CHAPTER 5
Nephi and Lehi devote themselves to preaching—Their names invite them to pattern their lives after their forebears—Christ redeems those who repent—Nephi and Lehi make many converts and are imprisoned, and fire encircles them—A cloud of darkness overshadows three hundred people—The earth shakes, and a voice commands men to repent—Nephi and Lehi converse with angels, and the multitude is encircled by fire. About 30 B.C.
1 And it came to pass that in this same year, behold, aNephi bdelivered up the judgment-seat to a man whose name was cCezoram.
2 For as their laws and their governments were established by the avoice of the people, and they who bchose evil were cmore numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were dripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted. Ok....here we are. The voice of the people apparently chose evil (even though it may have been by fraud) and we are ripening for destruction. Our laws have become corrupted. Biden is corrupting more and more laws every day. And it still continues in 2022....and 2023...
3 Yea, and this was not all; they were a astiffnecked people, insomuch that they could not be governed by the law nor justice, save it were to their destruction.
More and more people are taking the laws in stride. You are only guilty if caught.
4 And it came to pass that Nephi had become weary because of their iniquity; and he yielded up the judgment-seat, and took it upon him to preach the word of God all the remainder of his days, and his brother Lehi also, all the remainder of his days; Notice what his reaction to his own weariness was. He didn't quit caring about them. He actually devoted more time to trying to convert them back to the truth. Most people quit when they become weary. They just throw up their hands and let people choose and experience the consequences. I suppose the problem with that when you are over a large group of people is that their collective choices impact everyone through God's collective judgments.
5 For they remembered the words which their afather Helaman spake unto them. And these are the words which he spake:
6 Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first aparents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were bgood. The key here is "remembering"!
7 Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them. The names we give our children can be a powerful influence on them...
8 And now my sons, behold I have somewhat more to desire of you, which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a atreasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that bprecious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our fathers.
9 O remember, remember, my sons, the awords which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the batoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to credeem the dworld. I am feeling this so strongly these days. There really is no other way for us to survive from here on out except to follow Jesus Christ. Sure, there are people who make it through their mortal lives not following him but in these last days, there will be no middle ground. As Pres. Nelson said, "The time is coming when those who do not obey the Lord will be separated from those who do (see Doctrine and Covenants 86:1–7)
1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, concerning the parable of the wheat and of the tares:
2 Behold, verily I say, the field was the world, and the apostles were the sowers of the seed;
3 And after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness.
4 But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender—
5 Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields;
6 But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also.
7 Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.
Noticing these things from this parable:
1. the apostles are the sowers of the seed
2. after they "the apostles" and/or the "world"? have fallen asleep
3. all nations drink of the cup of Satan
4. the church is driven into the wilderness
5. 1830 was just the beginning of the restoration of the word
6. God has delayed the division hoping we would strengthen our faith
7. the wheat will be gathered "out" first
This seems to be so accurately describing right now! Covid has shown that the whole world has fallen asleep...even our apostles, and everyone has drunk from the cup of Satan by not seeing through the "gameplan". Or feeling captive to it...The church will be driven into the wilderness (callout). We have been told to increase our faith for many years now. A test, a Test, A TEST is coming! of that faith.
10 And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, ain the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins. Elder Holland taught, "Come as you are, but don't expect to stay as you are." This is being twisted to mean, "come as you are, and we don't care if you stay as you are. We love you as you are and so does God. If made you imperfect then you are perfect in your imperfection. No judgment for your actions or words or thoughts. We just need to love. That is enough." This is a corruption of the gospel of Jesus Christ which is nothing more or less than "Faith, Repentance, Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost and then endure to the end in living those first 4 things". These great Book of Mormon prophets demonstrated their love for the people by spending their own time and giving their own lives to preaching repentance. That is love. If Christ came to redeem you from your sin and not in your sins, then He expects you to repent (change) because of Him, not be saved in spite of Him.
11 And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; See...redemption only comes through repentance (change) therefore he hath asent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls. Repentance has conditions. Power has conditions.
