Day 5 2 Nephi 3-8, D&C 17-20

[pam]

Discussion

[pam]

In 2 Nephi Chapter 3, when Lehi is talking with his son Joseph, he prophesies of Joseph Smith. Even his first name is mentioned as stated in 2 Nephi 3:15.

15 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.

I wonder what feelings or emotions might have been felt by Joseph Smith when he got to this part of the translation.

[pam]

2 Ne 5:26 I, Nephi, did consecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be priests and teachers

The subject of Priesthood among the Nephites is an interesting one. At first glance, it would appear that Jacob and Joseph were ordained to be priests and teachers in the Aaronic Priesthood. However, there was no Aaronic Priesthood prior to Christ among the Nephites. During Mosaic times, only descendants of the tribe of Levi held the Levitical or Aaronic Priesthood. Since the Nephites and Ismaelites were descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim, respectively, they were not heirs to the Levitical Priesthood. Therefore, Nephi, Jacob and Joseph held the Melchizedek Priesthood. Joseph Fielding Smith said:

“The Nephites were descendants of Joseph. Lehi discovered this when reading the brass plates. He was a descendant of Manasseh, and Ishmael, who accompanied him with his family, was of the tribe of Ephraim. Therefore there were no Levites who accompanied Lehi to the Western Hemisphere. Under these conditions the Nephites officiated by virtue of the Melchizedek Priesthood from the days of Lehi to the days of the appearance of our Savior among them.” (Answers to Gospel Questions, 5 vols. [salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1957-1966], 1: 124.)

While some have argued that the term “priests and teachers” referred not to offices of the priesthood but rather to callings in the church, the scriptural evidence in the Book of Mormon does not support this contention (see Jarom 1:11, Mosiah 23:17; 25:19, Alma 4:7; 6:1; 15:13; 23:4; 45:23, Moro 3:1). Can a priest be a priest without priesthood? Of course not. Among the Nephites, the offices of priest and teacher were ordained offices of the Melchizedek Priesthood. This is what Alma taught, ‘I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people’ (Alma 13:1, italics added, see also DC 76:57, and commentary for Moroni 3:1)

“Jacob reminds us that he and his brother Joseph had been appointed priests and teachers among the people under the hands of Nephi (see "#2 ne. 5:262 Nephi 5:26). These callings are descriptive of their labors in the Melchizedek Priesthood, rather than offices in the Aaronic Priesthood as we know them. So far as we know, there was no Aaronic Priesthood among the Nephites, until, possibly, the coming of Christ to America. (See Promised Messiah, p. 412; New Witness, P. 348.)” (Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 4 vols. [salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1987-1992], 2: 9.)

[pam]

2 Nephi Chapter 8 talks about how divine authority will be administered from two cities. The New Jerusalem and the Old Jerusalem.

Joseph Fielding Smith

“Jerusalem of old, after the Jews have been cleansed and sanctified from all their sin, shall become a holy city where the Lord shall dwell and from whence he shall send forth his word unto all people. Likewise, on this continent, the city of Zion, New Jerusalem, shall be built and from it the law of God shall also go forth. There will be no conflict, for each city shall be headquarters for the Redeemer of the world, and from each he shall send forth his proclamations as occasion may require. Jerusalem shall be the gathering place of Judah and his fellows of the house of Israel, and Zion shall be the gathering place of Ephraim and his fellows, upon whose heads shall be conferred ‘the richer blessings.’…These two cities, one in the land of Zion and one in Palestine, are to become capitals for the kingdom of God during the millennium.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie [salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954-1956], 3: 69-71)

[pam]

2 Ne 8:6 for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment

The earth will be transformed on two separate occasions. At the beginning of the Millenium, the earth will be transformed from a telestial state to a terrestial one. This will be similar to the paradise of the Garden of Eden before the fall of Adam. The second transformation of the earth will occur at the end the little season (after the Millenium) when the earth will be transformed into a celestial sphere for those worthy of a celestial glory. Joseph Fielding Smith explains how this passage from Isaiah is referring to the first of these two earthly transformations.

