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=== Nephi's reign and ministry === | === Nephi's reign and ministry === | ||
− | * There is great significance in Nephi's choice of subtitle for the book of First Nephi as | + | * There is great significance in Nephi's choice of subtitle for the book of First Nephi as 'his reign and ministry.' ([https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/1?lang=eng Nephi's Introduction to First Nephi]). The Book of Mormon is heavily influenced by the Abrahamic Covenant. ([[Abr 2:8 |discussion at Abr. 2:8-11]]). But in addition to the Abrahamic Covenant, or as an interpretation or application of that covenant to the specific circumstances of Lehi's family, Nephi also receives the Covenant with Nephi. ([[1 Ne 2:19#covenant-with-nephi |discussion at 1 Ne. 2:19-24]]). One of the promises in this covenant is that "inasmuch as thou [Nephi] shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren." ([https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.22?lang=eng#21 1 Ne. 2:22]). |
− | : The two promises that Nephi will be a "ruler" and a "teacher" correspond to Nephi's "reign" and his "ministry." Kings govern their people by defending against external invasion and by maintaining internal order through the administration of justice. (See the [[Gen 3:19#governing |discussion of the religious significance of governing at Gen 3:19]]). Priests bring people to God by teaching (which requires revelation) and by performing rituals and ordinances (which requires authority). Being a "ruler and a teacher" is thus | + | : The two promises that Nephi will be a "ruler" and a "teacher" correspond to Nephi's "reign" and his "ministry." Kings govern their people by defending against external invasion and by maintaining internal order through the administration of justice. (See the [[Gen 3:19#governing |discussion of the religious significance of governing at Gen 3:19]]). Priests bring people to God in two ways, by teaching (which requires revelation) and by performing rituals and ordinances (which requires authority). Being a "ruler and a teacher" is thus very similar to being a "king and priest" or a "queen and priestess" who "reigns and ministers." |
− | : Nephi makes a point of telling us that he was in fact, a ruler and a teacher. The promise that he would be a ruler and a teacher is made in [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.22?lang=eng#21 1 Ne. 2:22]. In the very next episode Nephi, through divine assistance, emerges from Jerusalem with items that represent these two roles of ruler and teacher, wearing the steel sword and armor of the military commander Laban, and carrying Laban's brass plates that contain the words of the holy prophets. ([https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/4.14-18,21,38?lang=eng#13 1 Ne. 4:14-18, 21, 38]; [[1 Ne 4:4#sword-plates-symbolism |discussion of this symbolism]]). In the last narrative portion of his writing, Nephi explains how the story up to that point shows the fulfillment of the promise that Nephi would be a ruler and a teacher | + | : Nephi makes a point of telling us that he was in fact, a ruler and a teacher. The promise that he would be a ruler and a teacher is made in [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.22?lang=eng#21 1 Ne. 2:22]. In the very next episode Nephi, through divine assistance, emerges from Jerusalem with items that represent these two roles of ruler and teacher, wearing the steel sword and armor of the military commander Laban, and carrying Laban's brass plates that contain the words of the holy prophets. ([https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/4.14-18,21,38?lang=eng#13 1 Ne. 4:14-18, 21, 38]; [[1 Ne 4:4#sword-plates-symbolism |discussion of this symbolism]]). In the last narrative portion of his writing, Nephi explains how the story up to that point shows the fulfillment of the promise that Nephi would be a ruler and a teacher of his brothers. ([https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/5?lang=eng#18 2 Ne. 5:19]). |
− | : These two roles | + | : These two roles or ruler and teacher mirror the attention given by the Book of Mormon to the two social institutions of church and state. (See the discussion of these two principles and their relation to free agency at [[D&C 134#church-state-agency]] and the emphasis placed on them [[Mosiah 25-29#church-state |in the book of Mormon]]). Agency is one of the things that distinguishes mortal humans from all the rest of God's creation. |
− | : Nephi's choice of subtitle "his reign and ministry" thus invokes several key ideas. It refers to the fulfillment of the Lord's Covenant with Nephi that | + | : Nephi's choice of subtitle "his reign and ministry" thus invokes several key ideas. It refers to the fulfillment of the Lord's Covenant with Nephi that built upon the Abrahamic Covenant. It casts Nephi in the religiously significant terms of a "priest and a king." It refers to the protection of the key gift of agency. And it supports the legitimacy of Nephi's claim to be the birthright son. |
<div id="nephi-birthright"></div> | <div id="nephi-birthright"></div> |