We Did Take our Bows and our Arrows

1 Nephi 16:12 - 17, NC 1 Nephi 5 pars. 5 - 6 

And it came to pass that we did take our tents and departed into the wilderness across the river Laman. And it came to pass that we traveled for the space of four days, nearly a south-southeast direction, and we did pitch our tents again; and we did call the name of the place Shazer.

And it came to pass that we did take our bows and our arrows and go forth into the wilderness to slay food for our families; and after we had slain food for our families, we did return again to our families in the wilderness, to the place of Shazer. And we did go forth again in the wilderness, following the same direction, keeping in the most fertile parts of the wilderness which were in the borders near the Red Sea. And it came to pass that we did travel for the space of many days, slaying food by the way with our bows, and our arrows, and our stones, and our slings; and we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness. And after we had traveled for the space of many days, we did pitch our tents for the space of a time, that we might again rest ourselves and obtain food for our families.

The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 5 pars. 5 - 6

And it came to pass that we did take our tents and departed into the wilderness across the river Laman. And it came to pass that we traveled for the space of four days, nearly a south - southeast direction, 
and we did pitch our tents again; and we did call the name of the place Shazer. 

And it came to pass that we did take our bows and our arrows and go forth into the wilderness to slay food for our families; and after we had slain food for our families, we did return again to our families in the wilderness, to the place of Shazer. And we did go forth again in the wilderness, following the same direction, keeping in the most fertile parts of the wilderness which were in the borders near the Red Sea. And it came to pass that we did travel for the space of many days, slaying food by the way with our bows, and our arrows, and our stones, and our slings; and we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness. And after we had traveled for the space of many days, we did pitch our tents for the space of a time, that we might again rest ourselves and obtain food for our families.

What strikes me here about this account of their travels in the wilderness is that even though the flight of Lehi's family is a prophesied and a divine flight from Jerusalem to another land, the undertaking of the journey and everything associated with it at this point is so very mortal, so to speak.

What do I mean by this?

They are required day by day to walk and travel.  They are required day by day to provide food for their families.  They are required to pitch their own tents when they stop and then to take down and stow their tents when they travel. It appears to be a common ordinary existence of daily toil.

Except for the presence of the Liahona directing them, there does not appear from the record to be any indication that they were spared, at this point, from the daily menial labors that were constantly required for day to day survival and progress. 

Why would that be so, given that the journey they were undertaking was calculated to alter world history?

What is to be gained by being required to go through the day to day grind, even if you are involved in a divine project, that requires you to take time away from that divine project in order to meet daily needs?

Is this a pattern?

Is this a requirement?

I remember what God declared to Adam and Eve in the following, at the time Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden.

...And unto Adam, I, the Lord God, said, Because you have listened unto the voice of your wife and have eaten of the fruit of the tree of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it, cursed shall be the ground for your sake; in sorrow shall you eat of it all the days of your life. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. By the sweat of your face shall you eat bread until you shall return unto the ground, for you shall surely die, for out of it were you taken — for dust you were and unto dust shall you return. ... (Moses 4:20 - 27, OC Genesis 2 par. 18)

Was this command given to Adam, upon being cast out of the Garden of Eden, in order to create the opportunity for God to bless Adam's labors?

Is this command to daily toil related to participating in something divine?

Then there is this statement—it's a rather lengthy passage, but it's really worth hearing: 

Therefore, say unto the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: I do not do this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for my holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the heathen where you went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which you have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean from all your filthiness; and from all your idols [I will] cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments and do them. And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people and I will be your God. I will also save you from...your uncleanness, and I will call for the grain and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field, that you shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. Then shall you remember your...evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourself in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I do this, says the Lord God, be it known unto you; be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. Thus says the Lord God: In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities, I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be built. And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. ...they shall say, This land that was desolate has become like the Garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities have become fortified and are inhabited. Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places and plant that which was desolate. I the Lord have spoken it, ...I will do it. (Ezekiel 18:8-10 RE, emphasis added) 

So, the land is going to produce—you have to walk in His statues, you have to keep His judgments. And if you do, eventually you will come to the point that you recognize, in your own eyes, the loathsomeness of the things that you have done that were ungodly, that were unclean, that were inappropriate, selfish, unkind, unholy. You’ll do that. Because as you become more clean, you look back with abhorrence upon your past failures. 

