Nephi prophesied that some people would reject the Book of Mormon because it is unfamiliar. He testified that God reveals truth to "all nations of the earth," and we ought to be receptive to truth regardless of its source.
Nephi’s Vision and Nephi’s Prophecy
Many themes from Nephi's vision (1 Nephi 11-14) also appear in Nephi's prophecy (2 Nephi 25-30): 1. Jesus Christ would be crucified. 2. Nephi's descendants would write scripture. 3. God will do a work which will bless the whole world.
The Remnant Shall Return
Isaiah's prophecy about the remnant of Israel returning to God assures that no matter how far they are from home, they are not out of God's sight. Book of Mormon authors echo this sentiment: God is mindful of you, wherever you are, and you can come home.
“With Everlasting Kindness”
Suboptimal circumstances can create glorious opportunities. When the kingdom of Israel was scattered by the Assyrians, it was a direct consequence of their disobedience to the commandments of God: They rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and... Continue Reading →
The Books
In Babylon, Daniel experienced a dream full of symbolism. He saw the Final Judgment. Ten thousand times ten thousand people stood before a throne. "The judgment was set," he wrote, "and the books were opened" (Daniel 7:9-10). Many years later, the apostle John received a revelation on the Isle of Patmos. Here's how he described... Continue Reading →
A Standard for My People
Isaiah prophesied that the Lord would one day erect a standard which would attract people from all nations: Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.Isaiah 49:22, 1 Nephi 21:22, 2 Nephi 6:6 Nephi... Continue Reading →
No End
A few months ago, I heard a presentation by Simon Sinek, author of The Infinite Game. He explained that many games we play, like football or chess, have clearly defined rules, consistent participants, and most importantly, endings. He called these "finite games." But other activities that we participate in might be better labeled as "infinite... Continue Reading →
The Stick of Ephraim
The prophet Ezekiel received the following symbolic instruction from the Lord: Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one... Continue Reading →
Promises to Covenant Israel
Nephi told us that God "loveth those who will have him to be their God." As an example, "he loved our fathers, and he covenanted with them, yea, even Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and he remembered the covenants which he had made" (1 Nephi 17:40). In August of 1830, Joseph Smith received a revelation in... Continue Reading →
The Work, the Sword, the Sickle, and the Prayer
In the first half of 1829, Joseph Smith received a number of revelations on behalf of other people. Four of those revelations begin almost identically, with a set of four biblical concepts, all of which also appear in the Book of Mormon. Why did those four concepts warrant such frequent repetition, and why did the... Continue Reading →