1 Nephi 16-22

Come, Follow Me 2024: January 29-February 4; 1 Nephi 16-22

A careful study of the Book of Mormon reveals a richness of doctrine and a consistency with the teachings contained in the standard works. As I study the Book of Mormon, I love to cross-reference and find other scriptures that teach the same doctrine. I love finding other stories in the scriptures that teach principles similar to the story I’m reading.

This year, I have set a goal to write more about my study of the Book of Mormon. As I studied the chapters on the calendar for this week’s Come, Follow Me assignment, I felt overwhelmed with the number of posts that I wanted to write. I was amazed at the many gospel principles that were taught succinctly in the stories contained in these chapters. So this post is a compromise, a list of some of the topics that I wanted to address, but in a study guide form rather than a lengthy discussion.

The topics that follow are essentially an outline of my thoughts, with cross-references that I believe pertain to the topics, and some brief thoughts and study questions. Some of these topics are a little bit “out there” you could say, because I haven’t fully developed them. These are really just notes about what I have read from these chapters.

1 Nephi 15:26-30 – God’s judgment is merciful

We often talk about God’s judgment “and” mercy. But as I read these chapters, I wondered if we could say that God’s judgment “is” merciful. His judgment reflects his mercy. This topic comes from 1 Nephi 15, which I know isn’t part of this week’s assignment, but I find this topic fascinating.

1 Nephi 15:26-30. Nephi explains that the river of water was “filthiness,” which “separated the wicked from the tree of life,” and the “justice of God did also divide the wicked from the rightness.” He called the brightness of the judgment a “flaming fire.” This made me think of the “cherubim” and “flaming sword” that were placed to “keep the way of the tree of life.”

Is the tree of life in Nephi’s vision the same tree of life mentioned in the Garden of Eden? Why did God place cherubim and a flaming sword to prevent Adam and Eve from partaking of the fruit of the tree of life? Is the justice of God mentioned by Nephi the same thing as the cherubim and the flaming sword? As we consider the awful state of those who rebelled against God in the preexistence and were cast out with Satan, isn’t it possible that God’s requirement for us to walk by faith is a mercy, as it avoids a more severe consequence for sinning against a greater knowledge? Could it be that God’s justice, which would prevent us from partaking of the fruit of the tree of life, is in fact a mercy that prevents us from partaking unworthily?

Cross references:

• Moses 4:28-31 – God placed cherubim and a flaming sword to keep the way of the tree of life.
• 1 Nephi 15:21-22 – Nephi said that the tree in his vision was a representation of the tree of life.
• Revelation 12:7-9 – As a result of the war in heaven, Satan and his angels were cast out.
• Doctrine and Covenants 76:25-38 – Satan is called “perdition,” and those who follow him are those who effectively rebel with full knowledge of the Holy Spirit and the Only Begotten of the Father.
• Doctrine and Covenants 45:54 – They that knew no law will have part in the first resurrection.
• Doctrine and Covenants 29:46-50; Moroni 8:8-26 – Little children cannot sin, and those who “are without the law” are alive in Christ.
• Abraham 3:22-28 – The purpose of life is to see if we will do whatsoever God commands us.
• Dallin H. Oaks, “Kingdoms of Glory,” Liahona, November 2023 – All the children of God (“with exceptions too limited to consider here,” which I interpret to mean those who are called “perdition”) will inherit one of three kingdoms of glory.
• 3 Nephi 18:28-32 – We should not knowingly partake of the sacrament unworthily.
• Alma 32:16-19 – Many ask for a sign, but “how much more cursed is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not.”
• General Handbook, “Purposes of Church Membership Restrictions or Withdrawal,” 32.2 – in case of serious sin, membership restrictions are not intended to punish, but to help a person repent and prepare spiritually to renew and keep covenants again.
• Matthew 18:15-20 – Is it possible that in these verses, the Savior is describing the same process for membership restrictions that is now set forth in the Church’s General Handbook?

As we consider these scriptures, doesn’t it seem possible that the purpose of the “cherubim” and the “flaming sword” was to prevent Adam and Eve from knowingly partaking of the fruit of the tree of life unworthily? I believe that these scriptures show us that even in God’s justice, he is merciful.

1 Nephi 16:29 – Heeding God’s prophets

When we talk about the Liahona, we often compare it to receiving and following promptings of the Spirit. As I read this verse, I thought about how vital it is to follow the teachings of living prophets, and that if we will follow their counsel, they will give us greater knowledge.

1 Nephi 16:26-29. In the story of Nephi breaking his bow, even Lehi complained about the lack of food, and he was chastened as he looked at what was written upon the Liahona. Nephi learned that the writing on the ball “was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it.”

God knows all things, but he doesn’t tell us all things. He allows us to learn line upon line. We are like children, learning and growing slowly, as we gain a greater capacity to accept and understand what God wants to teach us. As we consider the history of the Church, and the progress of the restoration, doesn’t it also seem like this principle, of learning line upon line, applies to generations? One generation may receive a teaching or principle, and the Lord allows that generation to grow into understanding and teach their children, before the next generation receives a greater understanding. The more diligently we will heed the prophets, the more God will teach us.

