CHAPTER 18
The ship is finished—The
births of Jacob and Joseph are mentioned—The company embarks for the promised
land—The sons of Ishmael and their wives join in revelry and rebellion—Nephi is
bound, and the ship is driven back by a terrible tempest—Nephi is freed, and by his prayer you have to ask… and by his faith and the power of God the
storm ceases—They arrive in the promised land. About 590—589 B.C.
1 And it came to pass that they did aworship the Lord, and did go forth with me; is obedience a form of worship? and we did work timbers of curious bworkmanship. And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the cship. The Lord didn’t lay out the whole plan…but told him a little, let him do it, then told him a little more. Nephi had to exercise faith that the Lord was building the boat. Maybe if he showed him the whole plan, Nephi would be tempted to make shortcuts, or “improve” on the design? Nephi also had to progress to each certain point before he was shown more. No progress...no boat...This is another scripture that reinforces the principle that God doesn't reveal everything to us at once...even his prophets. And he only got the revelation "from time to time". How long does the Lord let us go on our own as a church without direct revelation? If the prophets and apostles aren't literally hearing the voice of the Lord like Joseph Smith dictated in his day, then they are operating under inspiration ("it seemeth good to us and the Holy Ghost, Elder Renlund). "Good information brings good revelation" implies that "bad information brings bad revelation". Right now, it seems they are getting a lot of "bad" information. The church just got fined $5 million dollars for not disclosing their investment funds properly. Their press statement said, "they relied upon legal counsel regarding how to comply with its reporting obligations while attempting to maintain the privacy of the portfolio". Why do they need privacy? Apparently they are managing $100 billion dollars of investments! Hmmmm... Are we in the half hour of silence? Why do you need "legal counsel" when you have Christ leading the church? I'm sure they'll say the same about covid...that they relied on the experts in the field for the decisions. Why not rely on God? I get it if they have to get revelation like the "rest of us"...for I get it wrong all the time and go long periods without answers and am most always doing what "seemeth" good, but could be wrong, since I still am filled with "unbelief and the traditions of my fathers". We want to expect more from them. I remember Elder Renlund saying in the Spring of 2020 that just because he got called to be an apostle doesn't mean he got a direct pipeline to heaven. They have to "study it out" too and wrestle like we do, I guess. Pres. Nelson said if we haven't learned to "hear Him" we won't survive. I guess that applies to them as well. The scriptures say "by their fruits ye shall know them". There's a lot of "bad fruit" coming out of church headquarters these day that is hard to make sense of. The "good fruit" is that they are still pointing us to Christ and telling us that "everything we need to know is not going to come over the pulpit". That is good counsel. We need to stay focused on Christ. I do believe they are still God's appointed and that this is Christ's church. But I feel like, if history repeats itself, that just as the church was a bit of a mess when Christ was on the earth, it may be that way before He comes again. I believe more and more each day that there really will be "one mighty and strong" that comes to "set the church in order." See D&C 85 (FYI, the Institute manual has an different explanation of this verse that doesn't set right with me as being correct. This article (https://rsc.byu.edu/ search D&C 85) gives insight that the interpretation is open to further light for they state there is, "“more light respecting the things which God reveals,”)
2 Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers
after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of men;
but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me;
wherefore, it was not after the manner of men. This
would take faith as well, since it was outside the box of experience that Nephi
and his brothers were familiar with…How familiar were they with "the manner of men"? Could they have built a boat the "old" way? We are told that "God's ways are not man's ways; neither are His thoughts our thoughts." Understanding this, we should expect that when we follow God's ways that we will have some push-back from others who are steeped in man's ways. They may look at you as "odd". Also, do not try to reason your way out of obedience just because it's not going the way you think it should. If we are going to cross the dangerous "waters" that will take us to the New Jerusalem/Millennium, we will need to build our lives, "not after the manner of men", but "after the manner which the Lord will show unto you", which will "not be after the manner of men". Really pray about what you do in your life from here on out. Do not rely on the arm of flesh. Take the Holy Spirit for your guide and feast on the "words of Christ, for the words of Christ will show you all things you must do."
3 And I, Nephi, did
go into the mount oft,
and I did apray oft
if the “mount” for us is the temple, then we
need to go to the temple often and pray often to receive additional light for
ourselves…unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord bshowed
unto me cgreat things. Just
concerning the ship or was it “other” great things as well? In any case…he asked...and he was “given”. He also went to a specific place to receive revelation. He didn't just kneel down in his tent. Is there something important about being alone? Or is it more about "the mount"? I kind of think it had to do with the "mount". It was probably the place the Lord told him to go. It was somewhere there took effort to be there; you know you wouldn't be interrupted; and it's the highest point on the earth where you are at, that you could possibly go. I was in the temple "the mount" when I received the revelation I was seeking about what sacrifice was required for the parting of my Red Sea. ("Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" - Cottonelle Contest)
4 And it came to
pass that after I had finished the ship, according to the word of the Lord, my brethren beheld that it was
good, this either echos God's declaration after the creation, or is a statement of confidence in what they created a piece at a time without knowledge of the whole until it was complete. I hope when I look back on my own life which is also begin created a piece at a time without knowledge of the whole, that I will say "it was good"… and that the workmanship thereof was
exceedingly fine; wherefore, they
did ahumble themselves again before the Lord. Add this to your list Laman and Lemuel, of proof that Nephi
IS being directed by the Lord. You know
that you could not have built this ship alone!
