Nephi's Vision of the Promised Land
Nephi's Vision - Lesson - 1 Nephi 11-14
1 Nephi 12:1-3 Multitudes gathered to Fight (3 Nephi 1-7)
1 Nephi 12:4-5 Destructions at the time of Death of Christ (3 Nephi 8)
Attention Activity:
Have you ever wanted to know the future? Is seeing the future even possible? (Precognition - dreams of the future - deja vue)
What if you could see 10 minutes into the future? How would that impact your today?
Who do you know who has seen the future? Do we have a record of their visions?
Today we are reading just such a dream of the future.
Points to Ponder: Summary of Nephi's vision
- Nephi sees Father's Vision of Tree of Life (1 Nephi 11)
- He sees the Ministry of Jesus Christ the Son of god (1 Nephi 11)
- #1 He then sees his kingdom - their wars and the Ministry of Jesus Christ among them (1 Nephi 12)
- #2 He then sees the kingdoms of the Gentiles and the restoration of the Gospel (1 Nephi 13)
- #3 Blessings/Cursings Pronounced upon the Gentiles (1 Nephi 14)
- He then sees the Apostle John - and that he will write the rest of the revelation - he is ordained to do so. (1 Nephi 14)
#1 Nephi's Vision - Historical Vision of his kingdom and his descendants - The "Promised Land"
1 Nephi 12:1-3 Multitudes gathered to Fight (3 Nephi 1-7)
1 Nephi 12:4-5 Destructions at the time of Death of Christ (3 Nephi 8)
Are these conditions similar to before the second comming?
This is a type and shadow of the future
1 Nephi 12:6 Lamb of God descends and shows himself (3 Nephi 11)
1 Nephi 12:7-10 Apostles and Disciples of the Lamb (3 Nephi 12)Apostles Judge Tribes of Israel - Disciples Judge the Descendants of Lehi (Matt. 19:28,Luke 22:30, D&C 29:12)
Who will judge our generation? There is a standard patten in how the Lord works..
Who will judge our generation? There is a standard patten in how the Lord works..
1 Nephi 12:11-12 3rd and 4th generation pass away in peace
What caused the people to fall away?
There is a type and a shadow of the future here as well for millenial reign end...
(4 Nephi 1:24-27,42) exceedingly rich - lifted up inpride - divided into classes - gadianton oaths
(4 Nephi 1:24-27,42) exceedingly rich - lifted up inpride - divided into classes - gadianton oaths
1 Nephi 12:13-15,19-23 Battles between descendants of Nephi and his Brothers - Utter destruction of Nephites
1 Nephi 12:16-18 River of Water(Depths of Hell), Mists of Darkness(Temptations of Devil), Large Building(Pride vain imaginations)
1 Nephi 12:16-18 River of Water(Depths of Hell), Mists of Darkness(Temptations of Devil), Large Building(Pride vain imaginations)
Is the Symbology of the Dream - Interpreted Literally in this history?
What was the river of water, mists of darkness, etc as applied to Nephi's vision?
What are your impression about what we have just read?
How do you think the vision of the desctruction of his people Impacted Nephi?
How do you think the vision of the desctruction of his people Impacted Nephi?
1 Nephi 15:4-5
4. I knew they must unavoidably come to pass because of the great wickedness of the children of men.
5. I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all, because of the destruction of my people, for I had beheld their fall.
Some visions are painful to behold...
Are some of our spiritual experiences painful.. Have you ever felt comforted by the spirit - and yet required to endure the painful situation?How do you think Nephi felt about his brothers because of this vision? Did it change his behavor toward them? Did he loose hope?
1 Nephi 16:4-5 I had joy and great hopes of them - that they would be righteous
Should we ever give up on our loved ones? Even if we - know they won't repent (as Nephi did)
What can we lean from this?
What can we lean from this?
What a prophecy about the history of his people!. It is interesting to note that later on as these prophecy's are being fulfilled no where in the Book of Mormon does it speak of the people saying "Nephi told us this would happen". Why not? It is as if these plates were not available to the people...
God knows the end from the beginning. He knows our thoughts while they are yet afar off.
The question then is: “
Think of it like this: You are sitting on a hilltop looking down on a two-lane road that curves around the hill. Two cars are going in the same direction, one trying to pass the other. Due to the curve in the road, the passing car doesn’t see that a car is approaching from the opposite direction. From your vantage point, you foreknow there is going to be an accident. You didn’t cause it. You didn’t have anything to do with it. Yet you did foreknow it was going to happen. This illustrates foreknowledge as opposed to predestination. God is able to see the end from the beginning, but he does not force or dictate what our actions are. “God puts before us life and death. It is His will that we choose life, but it is our choice.”
Do we believe in Pre-Destination?
If not... how can a dream of the future be real? (Ensign Pre-Destination Dec 1990)God knows the end from the beginning. He knows our thoughts while they are yet afar off.
