Lesson 2 - All Things According to His Will

Purpose:

Help the reader understand the state of the Jewish faith in 600 BC.

Understand how Lehi became a prophet and the reaction of the Jews to him.

Learn about how God tests and proves his chosen servants.

Identify the steps Nephi experienced in his ascent.

The first thing we need to do when read the Book of Mormon is to put ourselves into the shoes of the authors and the environment they lived in. Let’s take a look at Lehi and what was going on with the Jews in and around 600 BC.

“For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.” 1 Nephi 1:4

There came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they needed to repent. What were the people doing that justified their city and society being destroyed? Typically, societies don’t become ripe for destruction overnight. By looking back 20 or 30 years, we can uncover pathways that were created that caused the ripening.

The State of the Jews - Reign of King Josiah

King Josiah reigned as King of Judah from 641 BC to 610 BC and led the Deuteronomic reform that occurred during his rule. The Deuteronomic reforms came from a group of scholars called the Deuteronomists.  

“This group apparently produced an edition of the books of Deuteronomy, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings during the reign of King Josiah. The Deuteronomists are known as innovators and are known to have edited scriptures in their care. This is important. They worked with texts and traditions that had an established status, including Deuteronomy, but they imposed their own perspectives on those texts.”

- Kevin Christensen, Plain and Precious Things Restored

King Josiah and the Deuteronomists worked to purge the Jewish religion of practices and rituals that they did not agree with or did not understand. Not only did they purge the religion of these doctrines and practices they didn’t personally agree with, but they also added their own commandments and philosophies as replacements. They did this during the first temple period which was during the time of the Temple of Solomon.

While they were correlating the doctrine of the Jewish faith, they threw out many basic and important doctrines and practices that referenced the redemption of man through the Anointed One and the relationship God has with man.

“Almost everything that Josiah swept away can be matched in the religion of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They had built shrines all over the land, wherever the Lord had appeared to them, and they had offered sacrifices under great trees (Genesis 12.6-7) and set up pillars to mark holy places (Genesis 28.18). In the Old Testament as we know it, the Patriarchs before the time of Moses and the kings after him followed the religion that Deuteronomy condemned and Josiah purged.

One way to reconstruct the religion of Jerusalem before Josiah’s changes is to note how many of the practices forbidden by Deuteronomy are permitted elsewhere in the Old Testament.  Deuteronomy, for example, denies that any vision of God was seen when the Law was given: ‘You saw no form; only a voice was heard’ (Deuteronomy 4.12), and yet the account in Exodus says that Moses went up the mountain with the leaders and elders of Israel ‘and they saw the God of Israel’ (Exodus 24.10).  Isaiah had seen the Lord ‘high and lifted up and his train filled the temple’ (Isaiah 6.1).  The vision of God must have been a part of the older faith; there are several accounts of the Lord emerging from his holy place to bring judgement (Assumption of Moses 10, Deuteronomy 32.43, Habbakuk 2.20, Zephaniah 1.7), and prayers for the Lord to ‘shine’ upon his people (Numbers 6.24).

Deuteronomy condemns regard for the host of heaven (Deuteronomy 4.19), the angels who were represented by the stars, even though an ancient title for the Lord was the Lord of Hosts.  The heavenly host of angels must have been part of the older faith.

Deuteronomy also taught that the Law was to be Wisdom of the chosen people, that the Law would make them wise (Deuteronomy 4.6).  The book of Proverbs says that it is Wisdom herself who makes her disciples wise (Proverbs 9.1-6).  Wisdom must have been part of the older faith.

All these three – visions of the Lord, the host of heaven, and Wisdom – feature in the accounts of Josiah’s purge.”

- Margaret Barker, What Did King Josiah Reform?

“In addition, In The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Margaret Barker adds references to two other Deuteronomic proscriptions. The Jews were not to ‘enquire after secret things which belonged only to the Lord’ (Deut. 29:29). That is, the Jews were not to seek to ascend up to heaven and seek the mysteries of God, but to obey the Law which was given to them at Mount Sinai (Deut. 30:11).” - Kevin Christensen, Plain and Precious Things Restored

Additional glimpses at what was going on with the Jewish faith during this time-frame can be found with Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Both were contemporary prophets with Lehi.

