Omni

(All of my own thoughts are in red type.5/20 Green 3/21 orange 5/22  Brown2023)     

The Book of Omni

Chapter 1

Omni, Amaron, Chemish, Abinadom, and Amaleki, each in turn, keep the records—Mosiah discovers the people of Zarahemla, who came from Jerusalem in the days of Zedekiah—Mosiah is made king over them—The descendants of Mulek at Zarahemla had discovered Coriantumr, the last of the Jaredites—King Benjamin succeeds Mosiah—Men should offer their souls as an offering to Christ. About 323–130 B.C. Two new peoples are introduced. This covers about 200 years. 

  1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Omni, being commanded by my father, Jarom, that I should write somewhat upon ^athese plates, to preserve our genealogy—same commandment Curious if he said "somewhat" because he didn't want to write but was commanded to write "even a little - somewhat"
  2 Wherefore, in my days, I would that ye should know that I fought much with the sword to preserve my people, the Nephites, from falling into the hands of their enemies, the Lamanites. But behold, I of myself ^aam a wicked man, and I have not kept the statutes and the commandments of the Lord as I ought to have done. At least he is honest as to knowing he's rebelling... He also must know that he’s been blessed to survive the wars even though he’s been wicked. Perhaps it’s because he’s been fighting to defend liberty and has not been on the offensive. 
  3 And it came to pass that two hundred and seventy and six years had passed away, and we had many seasons of peace; and we had many ^aseasons of serious war and bloodshed. Yea, and in fine, two hundred and eighty and two years had passed away, and I had kept these plates according to the ^bcommandments of my ^cfathers; and I ^dconferred them upon my son Amaron. And I make an end.
  4 And now I, Amaron, write the things whatsoever I write, which are few, in the book of my father. If Omni admits he was wicked and didn't keep the commandments, one could assume his son was not brought up in the ways of the Lord.
  5 Behold, it came to pass that three hundred and twenty years had passed away, This is 38 years after his father wrote. We have been a nation 246 years and are increasingly more and more wicked and leaving God out of our lives. It's not hard to see how the Nephites had become so wicked. Probably happened like it does for us and the more wicked part of the Nephites were ^adestroyed. 
Remember the Nephites were already smaller in number than the Lamanites. And now if the more wicked part of them were destroyed the Nephite number is even smaller. Is “more” wicked saying they were “all” wicked to some degree, but the more wicked had been destroyed? And was that by the hand and will of God or just because of wars? Can wars be selective on who dies? They can be selective on who picks up the sword. Maybe the more wicked part fought. But if it was in defense, that is probably not true. God promised Nephi he would use the Lamanites to bring about judgment for sinning against the light. Remember Jesus told the surviving Nephites that they had survived because they were "more" righteous. But they still had much to repent of. Notice they still had the privilege to create Zion and be personally ministered to by the Lord even though they were way less than perfect. 
  6 For the Lord would not suffer, after he had led them out of the land of Jerusalem and kept and preserved them from falling into the hands of their enemies, yea, he would not suffer that the words should not be verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: ^aInasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall not ^bprosper in the land. This prophesy is quoted in both the negative and positive...if ye keep...if ye do not keep...
  7 Wherefore, the Lord did visit them in great judgment; nevertheless, he did spare the righteous that they should not perish, but did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. We must remember this promise! We will be delivered. We just have to truly be "righteous" - repenting!
  8 And it came to pass that I did deliver the plates unto my brother Chemish. Is this because Amaron had no sons (could the plates not be passed to a daughter?) Or did he have no children? Or was it because Omni was his father as well..
  9 Now I, Chemish, write what few things I write, in the same book with my brother; for behold, I saw the last which he wrote, that he wrote it with his own hand; and he wrote it in the day that he delivered them unto me. And after this manner we keep the ^arecords, for it is according to the commandments of our fathers. And I make an end. Chemish has absolutely nothing to say. He and his brother wrote on the plates in one day on the same day. At least they felt the duty to keep the promise to write on them and pass them down. For geneology sake, it seems Chemish had to write something in order to pass them to his son.
  10 Behold, I, Abinadom, am the son of Chemish. Behold, it came to pass that I saw much war and contention between my people, the Nephites, and the Lamanites; and I, with my own sword, have taken the lives of many of the Lamanites in the defence of my brethren.
 11 And behold, the ^arecord of this people is engraven upon plates which is had by the ^bkings, according to the generations; and I know of no revelation save that which has been written, neither prophecy; Was this a period of silence? No prophets or teaching? Or did he just not hear of any... wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end. Maybe there is a lesson here...that as a people once enlightened, sin against that light, that the revelations from heaven cease. If there were a prophet, he would be seeking these record keepers out to have their words recorded, I would think...Another son, not raised in truth...
 12 Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning ^aMosiah, who was made king over the ^bland of Zarahemla; for behold, he being ^cwarned of the Lord that he should ^dflee out of the ^eland of ^fNephi, and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also ^gdepart out of the land with him, into the wilderness—We were told earlier that the more wicked part of the Nephites were destroyed. What happened to the righteous? Here we are told that one way the Lord preserves the righteous is to take them out of the midst of the wicked. He did that with Lehi, Nephi, the Mulekites, Alma...It's a pattern. Plan on it happening again. Notice that you have to "hearken unto the voice of the Lord" in order to depart. Is this the voice of the Lord to each individual, or the voice of the Lord to Mosiah? Who was Mosiah at this time? This is the first we hear of him. He is not made king until they get to Zarahemla. I wonder at what point this happened and why none of the earlier writers mention it. And why does Amaleki, the 3rd generation of writers not brought up in truth know about this part of their history?
