2 Nephi 32; 2 Nephi 33
2 Nephi 32: 1-7
what to do........................................................question after one accepts the Savior
Speak like angel.................................................the power of the Holy Ghost
ye ask not.......................................................we are expected to pray and ask for guidance
Holy Ghost.........................................................will show each of us the way
no more doctrine..................................................The Savior himself will add to His doctrine
unbelief.............................................................the prophet must be silent. Men not ready for men.
The Lord wants us to ask what to do. Failure to ask is what limits men, and it is a primary symptom of unbelief and inability to believe.
2 Nephi 32: 8-9
pray...................................................................the Lord tells us to pray. Satan says don't.
pray in Christ's Name........................................He will consecrate our prayers.
Prayer is the one thing we can do to elevate ourselves in God's eyes.
2 Nephi 33: 1-5
Holy Ghost carries..................................................the manner in which the voice of God penetrates
harden hearts.........................................................refusal to allow the Spirit speak to us
cry by faith..........................................................prophet prays for his people and for us
persuadeth...............................................................the Holy Ghost leads us to do good
anger..................................................................a sign of being under influence of devil
The Holy Ghost works with the willing. The refusal to soften our hearts places us under the anger of the devil
2 Nephi 33: 6-15
charity.................................................................deep love, willing to sacrifice
the Jew..................................................................compassion for his relatives in the Old World
Gentiles.............................................................recipients of the Lord's invitation
believe in Christ..................................................he will lead men to the truth, if done in faith
words of Christ....................................................the Book of Mormon given with Holy Ghost
many saved.............................................................a testimony that many will listen to the words
voice from dust......................................................understands the role of the Book in the future
condemn..............................................................for those who refuse to accept the truth
seal.................................................................the Lord has given Nephi the power to seal
The testimony of Nephi at the end of the book. He tells us to pray, to open our hearts, and to believe.
These two chapters, although short, contain Nephi's final testimony and blessing on the people who read the Book of Mormon and accept its message of Christ.
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
1 Nephi 15
1 Nephi 15
1 Nephi 15: 1-4
brothers disputing...........................................they are not united in their understanding of Lehi's dream
a man should enquire....................................why dispute. Man has prayer and can come to a divine understanding
hardness of hearts.........................................did not listen to the commandment to pray and seek
what would come to pass.................................Nephi disturbed. He knows his brother's descendants will survive, but not his own
beheld their fall...............................................the vision included the demise of the Nephites
1 Nephi 15: 5-12
afflictions................................................Nephi full of grief. Unable to deal with his emotions
we cannot understand.......................................the acknowledge an inability
Have ye?..........................................................Nephi confronts them directly and bluntly
Lord maketh not..............................................they claim no direct communication with God
commandments-perish..........................................to find salvation in the Lord a man must follow God
process..............................................................they have been taught to follow prayerful searches
parable of the olive...............................................a parable taught to the family of Lehi, to guide them
Nephi confronts his brothers who have not followed the commandment to pray about the teachings of Lehi. He believes, but they do not. They claim that they cannot receive revelation
1 Nephi 15: 13-18
overview................................................Nephi briefly summarizes Lehi's sermon
come to knowledge......................................a day of conversion will fall on all the descendants of Lehi
rock of salvation............................................these people will accept Christ, the Messiah
grafted in...............................................although a lost tribe, these people will become part of the House of Israel
scattered...............................................Lehi told the family that their children would be smitten and scattered by the Gentiles
whole house of Israel...............................the curse of apostasy would affect the whole House of Israel, the opportunity will come to repent and restore itself to God
After a period of scattering and destruction after the coming of the Gentiles, the House of Lehi would become again the House of Israel, after accepting Christ.
1 Nephi 15: 19-29
restoration of the Jews..............................he also let them know about the Jews themselves
words of Isaiah.......................................Nephi knows and teaches the works of Isaiah
what meaneth..............................................They still don't get it. Nephi becomes the teacher
tree................................................the tree of life
rod of iron...........................................word of God
hold fast............................................use it to hold onto and to help keep on the path
give heed and exhort...........................Nephi teaches his brothers and gives them a challenge
river of water....................................filth of the world, Satan, a destructive force that takes men backwards
gulf....................................................the filth keeps the imprudent from attaining to the tree of life
hell for the wicked............................symbolic separation from things that lead to Eternal Life
The brothers become students to Nephi, instead of seeking the knowledge themselves. Nephi explains the items in Lehi's dream
1 Nephi 15: 30-
justice of God.................................there are divine laws that a man must listen to
temporal and spiritual..........................the law of God pertains both to the mortal and immortal aspects of life
probation........................................we are responsible for how we behave in life
die in wickedness.....................................people can lose their futures by dying spiritually
kingdom of God...................................not filthy, pure
place prepared.......................................the ones who fail will go somewhere. Separated.
devil...................................................Satan is the author of the wickedness that destroys.