5 And it came to
pass that the voice of the
Lord not in a dream this time, or via the Liahona? came unto my
father, that we should arise and go down into the ship. Nephi received the direction to build the ship, but the Lord
directed the whole family to move through the patriarch, Lehi. We read in the last chapter how the "voice of the Lord" came to them to give correction. How awesome to have that kind of sure direction! It is rare that I feel I can use, with confidence, the expression, "the voice of the Lord came to me" ... I long for that day!
6 And it came to
pass that on the morrow, after we had prepared all things, It only took them a day? Or does he mean the day after they prepared all things? much fruits and ameat
from the wilderness, and honey time to discover the healing properties of honey in abundance, and provisions according to that which the Lord
had commanded us, we have been commanded
to be prepared in all things as well…. we
did go down into the ship, was this like a Jaradite boat? They went "down into" it...Mormon could have left this part out because he described it in detail in Ether, but it would make sense if it were, since Nephi said it was not like other boats that man makes. Hadn't thought of this before...with all our loading and our bseeds,
oops..forgot that on the previous list…. and whatsoever thing we had brought with us, every one according to his age;
does this mean each was responsible for their
own things? Or had jobs according to their age? Or does it mean they entered the ship youngest to oldest, like on
Christmas morning? Or was it the easiest way to do a “head count”? Hmmm….wherefore, we did all go down into the cship,
with our wives and our children. Notwithstanding all the trial, murmuring and anger of the past years, they were all willing to leave the possibility of ever returning to their homes in Jerusalem behind.
7 And now, my father
had begat two sons in the wilderness; the elder was called aJacob
and the younger bJoseph. Like Jacob’s
youngest son was named Joseph? Symbolism here?
8 And it came to
pass after we had all gone down into the ship, and had taken with us our provisions and things which had
been commanded us, Why does he repeat
this line? Remember space is precious and he just barely told us they had taken
their provisions. Is he trying to
emphasis their importance for survival? Or is the emphasis on "which had been commanded us". Obedience. The Lord didn't provide food for them miraculously on their journey. They had to provide it as He directed and take it with them. We are no different. we
did put forth into the asea
wonder how they did this...and were driven forth
before the wind towards the bpromised land. Total faith…no rowing or steering these boats. If you are a control freak, this would be the ultimate test! Notice also the language of faith, "we were driven towards the promised land" not away from Jerusalem. The Jaredite boats were also "driven by the wind"...this is an expression we might associate with adversity. If so, then we need to trust that if we have put our lives in God's hands that its purpose is to "drive us" towards where God wants us to be.
9 And after we had
been adriven forth before the wind for the space of many
days, behold, my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and also their wives began to
make themselves merry, insomuch that they began to dance, and to sing, and to
speak with much brudeness, yea, even that they
did forget by what power they had been brought thither; yea, they were lifted up unto exceeding
rudeness. Perhaps boredom brings out the
worst in us….We work and pray for a life of ease; but at what price? How did Nephi define what was "rude"?
10 And I, Nephi,
began to fear exceedingly lest the Lord should be angry with us, and smite us
because of our iniquity, What exactly were their
sins besides rudeness? Surely it wasn’t
the dancing and singing and being merry…How did they show that they had
forgotten by what power they had been brought to that point? Were they boasting in their own strength? Did
they stop praying? that we should be
swallowed up in the depths of the sea; yet he had already seen in vision that they make it to the promised land...are visions of the future subject to change? wherefore, I, Nephi, began to speak to
them with much soberness; but behold they were aangry with me,
saying: We will not that our younger brother shall be a bruler
over us. Here we go again…
11 And it came to
pass that Laman and Lemuel did take me and abind
me with cords, and they did treat me with much harshness; nevertheless, the Lord did suffer it that he might show forth his power, unto the fulfilling
of his word which he had bspoken concerning the
wicked. What great perspective.
Still, Nephi has faith that the Lord is in charge and mindful of him. However, Nephi was writing this “after” the fact.
Did he recognize this at the time? We are seeing the Lord suffer the wickedness of man so that His judgments will be just. The wicked WILL see that God is more powerful than they. And that ALL His words WILL be fulfilled!
12 And it came to
pass that after they had bound me insomuch that I could not move,
no “wiggling” out of them like last time…
the acompass,
which had been prepared of the Lord, did cease to work. Ok…so there was a compass (the Liahona) and a way to steer
the ship. They should have known from
their wilderness travels, that the compass only worked upon obedience and
righteousness…
13 Wherefore, they
knew not whither they should steer the ship, insomuch that there arose a great astorm,
yea, a great and terrible tempest, and we were bdriven
back upon the waters for the space of three days; I am thinking that this ship was more like Columbus' and not the Jaradites...or not:) and they began to be frightened
exceedingly lest they should be drowned in the sea; nevertheless they did not
loose me. Pride, pride, pride…were they thinking
the storm was not God and that it would end any minute if they rode it out?
