1 Nephi 1:20 -- Nephi's Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a declaration of your purpose for writing a paper, or what you intend to prove. That's one thing I learned throughout my schooling. We find Nephi's "thesis statement" in the last verse of chapter 1. "But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."

When I was on my mission in Germany, we were not allowed to go out on new year's eve. There were too many dangers (drunk people with illegal fireworks for example). I was working in the mission office with 5 other elders and we decided to try to read the whole Book of Mormon in 1 sitting, like Parley P. Pratt. I didn't end up reading fast enough to get all the way through, but made it about half way. One elder made it all the way through. There wasn't time for deep introspection about each verse, but a general theme to the entire Book of Mormon stood out to me: DELIVERANCE. The definition of deliverance includes, "rescue from bondage or danger" and "salvation". We see it all through the entire book! We all need deliverance from things. Lehi's family leaves Jerusalem and makes it to the promised land. Nephi and his brothers escape from Laban and are eventually able to get the brass plates. These types of experiences can be symbolic of our own personal need to escape sin, receive forgiveness, and make it to heaven.

As Nephi's thesis states, we need the "tender mercies of the Lord" in order for us to be delivered from sin and spiritual death. Elder David A. Bednar spoke in general conference about this very topic. You may read it online and I would highly recommend it. Much of my next paragraph is drawn from that talk.

How do we make sure that we are someone who gets those tender mercies? According to Nephi's statement we need to be chosen by him to receive them. The Doctrine and Covenants teaches us that "there are many called, but few are chosen" (D&C 121:34). That is kind of scary to me. Am I called and not chosen? What would prevent me from being chosen? If we read a little further the Doctrine and Covenants answers that question, "And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson— That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness." Is my heart set upon the things of this world? What do I love spending time doing? Do I aspire to the honors of men? Am I more concerned about what others think of me, or what God thinks of me? What are the principles of righteousness, and am I applying them in my life? If we want to be chosen and receive the tender mercies of the Lord, we need to work these questions out.

Nephi says that people are chosen "because of their faith" and "because of their faith" they will be made "mighty even unto the power of deliverance." We cannot deliver ourselves from sin, or from a great many of our problems. We need to have faith in Jesus Christ to receive the power of deliverance. We need his tender mercy. The scriptures are filled with examples of faith and deliverance. Our faith will increase as we read about others who's faith made them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. Through the tender mercies of the Lord and through faith we will be made mighty unto the power of our own deliverance.

"But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." (1 Nephi 1:20)

1 Nephi 1:18-19 -- Lehi as Missionary

“Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor” (D&C 88:81). Lehi saw what was coming upon Jerusalem. Like a parent or friend who sees a loved one going down a destructive path, Lehi tried to help them. Just like many might respond to the warnings of a parent or friend, "the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them." I can hear it now, "I know what I'm doing" or "don't worry Dad!" Humility is an attribute that would make us listen to these warnings.

The Gospel message is one that will help keep us from going down a path to destruction. "Repent" is at the heart of the message that Lehi gave, and also the message of missionary work. Lehi spoke up and testified "of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world." It was truly the good news of the Gospel that he preached.

Just like anyone with the missionary spirit, Lehi was met with much opposition. He literally put his life on the line to try to teach others. We are usually not going to be putting our life on the line. We will put our pride on the line, or our reputation, or our comfort zone. Lehi had a testimony through spiritual experiences and the Holy Ghost and he had a love for his fellow man. How could he NOT try to share with the Jews those things which they truly needed to know.

We should be more like Lehi. Once we have that testimony of truth, we should love others enough to share that truth with them. We can help them avoid destruction.

I would also like to note that the Jews were basically members of the true church of their era. It was not the gentiles who Lehi was compelled to preach to. We need to look at our own path and foresee the destruction that lies ahead if we don't change our path. Jesus Christ is your messiah and redeemer. As we see in verse 14, he will not suffer that those who come unto him shall perish.

1 Nephi 1:13-15 -- Hope in God

In the verses leading up to these, Lehi has been carried away in a vision. He has been told to read a book and as he does he is filled with the spirit.

The first thing it talks about him reading is "Wo, wo, unto Jerusalem, for I have seen thine abominations!" That is 2 wo's and an exclamation point at the end. Pretty serious. Lehi spent all his days in Jerusalem and now it is going to be destroyed. Many people who Lehi probably knew were going to "perish and be carried away captive into Babylon."