Joseph Fielding Smith

“This earth is filling the measure of its creation. (Sec. 88:18-26.) Today it is passing through its mortal state. The time will come when it shall die and pass away as do all things upon it. Isaiah says: ‘The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.’(Isa 24:4)

“’The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.’ (Isa 24: 19-20) Again he declares: ‘Lift up your eyes to the heavens and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens (i.e. the heavens surrounding the earth) shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell, therein shall die in like manner.’ (Isa 51:6.) Here we have predictions that the earth shall pass away, die, and all its inhabitants shall also die in like manner. This truth was not generally and correctly understood until the Lord made known in revelations to Joseph Smith that this should be the case. When Isaiah said the earth should ‘fall and not rise again,’ the interpretation is that it should not be restored to the same mortal or temporal condition. When the earth passes away and is dissolved it will pass through a similar condition which the human body does in death….The ‘new heavens and new earth’ referred to in this scripture [isa 65:17], and also in Section 101:23-31, had reference to the change which shall come to the earth and all upon it, at the beginning of the Millennial reign, as we declare in the tenth article of the Articles of Faith. This is the renewed earth when it shall receive its paradisiacal glory, or be restored as it was before the fall of man. (See Compendium, art, "Millennial Reign," p. 202.) ‘The new heaven and new earth’ we are discussing in Section 29, is the final change, or resurrection, of the earth, after the ‘little season’ which shall follow the Millennium.” (Church History and Modern Revelation, vol. 1, p. 132)

[pam]

In D&C 18: 20. Revelation was being given to Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer.

Verse 20 says this: Contend against no church, save it be the church of the devil.

Joseph Fielding Smith

When we are commanded to “contend against no church save it be the church of the devil,” we must understand that this is instruction to us to contend against all evil, that which is opposed to righteousness and truth. James declares, that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning,” and the scriptures also teach “for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord; and that which is evil cometh from the devil.” ("Omni 1:25Omni 25.) All who go forth to teach should do so in wisdom and not contend with the churches or engage in profitless debates, but teach in the spirit of kindness and try to persuade people to receive the truth. (Church History and Modern Revelation, 4 vols. [salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1946-1949], 1: 78.)

[pam]

One thing I noticed differently in section 18 is that is says in the intro: Revelation to Joseph Smith..etc etc.

Could that mean that the Lord was speaking directly to each of them that they might hear it?

[pam]

In section 19 a couple of verses really stood out to me. It makes me think of many that come to this site.

21 And I command you that you preach naught but repentance, and show not these things unto the world until it is wisdom in me.

22 For they cannot bear meat now, but milk they must receive; wherefore, they must not know these things, lest they perish.

How many come to learn of the "meat" of what we believe but don't even understand the "milk." One must know of the milk before understanding the meat.

[pam]

In D&C section 20 is where we might find the prayer used for baptism. Also the sacrament prayers.

[KeithLBrown]

The reading assignment for day 5 is full of rich gems that we can add to our spiritual treasure chests. I will only comment on a few of those gems. In particular, the following verses which stood out to me as I was reading the Doctrine and Covenants portion of our reading for today.

The Worth of Souls is Great (D&C 18:10-16)

10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.

13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!

14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

During our PEC meeting this morning (5 July) we discusssed this very subject of the worth of souls. I would like to cross reference the verses found in D&C 18:10-16 with the verses from John 21:15-17 which we used for our discussion. In John 21:15-17 we read these words, "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep"

When I read the words of John 21:15-17, I think of the lambs that the Great Shepherd refers to as the "babes in Christ". In reference to those that we Home Teach and Visit Teach, these are those who are less active or inactive for whatever reasons. The less actives and the inactives have had spiritual nourishment from the Good Word of God at some point in their life, but like young babies, their nourishment (that which they received) consisted only of the "milk" of the Word, and not the "meat" of the Word. These are they who are commonly referred to as the "low hanging fruit". Similar to caring for young lambs which often must be fed using baby bottles until they are able to eat on their own, the less actives and the inactives are those that need to be costantly nourished from the Word of God to help them to grow stronger in the Gospel. The sheep that the Great Shepherd refers to in verse 16 are those of us who attend Church on a regular basis. We attend all of our meetings and we strive to do all that we can to be faithful, obedient servants as we labor in the pastures of the Great Shepherd. We are they who have initially been nourished by the "milk" of the Word and now feast on the "meat" of the Word. The sheep that the Great Shepherd refers to in verse 17 is all encompassing. All of us, regardless of our status in the Gospel, are the sheep of His pasture. Therefore, the Great Shepherd says to the Apostle Peter, "Feed my lambs", "Feed my sheep", "Feed my sheep".

When we do our Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching we should not just try to rush through to be able to give a report of 100 percent completion for the month. Instead, we should take note that each person on our list has a name, and that named person is a soul of worth. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not a numbers game. It is all about ministering to individual souls. Our Lord and Savior " suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!"(D&C 18:11-13). "Wherefore, [we] are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that [we] should labor all [our] days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto [Him], how great shall be [our] joy with him in the kingdom of [our] Father!"(D&C 18:14-15). "And now, if [our] joy will be great with one soul that [we] have brought unto [Him] into the kingdom of [our] Father, how great will be [our] joy if [we] should bring many souls unto [Him]! (The personal emphasis in all cases added by this author and not intended in any way to rewrite the Scriptures).