14 And on the fourth
day, which we had been driven back, the tempest began to be exceedingly sore. Nope…it was getting worse, not better. God is turning up the volume for the hard of
hearing!
15 And it came to
pass that we were about to be swallowed up in the depths of the sea. Does this mean they were above the water normally? Are they having to bail water? And after we had been driven back upon the waters for
the space of four days, my brethren slowly…but still…they began to asee that the
judgments of God were upon them, and that they must perish save that they
should repent of their iniquities; How do you eat and sleep during 4 days of furious storm on a boat in the ocean? And not be seriously seasick! wherefore, they came unto me, and loosed the
bands which were upon my wrists, and behold they had swollen exceedingly; and
also mine ankles were much swollen, and great was the soreness thereof. It doesn’t seem like Nephi asked for the bands to be loosed
this time, or the strength to burst them. He knew they would not perish (vision), and allowed himself to be in
pain for the sake of his brothers and to let God do his teaching. What patience
and faith…Or the Spirit told him not to pray for that.
16 Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I
did apraise
him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine
afflictions. Ok…here is where I think
Nephi exercised great control of his thoughts. I think he KNEW that if he stopped “praising” God, for even a moment,
his natural man would focus on the pain and injustice he was experiencing and
he would start to murmur and complain against the Lord. He kept reminding himself that his
afflictions were not “iniquity-induced” by his own sins and that God was still watching over
him and in control. Gratitude, even in the
midst of affliction was his anchor!
17 Now my father,
Lehi, had said many things unto them, and also unto the sons of aIshmael;
but, behold, they did breathe out much threatenings against anyone that should
speak for me; We are seeing this kind of attitude today. You say the wrong thing and you're a racists, hater, homophobe, etc... and my parents being bstricken
in years, and having csuffered
much grief because of their dchildren,
they were brought down, yea, even upon their sick-beds. This
sounds like their grief made them sick…be nice to your parents!
18 Because of their grief
and much sorrow, and the iniquity of my brethren, they were brought near even
to be carried out of this time to meet their God; yea, their agrey
hairs were about to be brought down to lie low in the dust; yea, even they were
near to be cast with
sorrow into a watery grave. Talk about
being blamed for your parents death…There is much research that supports this idea that our emotions have a huge effect on our health.
19 And Jacob and
Joseph also, being young, having need of much nourishment, temporal and spiritual; emotional and social; were grieved because
of the afflictions of their mother; and also amy wife with her tears and prayers, and
also my children, did not
soften the hearts of my brethren that they would loose me. This time the women speaking did not change anything like it
did in the wilderness….
20 And there was
nothing save it were the power of God, which threatened them with destruction, could soften
their ahearts; The
tough guy, who doesn’t bat an eye when he’s threatening or hurting someone
else, ALWAYS turns weak when it is his OWN life that is in peril wherefore, when they saw that they were about to be swallowed up in the
depths of the sea they repented
of the thing which they had done, insomuch that they loosed me. Wrong motivation for repentance, but the Lord still accepts
it.
21 And it came to
pass after they had loosed me, behold, I took the compass, and it did work whither I
desired it. Repent and the Lord will forgive and direct… And it came to pass that I aprayed
unto the Lord; He had to ask…and after
I had prayed the winds did cease, and the storm did cease, and there was
a great calm.
22 And it came to
pass that I, Nephi, did guide the ship, Laman and Lemuel, once again, had to yield to being led by Nephi that we sailed again towards the
promised land. No mention of what the rest of the trip was like. It seems like Laman and Lemuel's repentance lasted long enough to arrive at their destination. This follows the pattern of "descent before ascent".
23 And it came to
pass that after we had sailed for the space of many days *we did arrive at the apromised land; and we went forth
upon the land, and did pitch our tents; and we did call it the promised land.
24 And it came to
pass that we did begin to till the earth, and we began to plant seeds; yea, we
did put all our aseeds into the earth, which we had brought from the land of Jerusalem. And it came to pass that they
did grow exceedingly; wherefore, we were blessed in abundance.
25 And it came to
pass that we did find upon the land of promise, as we journeyed in the
wilderness, that there were abeasts
in the forests of every kind, both the cow and the ox, and the ass and the
horse, and the goat and the wild goat, and all manner of wild animals, which
were for the use of men. And we did find all manner of bore,
both of cgold, and of silver, and of copper. Everything the Lord had promised! We each have to "make the journey" across the sea of this life. The winds of adversity will blow; but if we are obedient, those winds will carry us to our promised destination where we will receive all that God has promised.
*
VERSE 23 (PROBABLY ABOUT 589 B.C.).
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