16:1-3
Wicked people don't like hearing that they are wicked. In fact, they don't like even THINKING that they are wicked! Our brains can twist reality into making us the heroes of our story - whatever that means. When someone bursts that personal fantasy, we don't like it. This was especially true with Laman and Lemuel. "And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of speaking to my brethren, behold they said unto me: Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear. And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center. And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth, and say: Thou speakest hard things against us."
If our identity is that we are heroes and someone points out that we actually aren't, our very identity is threatened. Our sense of who we are is disrupted. It's certainly uncomfortable and, what's more, it suggests that we need to do some work to change. Most of us don't like added work. We like doing what we like doing and if what we like doing is wrong, then we have to look at the alternative - doing something that we may not like doing. None of us like doing what we don't like doing. So, the truth is hurting their self-esteem and it's suggesting that they need to change. That is hard.
16:5
It would be very easy for me to be cynical if I had seen a vision illustrating the destruction of my descendants and the rebellion of my brothers. It's safe to say that I might be a little negative. Every good sign or event would be tainted with the eventual doom that is coming. That's just me.
That's not Nephi. He is very optimistic. "And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord; insomuch that I had joy and great hopes of them, that they would walk in the paths of righteousness." Nephi is feeling joy in their good decisions. He is having hope even though he knows the outcome. Nephi is a good man.
There is no advantage to being cynical and negative about the future. It may be that you're helping someone with an addiction and it is apparent that this addict is never going to change. What's the possible advantage of being cynical and negative and throwing your hands up and walking away? On the other hand, what's the possible advantage of staying engaged and positive and hopeful? As a cynic, you're not even trying. As an optimist, there's a chance you'll help that person want to change. Some chance is always better than no chance. Optimism is always better than cynicism.
16:20
"And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord." Before we judge Lehi too harshly, let's empathize for a minute. Lehi had made a great sacrifice. He had given up all of his worldly possessions and wealth. He had suffered for a long time in the wilderness.
It is one thing to be willing to endure hardship. But, couldn't the Lord at least protect their bow from breaking so that the hardship isn't unnecessarily severe?? I could see myself saying, "Lord, we are obviously chosen. We obviously must endure hardship in our journey. Can't you at least help us feed ourselves? We're not asking for manna here! We're just wanting to be able to hunt. Why would you let our bows wear out and break. It seems like that's the least you could do for those who have given up so much to follow your direction!"
I have to think I would be thinking the same thing. But, we all must realize that being righteous doesn't immunize us from the effects of this fallen world. I've watched some of our righteous church leaders get cancer and die. President Nelson's own wife died suddenly of a heart attack! He's a heart surgeon and God took her with a heart attack. Yikes. It would have been easy for President Nelson to say, "I am one of your apostles. I am giving everything I can to building your kingdom. The least you could do is let me have my wife to strengthen me. Why would you make my life more difficult?"
Bad, horrible things will happen to the most righteous. God does not prevent all bad things from happening to the righteous. He also doesn't prevent good things from happening to the wicked. There is a natural order to this world - things just happen. Part of our righteousness needs to be that we are accepting and patient with the Lord an his timing. Nephi demonstrates how we can maintain our faith in the midst of trials that seem misplaced because of our righteousness.
16:22-23
Laman and Lemuel demonstrate what not to do when facing a trial and Nephi demonstrates how to handle trials well. "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did speak much unto my brethren, because they had hardened their hearts again, even unto complaining against the Lord their God. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?" The natural adversity caused the brothers to be negative. They hardened their hearts and complained against the Lord. It's unlikely that they complained in prayer. They likely just complained to each other.
Nephi sees the problem and does what we can. This is how we should approach adversity folks. We should skip the complaining and just do what we can. It might be that we can't control the entire situation, but what can we do. If we focus on what we can control, the Lord often fills in the difference. Nephi knew how to make a bow.
But, he didn't know where to go to obtain food. It's respectful that he went to his father to ask. He is following his leader. He is giving his doubting father a chance to be a part of the solution. What a great move! Well done Nephi!
16:28-29
The liahona shows up. "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them. And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things." This liahona works when they give faith and diligence to what it says and where it points.