The question then is: “
If God is never wrong, can He foreknow what we will do without forcing us to do it?
”Example of Foreknowledge not causing the situation:Think of it like this: You are sitting on a hilltop looking down on a two-lane road that curves around the hill. Two cars are going in the same direction, one trying to pass the other. Due to the curve in the road, the passing car doesn’t see that a car is approaching from the opposite direction. From your vantage point, you foreknow there is going to be an accident. You didn’t cause it. You didn’t have anything to do with it. Yet you did foreknow it was going to happen. This illustrates foreknowledge as opposed to predestination. God is able to see the end from the beginning, but he does not force or dictate what our actions are. “God puts before us life and death. It is His will that we choose life, but it is our choice.”
The Kingdoms of the Gentiles
He then sees the kingdoms of the Gentiles and the restoration of the Gospel
1 Nephi 13:4-9 Formation of a Great and Abominable Church
1 Nephi 13:4-9 Formation of a Great and Abominable Church
What church is this? 1 Nephi 14:10 There are only two churches - Lamb of God, and the Devil
Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, “The titles church of the devil and great and abominable church are used to identify all churches or organizations of whatever name or nature—whether political, philosophical, educational, economic, social, fratenal, civic, or religious—which are designed to take men on a course that leads away from God and his laws and thus from salvation in the kingdom of God” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 137–38).
It is the symbol of Apostacy - and False Doctrine and worship
Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, “The titles church of the devil and great and abominable church are used to identify all churches or organizations of whatever name or nature—whether political, philosophical, educational, economic, social, fratenal, civic, or religious—which are designed to take men on a course that leads away from God and his laws and thus from salvation in the kingdom of God” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 137–38).
It is the symbol of Apostacy - and False Doctrine and worship
1 Nephi 13:12-14 Spirit of God wrought upon the man - other gentiles also crossed ocean out of captivity
Who was this man wrought upon by Spirit of God? Where did Columbus land? Bahamas, then Venezuela (History.com)
He never actually landed in american soil... only south america, central america, and the Bahamas. (The promised land)
Plymouth - Mayflower etc. was founded by William Bradford - Columbus had nothing to do with it.
He never actually landed in american soil... only south america, central america, and the Bahamas. (The promised land)
Plymouth - Mayflower etc. was founded by William Bradford - Columbus had nothing to do with it.
1 Nephi 13:15-19 Gentiles delivered from all nations - Power of God with them
1 Nephi 13:20-23 Book from Jew among them - Bible
1 Nephi 13:24-29 Book goes forth - plain and precious things taken away - Then sent among all nations
1 Nephi 13:20-23 Book from Jew among them - Bible
1 Nephi 13:24-29 Book goes forth - plain and precious things taken away - Then sent among all nations
The Loss of the Plain and Precious things
What plain and precious things were taken away? Was it done erroneously or purposefully?
Ensign Dec 1981 - Plain and Precious
1 Nephi 13:23,24 Covenants of the Lord unto house of Israel- What Covenants were removed? Notice the repeated question about covenants
1 Nephi 14:5,8 If you repent not you shall perish (Is this taught in churches today).
Ensign October 2011 Covenants
Jesus will be bon through Abraham's Lineage - Join Heir with Jesus Christ (D&C 132:23–24)Abraham's posterity would be etenal - etenal increase, etenal priesthoodEnsign Dec 1981 - Plain and Precious
1 Nephi 13:23,24 Covenants of the Lord unto house of Israel- What Covenants were removed? Notice the repeated question about covenants
1 Nephi 14:5,8 If you repent not you shall perish (Is this taught in churches today).
Ensign October 2011 Covenants
Abraham 2:9–10;Genesis 12:2–3;17:2, 4–6 (Etenal Increase D&C 76:51-55,D&C 132:19–22)Father of many nations - infinite progressionHis posterity would inherit certain lands - an etenal inheritance in celestial world Abraham 2:6, 19;Genesis 12:7;17:8 D&C 88:17–20All nations would be blessed by his seed - priesthood his and his seed forever - to teach the world (Abraham 2:9–11;Genesis 17:7)This covenant - would be everlasting - to the saving or the daming of all the world 1 Nephi 14:7-8
1 Nephi 13:26-27 Purposefully to Pervert the right way of the Lord Blind the eyes harden the hearts of men
1 Nephi 13:30-32 Gentiles lifted up by Power of God over all nations - not remain in blindness
1 Nephi 13:35-36 Book of Mormon to come forth through them
1 Nephi 13:40-42 Establish the truth of the First! To the Jew first then the Gentile - then Gentile first and Jew
1 Nephi 14:1-2
1 Nephi 13:35-36 Book of Mormon to come forth through them
1 Nephi 13:40-42 Establish the truth of the First! To the Jew first then the Gentile - then Gentile first and Jew
#3 Blessings/Cursings Pronounced upon the Gentiles
1 Nephi 14:1-2
The Promise
- their stumbling blocks will be taken away
- they shall be numbered among the seed of Lehi (the house of Israel)
- they shall be blessed upon the promised land forever
The Warning
At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them.
