11:4-6
What delights you? As I think of what delights me, I think about lounging with Marci on the couch, spending time with my kids and grandkids, and eating ice cream. I think of traveling in foreign countries. Watching Survivor delights me. Nephi is a little different. Here, he states three things that delight his soul. "Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ." Why does this delight his soul so much?
Because Nephi sees this life in the correct perspective. He understands clearly the purpose of life and the plan of salvation. He must also have a sincere, pure love for his people. He sees them as his brothers and sisters - not strangers. Seeing life and love in perspective allows him to delight in proving the "truth of the coming of Christ." He knows that it is only through Christ that we are saved. He knows Christ's role in the plan of salvation. He understands our absolute dependence on Him. I would say that he is desperate to help others have faith in Jesus Christ.
Imagine you were on the Titanic and knew its fate. You knew it was going to sink from the moment it hit the iceberg. How passionately would you prove to others that they should hop on a lifeboat. I think you'd be desperate in your speech to others ESPECIALLY those you care about. Feeling desperate to share the gospel is like that. You know that it is only through Christ that others can be saved. Knowing this, we should feel like Nephi.
Nephi was building on what they already knew. "For, for this end hath the law of Moses been given." These people believe in the law of Moses. Nephi uses their current knowledge to prove that Christ will come. In the next chapter, he'll start quoting Isaiah.
"...and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him." Not only does the law of Moses point people to Christ, but so does all of creation. Consider the motion of the earth and sun and the seasons. Consider how all life depends on the sun and how the sun is the source of light and heat and energy that fuels all of us directly or indirectly. Consider the order of the universe and the complicated math that has to exist and be infinitely consistent across the galaxy for any of this to exist.
The second thing that delights Nephi are covenants. "And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers." Knowing the covenants helps us understand the purpose of life. Knowing about covenants helps us to understand who we are and what is in store for us. This is important for any extended effort. You won't attend four years of college without the promise that you'll graduate. You won't marry a woman who doesn't promise to be faithful to you. You won't fight in a battle that you without some assurance that you'll be victorious. God's covenant with us gives us a goal and reason to live up to our side of the covenant. Covenants are delightful!
Third, "yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death." How Nephi lists, grace, justice, power, and mercy suggests that they are not opposing elements of the "eternal plan of deliverance from death." Grace and justice are not opposites. Power and mercy are not opposites. All of these work to save us. God's work is to save us. He's good at it. I have faith in Him.
Lastly, Nephi turns again to Jesus. In the first case, he delighted in proving that Jesus will come. He adds to that here. "And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish." We must rely on Christ. We must know that it is only through him that we can be saved. He didn't just come as a great prophet but as the Son of God. He is the Savior. Nephi delights in proving this. He goes right into quoting Isaiah. So, we can count on Isaiah writing about:
How Christ will come.
The covenants between us and the Lord.
God's grace, justice, power and mercy.
How we would all perish if it was not for Jesus.
12:5
"O house of Jacob, come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord; yea, come, for ye have all gone astray, every one to his wicked ways." There is not one path of wickedness. There are as many paths as there are people. Wicked men love their wickedness. It is their source of power, pleasure and pride. If you're reading this and you think you're immune, your simply unaware. Pray and ask that the Holy Ghost reveal your "wicked ways" to you. It's a hard process but a necessary exercise. Every one of us has reason to repent. If you're not repenting, you're not seeing yourself clearly. Your wicked ways are so personalized and justified and accepted that they don't appear to be what they are.
12:8
"Their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made." So many of us are doing this! I've seen posts from close friends who are talking about their journey of self discovery. The idol that many of us are worshipping is OURSELVES! Many of us are working hard to figure out who we are and what we want. "What is right for me as a unique individual - that's the most important thing!"
This life is not a journey of self discovery. This life isn't about finding the right path that is unique for me. This life is about becoming a true disciple of Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life - NOT ME! Of course my path of discipleship is unique but my unique path needs to become his strait and narrow way. My journey isn't to discover my will but align my will with Christ's!
When we place ourselves at the center of our journey of discovery, we become narcissistic, self-centered, and distracted from the real path to enlightenment, self-discovery and joy. My identity is "child of God." I can spend a lifetime discovering what that means.
Worship of self is becoming a very destructive idol.
12:11, 19
This verse goes along with that thought. "And it shall come to pass that the lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day." Rather than let us stew in our pride for millennia, Jesus will return and set us right. When we are "ripe for destruction" he will come. When Jesus comes, it's going to be a great and terrible day when a lot of people's paradigms are going to be rocked to their foundation. Those who believe that they are successful will realize that they are utterly destitute with what matters.
"And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for the fear of the Lord shall come upon them and the glory of his majesty shall smite them, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which he hath made for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats."