We each have personal liahonas. The Spirit works exactly the same way. The Spirit directs us where to go and can whisper inspiration to our minds. If we have the faith to follow what we're prompted to do, the Spirit will continue to work through us. We will receive more and more inspiration the more faith we have and the more diligently we follow the inspiration we've already received. The Spirit is a person. Like any person, he probably doesn't waste his breath when he knows we won't listen - just like the pointers on the liahona.
The Lord doesn't need to part the Red Sea to do great things - like save a nation. In this case, he's using a small metal ball to save a nation. For each of us, our souls can be saved with the smallest of acts. Our souls are saved by our relationship and reliance on Jesus. That relationship is built through daily prayer and honest scripture study and serving in the temple and recommitting each week during the sacrament. All of these small means add up to a bonafide discipleship!
16:32
"And it came to pass that I did return to our tents, bearing the beasts which I had slain; and now when they beheld that I had obtained food, how great was their joy! And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord, and did give thanks unto him." It's easy to be grateful to the Lord when good things happen. It's harder to be grateful when in the middle of a trial. As Job said, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away...blessed be the name of the Lord." To bless the Lord in abundance and in suffering is a sign of a true disciple.
16:38
"Now, he says that the Lord has talked with him, and also that angels have ministered unto him. But behold, we know that he lies unto us; and he tells us these things, and he worketh many things by his cunning arts, that he may deceive our eyes, thinking, perhaps, that he may lead us away into some strange wilderness; and after he has led us away, he has thought to make himself a king and a ruler over us, that he may do with us according to his will and pleasure. And after this manner did my brother Laman stir up their hearts to anger." These brothers had seen an angel, had heard the Lord's voice, had been shocked by God's power. Yet, their minds twisted things to match a narrative that justified their horribleness. It's an example that, if someone wants to believe or doesn't want to believe, there's no one or nothing that can can change his or her mind.
Not even an angel or supernatural experiences could push them off their story. If they refuse to believe, they will continue to refuse to believe. We should keep this in mind when we are attempting to change someone else. If someone doesn't want to change, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE THEM. It has to come from inside of them. Clearly, outside influences (even God himself) cannot change someone who doesn't really want to change.
16:39
Well...someone can change temporarily. "And it came to pass that the Lord was with us, yea, even the voice of the Lord came and did speak many words unto them, and did chasten them exceedingly; and after they were chastened by the voice of the Lord they did turn away their anger, and did repent of their sins, insomuch that the Lord did bless us again with food, that we did not perish." They were chastened directly from the Lord. They repented. they changed for a minute. But, we know that this change was temporary. Why, they didn't want to change!
Here, the Lord "did speak many words unto them." I'm sure the Lord was very convincing and said the perfect thing that would affect them. The sad truth is that the effect was only temporary - even though the greatest communicator in the universe chastened them. Now, how much are you going to be able to change the mind of someone who has decided to leave the Church?? It's not likely.
17:3
"And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness." God doesn't do the work for us. He doesn't remove the trials and afflictions we're facing. What he does do is nourish and strengthen us.
This isn't just with affliction. This is with challenging callings. This is with being a good spouse. This is with being charitable with strangers. If we are keeping the commandments and are working to accomplish what God has commanded us, he will make it possible for us to achieve our righteous desires.
17:9
"And I said: Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?" Nephi, obviously, has a good relationship with the Lord. He understands that the Lord will let him do everything that is in his power to do. One thing that Nephi wouldn't know is where he could find ore for tools.
Nephi can make the ship. He can make the tools. The Lord will let him do those things. Nephi doesn't know where to find ore - God will help him. Nephi doesn't know how to build the ship - God will help him. Again, God wants us to do everything that we can and then he'll step in to do what we can't.
17:19
"And now it came to pass that I, Nephi, was exceedingly sorrowful because of the hardness of their hearts; and now when they saw that I began to be sorrowful they were glad in their hearts, insomuch that they did rejoice over me, saying: We knew that ye could not construct a ship, for we knew that ye were lacking in judgment; wherefore, thou canst not accomplish so great a work." Human nature is funny. If we are struggling with something, it makes us feel better to see that someone else can't either. This is intensified when WE DON'T EVEN WANT TO DO THE THING. If we don't WANT to do a thing and then we see that someone else CAN'T do it - it makes us feel better.
