Book of Mormon 2020 - 3 Nephi 1-7

I wrote about 3 Nephi 1 to 7 in January of this year. This was part of a very long post finishing off the Book of Mormon chapters that I had not covered in 2016. This can be found at: https://gospeldoctrine2016.blogspot.com/2020/01/well-i-let-myself-down-quite.html. You need to scroll down to the second section of this post. When I wrote this section, I summarised the stories in these scriptures quite thoroughly.

The Nephi who is the centre of these scriptures was the son of Nephi and grandson of Helaman. The book of 3 Nephi is one of the holiest and most sacred parts of the entire Book of Mormon. Brother John Welch (2010, Journal of the Book of Mormon, 19:1) states, “everything in 3 Nephi…has been composed to echo and call to mind the solemnity of the presence of the Lord”. The following Knowhy video explains, “Why should 3 Nephi be read as the Book of the High Priest Nephi?”

Nephi was worried about the believers who were going to be put to death on the following day if the day and night and day without darkness, prophesied by Samuel the Lamanite, did not occur. Nephi poured out his heart to the Lord in prayer. In fact, he prayed all day. In 3 Nephi 1:12-13 we read, “And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying: Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world.” I can imagine the earnest nature of this prayer and the relief Nephi must have felt when his prayer was answered. I rely a lot on prayer. Prayer brings us close to God and allows the Spirit to touch us and guide us. I have a strong testimony of the power of prayer.

3 Nephi 1:13 is important to me on a personal level. In Don’t miss this in the Book of Mormon (Freeman & Butler, 2019), is the following statement regarding 3 Nephi 1:13. “Sometimes we watch steadfastly, we cry to the Lord throughout that day, we wait and we plan and we hope. We must remember that no matter how dark and troublesome that day may be, tomorrow will come. The 3 Nephi story is one of my favourites for this reason: sometimes we have to hold on to the truth that what we are desperately praying for today will eventually come to pass. In His own time and in His own way, He will send the answer we need on the morrow.” I have prayed so hard and for so long for my mum. I have watched her in pain for months, severe pain for the past month. I have seen her fade to less than a shadow of her former self, totally reliant on me as her caregiver. I prayed for mercy and compassion for her. Our Ward fasted for her and, through a Priesthood blessing, I was told to be patient, that things would happen in the Lord’s time. Today the hospice nurse suggested that mum had no more than a few more days. I feel that “the morrow” may now come soon. My patience has increased but so has my appreciation for the Lord’s time and how things will always happen in His time and not in mine.

Brother John Bytheway in his weekly podcast (OurTurtleHouse.com) asked a very interesting question. His question was based on 3 Nephi 1:13. He asked how it was possible for God to speak to Nephi when he was already in Mary’s womb. He suggested that God spoke through the Spirit. The prophesies of Samuel the Lamanite were all fulfilled. In 3 Nephi 1:15 it states, “for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.” Imagine the grandeur of this sign! Many were astonished and believed the sign was a fulfilment of the prophecy, but others were hard-hearted and thought the sign was from Satan.

In a document called The coming of Christ to the Nephites: A pattern for His Second Coming, Brother Bill Beardall summarises all the scriptural references to events and signs that would precede Christ's coming to the Nephites. He describes each event/sign and then gives scriptural references to similar events/signs that will precede Christ’s Second Coming. (Just click on the title above for the link!)

I found 3 Nephi 5 very interesting. In this chapter, we hear from Mormon, who was abridging the plates of Nephi. In verses 12-13 we read, “I am called Mormon, being called after the land of Mormon, the land in which Alma did establish the church among the people…Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” The following Knowhy video (Book of Mormon Central) answers the question, Why did Mormon introduce himself in 3 Nephi 5?