Then, you get to go to harsh lands, bad places, desolate wastes, desolate, desolate. Okay, that's the list. That's what He's talking about. Here's what these people that He's going to gather are going to get to do: They get to go to desolate land; wastes shall be built; it's gonna lay desolate in the sight of all that pass by. And the people that pass by that looked at this place are going to say, “This land that was desolate has become like the Garden of Eden!” Well, how did that happen? It's because, apparently, idiots went and tilled this crappy, desolate, waste place and invested their labor. By the sweat of your brow shall you eat your bread (see Genesis 3:1 RE). 

What He's saying is, “Okay—finally, finally I've got people who are willing to invest the sweat of their brow. I told Adam that was the deal. You didn't like paradise. So here, go take this, and turn it back into paradise. I made you a husbandman to the ground. You didn't like that; you're malcontent. So here, go out, and work this stuff.” 

This whole passage in Isaiah in Ezekiel is accounting for the surprise. “Oh, my word. Look at that!”—the surprise of the passersby who see tilling going on in pretty unfavorable conditions. Well, why would that be? It’s because the Lord agrees to prosper what you do. But it is the doing that is incumbent upon you. The Three Nephites aren't gonna come plow the field (folklore from early Mormon history notwithstanding). John the Beloved isn't gonna come out and say, “Hey, I've been saving these magic beans for, you know, generations. And if you plant ‘em….” Actually, now that I think about it, if you plan ‘em you might inherit a giant in the land. So, why don't you do without the magic beans? 

There's work to be done. Our covenant with the Lord says, Teach your children to honor me. Seek to recover the lost sheep remnant of this land and of Israel and no longer forsake them. Bring them unto me and teach them of my ways, to walk in them. And I, the Lord your God, will be with you and will never forsake you, and I will lead you in the path which will bring peace to you in the troubling season now fast approaching. I will raise you up and protect you, abide with you, and gather you in due time... (T&C 158:11-13) 

Notice that there's a sequence here within the covenant itself. He's saying He's gonna lead us and bring us to peace. But there's a troubling season that is fast approaching. That's gonna happen with some rapidity; it's gonna be upon you. “I will raise you up and protect you, abide with you, and gather you in due time.” That doesn't sound like we oughta be assembling ourselves in haste. That sounds like the troubling times fast approaching are going to precede the time in which He will gather us in due time.

 ...and this shall be a land of promise to you as your inheritance from me. The earth will yield its increase... (Ibid. 13-14, emphasis added) Yield requires effort. It requires something be pursued. It requires that there be effort. 

● “We got our army together, and we got our battering ram, and we beat against the door of the castle, and a lot of us took arrows from above—but we just kept beating and beating, and the door to the castle yielded. And then we were able to take the stronghold.” 

● “I saw this gorgeous gal when I was a freshman and asked her out 30 times my freshman year and 60 times my sophomore year and 90 times my junior year. And my senior year, her returned missionary came back and abandoned her, and she went out with me! She finally yielded!” 

Okay, think of that word “yield” in the context of the covenant. It doesn't mean, “There! I went out. I prayed. Jesus, I'd like wheat; oh, and barley; oh, oh, and oats—I like oatmeal. Oh, oh, oh, oh, grapes, too. Grapes. I want some grapes. And how ‘bout some peach trees? Love peaches!” [Denver singing] “Millions of peaches; peaches for me” (lyrics of the song “Peaches”). “Why is this a barren wasteland, desolate, no better than it was before my prayer? I don't get it, Lord, wasn't this supposed to be fairy dust that makes it all easy?” 

...The earth will yield its increase, and you will flourish upon the mountains and upon the hills, and the wicked will not come against you because the fear of the Lord [shall] be with you. I will visit my house, which the remnant of my people shall build, and I will dwell therein, to be among you, and no one will need to say, Know ye the Lord, for you [shall all] know me, from the least to the greatest. (Ibid. 14-15) That's at the end of the process that He's describing in the Answer to the Prayer or this is the Covenant itself that we're reading from. This is the process that He says is going to unfold. We expect a house of God with no labor, land that will yield without effort, a desolate wasteland to become the Garden of Eden when we do nothing more than to ask. ("Equality," Living Waters Ranch Retreat, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., Challis, ID 5 September 2021, pgs. 8 - 10)

The above is an excerpt of a talk delivered in Challis, Idaho speaking about the necessity for a people being gathered to Zion to labor.