I don't know why we are built this way. It has to do with pride and insecurity. It's part of being in this fallen world as natural men and women. We have to actively fight against this unChristlike tendency. We should never rejoice when someone else is struggling - but many of us do - including me occasionally.
17:20
How many times has Nephi, angels and the Lord attempted to convince Laman and Lemuel about the righteousness of their journey? Divine creatures have done what was necessary to push them off the story that their father is a visionary man. But, here they go again. "And thou art like unto our father, led away by the foolish imaginations of his heart; yea, he hath led us out of the land of Jerusalem, and we have wandered in the wilderness for these many years; and our women have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things, save it were death; and it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions."
They've thought it was a mistake from the beginning. They still do - regardless of the excellent job angels and the Lord have done. It is an example of how hard it is to push someone off of their internal narrative of reality. Once a story burrows into their brains, even an act of God cannot push them off of it. They have to realize it themselves. They have to convince themselves. No one else can convince them of it.
17:22
In talking about the people in Jerusalem, the brothers say, "we know that they are a righteous people; and our father hath judged them." This sounds like a legitimate thing to say. It isn't good to judge so Lehi must be wrong. They are using righteous principles to make their wicked point. We are seeing this more and more in the world today. People are using righteous principles as a defense for their sinful deeds. It's an old trick.
17:31
"And it came to pass that according to his word he did destroy them; and according to his word he did lead them; and according to his word he did do all things for them; and there was not any thing done save it were by his word." Whether God destroys us or leads us, everything he does is FOR us. There is not one thing that God has done that hasn't been for his children's good. Even if he strikes me down in this moment, I must have faith that it was for my good. It must not have been doing me any good to continue in this mortal world...
17:34-35
"Do ye suppose that our fathers would have been more choice than they if they had been righteous? I say unto you, Nay. Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God. But behold, this people had rejected every word of God, and they were ripe in iniquity; and the fulness of the wrath of God was upon them; and the Lord did curse the land against them, and bless it unto our fathers; yea, he did curse it against them unto their destruction, and he did bless it unto our fathers unto their obtaining power over it." In a way, there are no chosen people. God doesn't love one group more than another. All are esteemed as one. There are no favorites.
Thinking that they were the chosen people got the Israelites into some trouble. Pride, of course, seeped in and they started believing that they were above others. They thought they were special because of the religion and race that they belonged to. Turns out, they were wrong.
God doesn't reward race or religion. He only rewards righteousness. If the Gentiles are more righteous, they will be more blessed. If the Muslims are more righteous, they will be more blessed. If the Catholics are more righteous, they will be more blessed.
Having said that, I think that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are God's chosen people on the earth today. How are we chosen? We are chosen to bear a responsibility to gather Israel. We are chosen in that we have inherited a birthright. Receiving the birthright in ancient times meant additional responsibilities to take care of the daughters and mother when the father died. For that, the receiver of the birthright received a double portion of the inheritance. What was the double portion for? To take care of his new responsibilities. It wasn't that the father loved that child any more than his other sons. It's just that someone had to be chosen.
We are God's chosen people to inherit the birthright, the responsibility, of gathering Israel. It doesn't make us better. It doesn't mean that God loves us more. It just means we are chosen.
17:41
"And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod; for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity." This world offers some nice bumpers when we get off track. When we are being unrighteous, there are often natural consequences. We struggle more. These natural consequences are very useful in getting us back on track.
Our natural and God-given struggles can refine us. They can shape us. They can hedge our unruly branches. Struggles straighten.
17:45-46
"Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord your God. Ye have seen an angel, and he spake unto you; yea, ye have heard his voice from time to time; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words; wherefore, he has spoken unto you like unto the voice of thunder, which did cause the earth to shake as if it were to divide asunder. And ye also know that by the power of his almighty word he can cause the earth that it shall pass away; yea, and ye know that by his word he can cause the rough places to be made smooth, and smooth places shall be broken up. O, then, why is it, that ye can be so hard in your hearts?" When we string together a lot of bad choices, it desensitizes us from hearing the promptings of the Spirit. However, in their case, they heard the actual voice of an angel - but it still didn't matter!
They could indeed hear. But they couldn't "feel his words." The angel's words didn't make an impact. They didn't hit home. They didn't register. They didn't resonate. They didn't have any affect at all on those brothers at all. I'm going to think about this when I'm attempting to be a positive influence on someone. I need to care less about what I'm saying and more on what I can do to actually make them FEEL THE WORDS.