 13 And it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord; This phrase is repeated twice "as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord". What have we been repeatedly taught by our prophet? "Hear Him". We will need to hear His voice this way too! They either heard the voice themselves or accepted the Lord's voice through Mosiah and they were led by many preachings and prophesyings. And they were admonished continually by the word of God; and they were led by the power of his ^aarm, through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the ^bland of Zarahemla. I would love to be led by many preachings and prophesying and admonished continually by the word of God and led by the power of his arm through this wilderness of life. Oh wait...I am. The apostles are posting almost weekly. We are admonished continually by reading the scriptures daily and led by the Holy Ghost through this wilderness. I just need to hearken. 
 14 And they discovered a ^apeople, who were called the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the people of Zarahemla; and also Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly, because the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the ^bplates of brass which contained the record of the Jews. If Mosiah’s people left the Nephites with the brass plates, Mosiah would have had some kind of standing to possess them. Amaleki and the previous writers did not write of the departure of Mosiah and the “more righteous part of the people who left with the brass plates. You would think all the plates would be kept together...
 15 Behold, it came to pass that Mosiah discovered that the people of ^aZarahemla came out from Jerusalem at the time that ^bZedekiah, king of Judah, was carried away captive into Babylon. Another group of people the Lord had led away. Are you seeing a pattern here? It will happen again...
 16 And they ^ajourneyed in the wilderness, and were brought by the hand of the Lord across the great waters, into the land where Mosiah discovered them; and they had dwelt there from that time forth.
 17 And at the time that Mosiah discovered them, they had become exceedingly numerous. Nevertheless, they had had many wars and serious contentions, and had fallen by the sword from time to time; and their ^alanguage had become corrupted; and they had brought no ^brecords with them; and they denied the being of their Creator; and Mosiah, nor the people of Mosiah, could understand them. How does language become corrupted to the point of not being able to understand a people with your same mother tongue?
 18 But it came to pass that Mosiah caused that they should be taught in his ^alanguage. And it came to pass that after they were taught in the language of Mosiah, Zarahemla gave a genealogy of his fathers, according to his memory; and they are written, but ^bnot in these plates. How long did this take to learn the language?
 19 And it came to pass that the people of Zarahemla, and of Mosiah, did ^aunite together; and ^bMosiah was appointed to be their king. Interesting that the people of Zarahemla were so willing to be taught and led by these strangers and to adopt their ways...why? Was it trust because they all came from the same heritage?
 20 And it came to pass in the days of Mosiah, there was a large ^astone brought unto him with engravings on it; and he did ^binterpret the engravings by the gift and power of God.
 21 And they gave an account of one ^aCoriantumr, and the slain of his people. And Coriantumr was discovered by the people of Zarahemla; and he dwelt with them for the space of nine moons. The end of the Jaradite nation wasn't that long before the Mulekites came who were not long after Lehi's people came.
 22 It also spake a few words concerning his fathers. And his first parents came out from the ^atower, at the time the Lord ^bconfounded the language of the people; and the severity of the Lord fell upon them according to his judgments, which are just; and their ^cbones lay scattered in the land northward.
 23 Behold, I, Amaleki, was born in the days of Mosiah; and I have lived to see his death; and ^aBenjamin, ^bhis son, reigneth in his stead. So Amaleki was among those who left with Mosiah? 
 24 And behold, I have seen, in the days of king Benjamin, a serious war and much bloodshed between the Nephites and the Lamanites. But behold, the Nephites did obtain much advantage over them; yea, insomuch that king Benjamin did drive them out of the land of Zarahemla. I guess the Lamanites followed the Nephites.
 25 And it came to pass that I began to be old; and, having no seed, and knowing king ^aBenjamin to be a just man before the Lord, wherefore, I shall ^bdeliver up ^cthese plates unto him, exhorting all men to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are ^dgood; for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord: and that which is evil cometh from the devil. This seems black and white. What if something has some good and some bad?  
 26 And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should ^acome unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and ^boffer your whole souls as an ^coffering unto him, and continue in ^dfasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved. Powerful testimony! This is the invitation to be born again. Baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost is to partake of salvation and redemption. You must offer your whole soul to Him to receive this. Then afterward,  you must continue in fasting and prayers and endure to the end.
 27 And now I would speak somewhat concerning a certain ^anumber who went up into the wilderness to ^breturn to the ^cland of Nephi; for there was a large number who were desirous to possess the land of their inheritance.
 28 Wherefore, they went up into the wilderness. And their leader being a strong and mighty man, and a stiffnecked man, wherefore he caused a contention among them; and they were ^aall slain, save fifty, in the wilderness, and they returned again to the land of Zarahemla. Slain by each other? 
 29 And it came to pass that they also took others to a considerable number, and took their journey again into the wilderness.
 30 And I, Amaleki, had a brother, who also went with them; Maybe the brother remembers the land of Nephi they left and wants to go back where they were originally from...and I have not since known concerning them. And I am about to lie down in my grave; and ^athese plates are full. And I make an end of my speaking. This makes it sound like the plates were already there, waiting to be engraven...Ok...here's my story: Amaleki, the son of a not righteous father and grandfather was taken by his mother with Mosiah when he fled. His mother was the one that hearkened to the voice of the Lord. We know he had one brother that had tried to go back to the land of Nephi but hadn't returned before he died. He may have had sisters, but they apparently didn't hand the plates down to girls, so I think he had no other brothers. And he had no children himself. Wonder why that was?   