Isn't the gathering of a people to Zion in the last days a divine undertaking?

Isn't the gathering of a people to Zion in the last days a prophetic event that has been hoped for by the prophets down through time?

Why the necessity with such an event to require daily toil to bring forth food for survival?

What is to be gained by such an effort?

Is it possible that the command given to Adam at the fall is a command the Lord intended to be followed in order to rise up while additionally sacrificing to be a part of a divine work?

Is that what the Lord intends to do; to bless the labors of a righteous people?

Do we have an example in scripture of a situation that approaches this?

... And when their priests left their labor to impart the word of God unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear the word of God. And when the priest had imparted unto them the word of God, they all returned again diligently unto their labors, and the priest, not esteeming himself above his hearers; for the preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the teacher any better than the learner. And thus they were all equal; and they did all labor, every man according to his strength. And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted. And they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely. And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions. (Alma 1:19 - 28, NC Alma 1 par. 5)

The priests and the teachers were all required to labor with everyone else.

In addition to laboring, the priests and the teachers sacrificed to impart the word of God unto the people.

Is it reasonable to consider that Nephi, who sacrificed to impart the word of God, was required to perform the same daily toil as everyone else in the company?

In this daily toil together were all the members of Lehi's company equal?

The priest and the teachers of the church in Alma's day did not esteem themselves better than the hearers and the learners.

They were all equal because they all labored.

In addition they imparted of their substance to the poor and the needy the sick and the afflicted.

Is equality required in a group that is tasked with a divine mission?

For verily I say unto you, the time has come and is now at hand, and behold and lo, it must needs be that there be an organization of the literary and the mercantile establishments of my church, both in this place and in the land of Zion, for a permanent and everlasting establishment and firm unto my church, to advance the cause which you have espoused, to the salvation of man, and to the glory of your Father who is in Heaven, that you may be equal in the bonds of Heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of Heavenly things. For if you are not equal in earthly things, you cannot be equal in obtaining Heavenly things, for if you will that I give unto you a place in the Celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded and required of you. (D&C 78:3 - 7, T&C 70 par. 2)

Is it possible that everyone toiling daily together has the effect of creating equality among a group who are tasked with a divine mission?

Is it possible that this requirement that everyone labor and have that commonality is part of what would make a group of people equal in earthly things for the obtaining of Heavenly things?

What did Alma mean by saying that every man did labor with their strength?

They weren't all priests. (Well, that's not equal.) They weren't all teachers. (That's not equal either.) But they were all equal. “And they did all labor….” Oh, so they have one thing in common, and the one thing that they have in common is work, “...every man according to his strength.” You have to give what you have. And one man's strength may not be another man's strength, but he needs to give according to the strength that he has. And one woman's strength may not be what another woman's strength is, but she must give according to the strength that she has. 

If I could point to one of this morning's examples (or mid-day examples, I guess): Connie Waterman is physically frail. But she has the strength to compose and the strength to sing a song of worship that means something to us all. It certainly means something to me; it certainly had an effect upon me.

Everyone has to labor. ("Equality," Living Waters Ranch Retreat, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., Challis, ID 5 September 2021, pg. 5)

This labor that brings equality among a people of God is required to provide the necessities of life.

I agree with the following.

I've heard it said that there are people who think that the Lord expects them to spend their time studying the Scriptures. And that that's the labor to which they've been called. I think that's absolutely fantastic. And when you get through gnawing on your leather-bound Scriptures (which may have some limited nutritional value), then I hope that the ink on the cotton (which certainly has fiber) won't kill you when your Scripture study leads you to eating your Scriptures to fill your growling belly. Because it doesn't matter what God gives you, you're not gonna be able to feed yourself. And if the labor of your hand consists in turning a page… Well, I would suggest we build a glass booth and put the person in the booth and put a hat out front for the entertainment value. And we can all drop our spare change in as we go by, watching the man who turns the page produce the labor necessary for Zion. Because Zion is hard work; it's taking what is desolate and making it become something that it’s not. ("Equality," Living Waters Ranch Retreat, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., Challis, ID 5 September 2021, pg. 13)

My present understanding is that there are several purposes for the command God gave to Adam at the fall that requires daily toil.

I believe personally that daily toil also allows an individual to see everything God has placed to testify of Christ in the world.

As individuals daily toil are they not allowed to see the ebb and flow of nature?