Taking Upon Us the Name of Christ (D&C 18:17-25)

17 Behold, you have my gospel before you, and my rock, and my salvation.

18 Ask the Father in my name, in faith believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men.

19 And if you have not faith, hope, and charity, you can do nothing.

20 Contend against no church, save it be the church of the devil.

21 Take upon you the name of Christ, and speak the truth in soberness.

22 And as many as repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be saved.

23 Behold, Jesus Christ is the name which is given of the Father, and there is none other name given whereby man can be saved;

24 Wherefore, all men must take upon them the name which is given of the Father, for in that name shall they be called at the last day;

25 Wherefore, if they know not the name by which they are called, they cannot have place in the kingdom of my Father.

I will begin my thoughts on portion with verse 20 which reads, "Contend against no church, save it be the church of the devil". A few years ago when I was serving as a member of the Annapolis Maryland Stake High Council, one of my responsibilities was organizing and helping to teach the Missionary Preparation class for the Stake. One of the things that I always tried to impress upon the young perspective missionaries was that they should never allow themselves to get in an argument or debate about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The fact of the matter is, the Gospel stands true on its own whether or not people choose to believe it or accept it. I reminded them of what the Master taught His disciples concerning missionary work in Matthew 10:11-15, "And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city." Continuing in verses 16-20, the Master further taught His disciples thus: "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."

Whether we are full time missionaries or member missionaries, as we teach and preach His Gospel, we are admonished to "Take upon [us] the name of Christ, and speak the truth in soberness" (D&C 18:21). Another important lesson that I endeavored to teach the perspective missionaries was the fact that everyone would not be receptive of their message and that they should not take the rejection personally. I reminded them that the Savior was also rejected, and if He was rejected, so we His disciples will be rejected as well. We should never try to force someone to accept the message that we bring, but rather, we should bare our testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and move on in peace. We are representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, and engaging in arguments, debates, and causing contention, only tarnishes that good name which we have covenanted to take upon ourselves. We must remember to "Let [our] light so shine before men, that they may see [our] good works, and glorify [our] Father which is in heaven" (Matthew5:16). (Personal emphasis was added by this author and is not intended in any way to rewrite the Scriptures).

By leaving with our testimony, we are planting a seed that overtime, if nourished and cared for properly will yield great fruit. We should never try to get people to accept the "meat" of the Gospel before they have had a chance to be nourished on the "milk" of the Gospel. Our approach should be a step by step, line upon line, precept upon precept approach. We are further taught in today's reading, "And as many as repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be saved. Behold, Jesus Christ is the name which is given of the Father, and there is none other name given whereby man can be saved; Wherefore, all men must take upon them the name which is given of the Father, for in that name shall they be called at the last day; Wherefore, if they know not the name by which they are called, they cannot have place in the kingdom of my Father."

[pam]

Loved your thoughts Keith. Thanks for posting.

[Seanette]

Still having trouble pulling myself together to get caught up. I’m writing this on Sunday, 7/12, and plan to do more after church (I have afternoon meetings).

2 Nephi 2: Lehi blessing Jacob, very doctrinal focus for this chapter. Lehi says of Jacob’s future that he will remain loyal to Nephi and serve God. He speaks of redemption coming by the Messiah’s sacrifice for sin, and says that the inhabitants of the earth need to know of the Messiah. He talks about the need for opposition, which gives knowledge and tries and proves us, and discusses how necessary the Fall was to bring about the necessary mortal experience for all of us. He goes into detail about agency being vital to God’s plan for His children. Lehi urges his sons to choose righteousness and follow Christ.

2 Nephi 3: Lehi blesses Joseph, his youngest son. He says that the land they are now living in is consecrated as the inheritance of the seed of his sons who remain faithful. Joseph of Egypt, the son of Jacob/Israel, was shown our time (as so many past prophets were) and is promised that the latter-day seer who will restore the Gospel (whom we now know to be Joseph Smith) will be descended from him. He’s also told about Moses bringing Israel out of Egypt and about the Book of Mormon, which will join with the Bible to establish peace and true doctrine. The weak will be made strong in and by God. Lehi urges his son Joseph to hearken to Nephi.

