Comments on 1 Nephi 10

v1  Nephi starts making a record of his own activities, as
opposed to abridging Lehi's, cf. 1:17.  But, naturally, there is
considerable material relating to Lehi and the rest of the family
as they are all together.

v2 connects to 8:38, closing of the intervening parenthesis and
indicating a shift in subject to matters concerning the Jews at
Jerusalem.

v3-14  Lehi predicts various major events to occur at Jerusalem,
such as the imminent sack by Babylon (v. 3), the coming of a
Messiah (v. 4-6), the one to herald the Messiah (v. 7-10), the
general rejection of the Messiah by the Jews and the subsequent
disbursement of the Holy Spirit to all nations (v. 11).
     Lehi then explains this disbursement of the Spirit to the
Gentiles is a result of natural Israel being scattered among the
Gentiles (v. 12, 14).  Thus, the Lord must scatter Israel among
all of the Gentiles, which is why they are leaving Jerusalem for
the New World (v. 13). 

v15  While the present account is quite brief, the matter is
discussed at length in ch. 13-14.  Nephi has omitted recounting
the second-hand details of Lehi's preaching in favor of the
first-hand details of his own vision on the same subject.

v16  They're still at base camp, so they have not begun traveling
in earnest.  I would assume Nephi's intent in pointing this out
is to show that Lehi, Nephi, and the other believers all had a
very clear idea of what the Lord had planned from them.  Before
they set out to cross some inhospitable desert wilderness under
less than ideal circumstance, they know what the underlying
premise is and how much is riding upon it.  They see very clearly
that the Lord has a great deal at stake in them, and has every
intention of getting them through it alive.

v17-22  After hearing all Lehi had to say, most of which was
aimed at Laman and Lemuel, Nephi wants to gain first-hand
knowledge of what Lehi is talking about (v. 17).  In 2:16 Nephi
admits he is naive when it comes to spiritual matters, but
circumstances are requiring him to grow up fast.
     Nephi then turns his attention to the reader (v. 20) and
states with authority (v. 22) that the Lord is consistent in His
ways (v. 18).  He continues by saying the Lord will manifest to
the current reader the same things He has manifested anciently
(v. 19).  And if you do not inquire of the Lord concerning His
ways, but instead seek after wickedness, then you will be held
accountable for it (v. 21).
     Nephi is encouraging readers to follow his example and
inquire of the Lord, so these matters may be manifested by the
Spirit to them.




Copyright © 2001 by S. Kurt Neumiller <kurtn@cybcon.com>.  All rights 
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