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.
Showing posts with label murmur. Show all posts
Showing posts with label murmur. Show all posts
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
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.
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.
Friday, September 21, 2012
1 Nephi 2
1 Nephi 2
1 Nephi 2: 1-3
Blessed ..............in harmony with God's will
Commanded in a dream........................revelation that warns him
obedient, wherefore.......................the evidence of obedience was compliance
Lehi recognizes a message from God, and he responds to it.
1 Nephi 2: 4-10
takes nothing with him save................he deliberately abandons everything except what he needs to travel in the desert
with his family..............he takes his immediate family with him
river of water..............some Middle Eastern rivers are dry. This one has water
alter, prayer......................he constructs a place to offer up sacrifice
river Laman..........................uses the river to teach a son
valley Lemuel.....................teaches another son
Beginning the journey. This father uses the river and valley to teach lessons to two of his sons. We learn they are troublesome throughout the narrative, and this is known from the beginning.
1 Nephi 2: 11-13
stiffnecked.............................one proud and unwilling to change
murmur.............................vocal complaining
visionary man....................................."too" idealistic
foolish imaginations.....................................believing in delusions
knew not the dealings...................................do not understand spiritual manifestations
like the Jews who tried to destroy their father....................... their thinking and complaints were similar to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
This commentary gives the reader a look into the attitudes of Lehi's two oldest sons, Laman and Lemuel. They seem to work in tandem, crossing him together and mirroring the very attitudes of the wicked Jews that Lehi left behind. Their greatest complaint strikes at Lehi's spirituality because it deprives them of worldly things.
1 Nephi 2: 14-18
spoke with power...............................Lehi has the gift of speaking and it is accompanied with spirtual witness
their frames did shake.........................idiomatic, they were moved deeply
confound them.....................................they had no effective arguments
dwelt in a tent..........................................assumed leadership in a nomad lifestyle
large in stature........................................Nephi is unusually large for his age
desires to know the mysteries of God.............................actively seeks to understand the religion
cry to the Lord.....................................he prays
soften my heart..................................idiomatic, Nephi is being converted, gaining a witness
believed the words of his father.......................Nephi accepts the teachings of Lehi
manifested........................................Nephi teaches what he has learned to Sam, his brother
hardness of heart..............................unwilling and resistant to conversion and accepting
This section illustrates the differences between those who gain testimonies or witnesses and those who don't. It works with the idiom of hardening or softening of the heart. Nephi's conviction works with Sam but not with Laman or Lemuel.
1 Nephi 2: 19-
sought me diligently.........................the Lord accepts those who seek for him
lowliness of heart............................humbly
shall prosper..................................the Lord will bless abundantly
land of promise..............................you are going to receive a place to live in and establish
choice above all others.............................this land is unusually productive
cut off......................................Lord will reject and cease to assist
ruler and teacher.............................Nephi will have a role of teaching and governing them
curse them................................rebellion will lead to a judgement against them
no power to overcome except for rebellion.........................blessings do not come to any who rebel
serve as a scourge.......................the children will be used as a tool to keep Nephi's children in line
Nephi receives a direct promise and mission from the Lord, and it will even extend well into the future and affect his children
The second chapter of Nephi shows that the Lord gives the vision to his servant Lehi, but also his faithful son Nephi. This duality of witness will take much of the burden from Lehi's mind and prepare Nephi to assume authority after the death of his father. The chapter explains how important prayer and attitude are for the development of spiritual strength.
1 Nephi 2: 1-3
Blessed ..............in harmony with God's will
Commanded in a dream........................revelation that warns him
obedient, wherefore.......................the evidence of obedience was compliance
Lehi recognizes a message from God, and he responds to it.
1 Nephi 2: 4-10
takes nothing with him save................he deliberately abandons everything except what he needs to travel in the desert
with his family..............he takes his immediate family with him
river of water..............some Middle Eastern rivers are dry. This one has water
alter, prayer......................he constructs a place to offer up sacrifice
river Laman..........................uses the river to teach a son
valley Lemuel.....................teaches another son
Beginning the journey. This father uses the river and valley to teach lessons to two of his sons. We learn they are troublesome throughout the narrative, and this is known from the beginning.
1 Nephi 2: 11-13
stiffnecked.............................one proud and unwilling to change
murmur.............................vocal complaining
visionary man....................................."too" idealistic
foolish imaginations.....................................believing in delusions
knew not the dealings...................................do not understand spiritual manifestations
like the Jews who tried to destroy their father....................... their thinking and complaints were similar to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
This commentary gives the reader a look into the attitudes of Lehi's two oldest sons, Laman and Lemuel. They seem to work in tandem, crossing him together and mirroring the very attitudes of the wicked Jews that Lehi left behind. Their greatest complaint strikes at Lehi's spirituality because it deprives them of worldly things.
1 Nephi 2: 14-18
spoke with power...............................Lehi has the gift of speaking and it is accompanied with spirtual witness
their frames did shake.........................idiomatic, they were moved deeply
confound them.....................................they had no effective arguments
dwelt in a tent..........................................assumed leadership in a nomad lifestyle
large in stature........................................Nephi is unusually large for his age
desires to know the mysteries of God.............................actively seeks to understand the religion
cry to the Lord.....................................he prays
soften my heart..................................idiomatic, Nephi is being converted, gaining a witness
believed the words of his father.......................Nephi accepts the teachings of Lehi
manifested........................................Nephi teaches what he has learned to Sam, his brother
hardness of heart..............................unwilling and resistant to conversion and accepting
This section illustrates the differences between those who gain testimonies or witnesses and those who don't. It works with the idiom of hardening or softening of the heart. Nephi's conviction works with Sam but not with Laman or Lemuel.
1 Nephi 2: 19-
sought me diligently.........................the Lord accepts those who seek for him
lowliness of heart............................humbly
shall prosper..................................the Lord will bless abundantly
land of promise..............................you are going to receive a place to live in and establish
choice above all others.............................this land is unusually productive
cut off......................................Lord will reject and cease to assist
ruler and teacher.............................Nephi will have a role of teaching and governing them
curse them................................rebellion will lead to a judgement against them
no power to overcome except for rebellion.........................blessings do not come to any who rebel
serve as a scourge.......................the children will be used as a tool to keep Nephi's children in line
Nephi receives a direct promise and mission from the Lord, and it will even extend well into the future and affect his children
The second chapter of Nephi shows that the Lord gives the vision to his servant Lehi, but also his faithful son Nephi. This duality of witness will take much of the burden from Lehi's mind and prepare Nephi to assume authority after the death of his father. The chapter explains how important prayer and attitude are for the development of spiritual strength.
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