Tree of Life..................................the biggest and most important gift
God has firm rules to return to him. The dream teaches people how to get to the destination. It involves seeking the Tree of Life by following the path and holding firm to the Iron Rod. Those who move away fall into the filth and can die spiritually. This has everlasting consequences
Chapter 15
This chapter gives important keys for the understanding of the teachings of Lehi. It contrasts with the beliefs of Nephi's brothers who find spiritually impossible. Prayer is essential for understanding, and following the commandments is essential to obtain Eternal Life.
1 Nephi 15: 1-4
brothers disputing...........................................they are not united in their understanding of Lehi's dream
a man should enquire....................................why dispute. Man has prayer and can come to a divine understanding
hardness of hearts.........................................did not listen to the commandment to pray and seek
what would come to pass.................................Nephi disturbed. He knows his brother's descendants will survive, but not his own
beheld their fall...............................................the vision included the demise of the Nephites
1 Nephi 15: 5-12
afflictions................................................Nephi full of grief. Unable to deal with his emotions
we cannot understand.......................................the acknowledge an inability
Have ye?..........................................................Nephi confronts them directly and bluntly
Lord maketh not..............................................they claim no direct communication with God
commandments-perish..........................................to find salvation in the Lord a man must follow God
process..............................................................they have been taught to follow prayerful searches
parable of the olive...............................................a parable taught to the family of Lehi, to guide them
Nephi confronts his brothers who have not followed the commandment to pray about the teachings of Lehi. He believes, but they do not. They claim that they cannot receive revelation
1 Nephi 15: 13-18
overview................................................Nephi briefly summarizes Lehi's sermon
come to knowledge......................................a day of conversion will fall on all the descendants of Lehi
rock of salvation............................................these people will accept Christ, the Messiah
grafted in...............................................although a lost tribe, these people will become part of the House of Israel
scattered...............................................Lehi told the family that their children would be smitten and scattered by the Gentiles
whole house of Israel...............................the curse of apostasy would affect the whole House of Israel, the opportunity will come to repent and restore itself to God
After a period of scattering and destruction after the coming of the Gentiles, the House of Lehi would become again the House of Israel, after accepting Christ.
1 Nephi 15: 19-29
restoration of the Jews..............................he also let them know about the Jews themselves
words of Isaiah.......................................Nephi knows and teaches the works of Isaiah
what meaneth..............................................They still don't get it. Nephi becomes the teacher
tree................................................the tree of life
rod of iron...........................................word of God
hold fast............................................use it to hold onto and to help keep on the path
give heed and exhort...........................Nephi teaches his brothers and gives them a challenge
river of water....................................filth of the world, Satan, a destructive force that takes men backwards
gulf....................................................the filth keeps the imprudent from attaining to the tree of life
hell for the wicked............................symbolic separation from things that lead to Eternal Life
The brothers become students to Nephi, instead of seeking the knowledge themselves. Nephi explains the items in Lehi's dream
1 Nephi 15: 30-
justice of God.................................there are divine laws that a man must listen to
temporal and spiritual..........................the law of God pertains both to the mortal and immortal aspects of life
probation........................................we are responsible for how we behave in life
die in wickedness.....................................people can lose their futures by dying spiritually
kingdom of God...................................not filthy, pure
place prepared.......................................the ones who fail will go somewhere. Separated.
devil...................................................Satan is the author of the wickedness that destroys.