Please consider the following.

Nature testifies endlessly of the Lord. It also invites us endlessly to turn back to Him. This continuing patience and enduring invitiation shown in nature is a reminder of how loving and patient, how persistent and committed the Lord is to our salvation. Salvation is predicated upon the same, universal standard for all who would return to Him. In that respect it is as exact and unchanging as the cycles of nature. Despite its exacting requirements, it is endlessly inviting and continually encouraging us to accept that standard and to live it. Not just to say, but to do. ("Solstice," Denversnuffer.com, 18 December 2010)

And the following.

Yeah. But all things bear testimony of Christ​—​all things​. Whether they are on the earth or under the earth or in the earth or above the earth, all things bear testimony of Christ. The Scriptures say so. You think about the caterpillar ​that’s a pest, that’s something to wreck your garden, that goes into a cocoon​—​and then it comes out of the cocoon, and it’s now something that helps fertilize and pollinate. And it leaves its grubby, earthly confines to become airborne and colorful and a contributor to life and to your gardening. It’s the same animal. And tell me ​that isn’t a testimony of Christ. All things bear testimony of Him, and science simply ratifies that. ("113:Nature, Part 3," Denversnuffer podcast, May 24, 2020)

I believe that in any divine mission there are various and multiple "labors" that must be performed in order to sustain life and to bring joy to this existence.

I believe that it is possible to recognize the signs all around us that point to Christ in whatever labor we are engaged in if we will look.

As mentioned above, I believe as well, that every person must labor according to their strength, whatever that is, in the daily toil to survive and move forward in any divine work just as Lehi and his company were required to do.

I believe that God intended for us to have daily toil in order for us to be reliant upon Them for our support.

I believe that God intended for us to have daily toil in order for us to see that all things do bear testimony of Christ.

I believe that God intended for us to have daily toil in order for us to have a commonality that would make us all equal, the commonality of labor.

I believe that Nephi intentionally took the time and performed the labor by his sacrifice of inscribing onto metal plates this account of their journey so that we might understand that any divine action will necessarily be accompanied by daily toil and labor to sustain life and move forward.

From what I am able to understand from the scriptures, it appears to me presently, that there is no magical sprinkling of fairy dust that removes the first command of the Lord to Adam, upon casting him out of the Garden, to eat his bread by the sweat of his brow all the days of his life. 

My present understanding is that this dying society we live in presently has rejected this commandment as a whole.

I believe for me, that if I am ever to consider that I might be able to be a part of a divine work at this moment in the history of the world, I must be willing to labor with my own hands according to my strengths and contribute to the daily toil that this life requires of all of us.

As far as I know, none of us… And certainly I cannot provide for everyone. But I can provide for my own family. And each of you should labor to do the same... ("Equality," Living Waters Ranch Retreat, Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., Challis, ID 5 September 2021, pg. 13)

I believe that I have a very important and divinely imposed burden for my family.

Verily thus says the Lord: In addition to the laws of the church, concerning women and children who belong to the church, who have lost their husbands or fathers, women have claim on their husbands until they are taken, and if they are not found transgressors, they remain upon their inheritances. All children have claim upon their parents until they are of age, and after that, they have claim upon the church, or in other words the Lord’s storehouse, for inheritances. (D&C 83, T&C 79)

I know this may seem a strange post but I do honestly believe that nothing recorded by Nephi in the Book of Mormon was done haphazardly or simply as a travel log.

I presently believe that what I got for myself from this part of the record right now might or very well could or should be something even more if I were to revisit this part of the record in the future.

I believe now that the Book of Mormon is more like a parable than a history.

I have come to see things contained in the record that I had not encountered upon first reading the Book of Mormon or even upon subsequent readings.

I have been working to cast off cultural, religious, and even familial traditions that have colored my view of the message of the Book of Mormon; hoping to read it as a completely new book.

I believe that if I will repent and if I will be diligent in crying to God, that my views will become increasingly more like the views of a child reading this record.  I believe this is necessary for the Lord to be able to open to me the ever layered teachings that exist in the Book of Mormon parable.

I would invite everyone to follow the same course of casting off all preconceived notions and all traditions that confine the message of the Book of Mormon and cry unto God and repent so that He will open up the message of His Book of Mormon to you personally.