Two verses later in 15 we read that "his soul did rejoice, and his whole heart was filled..." So now, what exactly did Lehi read or see that made him so happy even though his home town was destined for destruction.

Verse 14 mentions him reading and seeing "many great and marvelous things." We are not told what all those many things were. We know from verse 13 that he read of Jerusalem's coming destruction. That would likely cause Lehi's heart to sorrow, not to rejoice.

At the end of verse 14 we have an indication of what would cause Lehi to rejoice despite the apparent bad news from the previous verse. Lehi praises God saying, "and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!" Another exclamation point. That is the good news of the Gospel. That is what can bring peace and joy to the heart.

We are like Jerusalem sometimes. The Lord sees our abominations and knows when we are on the way to perishing spiritually, and being carried off into Babylon (worldliness and sin). Yet, the Lord won't let us perish if we come to him. He won't allow it. We just need to come unto him.

1 Nephi 1:9-12 -- Read the Word of God and be filled with the Spirit

In Lehi's vision, he saw Jesus Christ and the twelve apostles descend from Heaven. Christ "gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read." (verse 11) We have, likewise, been given books that we have been told to read. What is the consequence for not reading as we have been asked? I don't know if I have a definite answer to that, but I can tell you of my experiences. I have gone through my own personal ups-and-downs. It seems to me that being obedient in studying the scriptures has helped my life to sail smoothly forward. When I get relaxed and fail to read as I have been asked, I fall quickly into rough waters (spiritually).

Verse 12 is the real short and sweet statement of doctrine that I have found to be so very true in my life. "And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord." It may not be a new concept at all. The primary answers are "say your prayers, go to church, and read the scriptures." They are the right answers to so many of life's challenges. The one thing I would add to these answers is: don't just do these things to get your check mark for the day! Do them to change yourself. Don't just do them to appear better or feel better, do them to become better.

As Lehi read the book that Christ asked him to read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord. Fill yourself with that Spirit and you will see the natural, positive consequences follow.

1 Nephi 1:8 -- Singing praises

At the end of the verse Lehi sees "God sitting on his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God." That kind of a scene has been hard for me to imagine at times. As I thought about it, I remember times when the prophet has come to speak and everyone spontaneously sang "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet" as he entered the room. I was there to witness that scene and it was totally natural to do. I guess I now envision angels singing praises to God being somewhat similar, although it is on a much grander scale.

1 Nephi 1:4-7 -- Pattern for receiving revelation

Lehi lived his whole life in Jerusalem. Most of his friends and family had lived there all their lives too. I can imagine, when the reign of Zedekiah began and many prophets were saying Jerusalem was going to be destroyed, that a believing Lehi was worried. His hometown, where he experienced life, was on the brink of destruction.

In Verse 5 Lehi went somewhere and prayed. It wasn't just a prayer to be able to put a check mark on his daily task list (Yep, I prayed, I'm being good). Sometimes we treat prayers that way. Lehi's prayer was much deeper. He prayed, "even with all his heart." It was not a half hearted prayer. He poured everything his heart had into his prayer. Our heart is often thought of as the place of love and sincerity. The scriptures teach of receiving answers to prayers in our minds and in our hearts. The mind is where logic seems to rule. Our heart is where feelings rule. Lehi prayed will all of the feeling he had. He prayed with love and sincerity. He was praying in behalf of people he loved: the people of Jerusalem.

Lehi's prayer resulted in a vision in which "he saw and heard much." The only detail about what he saw is a "pillar of fire" that came and dwelt before him. There are some other noteworthy prophets who had similar words to describe visions that they had. The Lord appeared to Moses "in a flame of fire" (Exodus 3:2) I wonder if the lost manuscript of Lehi's writings would let us know what he saw and heard. Nephi tells us in verse 16 that he wasn't making a full account of his father's writings, but that Lehi wrote "many things which he saw in visions and in dreams." I would think that some of those writings would include some details about this particular vision as well. Whatever he saw, it caused him to "quake and tremble exceedingly." Was he afraid? overcome? The footnote references Isaiah's feelings after seeing a vision of the Lord (Isaiah 6:5). It must have been a very powerful experience.

In verse 7 we see the effects of this experience as Lehi is overcome and "he cast himself upon his bed." The intensity of praying with "all his heart" and the resulting vision was overwhelming. I would think that he was so exhausted after this all happened, that he just went home and slept. Being overcome with the spirit is another interesting topic that the footnotes help us with, but that will be analyzed later.

