The Book of Mormon: 1 Nephi Chapter 1
64The views expressed in this article are mine and do not necessarily represent the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Keys:
The following verses provides keys to approach scripture:
- 1 Ne 19:23: "I did liken all scriptures unto us, for our profit and learning." To apply the scripture to myself, my situation.
- 2 Ne 11:4: "All things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of [Christ]." This key allows me to learn about the Savior and Heavenly Father's plan for his children.
INTRODUCTION
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world are studying the Book of Mormon at Sunday School for 2012. The Book of Mormon is scripture that goes hand in hand with the Bible, witnessing that Jesus is the Christ. Just like the Bible is a collection of many books, the Book of Mormon consist of 15 books, the first titled, The First Book of Nephi (1 Ne).
1 Nephi Chapter 1
A man named Lehi joined the courageous rank of righteous men, such as the biblical prophet Jeremiah, to warn and call the people of Jerusalem to repent. The people's unrighteous acts were succinctly described in one word-- abominations. (v.13, 19.) The word 'abominations' triggers in my mind the New Testament expression "The abomination of desolation." (Matt 24:15; Dan 11:31; 12:11; JS-M 1:12.) A general principle is that wickedness leads to destructive consequences. The prophetic warnings of Lehi and others cited desolate conditions: The loss of lives, city and temple. Such conditions, however, could be averted.
The remedy then and now is repentance.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a modern apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said, "Repentance means not only abandoning sin but also committing to obedience."
This commitment is demonstrated through the act of making a covenant. We, therefore, make a covenant of obedience for the turning of our heart and will to the Lord to be complete (Christofferson).
Hence, the messages of "many prophets" (v.4) were not only of woe and destruction, but included themes of redemption and mercy. Christ is the reason for the hope, even the Hope of Israel:
This Lehi knew.
"[Lehi] saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day." (v. 9)
Lehi received a sure witness like you and I can.
"And it came to pass that as [Lehi] read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord." (v. 12)
Jesus Christ was the central figure in the book Lehi was told to read.
"[Lehi] read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world." (v. 19)
Yes, Lehi knew. He understood how to come unto the Savior and invited others to do the same.
- 1 Nephi 1
Nephi begins the record of his people—Lehi sees in vision a pillar of fire and reads from a book of prophecy—He praises God, foretells the coming of the Messiah, and prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem—He is persecuted by the Jews. About 600 B.C.
Divine Gift of Repentance, Elder Christofferson
- The Divine Gift of Repentance - general-conference
Only through repentance do we gain access to the atoning grace of Jesus Christ.
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Celafoe quotes Paul to build his arguement. Yet is was Saul (later Paul) who held the coats of those who stoned Steven who, reportedly, looked steadfsstly into heaven and saw God and Jesus Christ Standing on the right hand of God. Is this not the same witness experienced by Joseph Smith who stated that he felt much like the apostle Paul who had seen a vision, could not deny it, and dared not do it.
2 Nephi 25:26 "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." We worship the resurrected Christ who is our advocate with the father."
celafoe, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one who has read the Book of Mormon several times and who has seen the power of the book for good, I have a question for you. I'll make it multiple choice to simplify it for you:
Question: What is it about The Book of Mormon that leads you to refer to it as "ungodly"?
A) You hate to read the words of prophets who wrote their testimonies of the Savior in a record that didn't make it into your Bible, because those prophets lived on the other side of the ocean from biblical prophets. You somehow see The Book of Mormon as competition to the Bible.
B) Your pastor (whose mortgage and car payment your congregation is funding) told you to go online find a web page where you could comment on The Book of Mormon and you were instructed to use the word "ungodly" at least three times so that other readers might be more likely to think you really mean it.
C) You've actually read The Book of Mormon and just simply came to the conclusion on your own that the book is bad.
D) You just hate Joseph Smith and the Mormons because in your neck of the woods that's kind of a cool thing to do.
E) None of the above.
Seriously, responses like your comments above to someone who's shared something sacred and personal to herself make me chuckle inside a little bit and wonder if there shouldn't be stricter regulations about who gets to operate a computer keyboard.
Anyhow, as Uncle Rico would say, "Have a nice day!"
PS - It's "Another TESTAMENT of Jesus Christ", not "Another GOSPEL of Jesus Christ" - subtle little difference there, but a difference nonetheless.
How have you rejoiced in Christ? For me, I have felt joy to witness how mindful God is in the lives of my friends especially as they rely on Christ during trying times.
Really beautiful and well written.
celafoe 4 months ago
Just remember-- Paul warned us about things like this unGodly book. If you are a Christian stay away from this ungodly mess. Joseph Smith was not a Christian and neither is his religion.
Gal 1:6-9
Matt 24:4-5
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
NKJV
Mark 13:6
6 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and will deceive many.
NKJV
Luke 21:8-9
8 And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them.
NKJV
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
NKJV
AND THEY PROUDLY ADVERTISE THIS UNGODLY BOOK AS " ANOTHER GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST' And that it is --another gospel of another jesus christ.