Into the Wilderness

1 Nephi 16:11, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 4 

And it came to pass that we did gather together whatsoever things we should carry into the wilderness, and all the remainder of our provisions which the Lord had given unto us. And we did take seed of every kind that we might carry into the wilderness.

The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 5 par. 4

And it came to pass that we did gather together whatsoever things we should carry into the wilderness, and all the remainder of our provisions which yhwh had given unto us. And we did take seed of every kind that we might carry into the wilderness.

I believe that it is important a various times along the way to reiterate the purpose of this blog.

I have no intention of presenting thoughts and ideas that must be accepted as the truth and all or even any significant amount of what the Book of Mormon teaches.

What is presented here is a sample of some of my present understanding of the principles, teachings, tenets, etc. that are presented in the Book of Mormon.

At best my present understanding of anything at all in the Book of Mormon is woefully incomplete but more likely it is incorrect.

The sole purpose for this blog is to hopefully inspire folks to take a patient, considered, thoughtful, and prayerful look into the Book of Mormon for themselves.

For me personally, I have found that the Book of Mormon has no limit to the depths of understanding it can and will yield to anyone who will look at it with fresh eyes and careful and ponderous thought as though they were a child.

Nephi seems to be very deliberate with everything he inscribed on the plates.

Here we have him listing, very specifically, three groups of items that they gathered together for their trip into the wilderness.

1) Whatsoever things we should carry 

2) All the remainder of our provisions which the Lord had given unto us 

3) We did take seed of every kind 

Why be so deliberate and specific?

What would be instructive by including such a deliberately stated list of items taken for the journey?

What should come to my mind as I read "all the remainder of our provisions which the Lord had given unto us"?

Is Nephi simply recognizing that the Lord provided all the provisions they have?

This part of the record raises a question for me.

Is there a scriptural pattern of things the Lord does to lead a people away from a society doomed to destruction?

Does the Lord always lead a people away from an existing societal structure when He intends to do a work among men?

If there is a pattern would I benefit from recognizing it to be able to determine for myself if the Lord is undertaking a work among men?

At what point in societal cycles has the Lord worked a work among men by seeking to lead a people out?

Is it possible that leading a people out is in any way related to what God declares here in these following verses?

...O ye people of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you! And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel who have fallen! Yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem as ye that have fallen, yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not! O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart! ...(3 Nephi 10:3 - 7, NC 3 Nephi 4 par. 9)

And in this very hour, he began to weep over Jerusalem, saying, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone them who are sent unto you, how often would I have gathered your children together as a hen her brood under her wings, and you would not. Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. And truly I say unto you, you shall not know me until you have received from the hand of the Lord a just recompense for all your sins, until the time come when you shall say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. (Luke 13:34 - 35, NC Luke 9 par. 3)

And again, the Lord shall utter his voice out of Heaven saying, Hearken, O you nations of the earth, and hear the words of that God who made you: O you nations of the earth, how often would I have gathered you as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, but you would not? How oft have I called upon you by the mouth of my servants, and by the ministering of angels, and by my own voice, and by the voice of thunderings, and by the voice of lightnings, and by the voice of tempests, and by the voice of earthquakes and great hailstorms, and by the voice of famines and pestilences of every kind, and by the great sound of a trump, and by the voice of judgments, and by the voice of mercy all the day long, and by the voice of glory and honor and the riches of eternal life, and would have saved you with an everlasting salvation, but you would not? Behold, the day has come when the cup of the wrath of my indignation is full. (D&C 43:23 - 26, T&C 29 par.8)

Should it be important to us that we have recorded in every volume of scripture we presently possess that statement of the Lord about gathering people as a hen gathers her chicks under her wing?

The first time I can recollect in scripture that God led a people out from among an existing society was the record of Enoch.

What was happening in the world at the time that Enoch was called by God to preach repentance?

And it came to pass that Enoch journeyed in the land among the people. And as he journeyed, the spirit of God descended out of Heaven and abided upon him. And he heard a voice from Heaven saying, Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people and say unto them, Repent, for thus says the Lord: I am angry with this people and my fierce anger is kindled against them, for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off. And for these many generations, even since the day that I created them, have they gone astray, and have denied me, and have sought their own counsels in the dark. And in their own abominations have they devised murder and have not kept the commandment which I gave unto their father Adam. Wherefore, they have falsely sworn themselves, and by their oaths they have brought upon themselves death. And a hell I have prepared for them if they repent not. And this is a decree which I have sent forth in the beginning of the world, from my own mouth, from the foundation thereof. And by the mouths of my servants your fathers have I decreed it, even as it shall be sent forth in the world unto the end thereof. (Moses 6:26 - 30, OC Genesis 4 par. 1)

Aren't these very seriously ugly societal events occurring at the time of Enoch; seeking their own counsels in the dark, in their abominations devising murder, falsely swearing themselves, bringing death upon themselves by their oaths?