When you are first introduced to someone, you often start with telling them about the things that are most important to you. In a Māori pepeha (an introduction) it is common to state your mountain (maunga), river (awa), vessel (waka), area (rohe), tribe (iwi), sub-tribe (hapu), place (wahi), and your meeting-house (marae). How did Mormon introduce himself? He said he was a disciple of Jesus Christ! What a beautiful introduction. How did Mormon describe what a true disciple would do? He would pray on behalf of his people (3 Nephi 1:11). He would be a missionary (3 Nephi 5:13). He would be obedient and keep the commandments of God (3 Nephi 5:22; 6:14). He would be humble and endure affliction (3 Nephi 6:13). He would be penitent (3 Nephi 6:13). Strength in the Lord would give him the ability to serve with authority (3 Nephi 7:17). As he aligned his life with the Lord’s teachings, he would be filled with the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 7:21). This is a clear framework for anyone who wants to be a disciple! Once again, I found where I was lacking. I need to remain positive and hopeful when faced with the affliction of myself or my loved ones. Elder D. Todd Christofferson (General Conference, October 2018) said, “It is challenging but vital to remain firm and steadfast when we find ourselves being refined 'in the furnace of affliction,' something that comes soon or late to all of us in mortality. Without God, these dark experiences tend to despondency, despair, and even bitterness. With God, comfort replaces pain, peace replaces turmoil, and hope replaces sorrow. Remaining firm in the faith of Christ will bring His sustaining grace and support."

Nephi, son of Nephi, was an example of a true disciple. I found a delightful video that speaks of Nephi as being similar to John the Baptist. This video is from Knowhy (Book of Mormon Central).

I loved the things I learned about Nephi, Mormon, and signs sent to strengthen our testimonies. I learned to appreciate the timing of the Lord. I also learned what it means to be a true disciple. I always look forward to reading the rest of the scriptures in 3 Nephi. These scriptures are full of the Saviour’s visit to the Nephites. I can imagine the joy of seeing the Saviour in his infinite grace. I wonder if I will still be around to witness the Lord’s Second Coming? What a truly magnificent thought!

Book of Mormon 2020 - Helaman 13-16

When I re-started my blog in January of this year, the first scriptures I covered were the scriptures found in Helaman 13 to 16. In a single post, I covered the remainder of the Book of Mormon. This is the first section of a very long post found at: https://gospeldoctrine2016.blogspot.com/2020/01/well-i-let-myself-down-quite.html

I admire Samuel the Lamanite. It could not have been easy speaking to the Nephites and calling them to repentance. In Helaman 13:2-3 we read, “they did cast him out, and he was about to return to his own land…the voice of the Lord came unto him, that he should return again, and prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into his heart.” This touched me deeply. Here was this amazing Lamanite prophet told to return to a city from which he had been rejected to speak the words the Lord would direct him to speak. I thought of the things I need to do that I don’t want to do. I feel ashamed that my willingness wavers. I am currently the primary caretaker for my mum’s end-of-life-care. I have never done anything harder in my life. I have prayed and prayed that the Lord would show compassion and mercy on my mum and allow her to go gently into the next world. Yet, day after day and week after week I watch her suffer. These verses helped me realise that the Lord has asked me to do something He knows I can do. If He has this faith in me, I must have faith that He will help me.

Helaman 13:4 records, “he cried with a loud voice, and prophesied unto the people whatsoever things the Lord put into his heart.” This scripture made me think of the importance of our living Prophet. When we hear the Prophet speak, we know the Lord has put that message in his heart. When the Prophet speaks to us at General Conference, we hear “the will of the Lord…the mind of the Lord… the word of the Lord…the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation” (D&C 68:4).

I love listening to the Prophet in General Conference. I found a little video with a wonderful reminder of some of the most recent words of the Lord from the April 2020 General Conference, direct from our Prophet Russell M. Nelson. This video is called, “PROMISES FROM A PROPHET: The last 6 promises made by Russell M. Nelson during General Conference”.

This little Knowhy video (Book of Mormon Central) is a wonderful reminder of what the Book of Mormon teaches us about prophets. This includes Samuel the Lamanite.

Samuel the Lamanite prophesied many things connected to the birth and death of Jesus Christ. Brother John Bytheway provided two charts (shown below) that summarise the signs listed by Samuel the Lamanite leading up to the birth and death of the Saviour. He added in the scriptures in 3 Nephi where the prophesied signs were fulfilled (Gospel Doctrine Prep).