Jarom

(All of my own thoughts are in red type.5/20 GREEN 3/21 orange 5/22 Brown 2023)

The Book of Jarom

Chapter 1

The Nephites keep the law of Moses, look forward to the coming of Christ, and prosper in the land—Many prophets labor to keep the people in the way of truth. About 399–361 B.C.

  1 Now behold, I, Jarom, write a few words according to the commandment of my father, Enos, that our ^agenealogy may be kept. Sounds like he defined genealogy as not just lineage, but history. This is Jacobs grandson and Lehi's great grandson.
  2 And as ^athese plates are ^bsmall, I wonder if that refers to the plates that had been written on so far or if there were blank pages and just a small number in total; or were they small in size...and as these things are ^cwritten for the intent of the benefit of our brethren the ^dLamanites, wherefore, it must needs be that I write a little; If I read this with a little disdain for the Lamanites, he could be saying, "Since they aren't going to help my people and are just for those nasty Lamanites who hate us and murder us, I'm not going to write very much." But that is probably not what he meant. If he had compassion for them, he would be saying, "Even though there is not much room on these plates, since it's for the welfare of our brethren, I will still consider it important that I write a little for them." Either way, he seems to believe what his father, Enos prayed for was paramount (that the record would be preserved for the Lamanites someday) but I shall not write the things of my prophesying, nor of my revelations. For what could I write more than my fathers have written? For have not they revealed the plan of salvation? Do I see the plan of salvation in the words of the BOM so far? Yes! The Doctrine of Christ is spelled out clearly in 2 Nephi 31! Notice that Jarom had received his own witness as evidenced by his prophesying and revelations. I say unto you, Yea; and this sufficeth me.
  3 Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the ^astiffness of their necks; nevertheless, God is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet ^bswept them off from the face of the land. He just says "this people" so I don't know if he's referring to all the children of Lehi, or just the Nephites or just the Lamanites...Sometimes I think this describes the people of our day. There is much hardness of hearts deafness, blindness, stiff necks and we are facing being "swept off the face of the land" - yet...I pray God will continue to be "exceedingly merciful" to us and bring light and divine intervention to us.
  4 And there are many among us who have many ^arevelations, for they are not all ^bstiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have ^ccommunion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith. Sounds like Nephites are stiffnecked. Remember Enos just got through saying they would only stay in the right way with hard preaching and threats of judgment... If we have received the Holy Spirit, we should also be receiving many revelations and have communion with the Holy Spirit. Pray for faith sufficient to receive this!
  5 And now, behold, two hundred years had passed away, and the people of Nephi had waxed strong in the land. It has been 200 years since the 1st Vision and the Gentiles are strong in the land here in America as well. It was 200 years and then the Nephites began to fall. We’ve been told WE are at a hinge point in our history. I am starting to believe the hingepoint is that this is the "day" for the saints to truly be born again (the 2nd half of their baptism). The future is such that only those that "have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide" will abide the day. It all "hinges" on this! "Taking the Holy Spirit for their guide" is more than general inspiration...it's the literal baptism by fire by the Holy Ghost, the remission of sins, and our receiving the witness of the Holy Ghost and the "mighty change". They observed to ^akeep the law of Moses and the ^bsabbath day holy unto the Lord. And they ^cprofaned not; neither did they ^dblaspheme. And the ^elaws of the land were exceedingly strict. Well, the Sabbath Day is not kept holy by most and most take the name of God in vain and the laws are not strict or strictly enforced as to spiritual things. In 2020 the laws were corrupted. We were left to ourselves to keep the Sabbath day since churches were closed. Still wondering if they did animal sacrifice... 