17:50-51
"And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done. And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?" This has got to be exasperating for Nephi! It's amazing that he's taking the time to go through basic principles like this. THEY'VE SEEN AN ANGEL! Clearly what they're doing is right and they'll receive whatever help they need. If God can split the Red Sea, why would they think that instructing Nephi how to build a boat is impossible?? It's very frustrating! I'm frustrated and it happened 2500 years ago!!
17:55
Nephi raises his hand to shock his brothers. "And they fell down before me, and were about to worship me, but I would not suffer them, saying: I am thy brother, yea, even thy younger brother; wherefore, worship the Lord thy God." This is the second time that they attempted to worship Nephi. They just aren't getting it. They have no relationship with God. They don't see how Nephi is just a tool in the Lord's hands. There is no reason to worship Nephi. But, because he's the person in front of them and they don't know God, they worship what they see.
18:9
"And after we had been driven forth before the wind for the space of many days, behold, my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and also their wives began to make themselves merry, insomuch that they began to dance, and to sing, and to speak with much rudeness, yea, even that they did forget by what power they had been brought thither; yea, they were lifted up unto exceeding rudeness." What happened with them isn't unexpected. I'm guessing that there wasn't a lot to do on the boat. They had a lot of free time on their hands.
Idleness is the natural man's playground. When we aren't actively engaged in something, it's very easy for the natural man side of us to poke his ugly head up and ask what's happening? He or she may pop into our brains and get us to start thinking bad thoughts about our spouse. Or we may start searching the internet for what we ought not to. Or we think about popular movies that we want to see that maybe aren't appropriate. Or, we start thinking about our local church leader and how he offended us. Or, we think about the pretty girl in our office.
None of this happens when we're working hard on a project. We don't get these thoughts when we are serving. Being busy protects us from trouble. Being idle invites our natural desires to bubble up into our brain.
18:15-16, 20
"And it came to pass that we were about to be swallowed up in the depths of the sea. And after we had been driven back upon the waters for the space of four days, my brethren began to see that the judgments of God were upon them, and that they must perish save that they should repent of their iniquities; wherefore, they came unto me, and loosed the bands which were upon my wrists, and behold they had swollen exceedingly; and also mine ankles were much swollen, and great was the soreness thereof. Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions." At least the brothers were able to connect their wickedness with what was happening. It's interesting how clarity sets in when someone is afraid. They can't seem to make basic connections between God and their dealings. It's only until their lives are threatened that they start to get it...
In verse 20, Nephi makes this point. "And there was nothing save it were the power of God, which threatened them with destruction, could soften their hearts." Clearly, the power of God wasn't enough - they had heard the Lord and had been shocked. It was their destruction that they cared about. It gives insight into their selfish and immature characters. I don't mean to judge them too harshly but I had a brother who was like this growing up. I haven't spoken to him in six years. It's frustrating and sad. Laman and Lemuel are maybe striking a nerve.
Obviously, it's great that Nephi praises God all day long and didn't murmur. He had some reasons to murmur! He's in the middle of this very difficult journey and has the added burden of daily dealing with his rude brothers. I'm sure Nephi didn't write a hundredth part of the wicked things they did. Nephi had reason to murmur. He didn't because he saw thing with the right perspective. We should all work to have the same perspective that Nephi had when we are approaching our small but irritating struggles.
19:6-7
"Nevertheless, I do not write anything upon plates save it be that I think it be sacred. And now, if I do err, even did they err of old; not that I would excuse myself because of other men, but because of the weakness which is in me, according to the flesh, I would excuse myself." Nephi admits that he likely has erred. He is sure to point out that he's not excusing himself because "other prophets did it." He's excusing himself because of the weakness that he acknowledges is in him.
First, it's great that he's specifying that he's not pointing to the foilables of others as a reason for his own mistakes. He's not making mistakes okay because others have done it. He's simply admitting that he isn't perfect and so there are likely mistakes. It's an anti-blame avoidant approach to personal weakness. We can all learn something from that.