Helaman 14:30-31 contains a powerful message. Although this was Samuel speaking to the Nephites, it is relevant for every person who goes through this mortal existence. It states, “And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free…ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you.” The choice is in our hands. We know that the consequences of our choices are determined by us. The Atonement of Jesus Christ invokes this agency. Without the Atonement, repentance and forgiveness would not be possible, therefore, we would not have that choice. As a parent, I know how hard it is to see my own adult children make wrong choices. I fear for the pain of the consequences that I know will follow.

I pondered for a while on the scripture found in Helaman 15:4. “But behold my brethren, the Lamanites hath he hated because their deeds have been evil continually, and this because of the iniquity of the tradition of their fathers. But behold, salvation hath come unto them through the preaching of the Nephites; and for this intent hath the Lord prolonged their days.” I understand that the Lord loved the Lamanites but hated their actions. Brother John Bytheway (Gospel Doctrine Prep) explained this distinction, “So perhaps it’s a “hate the sin, love the sinner” distinction.  When we read the whole sentence from Samuel, we see that they are “hated” because their “deeds have been evil continually.”  It was their choices that mattered.” A scripture that clarifies the meaning of ‘hate’ in Helaman 15:4 mentions the opposite ‘love’: “If you keep not my commandments, the love of the father shall not continue with you, therefore you shall walk in darkness” (D&C 95:12).

We know from Helaman 15 that the Lord indeed loved the Lamanites and rewarded them for their faithfulness. “And now, because of their steadfastness when they do believe in that thing which they do believe, for because of their firmness when they are once enlightened, behold, the Lord shall bless them and prolong their days, notwithstanding their iniquity.” As I thought about this scripture, I glanced at the monitor and watched my little mum asleep in the next room. The Lord will bless her. I know of no one who has been as faithful and steadfast as she has been. Through her pain and illness, I have spoken to her about how short a time we have in mortality and that her pain will end. I cannot imagine the Lord will let her suffer for much longer. 

We are so fortunate to have the guidance of a living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. We also have the guidance of the General Authorities, our area, stake, and ward leaders. My wonderful Bishop and Stake President have called a ward fast for today for my mum. At the end of the fast, the Bishop and Stake President will be coming around to give mum a priesthood blessing. Right now, I feel confident that “God is at the helm”. This phrase comes from M. Russell Ballard's talk from October 2015 General Conference. This is explained in the little video below.

Book of Mormon 2020 - Helaman 7-12

I first wrote about Helaman 6 to 12 in 2016. This post will cover Helaman 7 to 12. If you would like to read my previous post, you can check it out at: https://gospeldoctrine2016.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-of-mormon-34-how-could-you-have.html

The Gadianton Robbers are mentioned repeatedly in the chapters of Helaman. In my initial post I discussed secret combinations and the Gadianton Robbers. I found a clear explanation of secret combinations in 30 Characteristics of Secret Combinations. These 30 characteristics also appear in an article called Waking Up to Secret Combinations (2011) by Darren Andrews. When Nephi returned from northern lands to the Land of Zarahemla he found that the Gadianton robbers were filling the judgement seats, laying aside God’s commandments, and corrupting justice (verse 4). The robbers were condemning the righteous, letting the guilty buy their way out of punishment, and seeking glory and adulation, using their position to more easily commit adultery, steal, murder, and do whatever they wanted (verse 5). When we look at the U.S.A. today we see the same things. The laws have been corrupted, the guilty buy their way to power and freedom from conviction, and those who rule are prime examples of this corruption. The prevalence of secret combinations today is terrifying. We know that their power comes from Satan.

In Helaman 7:7-8 we read, “Oh, that I could have had my days in the days when my father Nephi first came out of the land of Jerusalem, that I could have joyed with him in the promised land; then were his people easy to be entreated, firm to keep the commandments of God, and slow to be led to do iniquity; and they were quick to hearken unto the words of the Lord—Yea, if my days could have been in those days, then would my soul have had joy in the righteousness of my brethren.” Brother John Bytheway called these verses, “Those were the days”. How often do we think about previous years and compare them to 2020, with the same attitude, “Those were the days”? I know I miss travelling. I haven’t seen my oldest son and his beautiful family for several years. I was due to fly to Sydney before the Covid-19 pandemic. Now all I see are photos and videos on Facebook and Instagram. My mum (96 years old) was admitted to Middlemore Hospital in mid-August. For the first nine days I was unable to see her because of the Covid lock-down. Then, for compassionate reasons, I was the only support person allowed in to see her once per day. Now, she has been home for nearly a week and I am her primary caregiver. I am responsible for end-of-life care. I know I often think about previous months and years – “Those were the days”!

