2 Nephi 5

(All of my own thoughts are in blue type.4/20 Green 1/21 4/22 Brown 2023 ) 

CHAPTER 5

The Nephites separate themselves from the Lamanites, keep the law of Moses, and build a temple—Because of their unbelief, the Lamanites are cursed, receive a skin of blackness, and become a scourge unto the Nephites. Between 588 and 559 B.C.

  1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cry much Lots of prayers and/or a real "pouring out" of his heart to God. We must learn to pray this way as well. In his book "Face to Face", Michael Wilcox talks about the need to "pour out" our souls to God so there is room for Him to "pour in" his love and comfort and answers. The previous chapter "the Psalm of Nephi" is a great example of what that "pouring out" sounds like. Also read Hannah's pouring out in 1 Samuel and Moses's pouring out in Numbers 11 concerning the children of Israel. It's okay...you can talk to Him! unto the Lord my God, because of the ^aanger of my brethren. Probably prayers for them as well as for himself that he would not respond in anger. It's normal to "have" angry feelings...that's part of being mortal. It's not okay to "act" on what those feelings tell you to do or say. Take that anger to the Lord and He will help soften your heart and help you to keep it right. Although Nephi doesn't say that he was struggling with anger towards them

  2 But behold, their ^aanger did increase against me, so God did not intervene and deny Laman and Lemuel their agency. Prior to this God had protected Nephi by sending angels, or giving him strength to escape, or power to "shock" them into leaving him alone. But, perhaps now that Lehi is gone (the last or only reason they had not killed Nephi already) they are not so easily contained. Their anger has increased and they are in Satan's grasp. Now, the "right" response for Nephi is to leave  insomuch that they did seek to take away my life. Again…This hearkens to why Lehi left Jerusalem. They sought to take away his life too.

  3 Yea, they did murmur against me, saying: Our younger brother thinks to ^arule over us; they’ve been afraid of this from the beginning and have been told as much by their father AND and the Lord and his angels that Nephi would in fact, rule over them. They have not taken responsibility for the fact that the only reason Nephi is to rule over them is because of their own choices. It was given to Laman, by birthright to lead, but he lost it through his disobedience. Nephi never sought for it…and we have had much trial because of him; accepting NO responsibility for their own actions, they blame Nephi for all the consequences of their own actions and some of the normal "trials" of life that just come to us because we are mortal. wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words what happened to “sticks and stones...but WORDS will never hurt me?” Really, you want to kill him over "words"? What about your own words? If Nephi thought like you, wouldn't he be even more justified to seek your lives because of your words towards Him? But that is not how God thinks. When it becomes "too much" God tells us to leave. Too bad it's the good people that have to leave...doesn't seem fair. I believe we will reach this same point and be told to leave again. It's a pattern repeated over and over in the scriptures. Are you prepared mentally, emotionally and physically to leave when that time comes? I urge you to think about it now...time is getting short to prepare...It's now January 2021 and the world is going NUTS! We just had a president who won by the largest margin ever, lose the election by fraud. Censorship is approaching China levels. Any speech that is not in line with the main stream narrative is considered 'dangerous'. Laman and Lemuel's spirits and all those who have killed the prophets must be possessing the bodies of all these people controlling our politics and media. It always sounded so crazy to read about it in the scriptures, but now I am living it for myself. Persecution truly is coming if it hasn't reached you already...For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler; for it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to ^brule over this people. I don’t think Nephi wanted to “rule OVER” but only desired to “lead” the people as he had been called to do. (Much like someone called to be a Bishop...they don't ask for the job, but accept it when called) These guys wanted the power of ruling “over” others. Satan took the truth about their birthright and twisted it and blinded them to their own choices regarding it. I'm not sure why Lemuel gets to rule. Shouldn't it just be Laman, if it's a "birthright" thing?

  4 Now I do not write upon these plates all the words which they murmured against me. But it sufficeth me to say, that they did seek to take away my life. In other words...you know it was really bad. This is the "lot" of the disciples of Christ. "One cannot do the Lord's work without offending the devil".