2 Nephi 4: Lehi blesses his posterity, urging faith and righteousness and telling his descendants to follow prophetic counsel. Lehi dies. L&L, along with the sons of Ishmael, are yet again angry with Nephi because of the admonitions of the Lord (yet again, the anger of the wicked when called to repentance (sigh)). Nephi keeps records on the plates, praises God’s goodness, mourns his own flaws, speaks of his trust in God, and pleads for redemption and the Lord’s help to remain righteous.

2 Nephi 5: L&L want to kill Nephi and take leadership of the family/colony, so they can silence their prophet and not have to listen to the Lord’s words that they find displeasing. The Lord warns Nephi of the threat. Nephi takes those family members who wish to follow him, and the records and other sacred things entrusted to him, and leaves for the wilderness. This starts the split between Nephites and Lamanites. Nephi’s people seek to obey God. They plant crops, build needed structures, make weapons for self-defense, and are industrious. They build a Temple. Nephi’s people want to make Nephi their king, but he declines, not wanting there to be a king among his people. Laman’s followers become indolent, and are cursed by God. They are made loathsome to the Nephites to discourage intermarriage (as we’ve seen elsewhere, God strongly discourages believers from marrying unbelievers for the sake of the believer’s faith). Jacob and Joseph are consecrated as priests and teachers for their people. Nephi continues to keep records, and mentions in passing wars between the two groups.

2 Nephi 6: Jacob is now narrating. He reviews the history of Israel: Babylonian captivity and liberation, the scattering of Israel, their recovery by the Messiah, who manifests to Israel. Those who fight against Israel will be destroyed.

2 Nephi 7: Compare Isaiah 50. Details Messiah’s suffering for mankind and reiterates that those opposing God will be destroyed.

Section 17: The Three Witnesses are shown the plates, the Urim and Thummim, the sword of Laban, and the Liahona. The ability to see these things comes by faith. The Witnesses are commanded to testify of what they see. In this section, Christ bears witness of Joseph Smith’s calling to His work.

Section 18: The Scriptures show the foundations of the Gospel. The world is ripening in iniquity. Souls are of great worth to God. The command is given to cry repentance, ask for needs in the name of Christ by faith, have faith, hope, and charity, take on the name of Christ, and speak the truth of the Gospel in soberness. Those who repent, are baptized, and endure to the end shall be saved. Christ is the only way to salvation. Twelve Apostles are to be called to preach.

Section 19: Christ has all power to destroy Satan and judge man. We must repent or suffer the consequences of our sins. “Eternal” or “endless” punishment is defined as that of God, not necessarily lasting forever. Again, the command is given to repent and to preach repentance. Do not give “meat” (or advanced material) before “milk” (or basics) . Do not covet that which belongs to your neighbor, be willing to give of means to support spread of Gospel. Be prayerful and declare the Gospel in humility. Like Section 18, this was at the time primarily given to those called to serve missions, but has application to all Church members.

Section 20: This is basically a constitution for the Church at the beginning. The duties of members and holders of various priesthood offices are set forth. The Book of Mormon attests to the unchanging nature of God and the divinity of the latter-day work. The foundational doctrines of creation, the Fall, repentance, and baptism are covered. The laws governing repentance, justification, sanctification, and baptism are set forth. The Sacrament prayers and regulations for Church membership are given.

Abraham 1: Abraham seeks for the priesthood in the patriarchal order. His fathers worship false gods. This “worship” includes sacrifice of children. Idolatrous priests try to kill Abraham for speaking against this (and here we go again with the wicked wanting to silence those speaking righteousness). God rescues him, destroys the false altar, and kills the offending idolatrous priest. There is a famine in Chaldea, where Abraham lives at this time. Abraham’s father Terah repents.

Abraham 2: Abraham (at this time Abram) marries Sarai (later Sarah), and takes her to Canaan, along with his nephew Lot, Lot’s wife, and Terah (seems likely others came too). They stop briefly in Haran, where Terah, who returns to idolatry, chooses to remain. Abraham and Lot pray. Abraham is promised posterity, and what we will later know as the Abrahamic covenant is introduced. Abraham builds an altar, makes an offering, and prays for his father’s house. Abraham goes to Egypt with his family. He is commanded by God to tell Pharaoh that Sarah is his sister, so that he will not be killed to free her to marry Pharaoh, as would happen if Pharaoh knew Sarah to be Abraham’s wife. (This can be difficult to reconcile, a prophet being instructed to do that which is otherwise wrong. My personal answer is to trust in God’s greater knowledge, well beyond my mortal understanding.)

Edited July 13, 2009 by Seanette
slight wording tweak for clarity