Cross-references:

• Amos 3:7 – God reveals his will to the prophets.
• Helaman 14:1-31 – The prophet Samuel warned the people of the destruction at Christ’s death.
• Mormon 1:16-17 – Mormon was forbidden to preach to the people because of their wickedness.
• Steven C. Harper, “The Tithing of My People,” in “Revelations in Context” – The story of tithing and how it developed as Joseph received the principle and they tried to learn how to live it.
• Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow, “Tithing, a Law for Our Protection and Advancement,” 157-160 – Even though tithing had been instituted in 1838 (D&C 119), by 1899 when Lorenzo Snow was President of the Church, the people still had not diligently followed that law (“it is something that has been drummed into your ears from time to time until you perhaps have got tired of hearing it.”)
• Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, “Joseph Smith’s Feelings about His Prophetic Mission,” 520-521 – A specific quote from Joseph seemed to express frustration that his people weren’t willing to receive his counsel: “I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all.”
• Alma 12:9-11 – The mysteries of God are given to some, but they can only teach those things that God allows them to teach.
• 3 Nephi 26:6-12 – Mormon wanted to write more of what Jesus taught, but the Lord did not allow him to write it, saying he would “try the faith of my people.”
• 2 Nephi 2:27 – All things are given to us that are “expedient.”
• Doctrine and Covenants 19:21-23; 50:40-42 – We are like children who can’t handle meat, but can only handle milk.
• Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Be With and Strengthen Them,” Ensign, May 2018, 101-103 – As we ponder the transition from home teaching to ministering, could it be that home teaching might have been a training to prepare future generations to minister in a higher and holier way?

Prophets teach us what we are prepared to receive. I believe that God longs to teach us more, but because of his mercy he will only give us those things that are “expedient,” which I interpret to mean necessary for us in our circumstances. He teaches us as children, growing, developing, and learning. And not only do we grow and learn individually, we grow and learn from generation to generation. But those greater teachings will only come if we are giving “diligent heed” to the teachings of the prophets.

1 Nephi 16:38 – Signs without faith will not change us

Laman and Lemuel saw many signs. But they did not believe, and so over time, they convinced themselves that what they experienced was a trick. Signs alone, without faith, do not have the power to change us.

1 Nephi 16:38. After Ishmael died, his children complained against Nephi. Laman and Lemuel even accused Nephi of deceiving them: “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.” Laman and Lemuel had seen an angel, but they had convinced themselves that it never happened; instead, they began to believe that Nephi had somehow tricked them. They had seen signs. But they had no faith.

We all want a testimony. We all want to know that the “Church is true,” or that the “Book of Mormon is true.” How do we receive that testimony? I think that most of us understand that we need to read, pray, and receive a witness from the Holy Ghost (see Moroni 10:3-5). But then what? Is just a witness from the Holy Ghost good enough? Imagine someone learning about the gospel from missionaries. The missionaries invite that person to read and pray to know that the Book of Mormon is true. So that person does it, and receives a powerful witness from the Holy Ghost that it’s true. Then what? If that person says something like, “wow, that’s neat,” then just goes on with life as before, what good was that witness? In that case, is it really any different than asking for a sign? Instead, what if that person prayed and felt good about what they were learning, but still had doubts? If they feel willing to change their life based only upon their faith, the testimony from the Holy Ghost is so much more than a sign. When we allow the Holy Ghost to enter our hearts, and when we humble ourselves to be willing to live by faith and make changes to our lives, we allow ourselves to become converted. This is something that Laman and Lemuel were never able to do.

Cross-references:

• 1 Nephi 3:28-31 – Laman and Lemuel see an angel, who tells them the Lord will deliver Laban, but they still doubt.
• 3 Nephi 1:15-22 – After the sign of the Savior’s birth (a day and a night and a day with no darkness), “there began to be lying set forth among the people” so they wouldn’t believe in the sign.
• Luke 16:19-31 – The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, and the Savior’s warning that “neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
• Exodus 32:1 – Despite all the miracles bringing the Israelites out of Egypt, they asked Aaron to “make us gods.”
• Doctrine and Covenants 63:7-12 – Faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.
• John 6:22-27 – After Jesus feeds the 5,000, he says to them, “ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.” In other words, the miracles didn’t cause them to be changed, they just wanted more food, or more miracles.
• Alma 32:16-19 – Many ask for a sign, but “how much more cursed is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not.”
• Matthew 16:1-5, 13-20 – The Pharisees and Sadducees asked the Savior for signs, but Peter knew that the Savior was the Christ because God revealed it to him.

When we read and pray for an answer, what are we looking for? Are we looking for a sign, even if we think that sign will come by the Holy Ghost? Or are we looking to be changed and become converted? If we want to experience a mighty change of heart, we need to exercise faith and live these principles. No sign will have the power to change us if we lack faith.