  5 And it came to pass that the Lord did ^awarn me, that I, ^bNephi, should depart from them notice Nephi is "warned". He had choice...If he doesn't act, then something bad is going to happen...much like when Lehi was "warned" to take his family and leave Jerusalem. If they had stayed, they would have been caught up in it's destruction, been taken into captivity, or been killed first by those who were angry with him. What is with that? Killing people over words? and flee into the wilderness,it is always "into the wilderness"...away from Babylon; away from harm; away from comforts...but "no wilderness - no revelation" and all those who would go with me. This is the beginning of the two nations of the Nephites and the Lamanites. I can just hear Nephi saying "Choose you this day whom ye will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." That is the choice that was before them...not will you follow Nephi. 
  6 Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family, and also ^aZoram and his family, and Sam, mine elder brother and his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my younger brethren, and also my sisters, and all those who would go with me. And all those who would go with me were those who believed in the ^bwarnings and the revelations of God; wherefore, they did hearken unto my words. It is believed that more than half of the party went with Nephi...approximately 11 adults and 13 children. We too, may be asked to leave one day, to flee the wicked, because we believe in the warnings and revelations of God concerning these last days.  We too, must hearken to the words of our prophet or the Lord directly when that time comes. We may feel like fleeing before that time...but we should stay until the Lord tells us to leave. Ultimately, one must believe in continuing revelation or reject it. Do you believe in the warnings and the revelations of God? Are you hearkening unto the words of the prophets? We are being asked first to "deny ourselves of all ungodliness"; to flee Babylon in our actions and hearts first. Are you doing it?

 7 And we did take our tents Tents are referred to 64 times in the Book of Mormon. What was the "tent" of their day like? Since this is translated from another language it may very well not be the kind of "tent" we think of...and whatsoever things were possible for us, this suggests their flight may have been in haste or could just mean "possible to carry"...and did journey in the wilderness for the space of many days. And after we had journeyed for the space of many days we did pitch our tents. Sounds like they were trying to get as far away as possible before resting. Were they afraid Laman and Lemuel would not let them leave?

  8 And my people would Nephi feels the divide already of "his people" and those that stayed with Laman and Lemuel that we should call the name of the place ^aNephi; wherefore, we did call it Nephi. Nephi did not decide this..the people did, but he did not object.

  9 And all those who were with me did take upon them to call themselves the ^apeople of Nephi. Identity is important. We call ourselves by our family name; by our ward name; by our stake name; by our church name; each one just a subtitle to our most important and divine name....the family of God. So while our "subtitles" seem to "divide" us...they really can't separate us from the "family of God"; thus they must be mostly used for organizational purposes; to create order; to facilitate teaching; to fulfill the Plan of Happiness for God's children to bring them to earth.

  10 And we did observe "obey; keep" to keep the judgments, how do you keep the "judgements" of the Lord? How do you keep "judgements"? and the ^astatutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things, not “some” according to the ^blaw of Moses. We are accountable for what we have received. It is SO IMPORTANT, that we are determined to keep ALL the commandments of the Lord. Specifically the following: Say your morning AND evening prayers, individually and as a family. Study the scriptures EVERY day, individually and as  a family; partake of the sacrament EVERY WEEK (except conferences); Attend the Temple regularly (MORE than once a month if you have a temple close by), Home and Visit Teach EVERY month; Hold Family Home Evening EVERY week. We really have no excuse not to do these things. None. And we must take seriously the statement "our safety lies in our obedience" (search it...it's been repeated many times). We live in such a day and time that "safety" needs to be taken literally. We all NEED it...and this is how we qualify for it. At our regional stake conference, Elder Clayton opened with an experience he had visiting a stake who were dealing with the economic crisis in Argentina (not sure what year it was) where unemployment was up to 80% and the effects of it spilled over to the neighboring nations. It presented some serious challenges.  He went there to meet with the local church leaders, but was unsure how to help them. He felt impressed to just “listen” and then to ask them to specifically share the strengths of their people and NOT their problems.  The first few stake presidents followed his request, leading with strengths and only mentioning at the end a very few problems. Progressively each one shared fewer strengths and more problems until the last few only shared their long list of problems.  By this time he was overwhelmed with a feeling of not knowing how to counsel them. At the last minute the thought came to ask them this question: “Of the members who faithfully pay tithing, fast offerings, Visit and Home Teach, hold FHE and family prayers – for that group only – how many are having problems they can’t handle on their own. The answer from all of them was – NONE.  This group was able to meet the serious challenges before them without church help.  LESSON: faith aids in meeting life’s challenges; Obey in faith and diligence and the help comes. The blessings of God ALWAYS attend the righteous. I believe he shared this story because this is what is coming for us and we need to have the faith to obey ALL of God's commandments so that we can have the confidence to ask for His divine help through it. This story was repeated in April Conference 2020. 

  11 And the Lord was with us; and we did ^aprosper exceedingly; according to the promises of the Lord for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance. The Lord blesses you when you keep ALL His commandments And we began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind. What were the flocks and herds used for? Sheep for skins, cloth, sacrifices? Goats for milk? What other animals did they keep? Did they eat meat like we do?

