1 Nephi 15:1-3

[pam]

Reference Search: 1 Nephi 15:1-3

1 And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been carried away in the spirit, and seen all these things, I returned to the tent of my father.

2 And it came to pass that I beheld my brethren, and they were disputing one with another concerning the things which my father had spoken unto them.

3 For he truly spake many great things unto them, which were hard to be understood, save a man should inquire of the Lord; and they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought.

Quotes for Discussion

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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>How do we understand spiritual things?<o:p></o:p>D&C 93:24-35

24 And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;

25 And whatsoever is more or less than this is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning.

26 The Spirit of truth is of God. I am the Spirit of truth, and John bore record of me, saying: He received a fulness of truth, yea, even of all truth;

27 And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments.

28 He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.

29 Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be.

30 All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence.

31 Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man; because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light.

32 And every man whose spirit receiveth not the light is under condemnation.

33 For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy;

34 And when separated, man cannot receive a fulness of joy.

35 The elements are the tabernacle of God; yea, man is the tabernacle of God, even temples; and whatsoever temple is defiled, God shall destroy that temple.

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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>An analysis of the verses that follow the definition of truth show what the definition means.

“Knowledge of things as they are” = mortal life. “He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things” (D&C 93:28; see also vv. 30-32, 39).

“Knowledge of things as they were” = pre-mortal life. “Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be” (D&C 93:29, see also vv. 36-38).

“Knowledge of things as they are to come” = post-mortal life. “For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fullness of joy” (D&C 93:33, see also vv. 34-35).

Monte S. Nyman, I Nephi Wrote a Record, p. 214<o:p></o:p>

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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>There is no way to understand spiritual truth except through the Spirit of God. Natural ability, brilliance of intellect, training, diligent search are all inadequate of themselves to give understanding of spiritual things if he who possess them is not led by the Spirit. “…to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.” [2 Nephi 9:29].The Prophet Lehi tried with great patience to teach his sons Laman and Lemuel the principles of the gospel, but they would not learn. They were unable to understand because they would not humble themselves and call on the Lord; therefore, they could not receive a knowledge of truth through the Spirit…

The only way to know spiritual truth is through the Spirit of God which may be enjoyed only by those who humble themselves and call upon him and hearken to his voice. Nothing is more clear in scripture or in life than this truth. The things of the Spirit are “hard to be understood, save a man should inquire of the Lord;…” in sincerity and humility. Through “study and also by faith,” through reverent search and humble prayer, men can know with certain assurance the things of God.

For those who will not pay the price, the truths of the gospel will always be a “stumbling block,” ‘foolishness,” “hard to be understood.” In their pride and stubbornness they fail to learn the most important truths of eternity.

Marion D. Hanks, Improvement era, Aug. 1961, 587<o:p></o:p>

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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>This failure to believe in a revealing God was especially basic. Some moderns who wish to distance themselves from God try placing His pavilion firmly in the past. By believing in such a disabled God, people can do pretty much as they please. It is then not many steps further to saying there is no God, and therefore no law and no sin! [see 2 Nephi 2:13; see also <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Alma</st1:City></st1:place> 30:28]Like Laman and Lemuel, many today would consign God only to the past; He thereby ceases to be the constant God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow (see 2 Nephi 27:23). Actually, God has the past, present, and future ever before Him, constituting “an eternal now.” [Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 220; see also D&C 130:7]

In short, Laman and Lemuel’s own lack of character kept them from understanding the perfect character of God! No wonder the Prophet Joseph Smith said, “If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 343). [CR, Oct. 1999, 5]

Neal A. Maxwell<o:p></o:p>

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[prospectmom]

And this is why there are some things I know without a shadow of doubt are true...... My life has been hard in many ways but knowing wiht out a shadow of a doubt has saved me.

Great subject matter....

29 Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be.

30 All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence.

These two verses I really like.