1 Nephi 17:1-2 – Optimism and gratitude for God’s blessings

In these chapters we see a significant contrast between Nephi and his older brothers: Nephi is quick to see God’s blessings, Laman and Lemuel are quick to complain about their circumstances. How do we approach difficulties? Do we see God’s sustaining power helping us through it? Or do we find ourselves complaining and wondering why God has allowed us to experience our trials?

1 Nephi 17:1-2. Lehi and his family, together with Ishmael and his family, faced significant challenges as they traveled through the wilderness. In the same verses where Nephi says they did “wade through much affliction,” he also says, “great were the blessings of the Lord upon us.” It is one of the purposes of life for us to face challenges. Will we recognize God helping us through those challenges?

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does God allow us to experience trials? That is all explained by the plan of salvation, if we will seek to study and understand our purpose in this life. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to receive his power in our lives. We can overcome our trials and challenges by drawing upon the power of Jesus Christ. What can we do to see the positive rather than the negative? How can we see God’s hand in our lives, rather than wondering why he allowed us to experience these things?

Cross-references:

• 1 Nephi 17:3 – God provided “means” for them while they were in the wilderness
• John 7:17 – if we want a testimony, we need to live what God asks us to do. As we receive his help through our trial, we can see his hand in our lives and it will develop our testimony.
• David A. Bednar, “Wondrous Works of God,” BYU Speeches, January 23, 2024 – The work of God is a “marvelous work and a wonder,” and if we will involve ourselves in this work, we will see God’s hand.
• David A. Bednar, “In the Strength of the Lord,” BYU Speeches, October 23, 2001 – This is a remarkable talk that has had a profound effect on my life. Elder Bednar explains what he calls the “enabling” power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, and how that power helps us through our trials. Significantly, he says we need to “pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed.”
• 1 Nephi 17:13 – God will help us if we will keep his commandments, and if we do, we will know that he is the one who provided the way for us.
• 1 Nephi 17:21 – Unlike Nephi who saw the Lord’s blessings, Laman and Lemuel only recognized their suffering, and regret that they did not “enjoy” their possessions back in Jerusalem.
• Job 1:13-22 – Despite all the tragedies that Job faced, he nevertheless praised God: “the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
• 1 Nephi 18:11 – Laman and Lemuel bound Nephi with chords, but Nephi recognized that this was a way the Lord could show his power. This verse is a main example that Elder Bednar uses in his talk, “In the Strength of the Lord.”
• Gregory L. Jantz Ph.D., “Choosing Gratitude and Optimism,” Psychology Today Website, August 18, 2020 – Pessimism impedes enthusiasm, joyfulness, genuine laughter, and trust in others. Hope is the mental and emotional framework that supports happiness. To change from pessimism to optimism takes effort and practice. We can make the daily choice to look for the good in life, even amid difficult circumstances.
• President Russell M. Nelson, “The Story behind My Global Prayer of Gratitude,” givethanks.churchofjesuschrist.org, November 20, 2020 – counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems.
• Moses 4:23-25 – one of the consequences of the Fall is that we have to live with trials, deal with “thorns and thistles,” and work our whole lives.

It takes effort to see our blessings among our trials. It is hard to “count your blessings,” but when we do, it might surprise us “what the Lord has done.” (“Count your Blessings,” Hymn 241). The scriptures are full of people experiencing hard things. But it is through our trials that we can feel the hand of the Lord strength and support us.

Other thoughts

There are many more thoughts, but these are just a few more:

• 1 Nephi 17:18. Laman and Lemuel didn’t want to work, because they didn’t believe that Nephi could build a ship. What motivates us to act? Why are we willing to work toward some things, but not others? Could it be that we need to believe that our efforts will result in something productive? We don’t want just busy work. We need to believe that we will accomplish something. If we can find our motivation, we might be more willing to put in a significant effort.
• 1 Nephi 17:32-34. There is quite a bit of violence in the scriptures, and much of it seems to be sanctioned or even caused by God. How do we justify that? There are many resources to help us, such as: (a) “What if I struggle with all the violence in the scriptures?” New Era, March 2019; (b) Andrew C. Smith, “Dealing with Difficulty in Scripture: Divine Violence in the Book of Mormon,” Religious Educator 19, no. 2 (2018): 39–61; (c) Clyde J. Williams, “The Power of Deliverance: Why Nephi Killed Laban,” Ensign, January 2020.
• 1 Nephi 17:41. Because of the “simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it,” the Israelites didn’t look and many perished. Is the life the Lord wants us to live easy? He says, “my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. Yet there is no doubt he asks us to do hard things. An understanding of the plan of salvation can help us see how the Lord’s way is easy, even though he asks us to do hard things.

The Book of Mormon is full of rich doctrine. As we make an effort to study and ponder the doctrines that are taught page after page, we can learn things that God wants us to know and apply in our lives.