  12 And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the ^aplates of brass; scriptures and also the ^bball, or ^ccompass, This may have been part of the reason they fled in "haste"...Laman and Lemuel may have wanted to keep these things or at least prevent Nephi from having them. We'll see in a couple verses he also took the sword of Laban...pretty sure that one was not okay with the older boys...which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written.

  13 And it came to pass that we began to prosper exceedingly, and to multiply in the land. This is the Book of Mormon promise. Keep the commandments and prosper in the land. Prosper is not just a temporal thing, but does include it. The most important part is spiritual, though. I read recently that to prosper is to have the Lord with you because to not prosper is to be cut off from His presence. This works, because if God is with you, he blesses you in all ways.

14 And I, Nephi, did take the ^asword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make many ^bswords, lest by any means the people who were now called Lamanites should come upon us and destroy us; it’s okay to prepare to defend your families. Even though Nephi knew that God had the power to fight his battles for him; to tell him when to flee; he also knew that he might also have to fight. This is part of being prepared in all things and then trusting in the Lord for direction for I knew their ^chatred towards me and my children and those who were called my people. Hate is a strong emotion. We must never "act" while feeling this emotion...those actions will never be right, even if they are justified.

  15 And I did teach my people to ^abuild buildings, and to ^bwork in all ^cmanner of wood, and of ^diron, and of copper, and of ^ebrass, and of steel, and of ^fgold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance. When did he learn all this? In Jerusalem? From God?
  16 And I, Nephi, did ^abuild a ^btemple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of ^cSolomon save it were not built of so many ^dprecious things; he just listed gold, and silver…what did they NOT have… for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon’s ^etemple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of ^fSolomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine.So it wasn't "like" Solomon's temple in exact materials, but the design and function were the same and both were made of the "best" that was available. Why did they need a temple? One must assume they had priesthood authority. There are a few references to practicing the law of Moses, and even animal sacrifice. There's been some question as to how they did the sacrifices without the tribe of Levi with them. Maybe that was Zoram's line? I've always wondered why there are so few references to animal sacrifice if they practiced it, but I have found a few....

  17 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cause my people to be ^aindustrious, and to ^blabor with their ^chands. Work is SO important! Creation brings joy and happiness. Being lazy does not.

  18 And it came to pass that they would that I should be their ^aking. But I, Nephi, was desirous that they should have no king; nevertheless, I did for them according to that which was in my power. Like what? Why did they want a king and not just a leader or prophet? It could have something to do with the promises made to the people of a righteous king. The king becomes responsible for the righteousness of the people. Feels like a kind of safety net...Avraham Gileadi talks a lot about this if you want to learn more about this... I think it's the Davidic Covenant.

  19 And behold, the words of the Lord had been fulfilled unto my brethren, which he spake concerning them, that I should be their ^aruler and their teacher. A good leader doesn't just tell people what to do. They "teach" them how and why; they teach by example; they live after the manner by which they teach. The "ruling" part should only come in to play where decisions have to be made or disagreements solved. Wherefore, I had been their ruler and their ^bteacher, according to the commandments of the Lord, always doing what the Lord wants…not getting caught up in ego and power. When we lead, we do not make up our own rules or principles. They are founded on revealed truth. Then when problems arise, the leader goes to the source for answers and doesn't get caught up in their own power. In our government, the leaders should rule and teach according to the Constitution - the "bible" of the government. until the time they sought to take away my life. So after Lehi died, Nephi really was "in charge"

20 Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled ...it always is! One of the blessings of the scriptures is that it records this fact...over and over...so you can come to have faith in God. which he spake unto me, saying that: Inasmuch as they will ^anot hearken unto thy words as he receives them from God...they shall be ^bcut off from the presence of the Lord. THIS is the curse. It applies still today. When we reject the words of God's living prophet, we are cut off from His blessings and revelation. Actually, it doesn't matter the source. It can be a prophet, your inspired Bishop, your inspired parent, or your own promptings. When you receive His word and don't follow it...you cut yourself off from "further light and knowledge"... And behold, they were ^ccut off from his presence. They lost the priesthood and the ordinances of the temple and the gift of the Holy Ghost, which if followed, leads one back into the presence of the Father.