“Hear now this, O foolish people, without understanding, which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not” (Jeremiah 5:21).

Jacob, son of Lehi, gives us additional understanding around the state of the Jews during this time-frame:

“But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and sought for things which they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken his plainness away from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand because they desired it. And because they desired it, God hath done it that they may stumble. (Jacob 4:14)

“Barker provides the best clue to what the ‘mark’ Jacob refers to actually was. Barker points to Ezekiel, like Jacob a temple priest and Jacob’s exact contemporary. In a vision of the angels of destruction summoned to the Jerusalem temple, Barker explains how Ezekiel saw that:

‘[A]n angel was sent to mark the faithful: “Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark upon the foreheads of the men who groan and sigh over all the abominations that are committed in it” (Ezek. 9:4). The LORD then spoke to the other six angels: “Pass through the city after him and smite . . . but touch no one upon whom is the mark . . .” (Ezek. 9:5-6). The mark on the forehead was protection against the wrath.

“Mark,” however conceals what that mark was. The Hebrew says that the angel marked the foreheads with the letter tau, the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In the ancient Hebrew script that Ezekiel would have used, this letter was a diagonal cross, and the significance of this becomes apparent from the much later tradition about the high priests. The rabbis remembered that the oil for anointing the high priest had been lost when the first temple was destroyed and that the priests of the second temple were only “priests of many garments,” a reference to the eight garments worn on the Day of Atonement (m. Horayoth 3.4). The rabbis also remember that the anointed high priests of the first temple had been anointed on the forehead with the sign of a diagonal cross (b. Horayoth 12a). The diagonal cross was the sign of the Name on their foreheads, the mark which Ezekiel described as the letter tau.’

Jacob’s “mark” must be a reference to the anointed high priest of the first temple. Those who received the anointing were those who took upon themselves the name of the anointed, the Messiah. Barker explains that: “It was also remembered that the roles of the anointed high priest and the priest of the many garments differed in some respects at Yom Kippur when the rituals of atonement were performed. The anointed high priest, they believed, would be restored to Israel at the end of time, in the last days.

Why does this matter? We will recall that the Hebrew Messiah and the Greek Christ, both mean “anointed one.” The implication is that the role of the anointed high priest was changed and that the differences had something to do with the Day of Atonement, which, as Barker observes, is conspicuously missing from the sacred calendar in Deuteronomy.” - Kevin Christensen, Prophets and Kings in Lehi’s Jerusalem and Margaret Barker’s Temple Theology

As you deconstruct what was happening to the Jewish faith prior to the “many prophet’s prophets prophesying” that Lehi was referring to, the Deuteronomist were fundamentally changing the Jewish faith. Remember, there are three requirements for salvational faith 1) to believe there is a God, 2) to know the correct characteristics and attributes of God, 3) to know the course of live you are pursuing is according to his will.

When the doctrine begins to change, what is necessary for salvational faith is lost. It no longer includes the necessary three ingredients. This leads the faith to be no more salvational than the countless other faiths on earth. If the faith no longer can produce salvation for the participants, God must apply something to the faith for it to be corrected.

These are some of the big foundational items getting changed by the Deuteronomists:

• Man does not see God or have visions of God
• There are no Angels or hosts of Angels
• Wisdom - the tree in the temple - that represented the Mother of God is irrelevant (God is no longer a married man and a woman)
• Man should not seek out the secrets (mysteries) of heaven
• The Removal of the mark/Anointed High Priest (Embodied Christ as Israel’s Great High Priest)

We can learn how the Jewish people viewed their religion by hearing sympathizers like Laman and Lemuel.

“And we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people; for they kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments, according to the law of Moses; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people; and our father hath judged them, and hath led us away because we would hearken unto his words; yea, and our brother is like unto him. And after this manner of language did my brethren murmur and complain against us.” - 1 Nephi 17:22

While focusing on the Law and considering that the Law was the most important, Laman and Lemuel also discounted revelation and a connection with God.

