded Moses..........................................Moses had been instructed, they were to follow
brought out of bondage................................the Israelites were taken out of slavery
Lord used power to lead them.........................fire and protection
red sea............................................................the highway is given to escape
drowned...........................................................they were protected.  and the enemy destroyed.
manna.............................................................Lord provided the needs
water...................................................................when thirsty, the lord provided
still reviled Moses..............................................they turned on the leader, Moses.  Accused him.
Lord destroyed the revilers................................consequences for those who cannot acknowledge the help

Nephi recounts to his brothers the history of their people, reminding them that they also had received the same kinds of divine assistance and protection.  He warns them about their nasty revilings.

1 Nephi 17: 32-42

crossing Jordan..............................................the help of God continues.  They receive their Land
people there good? no..........................................Lord did not spare the people there, ie Canaanites
all men equal......................................................Lord helps all people
favored.............................................................those who listen to the Lord receive greater blessings
raiseth and destroyeth nations................................the Lord works with the destinies of nations
wicked destroyed...........................................those who turn away from God live under a curse
leads the righteous......................................the Lord will let good people take over the land of the wicked
ruleth........................................................regardless what we think, God is in charge of all
loveth them.....................................................the Lord has always favored those who listen and obey him
straitened them..................................................they journeyed to become purer.
tested them with fiery serpents..................................they needed even more instruction.  He tested them
they reviled Moses................................................again, despite unbelievable blessings, they rejected Moses

Another story told.  The Lord blesses some and destroys others.  His favor is with the obedient.  And when men turn on him, he straitens them.

1 Nephi 17: 43-55

about to be destroyed........................................Their contemporaries have again reached that state
captivity.........................................................promised enslavement for the survivors
murderers in your hearts.......................................your behavior and acts are similar to the Israelites
He can change things............................................God can and will change things
Spirit.................................................................Nephi so inspired that he feels the power of the Lord
touch me not................................................brothers incensed.  Want to kill him.  Lord gives Nephi power
work............................................................commanded to help Nephi.  To work
I can do it......................................................The faith of Nephi
confounded.......................................................the brothers are strongly shaken by the Spirit, Humbled
durst not.......................................................still angry, but they at least assist
stretch forth...................................................Lord commands Nephi to frighten them.  Lord shocks them
surety..........................................................they knew the Lord was with Nephi
worship him..............................................it is not Nephi who will be worshiped .  It is the Lord

The Lord is expecting the brothers to assist and to give diligence to the migration.  Nephi works with the Lord to give them a sign, since it is the only way to get their attention.

1 Nephi 17

The nature of the journey of Lehi's family is similar to the exodus of Israel from Egypt.  The Lord explains how the righteous are led and how the wicked are destroyed.  If men do as they are told, and pray, they are given the favor of the Lord.

1 Nephi 10

1 Nephi 10

1 Nephi 10:  1-6

things of my father and brethern.......................Nephi wants to make sense of his family division
made an end............................................Lehi ends his speech about the dream and his family situation
great city destroyed..................................the prophecy of the fall of Jerusalem and enslavement
return again.............................................the enslavement period will eventually end
possess the land......................................the nation will be reestablished
600 years, a Messiah....................................Christ will be born in 600 years
the Redeemer..........................................because of mankind's fallen state, the Redeemer necessary
how many.............................................the prophets all point to the Christ, everyone of them

Lehi teaches his sons what will take place for the next 600 years.

1 Nephi 10: 7-10

a forerunner to the Christ..................................John the Baptist
Prepare ye the way.............................................His mission was to prepare the world for Christ's ministry
I am not worthy..........................................this great prophet will teach with great humility
he standeth................................................will be a contemporary of the Messiah prophet
baptize in Bethabara..........................................a prophecy of the Aaronic Priesthood.  A great "bishop"
baptize the Messiah...........................................his great calling,
the great sign..............................................John the Baptist will recognize the Lord and receive a witness
take away the sins of the world............................Christ will redeem all his true followers

Lehi mentions the culmination of the work of the faith/religion before the advent of the Lord.  John will finish off the pre-Messianic age, the greatest of all the prior prohets.  At the moment of the Lord's arrival to his mission, he will receive a witness.