Second, he takes it one step further and talks about what people in the future will do because of the mistakes made. "For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet." He's saying that the problem with mistakes is that people will focus on the flaws and trample the whole program under their feet. They won't believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet because he made mistakes or had character flaws that they don't like. His flaws don't disqualify him from being a prophet. In fact, every prophet has had flaws and weaknesses. They key is to esteem the gospel as having great worth. We should disregard it because of the mistakes of past prophets, even Nephi!
19:9
It wasn't a case of simple mistaken identity. This verse makes that clear. "And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught;" It was their INIQUITY that caused them to judge Jesus as a thing of naught. Their focus on themselves and their adherence to the law of Moses blinded them. Their desire to be above the common people made the Pharisees afraid of anything that might upset their control and preeminence over the people. I don't think it was intentional for some of the church leaders at the time - it's just that their pride didn't allow them to see the Messiah right in front of their faces!
Nephi describes the charity and endurance and selflessness of the creator of the universe under the hands of the Jews. "...wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men." Certainly, Jesus could have called down fire at any time to incinerate those who were tormenting him. Instead, because he loves us so much, he simply suffered it.
19:14-16
The Jews rejected their Messiah. There are natural consequences to this. "And because they turn their hearts aside, saith the prophet, and have despised the Holy One of Israel, they shall wander in the flesh, and perish, and become a hiss and a byword, and be hated among all nations." Surely this happened during the Second World War. There were hated by all nations. They suffered an attempted genocide.
It does appear that history may be repeating itself. They are quickly losing support for their war effort against the Palestinians. I'm seeing a growing animosity against the Jewish people. I think we know where this is headed. It is prophecied that, once again, all nations will turn against Israel.
The good news is that it will change. They will realize their error. They will know that Jesus was their Messiah. They will understand that their ancestors made a horrible choice. "Nevertheless, when that day cometh, saith the prophet, that they no more turn aside their hearts against the Holy One of Israel, then will he remember the covenants which he made to their fathers." They will look at the wounds on Christ's hands and feet and ask what they are. Once they realize, all of their righteousness, commitment, duty, obedience, faithfulness and love will be directed right at the Savior. It will be a beautiful thing.
Verse 16 is interesting. We know that the Jews' conversion has yet to happen. It sounds like a further gathering will happen after that conversion. "Yea, then will he remember the isles of the sea; yea, and all the people who are of the house of Israel, will I gather in, saith the Lord, according to the words of the prophet Zenos, from the four quarters of the earth." I've heard from those who feel that there is still a great nation yet to be discovered - that have had their own prophets and scriptures. I don't know how this is possible. But this verse seems to suggest that this gathering hasn't begun yet.
19:23
Nephi starts reading from Isaiah to his brothers. Nephi obviously loves the writings of Isaiah. I'm grateful for Isaiah because I think his writing is confusing enough that those who attempted to scrub Jesus from the Old Testament didn't do such a great job with Isaiah because they didn't understand his way of writing.
Despite Isaiah's lack of plain language, Nephi worked hard to Isaiah's words to their own lives. While he did "read many things unto them which were written in the Books of Moses," he used Isaiah's writings "that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah." Isaiah's writings point to Jesus. Nephi is using his words to convince his brothers of the coming Redeemer.
Nephi understands the purpose for scriptures. "...for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning." He knows that studying the scriptures would benefit them. As they learned about the gospel, through the scriptures, it would profit them in every meaningful way.
20:1-2
Nephi starts with quoting chapter 48 of Isaiah which starts out with Isaiah talking about the hypocrisy of Israel. He says that Israel are those "who swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, yet they swear not in truth nor in righteousness. Nevertheless, they call themselves of the holy city, but they do not stay themselves upon the God of Israel, who is the Lord of Hosts; yea, the Lord of Hosts is his name." Isaiah didn't like hypocrisy. Neither does the Lord.
He then talks about how the Lord prophecied of great things so when the great things happened, Israel would know that it was the LORD who was behind the miracles. "And I did it because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass." The Lord knew that they would try to explain the events as coming from their idols. "I showed them for fear lest thou shouldst say—Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image hath commanded them."
Isn't like us humans to rationalize the miraculous events of our lives? Isn't it like us to explain away the seemingly coincidental blessings that show up at the right time? Isn't it like us to attribute miracles to natural causes. Isn't it like us to give ourselves credit for the good things in our lives? WE are obstinate in this way. We have trouble seeing God's grace in our everyday life.