  6 And they were scattered upon ^amuch of the face of the land, and the Lamanites also. And they were exceedingly more ^bnumerous Why do the wicked always outnumber the good? than were they of the Nephites; and they loved ^cmurder and would drink the ^dblood of beasts. Why?...
  7 And it came to pass that they came many times against us, the Nephites, to battle. But our ^akings and our ^bleaders were mighty men in the faith of the Lord; and they taught the people the ways of the Lord; wherefore, we withstood the Lamanites and swept them away out of ^cour lands, and began to fortify our cities, or whatsoever place of our inheritance. Good leaders are so influential! It's important to sweep evil out of your midst and fortify against their return. Our leaders have encouraged us to fortify our homes and strengthen our personal testimonies and faith. But we have not swept the enemy out of our land, but have opened the door wide and welcomed it in by going along with all the evils designs forced upon us.
  8 And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the land, and became exceedingly rich in ^agold, and in silver, and in precious things, and in fine ^bworkmanship of wood, in buildings, and in ^cmachinery, and also in iron and copper, and brass and steel, making all manner of tools of every kind to till the ground, and ^dweapons of war—yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the quiver, and the dart, and the javelin, and all preparations for war. Check, check..
  9 And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us. But the word of the Lord was verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: ^aInasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall ^bprosper in the land. As stiffnecked as they were, they still prospered. I think this speaks much to the covenant of prosperity vs. cursing for this land has it's basis in keeping the Ten Commandments, which it sounds like these people did.
 10 And it came to pass that the prophets of the Lord did threaten the people of Nephi, according to the word of God, that if they did not keep the commandments, but should fall into transgression, they should be ^adestroyed from off the face of the land. I wish this threat were known among all Americans. Surely, it will come and when it does, persecution will rage. Who were these prophets? Perhaps since their hearts were not converted, their keeping the "rules" was the one thing keeping them from destruction. This would show how faithful God is in keeping his promises about this land and protection.
 11 Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the ^ateachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to ^bdiligence; teaching the ^claw of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to ^dlook forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come ^eas though he already was. I love this phrase - believing as though he'd already come. I think we need to do that again... And after this manner did they teach them. In 2020, at least in my corner of the vineyard, the “priests and teachers” have been pretty silent. They have placed the whole burden on the family and individual to stay in the right way, perhaps to strengthen the Home Centered Church concept. 
 12 And it came to pass that by so doing they kept them from being ^adestroyed upon the face of the land; for they did ^bprick their hearts with the word, ^ccontinually stirring them up unto repentance. It seems like we do the opposite. We feel if we speak boldly that we'll lose people, not keep them in the right way. but I think we end up losing them anyway...No pricking of hearts around here..... Just want to stress again, that it was their diligence in teaching and persuading and "pricking" with the word and "continually sitrring them up unto repentance" that kept them from being destroyed off the land. It worked! We must not be afraid to do the same! We must stay focused on the "word" as we teach. 
 13 And it came to pass that two hundred and thirty and eight years had passed away—after the manner of wars, and ^acontentions, and dissensions, for the space of ^bmuch of the time. They kept the basic commandments but they weren't really converted or they wouldn't have so much contention and dissension - unless this is referring to their interactions with the Lamanites
 14 And I, Jarom, do not write more, for the plates are ^asmall. But behold, my brethren, ye can go to the ^bother plates of Nephi; for behold, upon them the records of our wars are engraven, according to the writings of the ^ckings, or those which they caused to be written.
 15 And I deliver these plates into the hands of my son Omni, that they may be kept according to the ^acommandments of my fathers.

