And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold, Laman, and Lemuel, and two of the daughters of Ishmael, and the two sons of Ishmael, and their families did rebel against us; yea, against I, Nephi, and Sam, and their father Ishmael, and his wife, and his three other daughters. And it came to pass that in the which rebellion they were desirous to return unto the land of Jerusalem. And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying — yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel — Behold, ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts and so blind in your minds that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you? Yea, and set an example for you? How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord? How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord? Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us in delivering us out of the hands of Laban? And also that we should obtain the record? Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him. And if it so be that we are faithful to him, we shall obtain the land of promise. And ye shall know at some future period that the word of the Lord shall be fulfilled concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, for all things which the Lord hath spoken concerning the destruction of Jerusalem must be fulfilled. For behold, the spirit of the Lord ceaseth soon to strive with them; for behold, they have rejected the prophets, and Jeremiah have they cast into prison, and they have sought to take away the life of my father, insomuch that they have driven him out of the land. Now behold, I say unto you that if ye will return unto Jerusalem, ye shall also perish with them. And now if ye have choice, go up to the land and remember the words which I speak unto you, that if ye go, ye will also perish. For thus the spirit of the Lord constraineth me that I should speak.
Given the seriousness of what is occurring here would it be a good thing to understand what it means to harden one's heart and to be blind in one's mind so that we can repent of such things as we find ourselves in this predicament?
Hardness of Heart
Nephi gives a clear description: For [Lehi] 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. And now I, Nephi, was grieved because of the hardness of their hearts (1 Nephi 4:1). And I said unto them, Have ye inquired of the Lord? And they said unto me, We have not, for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us. Behold, I said unto them, How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish because of the hardness of your hearts? Do ye not remember the thing which the Lord hath said, If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you?
(1 Nephi 4:2). Hardness of heart is usually accompanied by a hardness of head; that is, people tend to not be willing to live in accordance with principles, even though they want to know about them. They are often more curious than they are obedient, becoming voyeurs rather than visionaries. Oddly enough, one’s curiosity gets satisfied as he obeys — but man is usually unwilling to make that exchange (cf. Alma 9:3,10; 1 Nephi 3:26).1 Man determines whether he has a hard heart or an open heart. Anciently, the “heart” was considered the seat of understanding rather than emotion; therefore, an “open heart” belonged to the seeker, the asker, the knocker on the door (TC Glossary of terms, "Harness of Heart")
(1 Nephi 4:2). Hardness of heart is usually accompanied by a hardness of head; that is, people tend to not be willing to live in accordance with principles, even though they want to know about them. They are often more curious than they are obedient, becoming voyeurs rather than visionaries. Oddly enough, one’s curiosity gets satisfied as he obeys — but man is usually unwilling to make that exchange (cf. Alma 9:3,10; 1 Nephi 3:26).1 Man determines whether he has a hard heart or an open heart. Anciently, the “heart” was considered the seat of understanding rather than emotion; therefore, an “open heart” belonged to the seeker, the asker, the knocker on the door (TC Glossary of terms, "Harness of Heart")
If we look at what Nephi declared to his brothers as quoted in the section "Hardness of Heart" in the T&C glossary of terms we can see that a hardness of heart is connected to refusal to inquire of the Lord and be obedient to what He reveals.
If one does not seek or knock and give heed and diligence to what is revealed then they cannot understand what the Lord intends to do through His mighty works.
After expounding the doctrine of Christ Nephi declared,
And now behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts? Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the holy ghost, ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the holy ghost? Angels speak by the power of the holy ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them, it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock. Wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark. For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way and receive the holy ghost, it will shew unto you all things what ye should do. Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.
Is Nephi declaring that by our asking about Christ's doctrine and our heed and diligence in following it we would receive understanding?
If we do not do these things does it mean that we do not ask or knock?
Is knocking related to heed and diligence; is it the natural progression from asking?
If we do not ask and knock Nephi says that we must perish in the dark.
But behold, verily I say unto you, there are many who have been ordained among you, whom I have called, but few of them are chosen. They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noonday. (D&C 95:5 - 6, T&C 94 par. 2)
In the revelation when the Lord declared that there were those who were walking in darkness at noon day was He declaring that there were those with hard hearts who would not inquire of Him about and give heed and diligence to the great light He was then pouring forth?
Is that the key to being chosen?
If the heart is the seat of understanding then wouldn't it be critical for everyone to be "seekers"; to ask and inquire of the Lord so that they are open to receive?
Is it critical to give heed and diligence?
Are the heart and the mind connected?
Nephi mentions hard hearts and blind minds in the same thought although he separates them into two different things.
We agree with the following explanation of heart and mind as mentioned in the scriptures.
There’s one time when I was teaching Elders Quorum many years ago, and we were on the topic of the heart, and I was posing the question for discussion: What does “heart” mean? And someone said, “Oh, the heart—the heart is just part of your mind.” And so, in response to that answer, I said, “Okay, if the heart is part of your mind, what part of your mind is your heart?” Because the heart and the mind are discussed separately in scripture; they both have a function. Oliver’s being told that in his mind he’s going to be told something, and in his heart he is going to be told something by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you… which shall dwell in your heart. Well, what part of the human consciousness is the heart?