Tree of Life..................................the biggest and most important gift
God has firm rules to return to him. The dream teaches people how to get to the destination. It involves seeking the Tree of Life by following the path and holding firm to the Iron Rod. Those who move away fall into the filth and can die spiritually. This has everlasting consequences
Chapter 15
This chapter gives important keys for the understanding of the teachings of Lehi. It contrasts with the beliefs of Nephi's brothers who find spiritually impossible. Prayer is essential for understanding, and following the commandments is essential to obtain Eternal Life.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
1 Nephi 7
1 Nephi 7
1 Nephi 7: 1-5
End of prophesying.............................................Lehi teaches his children and forecasts the future
daughters.................................a need for wives for his sons.
bring Ishmael and family................even the name of the family is told
did gain favor........................the boys become friends to Ishmael's family
softened................................Ishmael accepts the invitation and joins with the boys
The Lord tells Lehi exactly whom to invite and the invitation is accepted.
1 Nephi 7: 6-15
did rebel...................................Ishmael's family similar to Lehi's. A great division in the group
desirous............................had every intention.
calls upon the hard hearted...........................the rebellious want to leave. Nephi reproaches them.
forgotten.............................hard to believe, but they forget the spiritual lessons
Laban incident......................they don't even see the sacred nature of the help
exercise faith..........................the only thing they need to do
you will know...........................the Lord will let them know at the appropriate time. Have patience
Spirit ceaseth.........................warning of the Lord concerning Jerusalem. Not the place to go.
you choose...............................you know the truth. Exercise faith.
The younger brother must step forward and correct his brothers. They are so out of line that they are forgetting all the positive lessons of the past.
1 Nephi 7: 16-20
bind him................................the brothers have every intention of getting rid of Nephi. Too troublesome to them
prayer to burst bands............................Nephi has the faith that he wants brothers to exercise
loosed............................................Nephi is freed. He attributes it to his prayer
angered again................................Once free, the brothers again angry. Intend to bind him again.
did plea...............................looks like the majority side with Nephi
sorrowful...............................the brother break down. Ask forgiveness
The brothers become so upset with Nephi that they intend to recapture him, even forgetting the past events, and not considering that Nephi had been loosed by direct divine intervention
1 Nephi 7: 21-22
again travel...................................the group moves until they meet the encampment
gave thanks.................................the whole group celebrates the arrival of Ishmael's family
Once again, when the mission is completed, the group offers sacrifice and express gratitude to
God
1 Nephi 7
This chapter shows another insight of God about the party and its future. They will need wives, so Ishmael and his family are summoned to join with the son's of Lehi. The reader gets a little faith and prayer lesson, how important it is to rely on God and to hold onto his promises.
1 Nephi 7: 1-5
End of prophesying.............................................Lehi teaches his children and forecasts the future
daughters.................................a need for wives for his sons.
bring Ishmael and family................even the name of the family is told
did gain favor........................the boys become friends to Ishmael's family
softened................................Ishmael accepts the invitation and joins with the boys
The Lord tells Lehi exactly whom to invite and the invitation is accepted.
1 Nephi 7: 6-15
did rebel...................................Ishmael's family similar to Lehi's. A great division in the group
desirous............................had every intention.
calls upon the hard hearted...........................the rebellious want to leave. Nephi reproaches them.
forgotten.............................hard to believe, but they forget the spiritual lessons
Laban incident......................they don't even see the sacred nature of the help
exercise faith..........................the only thing they need to do
you will know...........................the Lord will let them know at the appropriate time. Have patience
Spirit ceaseth.........................warning of the Lord concerning Jerusalem. Not the place to go.
you choose...............................you know the truth. Exercise faith.
The younger brother must step forward and correct his brothers. They are so out of line that they are forgetting all the positive lessons of the past.
1 Nephi 7: 16-20
bind him................................the brothers have every intention of getting rid of Nephi. Too troublesome to them
prayer to burst bands............................Nephi has the faith that he wants brothers to exercise
loosed............................................Nephi is freed. He attributes it to his prayer
angered again................................Once free, the brothers again angry. Intend to bind him again.
did plea...............................looks like the majority side with Nephi
sorrowful...............................the brother break down. Ask forgiveness
The brothers become so upset with Nephi that they intend to recapture him, even forgetting the past events, and not considering that Nephi had been loosed by direct divine intervention
1 Nephi 7: 21-22
again travel...................................the group moves until they meet the encampment
gave thanks.................................the whole group celebrates the arrival of Ishmael's family
Once again, when the mission is completed, the group offers sacrifice and express gratitude to
God
1 Nephi 7
This chapter shows another insight of God about the party and its future. They will need wives, so Ishmael and his family are summoned to join with the son's of Lehi. The reader gets a little faith and prayer lesson, how important it is to rely on God and to hold onto his promises.
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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