1 Nephi 10: 11-12

dwindling in unbelief.....................................the children of Israel will have strayed far from the gospel
slain the Messiah.........................................these children will actually kill the Messiah
rise from the dead.....................................Christ will be the first to resurrect
manifest in the Spirit.......................................the Holy Ghost will make the Lord known to true seekers

The earthly mission of the Lord will end in the Lord's death and resurrection.  These necessary events will lead the way for all men to enjoy the atonement.

1 Nephi 10: 13-16

what is expedient.......................................Nephi can write more.  He elects not to.  He will chose what he feels is necessary for his record
house scattered......................................many years into the future, the children of Israel will be scattered all over the earth
Olive tree...............................................a symbol of the House of Israel.  Many parables about the olive
in a tent.................................................this event, like others, occurs during the first encampment

Some of the purpose of Nephi's writings in the record are to aid in the reassembling of the House of Israel at a much later date.

1 Nephi 10: 17-

Nephi curious.........................................seeks a spiritual witness of what he has learned
gift of the Holy Ghost................................a gift predicated on the diligence of the person who seeks the Spirit
same yesterday, today, and forever.......................the Lord words according to the eternal law
repent............................................Universally decreed to be the foundation for forgiveness and eternal life
shall find........................................promise, those diligent receive the witness
mysteries of God.............................can tap into eternal blessings that surpass all earthly gifts
eternal round....................................it doesn't matter when one does this,  all may experience it
remember justice................................the Lord will judge all men.  therefore repent and receive forgiveness
sought to do wickedly..........................if a person has not intention of repenting, he will suffer
no unclean thing..................................only the forgiven can stand blameless before God
Holy Ghost gives authority........................the witness of Nephi borne.  We can have the same

Nephi makes it clear how he heard the teachings of his father and received a witness about it.  He has a testimony in Christ and the other details about his future coming and purpose.  He expounds that all people can receive a similar testimony through the Holy Ghost.  Ultimately, we need the testimony for the Savior to perfect our eternal lives.

This chapter makes it clear that the Book of Mormon is primarily about gaining and maintaining a testimony of the Lord and his mission.

1 Nephi 8

1 Nephi 8

1 Nephi 8: 1-4

gather seeds......................................preparations made for their long journey
dreamed a dream, vision............................Hebraism, a dreamer or visionary working within his calling
Nephi and Sam and children........................Lehi receives comfort about two of his sons
Laman and Lemuel................................very distraught over the message of the other 2 sons
dark and dreary....................................the symbolism surrounding the families of Laman and Lemuel

The prophet Lehi receives a message concerning the future spiritual welfare of his family

1 Nephi 8: 5-18

saw a man................................................in the dream, Lehi visited by angel messenger
bade me follow...........................................instruction to pay attention, to follow
journey in darkness...................................sees a lot of unsettling images
prays for delivery........................................the prophet looks for promising imagery.  Disturbed
sees a field.....................................................a wide open are,  immediate answer
tree and fruit...............................................Lehi sees a much different image,  something desirable
did partake............................................Lehi enjoying the better future, very happy with it
concern for family.....................................symbolically Lehi receives the promise.  Wants it for his family
cast eyes..............................................tries to locate his family.  Makes efforts to understand family
tree and river...........................................more symbolism, not explained
sees wife, 2 sons............................................Lehi sees a division within his family
call to join.............................................Lehi invites his family to enjoy the fruit
they do...................................................Indicates the believing side of his family
Laman, Lemuel, would not come.........................different response from the other children

In Lehi's vision, he receives spiritual confirmation and warning about the state and future of his family.  This manifestation both pleases him and deeply disturbs him.  Some of his family receives Eternal life, but some fail and don't desire it.

