Thoughts on 1 Nephi 1 – 7
I’ve already learned a lot about the Book of Mormon from all the resources that are available now. We’re not even two weeks into the year, and I think I know more about this sacred record than I’ve ever known before.
As I read the Book of Mormon I realize that I still have a lot to learn from Lehi and Nephi. Lehi was a prophet to the people of Jerusalem until he was told to leave. The people had rejected him and his message and sought to take his life. Lehi took his family into the wilderness but continued to be a prophet to his own family and those who joined them. Perhaps we could say he was a prophet/patriarch like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.He taught Nephi “somewhat in all the learning” that he had. I wonder if I’ve taught my children in all the learning that I have.
These first seven chapters of the Book of Mormon show what can be done if a person follows the inspiration of the Lord (as did Lehi) or if he/she follows the appointed leader (as did Nephi). I’ve always thought it interesting that Nephi was visited by the Lord and was given great and wonderful promises. When he returned to his father, Lehi told him he was to return to Jerusalem to get the brass plates from Laban. This was a commandment from the Lord. Why didn’t the Lord give the commandment directly to Nephi, since He was already visiting him? The answer I’ve found for myself is that the Lord always respects the line of authority He has established. There is also the fact that this command was for Laman, Lemuel and Sam as well as for Nephi. Nephi’s recent visit with the Lord confirmed to him that Lehi was indeed a prophet, so it would have been easy for him to accept that this was another revelation Lehi had received.
I think it’s easy for some of us to know the right course to follow, but allow others who are stronger, more experienced or older to lead us astray. If they go in the wrong direction, it’ll be their problem, right? Not right! Nephi knew this. Laman and Lemuel were his older brothers and should have been an example to Nephi, but they weren’t. After a couple of failed attempts to get the plates, they were ready to return to Lehi and tell him the task was impossible. Nephi had to counsel them (after an angel had already appeared to them). Even with that, they weren’t willing to go back into the city for a third attempt. Their own plans had failed, and they couldn’t think of another plan that might work. Nephi stepped into the path not knowing where it would lead, but trusting in the Lord. This was the Lord’s work. The Lord would make it successful. Nephi trusted and listened to the Spirit.
I was intrigued by some of the outside resources concerning “sacrifices and burnt offerings”. After the group had traveled three days, Lehi offered a sacrifice (no mention of burnt offerings). When the sons return from their two trips back to Jerusalem, Lehi offers both sacrifice and burnt offerings. Burnt offerings were made for atonement. The entire offerings were burned to atone for sins. Sacrifices were offered to express gratitude. Only part of the sacrifice was burned on the altar. The rest was eaten by the person offering the sacrifice and his family and friends in celebration. I’m sure that Joseph Smith didn’t know anything about the differences between the two when he translated the Book of Mormon. Just another evidence that the Book of Mormon is just what it purports to be.