1 Nephi 18-22, 2 Nephi 1-4 – Covenantal Church Service
Moroni 6:4 “And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.”
Nephite Timeline
After traveling for “many days” Lehi and his family finally arrive in the promised land, a land of plenty, that makes the land of Bountiful look almost meager in comparison. Nephi records that “we did begin to till the earth, and we began to plant seeds; yea, we did put all our seeds into the earth, which we had brought from the land of Jerusalem. And it came to pass that they did grow exceedingly; wherefore, we were blessed in abundance.”
“And it came to pass that we did find upon the land of promise, as we journeyed in the wilderness, that there were beasts in the forests of every kind, both the cow and the ox, and the ass and the horse, and the goat and the wild goat, and all manner of wild animals, which were for the use of men. And we did find all manner of ore, both of gold, and of silver, and of copper.” (1 Ne 18:24-25)
Nephi also records at this time that the Lord commands him to begin to make a record of his travels and experiences. This is the first instance where record keeping is commanded in the Nephite timeline as Nephi was not recording the events of the old world as they happened, but much later, after this commandment, while in the new world. Still later after making his first plates (the large plates of Nephi), He is commanded to make another record (the small plates), that highlights the spiritual teachings and events of his past more than the temporal. From this record we have been studying thus far as the history from the large plates were later lost with the 116 manuscript pages.
Having been so commanded, at this time Nephi includes his next doctrinal dissertation by prophesying of the coming of Christ. He explains the reason for writing to his people, “that perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord their Redeemer” (1 Ne 19:18). He then draws from another witness, Isaiah, to “more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer” (1 Ne 19:23). The first of many Isaiah chapters follow that are written to covenant Israel, exhorting to turn from wickedness and follow the Lord. The last chapter in this section is an account of Nephi explaining the following chapters to his wayward, spiritually dull of hearing, brothers.
Lehi follows suit, also counseling them, and giving a masterful discourse on the promised land that they have recently entered, the plan of salvation, and shares prophesy from his ancient father Joseph of Egypt about his distant predecessor, Joseph of the Restoration. We end this section with the death of Lehi, and the beginning of a new era.
Individual Timeline
Membership in the Church
We have made it to our covenantal promised land, membership in the restored church, the Kingdom of God on the earth, by crossing the waters of baptism. I love the symbolic teaching Lehi gives in these chapters of those that are brought into the Lord’s kingdom. As we extrapolate what Lehi teaches about the covenantal land of America to the covenantal membership in the kingdom, a beautiful teaching unfolds.
“[W]e have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted…unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord. Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy…that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord. Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring.
And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given…they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever…Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring…shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land…And if it so be that they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them…and they shall dwell safely forever.” (2 Ne 1:5-7, 9)
What a promise of security, blessings, and protection to all covenantal members of His kingdom! Temporally perhaps, but surely spiritually for all those who “serve him according to the commandments which he hath given”. We are told, if we are righteous, we “shall never be brought down into (spiritual) captivity” and that there will be “none to molest” us. We are promised that we will spiritually prosper and be blessed upon the face of this, our promised land.
Obedience is the key here, for we learn that with the blessings and promises come also a cursing, “if iniquity shall abound”. If we “dwindle in unbelief, after [having] received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord…behold, the judgments of him that is just shall rest upon [us]…and he will cause [us] to be (spiritually) scattered and smitten” (2 Ne 1:10-11). I would note that such a cursing is “for [our] sakes” (vs 7), “for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth” (Heb 12:6).
As Bruce R. McConkie eloquently stated, “There is no security in any course except the course of obedience and conformity and righteousness” (General Conference, April 1979). For if we “do not what [He says, we] have no promise.” (D&C 82:10)
Church Resources
I love how immediately upon arrival to the promised land, Nephi starts to take advantage of his new resources, planting the seeds that he brought with him from his prior life, harnessing the power of the different animals on the land, and finding treasures of the earth. How, like Nephi, should we after baptism, start planting the seeds of faith, doctrine, and parental guidance in the rich soil of the church. Seeds that we received from our early years, perhaps more given to us than grown, we use to now start growing our own spiritual nourishment, that we might have an “abundance”.
Nephi also notes how many new animals there are in the promised land, “which were [prepared] for the use of men”. These can be thought of as church resources and programs that become available to newly baptized members of the church. Senior Primary, the Scouting program (for now), Faith in God, Activity Days, Personal Progress, Duty to God, the Sacrament, and ultimately the possibility of receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, to name a few. Whereas before, they were accustomed to just using a camel, now they have a whole zoo at their disposal. If you’ve ever visited our church buildings on a Tuesday/Mutual night that’s just what you might think is going on! By taking advantage of the programs of the church, and planting our seeds of faith in its rich soil, we too will find the treasures of the promised land.