12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the arock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your bfoundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty cstorm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. A quick search shows this has been quoted 25 times in the last 10 years (feels like more than that...there was one year I felt like I heard it in every talk! Notice the rock is Jesus Christ...not the prophet. You can sustain the prophet, but if he makes a mistake, you will not fall because the prophet is not your foundation....Jesus Christ is. If all else is torn apart, carried away in the whirlwind, beaten down with mighty storms...you will be safe IF your foundation is Jesus Christ. That is how we have no fear. That is how we stand the test that is coming.
13 And it came to pass that these were the words which Helaman ataught to his sons; yea, he did teach them many things which are not written, and also many things which are written.
14 And they did remember his words; and therefore they went forth, keeping the commandments of God, to teach the word of God among all the people of Nephi, beginning at the city Bountiful;
15 And from thenceforth to the city of Gid; and from the city of Gid to the city of Mulek;
16 And even from one city to another, until they had gone forth aamong all the people of Nephi who were in the land southward; and from thence into the land of Zarahemla, among the Lamanites.
17 And it came to pass that they did apreach with great bpower, insomuch that they did confound many of those cdissenters who had gone over from the Nephites, insomuch that they came forth and did confess their sins and were baptized unto repentance, and immediately returned to the Nephites to endeavor to repair unto them the wrongs which they had done. Is this "baptized unto repentance" a re-baptism? or were they excommunicated? Different practice? I'm assuming the dissenters were once baptized before...If they "returned" to the Nephites, it sounds like they might have been excommunicated.
18 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the Lamanites with such great power and authority, for they had power and authority given unto them that they might aspeak, and they also had what they should speak given unto them—This is the ULTIMATE way to teach! Oh how we need this kind of preaching today. Who will step forward, in this power, in the face of political correctness, to reclaim the saints and correct all their false beliefs?
19 Therefore they did speak unto the great astonishment of the Lamanites, to the convincing them, insomuch that there were eight thousand of the Lamanites who were in the land of Zarahemla and round about abaptized unto repentance, and were convinced of the bwickedness of the ctraditions of their fathers. The word of God delivered by the power of the Spirit CAN change people! Please, please, dear Father, send this kind of preaching to the world, which is drowning in sin and darkness and unbelief!
20 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did proceed from thence to go to the aland of Nephi.
21 And it came to pass that they were taken by an army of the Lamanites and cast into aprison; yea, even in that same prison in which Ammon and his brethren were cast by the servants of Limhi.
22 And after they had been cast into prison many days without food, behold, they went forth into the prison to take them that they might slay them. I'm thinking that when they went without food, it just became a "fast" for Nephi and Lehi.
23 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi were encircled about aas if by bfire, even insomuch that they durst not lay their hands upon them for fear lest they should be burned. Nevertheless, Nephi and Lehi were not burned; and they were as standing in the midst of fire and were not burned.
24 And when they Nephi and Lehi saw that they were encircled about with a apillar of fire, and that it burned them not, their hearts did take courage. They sound surprised that they were not consumed...
25 For they Nephi and Lehi saw that the Lamanites durst not lay their hands upon them; neither durst they come near unto them, but stood as if they were struck dumb with amazement.
26 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did stand forth and began to speak unto them, saying: aFear not, for behold, it is God that has shown unto you this marvelous thing, in the which is shown unto you that ye cannot lay your hands on us to slay us.
27 And behold, when they had said these words, the earth shook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison did shake as if they were about to tumble to the earth; but behold, they did not fall. And behold, they that were in the prison were Lamanites and Nephites who were dissenters.
28 And it came to pass that they were overshadowed with a cloud of adarkness, and an awful solemn fear came upon them.
29 And it came to pass that there came a avoice as if it were above the cloud of darkness, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my servants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings. Curious...the first thing they tell the guards is to fear not and see the hand of God in it. It's like they didn't see what was happening as justice or judgment, but as a miracle to help them believe. Then there was more darkness and shaking and they felt even more fear. But then the "voice" says to them again, that they were being given a chance to repent and receive "good tidings" (which is the Savior). Amazing time of grace. God must have known these hearts could turn.