- I will remember my covenant with my people and bring my gospel unto them
- Gentiles will not have power over you
- Ye shall come into a knowledge of my gospel
- I will not suffer my people to go among them(Gentiles of Promised land) and tread them down (if they repent)
- I will suffer the house of israel to tread them down - as the salt that has lost its savour
Where do we stand - have we as a people rejected the fullness of his gospel etc. as stated in vs 10?
When is it prophecied that the "Times of the Gentiles be fulfilled"?
D&C 45:9-10, 28-30
Everlasting gospel sent into world - for Gentiles to seek it
When times of Gentiles is come in - it shall break forth among them
In that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled
When times of Gentiles is come in - it shall break forth among them
In that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled
Luke 21:24 Jerusalem trodden under foot until the times of Gentiles be fulfilled
D&C 45:30,33 During Times of Gentiles - Earthquakes/Tsunamis etc.D&C 45:30-32 During Times of Gentiles - Desolating Sickness covers land
Conclusion:
The vision of Nephi is a prophetic vison of the future, both of his life as well as the destiny of the nations of the American continent. If we do not hearken to these prophecies I believe we do it at our own peril. These are prophetic utterances given to a prophet of God while in the spirit concening us and our day. They are both a waning and a promise. They are not without hope - Note that if the Gentiles do repent and do not reject his gospel he has said that he will not let other nations tread us down. Yet if we do not it is prophesied that they will!
Appendix
Parrallels between the Visions and the events to occur on the Promised Land
The dream of Lehi - is a prophetic vision that prophecies concening his family and the final state they will be in.
It is also a prophetic vision - that prophecies concening Life and the situations that we will encounter.
It is also a prophetic vision - concening this land and the events that will occur on this land (See Nephi's Vision)
Analysis of groups of people
#1 - came toward tree - mists of darkness lose their way and are lost
1 Nephi 8:21-23 - came toward tree - mists of darkness - loose way and were lost
1 Nephi 11:27-28 - redemer of world taught people - they cast him out from among them
1 Nephi 12:1-4 - multitudes wars and rumors of wars - mists of darkness -
#2 - came toward tree - mists of darkness - ate fruit - became ashamed
1 Nephi 8:24-28 - came toward tree - through mists - ate of fruit - then became ashamed - because people in building
1 Nephi 11:31-33 - redeemer of world among men - heals sick (these same people then)
#3 - came towards tree - mists of darkness - ate fruit - stayed by tree
1 Nephi 8:30 - came toward tree - held fast to rod - fell down - ate fruit - stayed there
1 Nephi 12:4-5, - multitudes survived the mists of darkness - Jesus shows himself to them
1 Nephi 12:11-14 - 3 and part of the 4th generation pass away in righteousness
#4 - went towards building - entered in - pointed finger of scon
1 Nephi 8:31-33 - came toward building - entered in - point finger of scon against those at tree
1 Nephi 11:34-36 - multitudes gather to fight against apostles of the lamb - like large building
1 Nephi 12:15-18,22-23 His and Brothers seed gather to gether to battle - Depths of Hell - mists of darkness - large building
Mirrored in the next section of the vision
e)1 Nephi 11:29-30 - 12 Apostles follow him - carried away by spirit
Mirrored in what happens in the New World
e)1 Nephi 12;6-10 - 12 disciples chosen in new world
Multitudes of people | 1 Nephi 12:1-3 Multitudes gathered to Fight | |
Mists of Darkness | ||
Tree of Life, Fruit of Tree | 1 Nephi 11:8,20-23 (Love of GOD - Life of Christ) 1 Nephi 12:6 Lamb of God descends and shows himself 1 Nephi 15:21-22 (Tree of Life) | |
Fountain of Filthy Water | 1 Nephi 12:16 (Depths of Hell) | |
Laman and Lemuel do not eat fruit | 1 Nephi 8:17-18 (Separate from others) | 1 Nephi 12:20-23 (Brothers seed dwindle) |
Rod of Iron | ||
Strait and Narrow Path | 1 Nephi 11:27 (Baptism of Christ) | |
1 Nephi 11:28 (Multitudes healed - believe) | ||
2 Nephi 31:9 - Strait and narrow path to etenal life | ||
A group made it to the tree -ashamed | 1 Nephi 11:31 (many healed, and believe - later they betray him) | |
Large and spacious building – mocking those who ate | 1 Nephi 8:26-27 (high up in the air) | 1 Nephi 11:32-36, 1 Nephi 12:18(pride of the world) |