User:RobertC/1 Ne 1:1

I'm going to use this page to try and flesh out some different readings of 1 Ne 1:1—different that is from the reading Joe Spencer has been writing about on the commentary page—different, but not neccessarily mutually exclusive. As/if I make progress, I'll try to incorporate some of this onto the main commentary page. (I really like Joe's comments and reading, I'm just exploring other possibilities to see what mileage can be gained....)

Parsing by semicolons

The semicolons break up the verse into three sections which I think offers a different view than what Joe Spencer has been suggesting:

1. I, NEPHI, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father;
2. and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days;
3. yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.

• "Many afflictions" vs. "highly favored": Looking at the verse this way suggests, at least to me, that "yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and mysteries of God" is, at least in part, summarizing the second section: having seen afflictions and having been favored. That is, Nephi's great knowledge seems to be a result of, or an encompassing description of, two contrasting and extreme experiences: many afflictions vs. highly favored. These contrasts could be also be viewed as (inversely) parallel to the mysteries and goodness of God that comprises Nephi's great knowledge.

• "Goodly parents" and "highly favored": Another view of this might view a link between "goodly parents" in the first section and "highly favored" in the second section. This seems to suggest a link between Nephi's being taught and his afflictions (if Nephi hadn't been taught: perhaps he wouldn't have become a leader that his brothers despised; or Lehi wouldn't have left Jerusalem; or Nephi's heart wouldn't have ached so deeply for his brothers or for his posterity in vision).

• "Great knowledge" vs. "learning of my father": The great knowledge in the third section seems to contrast "all the learning of my father" in the first section.

More later....