Joseph defined pure revelation as intelligence, not emotions. We tend to view the heart as if it were entirely emotions:
- “Oh, she touched my heart; therefore, I’m in love with her.”
- “My heart reaches out to the puppy, to the kitten.”
We tend to view “heart” as if it were merely sentiment, but if you accept Joseph’s definition of the Holy Ghost, then the heart is not necessarily a place where mere sentiment exists.
Your mind (which might be knowledge) and your heart (which might be wisdom)—in other words, I will tell you in your mind (I’ll give you information) and in your heart (I’ll give you the wisdom by which you know how to apply the knowledge that you’re given), which comes to you by the mind of God, the Holy Ghost, which includes both the Father and His Companion and the Son.
Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation…this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground (ibid). So, Moses (we tend to think) had a whole lot of heavenly guidance and advantages that are awesome to behold and greater than what we have. But this definition suggests that Moses was relying upon the thoughts that came to him and the wisdom to apply the understanding that he was given; and that it was through that mechanism that Moses proceeded in faith—and that delivered him, and that delivered the children of Israel who followed him, also. (Denver Snuffer podcast, #73 "Good Questions, transcript)
What Nephi was then expressing to his brothers is that they had refused to inquire of the Lord concerning His works and they refused to give heed and diligence consequently they could not have knowledge from Him by the mind of God nor any understanding or wisdom of how to use such a knowledge.What was it that was causing their predicament?
Can tradition cause us to be closed to inquiring of God or giving heed and diligence to His words?
If we "know" that such and such is the case and it cannot be any different can that block our ability to inquire of God and give heed and diligence?
What about feeling too unworthy to approach God?
If I feel that I am so far beyond God's love and therefore there is no way that God would respond to me would that stop me from inquiring of God giving heed and diligence?
If I "know" that God only speaks to certain individuals who have "authority" would that stop me from inquiring of God and giving heed to Him instead of a person in authority?
In each of these scenarios is a hard heart manifested?
What was Nephi's experience?
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 cried 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 2:14 - 16, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 8 - 9)
Did Nephi ask and give heed and diligence?
Nephi continues to ask them concerning the things they have forgotten.
As I look through the Book of Mormon and through history in general it seems to me that forgetting is a major issue that leads to sin, rebellion, and dissention.
How is it that they had forgotten the appearing of an angel or everything the Lord had done to save them from Laban and retrieve the plates of brass?
Alma, teaching to those of the church in Zarahemla who had gone contrary to the commandments of God, declared,
And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell? Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awake unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word. Yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them. And now I ask of you, my brethren, were they destroyed? Behold, I say unto you, nay, they were not. And again I ask, were the bands of death broken? And the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed? I say unto you, yea, they were loosed. And their souls did expand, and they did sing redeeming love. And I say unto you that they are saved. And now I ask of you, on what conditions are they saved? Yea, what grounds had they to hope for salvation? What is the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, yea, and also the chains of hell? Behold, I can tell you. Did not my father Alma believe in the words which were delivered by the mouth of Abinadi? And was he not a holy prophet? Did he not speak the words of God? And my father Alma believed them. And according to his faith, there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold, I say unto you that this is all true. And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore, they were saved. (Alma 5:6 - 11, NC Alma 3 par. 2)
Is it possible that a hard heart and a blind mind puts us in a position that we are unable to keep in remembrance anything the Lord does for us?
The Lord declared that by small means He brings great things to pass.
Is it possible that hard hearts and blind minds cause us to be unimpressed by what the Lord does because the means He uses to bring about His works seem small and foolish to us?
Would it be good for us to look inwardly and review our efforts or lack of efforts to inquire of God and to be diligent in heeding Him to gauge our own individual hard heartedness and blindness of mind so that we can repent and avoid the state of rebellion that Laman and Lemuel and the others found themselves in?
Is this in any way related to what Alma taught to the people of Ammonihah?
And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying, It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless, they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart — only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word. And he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God, until they know them in full. And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the Devil and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell. (Alma 12:9 - 11, NC Alma 9 par. 3)
Should we consider it a terrible fate to be trapped by the chains of hell?
If we do not individually inquire of the Lord and give heed and diligence to His words can we expect that we will know less and less concerning His works until we are trapped by these chains?
What was the result of Laman and Lemuel being trapped by these chains?
What about the people of Ammonihah?
In both situations was physical violence an eventual effect of being trapped by the chains of hell?
Would it be important for us to repent of our hardness of heart and blindness of mind in order to avoid these chains of hell?
What is the opposite of the chains of hell?
Nephi declared that he had a great desire to know the mysteries of God and Alma taught that those who would receive the word of God with heed and diligence would eventually know the mysteries of God in full.
Do we see that in the life of Nephi?
Did he eventually come to know the mysteries of God in full?
Can we expect that God loves us just as much as He loved Nephi?
If we follow the same path will we eventually leave behind all blindness of mind and hardness of heart and come to know the mysteries of God in full?
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