Journaling
As described, soon after crossing the waters into the promised land, the Lord commands Nephi to start keeping a record. This is a perfect time for newly baptized children of the covenant, or new converts, to start journaling. In fact, according to the allegory, it is commanded from here on out. Now just as Nephi had to smelt out ore, bang out plates, and scratch into them, we should recognize that journaling is hard work; we should just be happy it’s easier than it used to be! Initially it will start out as Nephi’s large plates, recording the day to day temporal events we experience. Gradually, as we become more proficient in our record keeping and spiritual acumen, we are commanded to start recording the spiritual impressions and insights we receive, “the more plain and precious parts of them” (1 Ne 19:3), thus making our own “small plates”.
Why are we expressly commanded to journal? I think the Prophet Joseph Smith explained the reason the clearest. Said he, “If you … proceed to discuss important questions…and fail to note them down,…perhaps, for neglecting to write these things when God had revealed them, not esteeming them of sufficient worth, the Spirit may withdraw and God may be angry; and there is, or was, a vast knowledge, of infinite importance, which is now lost” (History of the Church 2:199).
I know that when I am giving sufficient heed to the spiritual impressions I’m receiving, I tend to receive more. If I’m lazy in my recording, it’s as if I’m saying to the Lord that “I don’t much care about what you are saying right now”, and the pearls stop being cast my way. It amazes me too, how fast something so clear and profound that enters into my mind by revelation, is all of a sudden taken away if I do not immediately stop and write it down. More often than should happen, I am left to wonder, “Now what was that insight I had earlier?” If in humility and prayer I search for it again I can often find it the second time, but almost never a third, and something of infinite importance is now lost.
Nephi gives his own reason for his record keeping. “And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord their Redeemer” (1 Ne 19:18). This can be summed up in three words; “write to remember.”
Scripture Study
Nephi then begins to teach his people the word of God from his spiritual counterpart, Isaiah. The two chapters that follow are all about covenant Israel, detailing acceptable vs unacceptable behavior for members of God’s kingdom. In fact the first verse quoted perfectly fits into the allegorical timeline for newly baptized members. Isaiah begins his message “Hearken and hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, or out of the waters of baptism” (1 Ne 20:1). Truly these chapters are meant for us, baptized members of the Lord’s kingdom.
Why are we commanded to study the scriptures? Certainly there is knowledge to be had, information about the dealings of the Lord with his people, but I believe this is secondary. The Lord, after discussing scripture study, states afterwards that we “can testify that [we] have heard [his] voice” (D&C 18:36). David M. McConkie taught “The Lord has commanded us to search the scriptures, to feast upon them, and to treasure them up. As we earnestly search and ponder the word of the Lord, we will have His Spirit with us. We will become acquainted with His voice.” (General Conference, November 2010)
For myself at least, I find that after one has a basic knowledge of the dealings of God, when one knows the fundamental doctrine, the stories, the events, and the commandments of God, the primary reason for studying the word, is to obtain the word for ourselves, to obtain our own personal scripture. Spencer W Kimball echoed this sentiment noting, “I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church, 67)
I love what Nephi said on the matter, “And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but 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; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.” In short we “read to believe”. When coupled with the maxim from the preceding section a beautiful motto for our lives emerges; “Write to Remember. Read to Believe.”
Doctrinal Teachings
What are some of the masterful doctrinal teachings we are taught at this time and how do they fit with the narrative of being new members of Christ’s church, recently arrived in our promised land? Nephi shares the first of what would be many Isaiah chapters at this juncture. By way of invitation he states “hear ye the words of the prophet, which were written unto all the house of Israel (that’s us, by blood or by adoption now that we are baptized members), and liken them unto yourselves” (1 Ne 19:24). Isaiah then, also addressing baptized members, invites us all to go out from Babylon and leave our wicked ways. A very timely message, particularly for new converts, who may have some lingering barnacles of Babylon attached to their ship of faith as it arrives in the promised land, but really for us all that have allowed any degree of Babylon to permeate our lives.
Isaiah, and subsequently Nephi, go on to prophesy of the scattering and gathering of Israel by way of the restoration of the Church. They give key insights and direction for us as members of the church to help us prepare for our latter-day role. This reminds me of President Nelson’s recent injunction to the youth. During a special word-wide devotional in 2018 he asked “Would you like to be a big part of the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth today?” And what was the greatest work on the earth that we can do? He stated, “My dear extraordinary youth, you were sent to earth at this precise time, the most crucial time in the history of the world, to help gather Israel. There is nothing happening on this earth right now that is more important than that. There is nothing of greater consequence. Absolutely nothing. This gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth. So my question to you is ‘Are you willing to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel?’” (Hope of Israel, President Russell M Nelson, June 3 2018).
Lehi follows in the beginning of 2nd Nephi, giving arguably one of the most masterful teachings on the plan of salvation in all recorded scripture. Lehi states himself that he had “chosen the good part” (2 Ne 2:30), beautifully detailing the creation, the need for the fall “that men might be” (2 Ne 2:25), and the subsequent need for the atonement. If we then use our God given agency to “choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator” (2 Ne 2:27), we will fulfill our life’s purpose, that we “might have joy” (2 Ne 2:25).