Enos

(All of my own thoughts are in red type.5/20 green 3/21 orange 5/22 Brown 2023)

The Book of Enos

Chapter 1

Enos prays mightily and gains a remission of his sins—The voice of the Lord comes into his mind, promising salvation for the Lamanites in a future day—The Nephites sought to reclaim the Lamanites—Enos rejoices in his Redeemer. About 420 B.C.

  1 Behold, it came to pass that I, ^aEnos, knowing my father that ^bhe was a just man—No matter what my kids choose for themselves, I want them to know who I am and what I really believe for he ^ctaught me in his language, is this a literal language like English, or is it a language of the Spirit or or thinking? and also in the ^dnurture and admonition of the Lord—Nurture - "here is how caring and loving and concerned God is". Admonition - "Here is what the Lord says you should and should not do" and blessed be the name of my God for it—confess God's hand in all things.
  2 And I will tell you of the ^awrestle which I had before God, he did not say wrestle 'with' God. Was this just a back and forth conversation with himself? Was it the wrestle to fully submit to God and give up the natural man? before I received a ^bremission of my sins. Perhaps we all need to have this wrestle. He doesn’t say what his wrestle was about but is sounds like he may have been repenting. I think it is the wrestle we all must have to be born again. Can we assume he's been baptized and confirmed, and yet here he says he hasn't received a remission of his sins. I think that is different than what we experience at age 8 or our water baptism.
  3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the ^ajoy of the saints, ^bsunk deep into my heart. Parents - don't be afraid to speak. Your children will remember your words and it can influence them at any time. I think it’s interesting to hear that what he remembered were positive words from his father and not negative. (although talk of 'eternity' can be negative if you are in hell...could be talking about remember those words) Or...they sank deep into his heart because he was not feeling worthy of the joy of the saints or worried about his eternal life...perhaps “the joy of the saints” is referencing the fruit of being born again. Maybe he was realizing he had not experienced this joy and knew he must be redeemed or he could not be saved and was starting to worry...have you? Are you worried?
  4 And my soul ^ahungered; if his soul hungered then he was lacking something and I ^bkneeled down before my Maker, We can pray to God anytime and anywhere, but sometimes we actually need to stop and kneel before Him and I ^ccried unto him in mighty ^dprayer and supplication for mine own soul; Is crying part of making a prayer mighty? Do we have to have some awful realization to feel this intensely about our awful situation? Why would he be crying for his own soul if he weren’t repenting of something. Perhaps he was just realizing his need to be redeemed and born again and receive the knowledge of God for himself and not just rely on his Father’s witness. and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. This sounds like a vocal prayer? In the BOM video it shows him taking different positions and even moving to different locations as he continued to pray. Was the length of his prayer in proportion to the seriousness of his sin? Was he among those his father so seriously called to repentance? I think now he was just crying for a remission of all sins and a desire to receive the “mighty change”
  5 And there came a ^avoice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are ^bforgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. There seems to be a pattern that one's sins are forgiven before God appears to someone or speaks audibly to them. Or was it audible..
  6 And I, Enos, knew that God ^acould not lie; Probably because of the teachings that were firmly planted in his mind about God from his father Jacob and Uncle Nephi and grandfather Lehi wherefore, my guilt was swept away. This sure knowledge only comes through the Holy Ghost. This 'guilt' is a real thing for we must all stand before the Lord to be judged and we need to stand clean through the remission of sins via the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
  7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?
  8 And he said unto me: ^aBecause of thy ^bfaith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. Unlike his father who had seen him. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee ^cwhole. Faith in Christ brings forgiveness of sins. When you are forgiven of sin you are clean and when you are clean, you are whole. Which alludes to when you sin, you are not whole. Something is missing or not complete. And if we endure in the faith that brought the remission of sins, we can stay clean.
  9 Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a ^adesire for the ^bwelfare of my brethren, the Nephites; Were these is fellow friends and sinners that he was now worried about? wherefore, I did ^cpour out my whole soul unto God for them. Salvation is individual. Exaltation is collective. We put our own oxygen mask on first, then assist others. Self, family, others...A fruit of the mighty change is the gift of charity. This is more evidence he received it.
 10 And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, what does this look like? behold, the voice of the Lord came into my ^amind again, So the 1st time it was a voice in his mind as well saying: I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments. This surely applies to all, even today. God visits us according to our diligence in keeping His commandments. Particularly the first two - to Love Him first, with all our soul and then to love our neighbor, like ourselves. Sometimes we focus on all the "other" things we call commandments and are guilty of not obeying the first two, which are really all that matter.  I have ^bgiven unto them this land, and it is a holy land; Do we consider that we live in a ‘holy’ land?  and I ^ccurse it not save it be for the cause of iniquity; wherefore, I will visit thy brethren according as I have said; and their ^dtransgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their own heads. After praying for the Nephites, the Lord basically says its up to the Nephites to choose. They have to keep the commandments that they have been clearly given to be visited by him and blessed. These words apply in our day as well. 
 11 And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my ^afaith began to be ^bunshaken in the Lord; I wonder why these words increased his faith to the point of moving him to 'unshaken faith'? Maybe it wasn’t what the words were, but the fact he was hearing the voice of the Lord through the Spirit and knew it was real. and I ^cprayed unto him with many long ^dstrugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites. What did these strugglings look like?
 12 And it came to pass that after I had ^aprayed and labored with all diligence, how does one labor diligently in prayer? the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy ^bdesires, because of thy faith. Notice God grants his desires BECAUSE of his faith. It wasn't because it was already God's will. It sounds like his faith actually activated the blessing desired. Which means without it, the blessing may not have been given. Why is this prayer granted and not the one for the Nephites?