“Now this he spake because of the stiffneckedness of Laman and Lemuel; for behold they did murmur in many things against their father, because he was a visionary man, and had led them out of the land of Jerusalem, to leave the land of their inheritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things, to perish in the wilderness. And this they said he had done because of the foolish imaginations of his heart.” - 1 Nephi 2:11

How do we know if something is true or not?

How do we individually and as a society fall away from the truth?

In what ways do we support false doctrine and teachings?

Becoming a Prophet - Lehi’s Ascent

Lehi was a normal man. He was not apart of the Jewish religious hierarchy. He most likely was a wealthy merchant.

“Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.” 1 Nephi 5

As he went forth… When I read this, in my mind’s eye, I see someone who is sober and quick to observe. I see him as someone who is going about his own life; someone who is reflective and seriously considering the possibility and implications about what the prophets were prophesying.  

“In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it.” - JSH 1:10

With all his heart… When I read this, in my mind’s eye, I see a great yearning. A yearning in similitude of a Mediator.

“I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them.” - Enos 1:9

There appears to be commonalities between Lehi and other prophets including his maturity, self assessment, sober mindedness, reflectiveness, desire for understanding, faith in God and pure charity for his fellow man.

“And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him and he saw and heard much…”

“And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon a throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.

And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day.

...The first came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read.” - 1 Nephi 1: 6, 8-9, 11

As Lehi is reflecting on the prophets prophesying and praying on behalf of his people, he experiences a great theophany. Within this great theophany he sees God the Father and His hosts of heaven, he sees the Anointed One, and he reads secrets contained within a book given to him to read. 

Coincidentally, all of these these things: Man seeing God, Hosts of Heaven, an Anointed One, and Man receiving secrets or mysteries from heaven have recently been dubbed false by the Deuteronomist.

During Lehi’s theophany, he receives a message from the Son of God. As a true messenger, he was required to deliver that message to the Jews of his day.

“And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations; and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world.

And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away.” - 1 Nephi 1:19 - 20

As part of Lehi’s interaction with God, he was commanded to testify to the Jews of their wickedness and to share what he read in the book about the coming of the Messiah. It is interesting to see the differences in the Jew’s reaction between the two things Lehi is commanded to testified against them.

Testified of wickedness = mocking Lehi

Testified of an embodied Messiah (went against the beliefs of the time) = cast out, stoned and slain.

There is a significant difference between when someone is saying you are in apostasy compared with someone saying you are doing wrong. Saying you are in apostasy requires a complete world view change. It is saying that your core fundamental viewpoints are wrong, as well as your parents and your friends. 

Apostasies don’t happen overnight - they take years, decades and even centuries. Apostasies can come from malicious corruption or from progressive changes from seemingly good intentions.  

Why did Lehi qualify for his theophany with God?

In what ways is Lehi a prophet?

Why did the Jews react the way they did to Lehi’s announcement of the Messiah?

The Lehi Wealth Test

One of the major tests of Lehi is whether the World or God takes precedence in his life. Within Lehi’s story you can see a few examples of where he runs face to face into this challenge. The first test has already been described: does he hold to tradition, honors of men, and respect or does he obey God’s word to testify of the people’s wickedness and apostate beliefs? This is not an easy test. It is much easier to ignore the problem and stay ignorant. In addition, if the problem is understood, it is much easier to remain quiet than to speak out.

The second test is similar to Job’s. What is Lehi going to do if he is asked to give up “exceedingly great” wealth.

“And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and he took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness.” - 1 Nephi 2: 5

Remember, Jerusalem will be destroyed, but not for another 10 years. Lehi is leaving his possessions at a time of prosperity. Not a time of poverty, stress and fear.

Wealth is one of the great tests of the covenant people. Wealth typically brings pride, complacency and worshiping the workmanship of your own hands. Maintaining one’s wealth and material possessions usually results in justification and blindness.

Lehi was able to pass this test. He was willing to leave all his wealth behind. It didn’t govern his actions or beliefs.

How do we let our possessions or position in life dictate what we say and do?

Would you pass the Lehi test?  