30 And it came to pass when they heard this avoice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a bstill voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul—
31 And notwithstanding the mildness of the voice, behold the earth shook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison trembled again, as if it were about to tumble to the earth; and behold the cloud of darkness, which had overshadowed them, did not disperse—
32 And behold the voice came again, saying: aRepent ye, repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; and seek no more to destroy my servants. And it came to pass that the earth shook again, and the walls trembled. What does "the kingdom of heaven is at hand" refer to? The birth of Christ (30 years away); their personal conversion? ("the kingdom of God is within you" Luke 17:21) These people were being given a remarkable chance to repent and be born again, at which point the Kingdom of Heaven would be given to them...
33 And also again the third time the voice came, and did speak unto them marvelous words which acannot be uttered by man; wow! What were these words? And why did they get to hear them? and the walls did tremble again, and the earth shook as if it were about to divide asunder.
34 And it came to pass that the Lamanites could not flee because of the cloud of darkness which did overshadow them; Reminds me of the darkness after the destruction at His Crucifixion yea, and also they were immovable because of the fear which did come upon them.
35 Now there was one among them who was a Nephite by birth, who had once belonged to the church of God but had dissented from them.
36 And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold, he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold, they did shine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels. And he beheld that they did lift their eyes to heaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking or lifting their voices to some being whom they beheld.
37 And it came to pass that this man did cry unto the multitude, how many were there? that they might turn and look. And behold, there was power given unto them that they did turn and look; and they did behold the faces of Nephi and Lehi. Could they have not turned their heads and looked without power being given to them? Were they literally "immovable" even to the turning of their heads, because of fear?
38 And they said unto the man: Behold, what do all these things mean, and who is it with whom these men do converse?
39 Now the man’s name was Aminadab. And Aminadab said unto them: They do converse with the angels of God.
40 And it came to pass that the Lamanites said unto him: aWhat shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us? Sounds like they still didn't get it. Even after being told by the voice they must repent...
41 And Aminadab said unto them: You must arepent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have bfaith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and cAmulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you.
42 And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of him who had shaken the earth; yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed. I think we are to "cry" until we receive what we ask for. I think sometimes we give up too soon...
43 And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were aencircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire. Since they had to pray "even until they had faith", I wonder how long this took...And what did they say to bring/receive the kind of faith that is required to be "born again"?
44 And aNephi and bLehi were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that cjoy which is unspeakable and full of glory.
45 And behold, the aHoly Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words. Another amazing "born again" experience. Why is this in the Book of Mormon if it is beyond our attainment?
46 And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying:
47 aPeace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.
48 And now, when they heard this they cast up their eyes as if to behold from whence the voice came; and behold, they saw the aheavens open; and angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them.
49 And there were about three hundred souls who saw and heard these things; and they were bidden to go forth and marvel not, neither should they doubt.
50 And it came to pass that they did go forth, and did minister unto the people, declaring throughout all the regions round about all the things which they had heard and seen, insomuch that the more part of the Lamanites were convinced of them, because of the greatness of the evidences which they the 300? had received. or the evidences to the people being taught?
51 And as many as were aconvinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred and the tradition of their fathers. This needs to happen to the Muslims who hate the Jews because of the tradition of their fathers.
52 And it came to pass that they did ayield up unto the Nephites the lands of their possession. This was miraculous intervention by God. I'm sure He knew that these people would change under the circumstances. We are told miracles do not produce faith. But this miracle seemed to produce it. Or, maybe not, for we are told they had to pray UNTIL they had faith before the darkness dispersed. This is quite a conversion story. Oh how we need such an experience. This divine manifestation truly changed these people, whose testimony then changed others (To some it is given to "know" and to others it is given to believe on the testimony of those who "know") It is amazing how much these people were given who just moments before were unbelieving. Surely, a God who is the same yesterday and today will do something similar in our day, right? It seems like the prelude to this was the ministry of Nephi and Lehi and the power with which they were able to preach. Will this come with the Davidic Servant? Some other righteous souls? Please come!
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