20:10
There is no chosen person who hasn't been through trials. Someone that hasn't experienced affliction isn't worthy of the kingdom of God. "For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." We are all here to be refined and it's the "furnace of affliction" that does the refining. So, you could say that affliction is near the center of the plan of salvation.
21:4
Often, we do the right things and nothing apparently comes from it. How many doors are knocked on by missionaries with no results? How many ministering visits haven't had impact? How many phone calls made by the relief society president go unanswered? How much pleadings from a bishop are ignored? Isaiah, appears to be experiencing this frustration. "Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain." This sounds depressing.
But, he keeps the right perspective. "...surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God." We are not getting paid for results because everyone we plead with has agency and can simply reject our sincere efforts. We are "getting paid" for our effort. Our boss, thankfully, is God and his is the only opinion that matters.
21:15-16
The Lord will never forget you. You don't get lost to him. "For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." In the NLT version of this, the last line is, "Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem's walls in ruins." That makes sense to me.
The Lord hasn't forgotten the destruction and exile of the Jewish people. He hasn't forgotten them. He hasn't forgotten their trials. He hasn't forgotten their inheritance. It is the same with us. We may feel that we are forgotten or that we weren't known to begin with. This is never the case. We have a loving Heavenly Father who is very aware of each of us personally. He cares deeply for us and doesn't like seeing us suffer but he knows that the ends definitely justify the means. He allows us to suffer but that never means that we are forgotten.
22:17
There is a lot of anxiety about the rough times that will precede the second coming. The world will be in turmoil. There will be contention and disasters everywhere. All nations will fight against the House of Israel. It's going to be tough! However, the Lord is offering protection. "Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire." We are not going to be overrun by the murderous horde. We will see fire come down and protect the righteous. It will be an amazing sight!
We should have comfort in knowing that we will be protected. We shouldn't be overwhelmed with anxiety or hopelessness. We shouldn't be depressed about the future troubles. We will be preserved.
Having said that, what's the worst that can happen to us? We might die? In that case, we are still saved and "preserved" in every meaningful way. Meaningful as in we all die anyway - no biggie.
22:22-23
Nephi has seen the future and understands who should be the ones who fear the judgments of the last days. "And the righteous need not fear, for they are those who shall not be confounded. But it is the kingdom of the devil, which shall be built up among the children of men, which kingdom is established among them which are in the flesh." A kingdom built for the benefit of the natural man will fall. There is one kingdom that will endure and that is the kingdom OF GOD. Those of us who care only about mortality and our worldly progression cannot build a kingdom God. The best they can do is build something that gains the approval of other humans.
Many "kingdoms" that are built have the form of a church. It is a way to gain control, power and money. "For the time speedily shall come that all churches which are built up to get gain, and all those who are built up to get power over the flesh, and those who are built up to become popular in the eyes of the world, and those who seek the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world, and to do all manner of iniquity; yea, in fine, all those who belong to the kingdom of the devil are they who need fear, and tremble, and quake; they are those who must be brought low in the dust; they are those who must be consumed as stubble; and this is according to the words of the prophet." There are churches set up to get gain, power and control over the flesh. There are churches that are very popular. We've all seen the arenas that can be filled by a charismatic pastor. You always see the donation bucket making the rounds...
A church that is built to be popular among men can never be the kingdom of God. The opinions of the general public can swing, twist and turn. The line of what is considered good is shifting year after year. In some areas, a majority of people have a wicked opinion. A church that is attempting to be popular among a wicked people is sure to be wicked. Eventually, they will be "brought low in the dust." Religion shouldn't be a popularity contest!
22:26
"And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth." Of course, I've heard that Satan will be bound for the thousand years of the millennium. I guess I haven't considered that he will be "bound" because of the righteousness of the people. He will have no power to influence them because they are beyond temptation. It reminds me of that scripture about Captain Moroni. To paraphrase, the verse says that if all men were like Moroni, the foundation of hell would shake.
For an entire population, this is truly an amazing event. It rarely happens. You could say it's almost impossible. However, can it happen on an individual basis? Of course! I can render Satan powerless in my life. He can be truly bound when it comes to influencing me. I like the idea of binding Satan. You and I can do it! Somoene get me a rope.
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