Nephi 8: 19-28

rod of iron......................................a "highway" to the fruit
straignt and narrow way that leads......................................the correct use of the rod leads men to eternal life.
numberless concourse...........................the vision is enlarged.  The key components apply to all people
did come forward..................................likewise, all men come forward and receive the test
mist of darkness........................................the common experience, men manuever the darkness
some cling to the end.................................many people cling to the path and arrive to the correct place
partake and look around...................................many enjoy, they look around,  why?  different answers
spacious building........................................symbolizes the reaction of many men to contrast with those who arrive
were ashamed........................................wrong response for someone who receives the fruit,  apostasy
filled with people, fake behavior.............................the building is not filled with genuine believers.  facades
fell away..............................................those who join this group are lost.  Deluded with their achievements.

Many people are tricked and fooled by the temptations of wealth and related "successes."  If not grounded in the gospel of Christ, they become all involved in the floating building and end up falling from the protections of the spirit.

1 Nephi 8: 29-34

multitudes................................................those who find the gospel are many
many go to the building......................................these two divisions are very large, perhaps the 2 biggest categories.
Many drowned.....................................some do not acheieve arrival in either category
did point and sorned.................................Many of those who get to the building are very accusatory and persuasive
those who heeded.....................................those who follow the way to the great building are lost

Those who choose the worldly goal are the most easily lost.  People move that direction and become lost before they even arrive.  Others arrive, and become deluded at that point.  They stand in stark contrast to those who choose and remain faithful to the gospel

1 Nephi 8: 35-38

Laman and Lemuel.......................................do not choose the fruit,  Responses upset Lehi
fears for them............................................Lehi uses the dream to warn his sons.  Shares his dream vision
exhorts with feeling......................................so disturbed that he takes tremendous care to teach them

Lehi centers on those who need the teaching most.  He attempts to change the warnings that seem to come from his vision.  The future of Laman and Lemuel are really disturbing to their father

1 Nephi 8

Nephi learns in a dream how the choices made by men and women as they encounter the choices of life will alter their futures.  If men choose the good and stay in that way they arrive at the fruit of eternal life.  If they hearken to the other voices and promises, it pulls them from the right way and compromise their futures.  Lehi is particularly disturbed by the prophetic message of his own family.  As a prophet he uses the message immediately to teach his family.

1 Nephi 5

1 Nephi 5

1 Nephi 5: 1-8

mother exceedingly glad.............................idiomatic, unusually happy
accuses of being visionary.........................sounds mocking here, described as Laman and Lemuel do
manner of language..............................she is upset and uses the same types of arguments used all ready
I know...........................................Lehi admits his "visionary" pattern, but bears witness it is of God
he does not sound worried.
comforts his wife..................................his words are full of faith, and he manages to calm her
the return........................................the mother is even more comforted.  She offers up declarations of faith and of joy

This short narrative illustrates the misapprehensions of a distraught wife and mother. Her faith is shaken, but is restored.

1 Nephi 5: 9-17

offer thanks and sacrifice........................Lehi's first reaction
Lehi took the records.............................Lehi takes the occasion to read from the record
contents......................................books of Moses, Adam and Eve, histories down to that current time
Jeremiah................................a contemporary to Lehi
genealogy..................................Lehi's family is recorded.  He belongs to the tribe of Joseph
freedom from slavery.............................the story of the Exodus
Laban..........................................a relative, also of the same family
filled with prophecy.............................from the record, and from his own experiences, Lehi prophecies beyond even the book, concerning his descendants and the promised land.

Lehi studies the book.  He comes to a knowledge of his people and his family.  The record strengthens him and opens himself to be taught by the Spirit

1 Nephi 5: 18-22

record to be published to many times and places..................Lehi sees the future dissemination of the record
I had kept commandments..........................Nephi at peace with himself, in harmony with the Lord
desirable records...........................Nephi begins to see the great significance of the brass records
wisdom of the Lord.......................the family begins to understand how important the record will be in the future

Nephi and his family have a sublime time of joy.  The mission is accomplished and the family is full of spiritual manifestations of the future value of the record.

1 Nephi 4

1 Nephi 4

1 Nephi 4:  1-3

Lord is mightier......................................reminder of the omnipotence and helpfulness of God
strong like Moses............................remember the narratives,  trust them
angel hath spoken.........................recipients of an obvious spiritual manifestation, trust it
Lord about to deliver..............................call to action

To gain strength and faith for difficult situations, we need to "remember."