All of the value that we place on what is "important" will be turned on it's head. Our current sources of pride and power will be embarrassing and silly. At the coming of Jesus Christ, a diamond ring will not shine so bright when compared to "the glory of his majesty." Finally seeing the reality of what is truly glorious will surely "smite" those who have placed their faith in what the world has to offer. I think there will be a lot of jewelry tossed aside before they consider approaching Jesus.
13:5
"And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor; the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honorable." Certainly we are seeing the young not honoring their elders. They are, more and more, disrespectful. They don't honor them for their experience and wisdom. In some cultures, the aged are honored - but in the USA, we are seeing a serious decline here.
It's interesting that Isaiah said that the people will be oppressed by each other - "every one by his neighbor." Normally, when I think of a people being oppressed, it is from a dictatorship or other wicked governing body. What does it look like that we all oppress each other. Well, we're seeing that happen online at least. If I made a semi-controversial post on Facebook, it's likely that I would be severely criticized by more than one people. We definitely oppress each other through our screens. In person, it's less so - but it'll get there.
13:9
"The show of their countenance doth witness against them, and doth declare their sin to be even as Sodom, and they cannot hide it." How much can we judge simply from a person's countenance. Well, we shouldn't judge. I've seen some rough characters be the most Christlike. But, it does seem like people have a light or darkness about them. I think if I am ignoring the light of Christ, that light disappears and you would see it in my eyes. If any of us feel like we can hypocritically be sinful in private and righteous in private, we may be overestimating how we're perceived. Bottom line, I think our righteousness shines through our countenance.
"Wo unto their souls, for they have rewarded evil unto themselves!" There is always a consequence to our actions. There is always a reward for our effort. If our effort is sinful, our reward will be evil.
13:12
"And my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they who lead thee cause thee to err and destroy the way of thy paths." As I look at the many groups who are marching for causes that I don't feel are worthy, the participants are mostly young. If we could get the demographics of those who are eager to "troll" those who are proposing something good, the trolls are likely young. I doubt that the majority of protestors and trolls are the elderly. In general, children are our oppressors.
Our leaders are often a reflection of the masses. They must get elected after all. They aren't leading on PRINCIPLES - but on POLLS. If a political leader proposes something that is righteous and unpopular, he or she will not be a leader for long. Leaders following the crowd causes a "feedback loop" where the agenda of the majority affects what the leader says and what the leader says influences others to follow the majority's agenda. The path that leaders set forth is anything but straight and narrow.
13:18-24
I can't help but think about Marci when I read these verses. That doesn't sound right but hear me out. Marci loves being creative with her clothing. It is a type of hobby for her. She is inventive and unique with what she wears and I am not the only one who is excited to see what she'll wear today! I see her as a clothing artist.
I am not worried about Marci because pride isn't a part of her clothing hobby. She doesn't dress up for any other person (other than me perhaps) than herself. She is not attempting to look good for the public. She isn't thinking about how others' clothes are not as cool as hers. She doesn't see herself as above others because of what she wears. Her clothing choice are a part of her identity but a small part. Her self worth is not affected by her clothing. She is a daughter of God.
In these verses, Isaiah writes, "In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments, and cauls, and round tires like the moon." "Bravery" is interesting wording. To be brave is something we all want. It's a great adjective. If your bravery comes from the cool clothes that you wear, that bravery isn't bravery at all. It is shallow and meaningless. When the Lord comes, our character is what will matter, not our clothing. Everyone will see that clearly in that day.
14:1
"And in that day, seven women shall take hold of one man, saying: We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach." Why will there be so few men. Certainly there will be war and bloodshed and I assume that will mostly involve men. However, I'm seeing a trend where men are becoming less manly. Surely, we're seeing a dramatic increase in men who are not interested in women. We're even seeing men who aren't interested in being men! I think these reasons will exacerbate the problem of there being too few men available for women.
15:11
"Wo unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, that continue until night, and wine inflame them!" Obviously, it should be that we are rising early to follow the Savior. What we rise up early to do is what is important to us. It's pathetic that many will be focused on getting drunk early in the day until night.
15:12
Isaiah continues with describing the mixup of priorities. "And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine are in their feasts; but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands." They will care about being entertained. They are careful to ensure that the necessary instruments are at their parties. But, they won't care about the work of the Lord. They won't devote brain power to even notice what the Lord is doing.
They sound so stupid. But, how are we like this already? What are the meaningless things that we care about? What are the many acts of God that happen in our lives that we don't notice? I am currently looking out my window at this view:
How grateful should I be exactly? What percentage of humans enjoy living in a place like this? It's a pretty small percentage... How awesome is it that Jesus took the time to create such a beautiful world? How much do I stop and appreciate that? My health is good. It's a miracle I am alive with an artificial heart valve! What a mercy that I was able to be fixed. My children are all healthy and doing well. I have the best marriage that I can imagine! I met Marci only one month after my divorce. What are the odds of that? How was God's hand involved?