This whole account seems to be a pattern. It parallels Joseph Smith's first vision as well as Moses. I want to highlight some similarities with Joseph Smith. Joseph also went somewhere to pray, and prayed with all sincerity of heart. "I retired to the woods" (Joseph Smith - History 1:14) "I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God" (JS-H 1:15) What Lehi described as a pillar of fire, Joseph calls, "a pillar of light" (JS-h 1:16) Lehi was affected in such a way that he cast himself upon his bed. Joseph wrote, "when the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, Mother inquired what the matter was."

What may be most helpful in our personal lives, is the pattern set by these prophets. It shows us that praying with all our hearts in full sincerity helps prepare us to receive revelation. Don't just say your prayers, mean them! Pour your heart into your prayers. Go somewhere where you can be alone and quiet, to receive the answer to your prayer. The exhaustion these prophets felt can give us an idea about the intense effort they put into this. If we put forth a puny effort, why would we expect a powerful response. Even with our maximum effort, visions like this seem rare throughout the history of humankind, so be content with a revelation that is just right for you in your situation. Don't try to dictate to the Lord what he is to do. Let him lead you, and follow the revelations that you receive. Lehi, Moses, and Joseph all had to take on some major, life-changing assignments from the Lord following their revelations. We may have to do the same, but within our own scope of life. Accept the Lord's will for you and you will be more able to receive it.

1 Nephi 1:3 -- Nephi Knows

In this verse Nephi bears testimony of his writings. He knows it's true. He experienced it. Some of the experiences he had would be considered unbelievable by many people, but Nephi let's everyone know that this entire record is true. He's not making any of it up. Nephi was honest and since he wrote every word in his books, he knows there is nothing but truth in it.

I have heard a criticism of the Book on Mormon based on this verse, "It's written according to a man's (Nephi's) knowledge, not God's knowledge." The way I see it, Nephi is just saying that he doesn't just believe these things, he knows them. This verse isn't a disclaimer that says "if anything in this record is wrong, it's because I didn't know." This verse is a stamp of validity that says "I know that everything in this record is right. I wrote it with my own hand according to knowledge, not opinions or assumptions."

There's a progression that I teach in some of my computer classes (normally about databases) that goes like this: (raw)Data-->Information-->Knowledge-->Wisdom. Data is just unorganized facts about things. When you pull those together into some organized fashion it becomes usable information. When you analyze that information you turn it into knowledge. Finally, using that knowledge to make smart decisions is wisdom. Nephi is presenting knowledge to us. Let us use it to make wise decisions.

1 Nephi 1:1 -- Being Highly Favored in the Midst of Affliction

Nephi was a pretty good guy. He learned it from his parents. Just because he was righteous doesn't mean life was easy for him. "having seen many afflictions" makes me think about all of the things he gave up to go to the promised land and all the struggles that he and his family had. Righteousness doesn't equate to a trial-free life. Nephi's attitude shines through when he says "nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days" Never the less... He counted himself favored of the Lord when his brothers beat him and left him to die (1 Ne 7:16). He counted himself favored of the Lord when his whole family was starving in the middle of the wilderness (1 Ne 16:19-21). He counted himself favored of the Lord when they had to "wade through much affliction in the wilderness" and he still said "great were the blessings of the Lord upon us" (1 Ne 17:1-2). How many times do I have a hard time with something and think of how blessed and favored I am? Still in verse 1 Nephi tells us the secret of his success, "having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God." If we know of the goodness of God, we trust him with our lives and the things we encounter in our lives. Nephi said he had knowledge of the mysteries, not that he knows the answers to all the mysteries. When life is hard, or when you questions some aspect of the gospel, just know the goodness of God. The mysteries may one day be revealed to you, but just know that now it's a mystery and trust the goodness of God. The last phrase is an example for us to follow: "I make a record of my proceedings in my days." We should keep a record of our days. I don't think Nephi wrote this for himself as much as writing it for future generations. Write in a journal, in a way that can preserve it for future posterity. As you read the writings of Nephi you will find that it all teaches. Sometimes it's a story that can be applied to life. Other times it is gospel principles from a sermon. Those are the kinds of things that are going to be valuable to your posterity. The days activities are OK too, but make sure you keep a record that can teach. That's part of the reason I am doing this blog. I wonder a little about preservation of my record. Nephi engraved in metal plates that stood the test of time. It made writing much more difficult, but it was worth it. Make sure that your writings are preserved.