1 Nephi 4: 4-7

wroth, murmur.........................................the brothers complain and act in anger
hide themselves....................................if they won't help, hide them safely
I crept.............................................he has fear, but he goes
led by Spirit, not knowing...................................sometimes it's more important to show up
I went forth...............................................He did what he said he would do
found a man........................................He is led directly where he should go

The Spirit requires action.  By starting the journey, he is led, directly to the place he needed to go.  He also safely hid his less courageous brothers.

1 Nephi 4: 8-13

found Laban...............................................he recognizes the very person he needed
the sword........................................reveals Laban as a powerful military leader at his time
constrained by the spirit.......................interesting word. Nephi is required to act.  Spiritual obligation
I shrunk...........................................take courage, even when the commandment goes against core values
the Lord has delivered....................................when the Lord prepares, the servant obeys
sought thy own life....................................he tried to kill you
he would not follow commandment...............................the man has broken faith with God
taken property...........................................he is a thief
Slay him...................................................a blunt order from the Spirit.
better for one than a nation.....................................Justified death in terms of the man's treachery and evil

This section has long led to academic discussions about the ethics and appropriateness of Nephi's killing of Laban.  At least from the narrative, the killing is perfectly legal in a spiritual sense.  The Spirit has justified it.  Like the offering of Isaac on the altar, and the other ultimate tests of religious narrative, this story places Nephi in a category apart.

1 Nephi 4: 14-18

I remembered.........................................his own sermon to his brothers comes back to educate him
need the law............................................must sometimes act according to the rules of the Law of Moses, even when it is not pleasant
need the law.............................................the same expression holds for those who will receive the record
purpose of his finding of Laban......................the Spirit lets him know that this is the way to get the plates
he acts........................................the spiritual logic and impressions lead Nephi to kill Laban with his sword

Nephi acts.  The act will change the rest of his life profoundly.

1 Nephi 4: 19-27

girded in the armor.......................................his Spirit-driven continues  He is drawn to imitate Laban
went to the treasury...................Nephi goes directly to the place where he will find the record.
commanded in the voice of Laban.........................Nephi either had this talent to imitate, or Laban had a such an idiosyncratic type voice that it was easy to imitate
he supposed.................................the servant of Laban does not question Laban's identity
the conversation......................................Nephi able to have a continuing conversation with the servant without detection.
carry the engravings and follo...........................the servant actually assists in the removal of the record.  Nothing is spoken about any other removals, particularly Lehi's property

The Spirit makes it simple to obtain the record and to transfer it to Lehi's family.  The servant doesn't even question Nephi's actions.

1 Nephi 4: 28-35

reactions of the brothers..........................the imitation of Laban is so convincing that the brothers assume Nephi has been killed
calls for them.....................................they are stopped and realize the presence of Nephi
servant's reaction......................................now it is the servants turn to fear
the oath...............................................the servant is given an opportunity to join Nephi and the family.  Does he have a choice?  He is given a promise of equal status.
teaches him.........................................Nephi even gives his an opportunity to make a spiritual conversion
Zoram agrees..............................................This man, with little actual force, joins the family of Nephi

The disguise almost backfires.  However as the events continue to develop, another member of the migration is brought into play.

1 Nephi 4: 35-

tarry with us....................................he is made an honored guest.  They do not want him to return to the city.  He could be their undoing.
Zoram's oath.................................he become an integral member of their community.  They do not fear him at all
return to the tent..................................they journey home.

Zoram become a worrisome issue.  But he actually joins with them.  This brings up many questions about his motivations and his relationship to Laban.  It sounds like he was more a slave than anything else, and his emancipation offers him a far better future.

The chapter:

Nephi offers this narrative to us so that we can understand the tremendously difficult decisions that he went through to follow the dictates of the Spirit.  As he continued, he found the events fell miraculously into line, each item working to the future success of his life and to the establishing of his family in America.  He makes no apologies for his behavior.  He triumphs in accomplishing his duty.  I think that this story would become a permanent controversy concerning himself.