 13 And now behold, this was the desire which I desired of him—that if it should so be, that my people, the Nephites, should fall into transgression, and by any means be ^adestroyed, and the Lamanites should not be ^bdestroyed, that the Lord God would ^cpreserve a record of my people, the Nephites; even if it so be by the power of his holy arm, that it might be ^dbrought forth at some future day unto the Lamanites, that, perhaps, they might be ^ebrought unto salvation—It seems like Nephi would have shared his vision of this very thing - that the Nephites do become wicked and the Lamanites do survive. I think he even saw the record preserved and carried forth to them. Did Enos not know this? Did he know it but doubt it? Did he just want a confirmation? I don't think he was the first to pray for this.
 14 For at the present our strugglings were ^avain in restoring them to the true faith. And they swore in their wrath that, if it were possible, they would ^bdestroy our records and us, and also all the traditions of our fathers. Thus the need for this prayer to preserve the scriptures.
 15 Wherefore, I knowing that the Lord God was able to ^apreserve our records, I cried unto him continually, for he had said unto me: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it.
 16 And I had faith, and I did cry unto God that he would ^apreserve the ^brecords; and he covenanted with me that he would ^cbring ^dthem forth unto the Lamanites in his own due time. I am praying 'his own due time' is soon. The Lamanites in America are suffering greatly now. Perhaps God is preparing them with the humility necessary to receive this knowledge.
 17 And I, Enos, ^aknew it would be according to the covenant which he had made; wherefore my soul did rest. I find it interesting that they took such great interest in the well being of future generations. I don't know that culturally we give it much thought...Something to learn here. Is this part of the 'hearts of the fathers turning to their children' so they pray in faith and secure promised blessings for their future children?
 18 And the Lord said unto me: Thy fathers have also required of me this thing; and it shall be done unto them according to their faith; for their faith was like unto thine. Enos was only adding his faith to Jacob, Nephi, and Lehi's. Sounds like the promise was already granted, so Enos must have just been adding his faith and asking for personal confirmation - perhaps that his own line would be included.
 19 And now it came to pass that I, Enos, went about among the people of Nephi, prophesying of things to come, and testifying of the things which I had heard and seen. Once you receive a witness you are able to preach and prophesy.  And maybe are even required or compelled to...
 20 And I bear record that the people of Nephi did seek diligently to ^arestore the Lamanites unto the true faith in God. But our ^blabors were vain; their ^chatred was fixed, and they were led by their evil nature that they became wild, and ferocious, and a ^dblood-thirsty people, full of ^eidolatry and ^ffilthiness; feeding upon beasts of prey; dwelling in ^gtents, and wandering about in the wilderness with a short skin girdle about their loins and their heads shaven; and their skill was in the ^hbow, and in the cimeter, and the ax. And many of them did eat nothing save it was raw meat; and they were continually seeking to destroy us. I just read a talk by Lorenzo Snow where he called the Indian “savages”. It seemed harsh but this description is pretty savage!
 21 And it came to pass that the people of Nephi did till the land, and ^araise all manner of grain, and of fruit, and ^bflocks of herds, and flocks of all manner of cattle of every kind, and goats, and wild goats, and also many horses. Somewhere I read the idea that the Sons of Helaman were protected because they had changed from eating only meat to a grain-based diet (Word of Wisdom) as referenced that the converted Lamanites had begun to til the ground)
 22 And there were exceedingly many ^aprophets among us. And the people were a ^bstiffnecked people, hard to understand. Interesting about there being so many who were called prophets? Was this a spiritual gift kind of prophet and not one of office like the apostle and the President of the church? I think it is evidence that many had received a sure witness too so they could prophesy as well. Again, you may be compelled/required to prophesy once you have received this witness. Makes me think one should not ask for this witness unless you are willing to open your mouth...
 23 And there was nothing save it was exceeding ^aharshness, ^bpreaching and prophesying of wars, and contentions, and destructions, and continually ^creminding them of death, and the duration of eternity, and the judgments and the power of God, and all these things—stirring them up ^dcontinually to keep them in the fear of the Lord. I say there was nothing short of these things, and exceedingly great plainness of speech, would keep them from going down speedily to destruction. And after this manner do I write concerning them. This goes back to what Enos possibly meant when he was recalling the words about eternity from his father...This is an important verse. Notice the Nephites were being obedient, but not so much out of love and desire. It was more out of fear. Interesting that the "fear" obedience wasn't very sustaining. They had to keep being reminded. Why is that? But look at the mercy of God to send them so many prophets to keep them in the right way. I think these prophets were trying to persuade them to fully come to Christ as they had and partake of the fruit of the tree.
 24 And I saw ^awars between the Nephites and Lamanites in the course of my days.
 25 And it came to pass that I began to be old, and an hundred and seventy and nine years had passed away from the time that our father Lehi ^aleft Jerusalem. This would be like from 1841 to today. How connected do we feel to that history of our father from that day? Do you even know much about your ancestors who were alive then? Do their testimonies ring in your ears today? It's so easy to lose sight of this perspective when reading this sweeping history...
 26 And I saw that I ^amust soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of God that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world. With great revelation comes great responsibility. You must be willing to preach this as well if you want this same witness. You cannot be saved without it! I like the expressions "above that of the world"...we must value this witness above anything the world teaches or any consequence from being rejected because of it.
 27 And I soon go to the place of my ^arest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall ^brest. And I rejoice in the day when my ^cmortal shall put on ^dimmortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the ^emansions of my Father. Amen. This is the peace that passeth all understanding! It makes me think that he was not blessed to "see" Christ in his life, but it didn't matter. He had the assurance that he would soon see the 'rest' of the Lord (which is His presence). 