Lehi finishes up his teaching to his children, and to us all before his death, by quoting from his ancient patriarch, Joseph of Egypt. In this previously lost scripture, Joseph prophesies of his latter-day counterpart, Joseph Smith, a “choice seer” that will be raised up out of his posterity. “And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation” (2 Ne 3:15). The restoration, the prophet Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, the Plan of Salvation, Leaving Babylon and Gathering Israel, almost sounds like the missionary discussions. A perfect base for new members of the church to build on.
Global Timeline
We are back with our sea-battered Pilgrims that have just arrived to America, the Promised Land, as Lehi and company had arrived before them. Again, for simplicity, we will now focus only on the Pilgrims of the Mayflower. Unlike Lehi’s family, there would be no putting “seeds into the earth” for them to “grow exceedingly” (1 Ne 18:24) upon the Pilgrim’s arrival. Having arrived in Plymouth Harbor in December of 1620, just as winter was setting in, they were in for more refining. As the harsh New England winter set in, lack of shelter, starvation, diseases such as scurvy, and general conditions on the ship began to take their toll. Ultimately, of the initial 102 pilgrims that had arrived almost half would be buried that winter on nearby Cole’s Hill.
Actually, if it were not for some of Lehi’s theoretical ancient posterity, found among the native peoples that inhabited the area, it likely would have been much worse. Two Native Americans in particular, Samoset and Squanto, who through divine providence, had learned English and were friendly with these new settlers, proved invaluable to their survival. Teaching them cultivation of the land, introducing them to native crops such as corn, as well as local fishing and trapping, these men along with a local Wampanoag Indian chief Massasoit and his tribe, ensured the survival of the colonists. Because of their help, and surviving the trials they had come through, there was much to be grateful for.
A day a gratitude was set aside, most likely a harvest festival in early October, where these two worlds would come together briefly in unity, as the providential baton was passed from one covenant people to the other as it were. The 53 surviving Pilgrims met with Chief Massasoit and 90 of his men in what would historically become known as “The First Thanksgiving”. Along with the plentiful harvest that the land had yielded, numerous types of waterfowl, wild turkeys, and fish were prepared, as well as five deer brought by the Indian tribe. I’m sure, at this time of gratitude, they must have felt like their other ancient Pilgrim counterparts, the Jaredites, who thousands of years earlier, arriving on a similar shore “bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them.” (Ether 6:12)
Personal Timeline
Growing up in the church I fear I didn’t fully appreciate what I had until much, much later. Church was just something we did on Sunday, it was never really a question of going, it was expected. We attended an older ward off 1900 E in Salt Lake City. Well do I remember frequently scaling the outside of the building when I should have been in class, playing tag and hide and go seek with friends, and a seemingly near fatal run-in with a werewolf in the basement during a Halloween party that may have left me permanently scarred. Dad used to round up every ball, Frisbee, and anything else that could be thrown and we’d go to the massive gym there on a weekday and throw and catch everything for hours. As dear as some of these memories are, I don’t think I really understood the power of the church until I was serving in Croatia.
I was a new senior companion after 4 months in the mission with another companion that spoke as little as I did, it was a grueling trial by fire. I remember arriving to our new area in Osijek and going to church the first few times. I was dumbfounded, despite only having a dozen or so members each week, and hardly understanding what was being said, the spirit was palpable; it would almost hit you in the face when you opened the door. I kept thinking to myself, “Where did this church come from and why isn’t it like this in Utah?” Well that likely had more to do with where I was personally than geography but at the time I was almost convinced we were attending a completely different denomination.
The work was slow despite this, I labored there for just over a year with little convert success until towards the end where we had a miracle month with 1-2 baptisms every week. One of these was an investigator I’ll call Mary. We had met a destitute drunk individual one day who was missing all his teeth and had scars all across his face from tortures he had endured in Serbian concentration camps during the Yugoslav war. He had invited us to his “home” to teach him and his friends. Seemingly psychotic and suffering from major PTSD I rolled my eyes at the idea; luckily, my older wiser companion, felt we should go.
We showed up to the appointment and in he comes with his friend, a young lady in gothic garb, bright pink hair, who was living on the streets, doing whatever she could to support her drug habit. Again, cue the eye roll from a judgmental, naive, inexperienced elder that is about to see a miracle unfold. As we began to teach about the Book of Mormon the spirit entered into the room like nothing I had ever felt before, confirming every word to her searching, desperate heart. We asked her to read it and be baptized if she felt it was true, she hurriedly agreed. When we left I’ll never forget turning around and seeing her hugging the book, twirling in place, while looking into heaven with tear soaked cheeks. It was two weeks later that I led her into the waters of baptism. Her gothic clothes had been replaced with modest ones, her hair now a nice shade of brown, she had moved back home with her parents and her unhealthy habits had given way one by one to the standards of the gospel; she had come home, she made it to the promised land.
The Way 