Difference between revisions of "1 Ne 2:16-24"
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== Discussion == | == Discussion == | ||
| − | ''This | + | ''This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →'' |
=== Verses 2:19-24 === | === Verses 2:19-24 === | ||
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=== Verses 2:19-24 === | === Verses 2:19-24 === | ||
| − | * ''' | + | * '''[https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.19-24?lang=eng#18 Verse 2:19-24]: The Covenant with Nephi.''' This Covenant with Nephi is fundamental to understanding the Book of Mormon. This covenant presupposes the Abrahamic Covenant and the birthright blessings conferred upon Jacob and Joseph. The Covenant with Nephi builds upon those covenants and blessings to add the following terms: |
# a land of promise in America. See Gen 48:__. | # a land of promise in America. See Gen 48:__. | ||
# prosperity. See Mosiah __; Alma __. | # prosperity. See Mosiah __; Alma __. | ||
| Line 46: | Line 46: | ||
| − | == | + | == Unanswered questions == |
| − | ''This | + | ''This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →'' |
| − | == | + | == Prompts for life application == |
| − | ''This | + | ''This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →'' |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | == Prompts for further study == | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ''This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →'' | |
| − | + | ||
| − | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2. | + | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.16?lang=eng#15 Verse 2:16]: Did Nephi initially believe his father’s visions? If so, then why did his heart require softening? Why was he “crying unto the Lord"? |
| − | + | ||
| − | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2. | + | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.16?lang=eng#15 Verse 2:16]: What is missing from Nephi’s explanation of why he didn’t rebel against his father like his older brothers? Were their other factors, perhaps experienced by Zoram and some members of Ishmael's family, that led people to eventually believe Lehi, even if they didn't respond to his initial preaching in Jerusalem? |
| − | + | ||
| − | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2. | + | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.17?lang=eng#16 Verse 2:17]: What is the difference between Nephi’s belief and Sam’s? Compare [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/46.14?lang=eng#13 D&C 46:14]. Does that difference necessarily say anything about the faith of either of them? |
| − | + | ||
| − | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2. | + | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.18?lang=eng#17 Verse 2:18]: A few chapters later, Nephi uses a similar phrase: "being grieved for the hardness of their hearts" ([https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/7.8?lang=eng#7 1 Ne 7:8]). |
| − | + | ||
| − | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2. | + | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.19?lang=eng#18 Verse 2:19]: What is involved in seeking the Lord diligently? What is lowliness of heart? |
| − | + | ||
| − | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2. | + | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.20?lang=eng#19 Verse 2:20]: How did the Lord prepare the promised land for the family of Lehi? What else did the Lord do, besides keeping other nations from overunning the land (see [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/1.8?lang=eng#7 2 Ne 1:8])? |
| − | ** Why does the Lord use the word "if" to describe the likelihood of Laman and Lemuel's rebellion? Is this a subtle way of saying that Laman and Lemuel's descendants might stop rebelling at certain points in time, or at least be partially obedient and partially rebellious? | + | |
| + | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.21?lang=eng#20 Verse 2:21]: Why doesn't the Lord say "rebel against me" in this verse, like he does in the below verses? And why does the Lord refer to himself in the third person in this verse when he uses the first person in the below verses? | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.22?lang=eng#21 Verse 2:22]: Why was Nephi presumably told that he would be "a ruler" only over his own brethren? Does this mean he would not rule over his own family? What about ruling over non-Lehites in the vicinity or who would be adopted in? | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.23?lang=eng#22 Verse 2:23]: Was this a delayed curse? If we take this literally, shouldn't the Lord have cursed Laman and Lemuel the moment they left Jerusalem and started murmuring? | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/2.24?lang=eng#23 Verse 2:24]: Why does the Lord use the word "if" to describe the likelihood of Laman and Lemuel's rebellion? Is this a subtle way of saying that Laman and Lemuel's descendants might stop rebelling at certain points in time, or at least be partially obedient and partially rebellious? | ||
== Resources == | == Resources == | ||
| − | ''This | + | ''This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →'' |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| − | ''Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves | + | ''Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.'' |
<references/> | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 14:26, 9 October 2015
Home > The Book of Mormon > First Nephi > Chapters 1-2 > Verses 2:16-24
Previous page: Verses 2:6-15 Next page: Chapters 3-7
This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.
Contents
Summary
This heading should be very brief and may include an outline of the passage. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
The relationship of Verses 16-24 to the rest of Chapters 1-2 is discussed at First Nephi 1-2.
Discussion
This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
Verses 2:19-24
Verses 2:16-18
- Verse 2:16. In this verse Nephi tells us about the first steps he takes to know the mysteries of God. He tells us that he had a great desire to know the mysteries of God and cried unto the Lord. As a result of his prayer the Lord did soften his heart that he believed all the words of his father. See also 1 Ne 10:19 where Nephi teaches us that one must diligently seek to find the mysteries of God.
- Verses 2:16-17. Nephi was probably wise beyond his years. He grasped the futility of finding fault in others. He saw the power in what his father had preached. He yearned for a sure knowledge but did not resort to secular standards of reason. The rebellion and indifference common to so many youth were absent from Nephi. He had made up his mind at an early age. We should believe him when he says he had "great desires." Another amazing thing in this episode is Nephi's attitude. He did not feign humility or hurry to be humble. He approach the Lord in prayer, well aware of his weaknesses. He must have freely admitted to the Lord that he did not yet have a testimony of his father's teachings. The Lord rewarded Nephi's sincerity and desire. Nephi never had the desire to rebel. After passing through the vulnerable years of youth, he was smart enough to realize what would happen, if he never sought out and received confirmation from the Lord. In turn, Nephi took the same spirit that had touched his heart and spoke by its power to Sam, teaching him the same truths that he had received. Nephi must have sensed that he needed to become a missionary if he wanted to stay in tune with the Spirit. The softness of Nephi's heart, in contrast to the hardened hearts of Laman and Lemuel, must have played a part in Sam's willingness to believe.