Jacob 7

(All of my own thoughts are in red type.5/20 Green 3/21 Orange 5/22 Brown 2023)

Chapter 7

Sherem denies Christ, contends with Jacob, demands a sign, and is smitten of God—All of the prophets have spoken of Christ and His Atonement—The Nephites lived out their days as wanderers, born in tribulation, and hated by the Lamanites. About 544–421 B.C.

  1 And now it came to pass after some years had passed away, there came a man I wonder if he came from outside their city; a stranger...whoever he was, he knew their language and traditions among the people of Nephi, whose name was ^aSherem.
 2 And it came to pass that he began to preach among the people, and to declare unto them that there should be ^ano Christ. And he preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and this he did that he might ^boverthrow the doctrine of Christ. Why is it so flattering to believe there is no Christ? Is it because you don’t have to give up the natural man? No guilt? No eternal consequences? “Overthrow” is a word associated with government. Ultimately, this philosophy leads to the overthrow of governments, bondage, until we are all captive in the chains of Satan. I have heard that there is a movement among BYU professors to teach that the Bible stories are "symbolic" and not literal. This sounds like a shift towards Sherem's teachings. 
  3 And he labored diligently that he might lead away the hearts of the people, insomuch that he did lead away many hearts; and he knowing that I, Jacob, had faith in Christ who should come, he sought much opportunity that he might come unto me. You have to get to the heart to affect behavior. Sherem had to get to Jacob to cut off the source of truth. Sherem was so confident he thought he could convince Jacob if he could just speak to him. Why was it so important to Sherem that he convince people there's no Christ? Was was he so willing to "labor diligently"? Do we labor just as diligently to persuade people there is a Christ?
  4 And he was ^alearned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much ^bflattery, and much power of speech, according to the ^cpower of the devil. The devil can give men powers of speech and language and flattery. The Holy Ghost is even more powerful. This answers 'why' he wanted to do it - Satan!
  5 And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many ^arevelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen ^bangels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had ^cheard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken. What great things Jacob had experienced. I want to hear the voice of the Lord “in very word”. Notice it was “from time to time”. I suppose he had periods where he was left to himself to see if he’d learned the mind of Christ. Or it could mean when he wasn't hearing the very voice, he was hearing Him other ways (visions, angels, impressions) We need to be "unshaken" as well. Seek to know like Jacob knew! Truly, if God is no respecter of person...how do we cross in to this territory? What is the price? 
  6 And it came to pass that he came unto me, and on this wise did he speak unto me, saying: Brother Jacob, Flattery #1: “Brother”...this is Jacob’s paradigm. I’ll meet you where you are. We’re not that different. We’re brothers! I have sought much opportunity that I might speak unto you; for I have heard and also know that thou goest about much, Jacob was diligent in preaching too  preaching that which ye call the ^agospel, or the doctrine of Christ. Flattery #2 - Acknowledge the truth about the other person from what you know is their own perspective...almost.... Notice he qualifies it with “that which ye call”. Here he opens the door by painting Jacob’s teachings as “his opinion”
  7 And ye have led away much of this people that they pervert the right way of God, and ^akeep not the law of Moses which is the right way; and convert the law of Moses into the worship of a being which ye say shall come many hundred years hence. And now behold, I, Sherem, declare unto you that this is ^bblasphemy; for no man knoweth of such things; for he cannot ^ctell of things to come. And after this manner did Sherem contend against me. This must have sounded like so much rubbish to Jacob! Tactic #3: Stay with “religion” but deny continuing revelation. Also, it’s classic Satan 101 to accuse in the very language you are guilty of. Who is “perverting” the right way of God? “Blasphemy”; "There is no such thing as revelation and prophecy. The Law of Moses has nothing to do with Jesus Christ..."I’ve always wondered if they practiced the law of Moses with animal sacrifice because only the Levites could officiate. Sherem says they do not keep the law of Moses. I’ll have to look in to that. We read of temples, but no animal sacrifice that I remember... There is much talk about "contention" in the church. There were 3 GC talks in one session this last time. Notice it was Sherem that was contending against Jacob. Contention has everything to do with the heart of the one speaking. We know Satan stirs the heart to contention and that Satan was behind Sherem's words. 
  8 But behold, the Lord God poured in his ^aSpirit into my soul, insomuch that I did ^bconfound him in all his words. Satan can only counterfeit the gifts of God. You think Satan can give you the power of words? Wait til God gives Jacob the power of His word! This is the ideal way to talk to those who are 'contending' against you.
  9 And I said unto him: Deniest thou the Christ who shall come? And he said: If there should be a Christ, I would not deny him; but I know that there is no Christ, neither has been, nor ever will be. Using questions is a powerful tool when we are talking with those who disagree with us. How does Sherem “know” there is no Christ, never has been or will be, except through revelation. He just said man could not know of things to come. 
 10 And I said unto him: Believest thou the scriptures? And he said, Yea. Another question...
 11 And I said unto him: Then ye do not understand them; for they truly testify of Christ. Behold, I say unto you that none of the ^aprophets have written, nor ^bprophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ. Jacob tries to establish some common ground. They both believe the scriptures. Another great principle when talking to others.
 12 And this is not all—it has been made manifest unto me, for I have heard and seen; and it also has been made manifest unto me by the ^apower of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must be ^blost. Is Jacob making a distinction here between seeing angels and hearing the voice of the Lord and the witness of the Holy Ghost? Is the “wherefore, I know” referring to the witness of the Holy Ghost only, or that with the Heavenly visitations? 
 13 And it came to pass that he said unto me: Show me a ^asign by this power of the Holy Ghost, in the which ye know so much. Notice Sherem asks for a sign “by the power of the Holy Ghost.” In this, I think we learn the witness of the Holy Ghost is more powerful than visitations by angels and hearing the voice of the Lord. Laman and Lemuel taught us that already. While Sherem uses the correct words (knowing by the power of the Holy Ghost) he is still looking for the other.. a physical manifestation. 