My point is that we are often indifferent or oblivious about God's many interventions in our lives. We think more about what's for dinner than how is God in the details of today. Something to think about.
15:18
"Wo unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope." Drawing iniquity with cords of vanity is an interesting phrase. It sounds like iniquity can be connected to us through vanity. What iniquity is tied to vanity? A lot could be. What are people willing to do to look good to others? People are willing to steal and cheat and be dishonest. What are people willing to do to acquire power and prestige? People are more okay with iniquity as long as their reputation remains stellar.
We are always connected to our sins. They can't be placed in a box and set on a shelf in some remote location. They are with us. We carry them. We can get fully-loaded like a mule. Weighty sin can be on our shoulders and behind us in a cart. The weight of sin is substantial. Always.
15:19
We humans always want things proven to us. "That say: Let him make speed, hasten his work, that we may see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it." This generation seeks after a sign. We are so self-important and narcissistic. I can see us offering direction to the Creator.
15:20-21
"Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" I see this almost every day. Satan is playing a brilliant long game in twisting things around so we think evil is good and vice versa. Here are a few examples:
Saying that marriage is between a man and a woman is bigoted.
Protecting the life of the unborn is denying the rights of women.
Leaving the church is being true to yourself.
Not recognizing someone's gender identity is denying their existence.
Jews protecting their nation is genocide.
Adding to this problem as a whole is our belief in our own genius. "Wo unto the wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight!" I've head SO MANY people speaking for God these days. The phrase, "God would never..." or "My God doesn't..." It doesn't occur to us that our ways are not God's ways. Things that we have figured out might be complete nonsense. So many are feeling enlightened and that they are living at a higher level when they are putting themselves as the center of their beliefs. It's discouraging to see how prevalent this false wisdom is spreading.
16:5-7
"Then said I: Wo is unto me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips; and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts. Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar; And he laid it upon my mouth, and said: Lo, this has touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged." Isaiah was worried that he wasn't worthy to see the Lord. If he is unworthy? What does that make me?
It reminds me of how Nephi felt about himself being a "wretched man." I think that, what makes righteous people righteous, is their impression of themselves as needing further improvement. They don't see themselves as righteous. They see their weaknesses clearly. This is what makes them powerful repenters. If someone believes that they are great, what motivation do they have to strive to continually repent? We should always view ourselves as needing repentance.
I think it's also interesting that Isaiah's mouth was purified by the coal. It wasn't something that Isaiah did. It was an external force that took his iniquity away. Jesus's atonement is that "live coal."
17:9
"If ye will not believe surely ye shall not be established." Our spiritual strength begins with faith. Without faith, the Lord cannot strengthen us. We cannot expect to stay firmly planted without first having a firm faith.
18:12-13
"Say ye not, A confederacy, to all to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid." Another translation for confederacy is "conspiracy." There are those, even in our own family, who are fully invested in discovering and exposing government conspiracies. Conspiracy theories are a rabbit hole that you can spend months and years investigating.
I have my own conspiracy theories but I am not putting effort into investigating them. This choice is likely made from plain laziness. Thankfully, it means I'm not spending a bunch of time researching and clicking through the internet. In the end, I am not going to be able to affect any change any governmental action. I shouldn't be worried so much about things that are outside of my control. It is a distraction and Satan loves using distraction to disrupt our progress - whether it's video games or conspiracy theories or TV.
What should we fear then? The Lord of course! "Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." What are we learning about the Christ's gospel? What do we know about our potential? What do we know about the atonement of Jesus Christ? How can we improve our faith? There are many gospel rabbit holes we can get into that will actually have some effect on our eternal progression. Those are not distractions. Those rabbit holes are not taking our eye off of the covenant path.
18:20
How do we know if someone is saying the truth? The best way is to compare their words with the scriptures. "To the law and to the testimony; and if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." If someone is saying something "enlightened" that contradicts what is written by ancient and recent prophets, it's not true. It's not enlightened. It's not some higher law. It's not a better path. There are so many people who are "figuring out themselves" in a way that doesn't align with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Comparing anyone's statement with the gospel is the surest way to determine if what they are saying is true.
18:22
Those who are fixated on the workings of the world will get increasingly depressed and upset and hopeless. "And they shall look unto the earth and behold trouble, and darkness, dimness of anguish, and shall be driven to darkness." This world is a proving ground for us. It is NOT a source of righteousness and correct doctrine. That source is found above. If we are focused wholly on world events, we are going to adopt the gloom and doom that is surely there.
Isn't it better to look upward? We must focus on the covenant path. Our deep dives should be about faith and repentance, making covenants, following the Spirit and enduring to the end. Looking forward on the straight and narrow path should be our fixation.
19:2
It sounds pretty dark. It sounds like the people are lost. They've lost their way. However, there is no dark place that the atonement of Jesus Christ cannot reach. There is no darkness where the Light of Christ cannot shine. "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." What a comforting thought that is.
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