Verses 2:19-24
- Verse 2:19-24: The Covenant with Nephi. This Covenant with Nephi is fundamental to understanding the Book of Mormon. This covenant presupposes the Abrahamic Covenant and the birthright blessings conferred upon Jacob and Joseph. The Covenant with Nephi builds upon those covenants and blessings to add the following terms:
- a land of promise in America. See Gen 48:__.
- prosperity. See Mosiah __; Alma __.
- that Nephi will be a ruler and a teacher. Nephi appears to have placed great importance on this. He captions the book of First Nephi as an account of his "reign and ministry", which is easily compared to the roles of ruler and teacher. He makes a point of stating that this was fulfilled (2 Ne 5:__).
- covenant curse on Nephi that if unfaithful, the Lamanites will serve as a scourge to stir up his people to a remembrance of God. This curse has a precedent in Judges 1:1-3:6. It is different than the curse in Deut. 4, 28 that Israel would be scattered. But then, Nephi is a scattering.
- if Laman and Lemuel rebel, then they will be cut off from the Lord. Nephi again made a point of identifying the fulfillment (2 Ne. 5:__). This is not exactly the same, but is similar to, the very important statement in Deut. 18:15-19 that those who will not heed the Lord will be cut off from among the Lord's people.
- Verse 2:20. There is an interesting tension in this verse. Individuals can be blessed for their righteous efforts. But the only way they can prosper is if they are bound in economic relationships with other individuals. So the Lord's promise of prospering might seem to be individualistic, and it is to a point, but in its fullness it can only be communal. This is one of the reasons why the covenant upon the promised land makes this place uniquely qualified for the establishment of Zion. This same vision and promise sustained the Mormon pioneers as they came to this land. They knew the freedom was in place for them to prosper in their pursuits. They brought with them individual initiative and found it transformed by the communal spirit of Mormon communities. We remain under the same obligation to make the land prosper and can only do so as we follow the example of our predecessors. We will falter as give in to the temptations of excessive individualism and worldly disobedience. The droughts and disasters of recent years should give us pause as we evaluate how well we have kept the covenant upon this land.
- Verses 2:21-22. Considering the verses before and after these, the overall logic flows much more smoothly if the order of these two verses is switched.
- Verses 2:23-24: They and them. The use of "they" and "them" in verses 23 & 24 can be a bit confusing. Below these ambiguous pronouns are replaced with the referent that seems to make the most sense given the context.
- 23 For behold, in that day that [thy brethren] shall rebel against me, I will curse [thy brethren] even with a sore curse, and [thy brethren] shall have no power over thy seed except [thy seed] shall rebel against me also.
- 24 And if it so be that [thy seed] rebel against me, [thy brethren's seed] shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir [thy seed] up in the ways of remembrance.
- Note that whether the Lamanites do good or bad, the Lord has a plan to use their works for his own righteous purposes. In this case if they do evil, the Lord uses them to be a scourge on Nephi's seed -- to bring Nephi's seed to remember the Lord.
Unanswered questions
This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
Prompts for life application
This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
Prompts for further study
This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
- Verse 2:16: Did Nephi initially believe his father’s visions? If so, then why did his heart require softening? Why was he “crying unto the Lord"?
- Verse 2:16: What is missing from Nephi’s explanation of why he didn’t rebel against his father like his older brothers? Were their other factors, perhaps experienced by Zoram and some members of Ishmael's family, that led people to eventually believe Lehi, even if they didn't respond to his initial preaching in Jerusalem?
- Verse 2:17: What is the difference between Nephi’s belief and Sam’s? Compare D&C 46:14. Does that difference necessarily say anything about the faith of either of them?
- Verse 2:18: A few chapters later, Nephi uses a similar phrase: "being grieved for the hardness of their hearts" (1 Ne 7:8).
- Verse 2:19: What is involved in seeking the Lord diligently? What is lowliness of heart?
- Verse 2:20: How did the Lord prepare the promised land for the family of Lehi? What else did the Lord do, besides keeping other nations from overunning the land (see 2 Ne 1:8)?
- Verse 2:21: Why doesn't the Lord say "rebel against me" in this verse, like he does in the below verses? And why does the Lord refer to himself in the third person in this verse when he uses the first person in the below verses?
- Verse 2:22: Why was Nephi presumably told that he would be "a ruler" only over his own brethren? Does this mean he would not rule over his own family? What about ruling over non-Lehites in the vicinity or who would be adopted in?
- Verse 2:23: Was this a delayed curse? If we take this literally, shouldn't the Lord have cursed Laman and Lemuel the moment they left Jerusalem and started murmuring?
- Verse 2:24: Why does the Lord use the word "if" to describe the likelihood of Laman and Lemuel's rebellion? Is this a subtle way of saying that Laman and Lemuel's descendants might stop rebelling at certain points in time, or at least be partially obedient and partially rebellious?
Resources
This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
Notes
Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.