 14 And I said unto him: What am I that I should ^atempt God to show unto thee a sign in the thing which thou knowest to be ^btrue? Yet thou wilt deny it, because thou art of the ^cdevil. Nevertheless, not my will be done; but if God shall smite thee, let that be a ^dsign unto thee that he has power, both in heaven and in earth; and also, that Christ shall come. And thy will, O Lord, be done, and not mine. Jacob doesn’t really command the sign to be given, but let’s the Lord decide. He calls Sherem out as a liar saying he does know the truth but is openly lying in order to deceive. This is so often the pattern. The Secret Combinations know what is true about what they are doing, but they openly lie. It’s only a lie if you know the truth and deny it. This is a qualification of being a “devil”. Innocent people who don’t know the truth, but repeat “lies” told to them, are not serving Satan directly, with knowledge. In saying “not my will be done” is Jacob revealing that he’d really like to see Sherem “smitten”? The sign is to prove God’s power and even more important to witness of Christ. It might be the opposite, since he starts out by saying, who am I to tempt God? Then it sounds like he's saying it's not his will but if God wants to smite him, so be it, but it's not his will. 
 15 And it came to pass that when I, Jacob, had spoken these words, the power of the Lord came upon him, insomuch that he fell to the earth. And it came to pass that he was nourished for the space of many days. Nourished by who? I think it was by the Spirit...
 16 And it came to pass that he said unto the people: Gather together on the morrow, for I shall die; wherefore, I desire to speak unto the people before I shall die.
 17 And it came to pass that on the morrow the multitude were gathered together; and he spake plainly unto them and denied the things which he had taught them, and confessed the Christ, and the power of the Holy Ghost, and the ministering of angels. Which he must have just experienced
 18 And he spake plainly unto them, that he had been ^adeceived by the power of the ^bdevil. And he spake of hell, and of ^ceternity, and of eternal ^dpunishment. This sounds like an "Alma" experience
 19 And he said: I ^afear lest I have committed the ^bunpardonable sin, for I have lied unto God; for I denied the Christ, and said that I believed the scriptures; and they truly testify of him. And because I have thus lied unto God I greatly fear lest my case shall be ^cawful; but I confess unto God. Why was he knowingly lying? What was in it for him?
 20 And it came to pass that when he had said these words he could say no more, and he ^agave up the ^bghost. Not much mercy here from the Lord except that Sherem got to repent in this life and confess and right his wrong to those he had deceived. Had he been given a taste of hell and how long eternity is and eternal punishment? Did he willingly give up the ghost, in hopes that it would help his case on judgment day? 
 21 And when the multitude had witnessed that he spake these things as he was about to give up the ghost, they were astonished exceedingly; insomuch that the power of God came down upon them, and they were ^aovercome that they fell to the earth.
 22 Now, this thing was pleasing unto me, Jacob, for I had requested it of my Father who was in heaven; for he had heard my cry and answered my prayer. Jacob is letting us know that he had been praying after Sherem was struck down for a witness to come upon the people so they would be sure like he was. Will we get similar witnesses before the Lord returns? I think we need to be praying for such things to come upon the unbelievers.
 23 And it came to pass that peace and the ^alove of God was restored again among the people; and they ^bsearched the scriptures, and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked man. Stay searching in the scriptures. It’s truly the “iron rod”. Stop listening to man for truth. Every prophet testifies of the scriptures. Notice also how many times prophets testify in words like “and the word of the Lord came unto me”. Some time I want to make a list/record of this very thing. Why do we have to question if a prophet is inspired or not? Why can’t they use the language of the prophets of old? If you say it’s because we need to walk by faith, why didn’t they have to walk by that same faith? As part of the restoration of all things, I hope God tells our prophet he needs to use this language and we are not accountable if he doesn’t. 
 24 And it came to pass that many means were devised to ^areclaim and restore the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth; but it all was ^bvain, for they delighted in ^cwars and ^dbloodshed, and they had an eternal ^ehatred against us, their brethren. And they sought by the power of their arms to destroy us continually. Their form of a missionary program
 25 Wherefore, the people of Nephi did fortify against them with their arms, and with all their might, trusting in the God and ^arock of their salvation; wherefore, they became as yet, conquerors of their enemies. We learn here that before the Nephites went in to “defense” mode, they tried many times and ways to reach their brothers. When it felt clear that there was nothing they could do, then they went into defense mode and prepared to be attacked. Notice their defense was not just arms but trusting God and Jesus with “all their might”. This is the way we truly “conquer our enemies.”
 26 And it came to pass that I, Jacob, began to be old; and the record of this people being kept on the ^aother plates of Nephi, wherefore, I conclude this record, declaring that I have written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our ^blives passed away like as it were unto us a ^cdream, we being a ^dlonesome and a solemn people, ^ewanderers, cast out from Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of our brethren, which caused wars and contentions; wherefore, we did mourn out our days. This is such a beautiful, yet somber benediction to Jacob’s life. Though he had seen God, been ministered to by angels and heard the voice of the Lord, his life was still summarized as “lonesome” and “solemn”; a “wanderer” and “cast out”; born in tribulation (meaning hard from the start); without a real home and worst of all, with extended family that hate you and war and fight with you. For that reason, they mourned all their days because they couldn’t bring them to the truth and to socialize in peace and family harmony. What does the “dream-like” state mean? It went fast? It didn’t seem real? It felt like they weren’t really home? Like so much of their cares and daily worries and activities were transitory and of no lasting value, like when you wake up from a dream, no matter how real it seemed, it wasn’t and it’s gone. I think it’s this last description. 
 27 And I, Jacob, saw that I must soon go down to my grave; wherefore, I said unto my son ^aEnos: Take these ^bplates. And I told him the things which my brother Nephi had ^ccommanded me, and he promised obedience unto the commands. And I make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been ^dsmall; and to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my brethren may read my words.
Brethren, adieu.