Becoming a Prophet - Nephi’s Ascent Part 1

During this time, Nephi is also going through experiences what will eventually result into an ascent into the presence of God. To understand Nephi, he, like his father, is also sincere, sober and quick to observe.

“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.” - 1 Nephi 2:16

Nephi has a great desire to know the mysteries of God. As a result of Nephi’s desires, God begins to choreograph experiences in Nephi’s life that will grant his desire to know the mysteries of God.

“I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction.” Alma 29:4  

Through this initial prayer, Nephi was able to receive a sign from God. It was as if it was a light touch on the hand which softened his heart and gave him reason to believe his father. Nephi self-selected himself to have this experience given to him because of his pure desire and real intent.

By going and doing what God commanded, he was able to demonstrate that he would be true and faithful to the witness he received from God.

“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words he was exceedingly glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord.” - 1 Nephi 3:6

When God gives light and truth, an individual is tested to know if they will be true to the light and truth they have been given. If the individual is not faithful to the light and truth they have received, then it will have no effect of bringing them closer to God. It will count against them and they will lose what they have. They will be in a worse position than if they never had the witness given to them.

Nephi continues his ascent by doing everything he can to acquire the brass plates. The brass plates become a serious difficulty for Nephi and his brothers. After losing all of their wealth to Laban, Nephi's brothers rebel and beat Nephi and Sam in a cave. In turn, a fulfillment of Nephi’s words can be used to describe Nephi:

“But behold, I, Nephi will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.” - 1 Nephi 1:20

Deliverance and a complete dependence on God is a central step in the ascent to God. When Nephi is delivered from his brothers, an angel of the Lord comes. As a result of the angel’s presence, Laman and Lemuel stop beating Nephi and Sam. If you look at Laman and Lemuel closer, because their actions, they were positioning themselves against the Lord. This in turn made it so they were playing the part of devils.

“For verily, verily, I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.” - 3 Nephi 11:29

In essence, the deliverance by the angel illustrates how true messengers can come and cast out the devil and further guide the seeker of truth.

As Nephi continues to be true and faithful he his given additional witnesses from God. On the way back from returning to Jerusalem to recruit Ishmael and his family, Laman, Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael rebel against Nephi and tie him up. The bondage Nephi is in, as a result of his brothers, provides another choreographed experience for Nephi to receive added power and witness from God.

“‘… It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts’.

Thus, the enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement helps us to see and to do and to become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity. I testify and witness that the enabling power of the Savior’s Atonement is real.” - Elder Bednar, In the Strength of the Lord

One of the witnesses God gives us of the Savior is the strengthening power of the atonement. This sign from God can be seen during Nephi’s struggle with his brothers.

“But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound.” - 1 Nephi 7:17

Even though Nephi is “exceeding young” during this time, he is setting the stage and becoming the example of how one can ascend to greater heights and knowledge of God. He begins by desiring to “know the mysteries of God”. As a result, he receives a gentle witness from God that what his father is saying is true. He is true to these light witnesses which results in receiving greater witnesses - hearing the voice of God and God covenanting with him that he will be made ruler over his brethren. He then gets delivered by an angel from the evil inflicted upon him by his brothers. He is then delivered through the strength given to him by the enabling power of the atonement of the Son of God.

All of these experiences Nephi is having is enabling him to be tested, proven and tried so that he can be qualified to receive the fullness from the Father.  

In what way is God answering Nephi’s prayer to know the mysteries of God?

What role does Nephi’s brothers play in his progress?

Why is it important that Nephi shares his experiences with the Holy Spirit, an Angel, and Christ’s enabling power of the Atonement?

Summary:

The Jews were in a state of apostasy in 600 BC because the religion had been changed and corrupted.

Lehi ascended into the presence of God and received a message about the Messiah. When Lehi shared this with the Jews he inadvertently told the Jews they were in apostasy.

The willingness to drop everything and follow God is a major test for all followers of God.

Nephi desired to know the mysteries of God. As a result, God choreographed experiences Nephi would have so that Nephi would qualify for the mysteries and fullness of God.