The story that follows in Helaman 7 to 9 is covered so well in three media files from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Brother John Bytheway pointed out some interesting ideas in his podcast on Helaman 7-12:

Helaman 7

• Verse 13: Passers-by have stopped to hear Nephi pray on his garden tower. Nephi warns them of their iniquities.
• Verse 17: “O repent ye, repent ye! Why will ye die?” Nephi points out to his listeners that they were choosing to die spiritually.
• Verse 19: “And behold, instead of gathering you, except ye will repent, behold, he shall scatter you forth that ye shall become meat for dogs and wild beasts.” The idea that the righteous will be gathered while the wicked will be scattered appears repeatedly in scriptural references.

Helaman 8

• Verses 6-7: Some reject and condemn Nephi, while others defend him as a ‘good man’.
• Verse 27: Nephi delivers a real-time prophecy that the chief judge has been murdered, “he lieth in his blood; and he hath been murdered by his brother…”

Helaman 9

• Verse 4: Five men run to the chief judge and find him lying in his own blood. They believe Nephi and they fall to the earth. They are found and thrown in to prison because of a misunderstanding. It is thought that they killed the chief judge.
• Verse 20: The trial of Nephi is described. The five are released and Nephi is accused of plotting the death of the chief judge. He is offered money to reveal the murderer with whom he plotted. The following verses are Nephi’s condemnation of the people.
• Verse 26: Nephi tells his accusers to look for evidence of the murder at Seantum’s house, as he had killed his own brother, the Chief Judge Seezoram. The events that followed occurred according to Nephi’s words.

Helaman 10

• Verse 1: They could not convict Nephi. “And it came to pass that there arose a division among the people, insomuch that they divided hither and thither and went their ways, leaving Nephi alone, as he was standing in the midst of them.” 

There are two videos from Knowhy (Book of Mormon Central) that cover some interesting aspects of the events in these chapters. The first discusses why Nephi’s words in Helaman 7-8 sounded so much like a funeral speech. The second looks at how Seantum was able to be convicted under the Law of Moses without two witnesses to his crime.

In Chapter 11, Nephi was bestowed with great blessings because of his unwearying obedience and faithfulness. He is promised, “I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works…that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people…I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people” (Helaman 11:5-7). Nephi calls for a famine to bring the wicked and hard-hearted to repentance. The Knowhy video (Book of Mormon Central) below addresses the question of how Nephi used the power to seal on Earth and in Heaven.

Miracles can strengthen the faith of believers. Sometimes they can be the reason why people believe. However, many people witnessed Nephi’s miracles and still hardened their hearts. The danger of relying on miracles to build faith is illustrated by the story of Mrs Johnson (Joseph Smith and the Restoration, p. 176, 199)

This incident was enough for Ezra Booth and he joined the Church. Miracles are not sufficient by themselves to truly convert a person. After only a few months in the Church, Ezra apostatized and even wrote a number of articles against the Prophet. (Joseph Smith and the Restoration, p. 176, 199)

It amazes me that with the famine, the people began to remember God (Helaman 11:7), yet once the famine ended, within a few short years, they once again began to forget God (Helaman 11:36-37). It is sad that when things go well and there is plenty, pride creeps in and people stop being grateful or obedient. One of my favourite quotes from President Brigham Young is the one shown below.

A scripture that made me ponder deeply was Helaman 12:7-8, “O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth…For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God.” There is a footnote on this scripture that leads to Moses 1:10 which reads, “Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed.” In his communication with God, Moses recognised that man on his own is nothing. It is when man connects with God that he can reach his greatest potential and become something. As men and women we are less than the dust of the Earth because we have rebellious spirits. Dust always obeys God but we do not. My lesson from this scripture is that I need to connect with God, I need to become what He wants me to become if I want to be something. I am a child of God but that has the responsibility of being obedient and staying close to the Spirit.