  21 And he had caused the ^acursing notice it says, "the" cursing, not "a" cursing...to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. We bring it on ourselves by our own choices For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; this is a curious expression. Is it used because of the material it is made of; that's it's extremely hard? Or... What is the purpose of a flint? It is used to start a fire. It might mean that they were so angry and obsessed and consumed with their hatred and lust for power that anyone in contact with them would be easily consumed...either by getting caught up in their thinking and joining them, or destroyed by them if they disagree. Either way...you are toast if you stay around them wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and ^bdelightsome, that they might not be ^centicing unto my people the Lord God did cause a ^dskin of ^eblackness to come upon them. THE DARK SKIN is NOT the curse…just a means to keep the people from mixing and bringing the curse of “separation from God” upon themselves. Again, I don't think he is saying the skin is what would make them not enticing. I think he's saying that the beliefs of the Lamanites would be so dangerous that one could not mix with them and stay on solid ground. I read a commentary that suggests that the people of the middle east often used the terms "white and black" to express one's countenance. Certainly, the Lamanites were not "black" skinned like African Americans. If Nephi were really talking about the actual color of their skin he might say red or brown, but certainly not black. Another explanation for their skin color change was that the Lamanites stayed by the coast where it was hot and humid and the Nephites left for higher, cooler ground. The Lamanites may have begun to wear fewer clothes and thus became very tan from the sun, where the Nephites did not expose their skin to the sun because of the coolness. So the actual color change may have been due to more natural causes. Not sure how that translates to DNA and your children...but it makes sense.

  22 And thus saith the Lord God: I will cause that they shall be ^aloathsome unto thy people, save they shall repent of their iniquities.Sin is the only thing that would make them "loathsome" to the righteous.

  23 And cursed shall be the seed of him that ^amixeth with their seed; for they shall be cursed even with the same cursing. Separation… And the Lord spake it, and it was done. Hmmm… what was it like the morning they all woke up with darker skin?  Or was this just a pronouncement of a new commandment?

  24 And because of their ^acursing Not being led by God because of their hard hearts which was upon them they did become an ^bidle people, the opposite of Nephi's "working" people full of mischief and subtlety, and did seek in the wilderness for beasts of prey. Because it was easier than farming? Or was their a difference between "wild beasts" and "beasts of prey"; the first being for food and the second being for sport. Sounds like they mostly ate meat. How did that physically affect them, their health, their mental state? Also, having a dark skin would not suddenly just "cause" you to become idle, I wouldn't think...

  25 And the Lord God said unto me: They shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to ^astir them Nephi's seed up in remembrance of me; so through their (the Lamanite's) wickedness, Nephi's seed will be drawn to the Lord in prayer for protection and deliverance…which is a good thing…which they may not do if they aren’t “stirred” up to do it… and inasmuch as they will not remember me, and hearken unto my words, they shall scourge them even unto destruction. Why do the Lamanites get to live when it comes to them both being wicked? It must be that the Nephites will have been judged as having the light and truth and knowledge and only losing it through rebellion, whereas the Lamanites are wicked through the false teachings and traditions of their fathers.  I think this will play in to the end time judgments. Those who willfully rebel will be destroyed and those who sin ignorantly or were brought up in deception will be given a chance to convert first.

   26 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did ^aconsecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be ^bpriests and ^cteachers over the land of my people. Evidence of priesthood authority in this group.

  27 And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of ^ahappiness. What is this? “the manner of happiness?  Do you live after the manner of happiness? Manner suggests a "way" of being; thinking; doing. Here is a great talk (Living after the Manner of Happiness” by Marlin K. Jensen BYU devotional Sept 19, 1995) that may help you understand more about what this expression means.  
  28 *And thirty years had passed away from the time we left Jerusalem.

  29 And I, Nephi, had kept the ^arecords upon my plates, which I had made, of my people thus far.

  30 And it came to pass that the Lord God said unto me: ^aMake other plates; and thou shalt engraven many things upon them which are good in my sight, for the profit of thy people.

  31 Wherefore, I, Nephi, to be obedient to the commandments of the Lord, always obedient to every word of God; every prompting; every time went and made ^athese plates upon which I have engraven these things. So here, he’s telling us that what we have read thus far, he didn’t record until they had been in the promised land 30 years, making him 50ish?  I thought I had heard he was in his 30’s when he wrote.     ..hmmm…  maybe the book of Lehi (lost manuscript) is what he started at age 30...

  32 And I engraved that which is pleasing unto God. And if my people are pleased with the things of God they will be pleased with mine engravings which are upon these plates. If you seek God first, then all things that come from him will appeal to you; will resonate with your soul; sound familiar to you. If you look at them as a man's writings, you will probably find fault with them.

  33 And if my people desire to know the more particular part of the history of my people they must search mine ^aother ^bplates.

  34 And it sufficeth me to say that *forty years had passed away, and we had already had wars and contentions with our brethren. After Nephi left…why didn’t Laman and Lemuel leave him alone? It seems like he is saying that these wars and contentions took place between the 30th and 40th years.

* verse 28 (569 B.C.); Verse 34 (559 B.C.).