Who initiated these oaths that brought upon them death and who initiated the counsels in the dark?

Wasn't it Cain following Lucifer's direction?

What does the Book of Mormon have to say concerning these ancient oaths and dark counsels established by Cain?

Hugh Nibley in his lecture series on the Pearl of Great Price in 1986 had this to say about the above verse in the book of Moses.

All our scriptures here are apocalyptic.  That means that they are revealed, they are brought forth, by times of pressure and crisis.  And they always come on the eve of great destructions.  That's why they're given to us.

Read the first section of the Doctrine and Covenants, "Hearken ye people of the earth," and so forth.  "Therefore ye people fear and tremble."  That's the theme of the seventh verse of the first chapter; therefore fear and tremble oh ye people.

This is the message because these things always come when they're badly needed; when the world has been going the wrong way for a long time and it's time to set things right again.

And it's always accompanied by violent upheavals of nature and world upheavals; political, international, and everything else.

We're going to get a lot of that here. You see it in the days of Adam. We, now we see it in the days of Enoch. ("Enoch", Pearl of Great Price Lecture Series - 22, Hugh Nibley, minutes 2:25 - 3:10)

“Each of the great dispensations of the gospel has come in a time of world upheaval, when the waywardness of the human race has been matched by...climactic restlessness of the elements” (Hugh Nibley, Abraham in Egypt, p. 164).

As we look around presently, is there any parallel to what is occurring in our society today?

Do the secret oaths of death and the dark counsels abound around us?

Do we witness violent upheavals of nature and world upheavals both politically and internationally?

In his day what was Enoch called by God face to face to do?

Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people and say unto them, Repent, for thus says the Lord: I am angry with this people and my fierce anger is kindled against them, for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off.

If we were to peruse the scriptures and consider the events that were unfolding in the world in the brother of Jared's day at the tower of Babel would we find them to be similar?

Was what the brother of Jared received from God apocalyptic in nature for his time?

What about the events in the society of Jerusalem during Lehi's day?

What about the events occurring in the days of king Mosiah the first,

Behold, I, Abinadom, am the son of Chemish. Behold, it came to pass that I saw much war and contention between my people, the Nephites, and the Lamanites; and I, with mine own sword, have taken the lives of many of the Lamanites in the defense of my brethren. And behold, the record of this people is engraven upon plates which is had by the kings, according to the generations. And I know of no revelation, save that which has been written, neither prophecy. Wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end.  

Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla. For behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi — and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him into the wilderness — and it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord. And they were led by many preachings and prophesyings, and they were admonished continually by the word of God. And they were led by the power of his arm through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla. And they discovered a people who were called the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the people of Zarahemla, and also, Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly because the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the plates of brass, which contained the record of the Jews. (Omni 1:10 - 14, NC Omni 1 pars. 5 - 6)

Do we see in the brief mention of events in the book of Omni that just as Hugh Nibley stated things had been going in the wrong way among the Nephites for a long time?

And I know of no revelation, save that which has been written, neither prophecy. Wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end.

If the King of Heaven has ceased to speak to them is that not going in the wrong way?

Was it time to set things right in the days of king Mosiah the first?

Whenever we look at the history of the world can we see in scripture that when God goes to work to lead a people our from among a dying society that there is much commotion?

Is there any indication of such a commotion today?

When God begins a work among men to try to prepare a people to lead them out, as a scriptural pattern, who does He send to declare repentance?

What is the sign of their authority from God?

As we read concerning Enoch further on in the record we discover that he was a "nobody" so to speak in the eyes of the people.

And when Enoch had heard these words, he bowed himself to the earth before the Lord, and spoke before the Lord, saying, Why is it that I have found favor in your sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me, for I am slow of speech; why am I your servant? ... (Moses 6:31 - 34, OC Genesis 4 par. 2)

Wasn't the message that Enoch delivered the sign of his authority from God?

 And it came to pass that Enoch went forth in the land among the people, standing upon the hills and the high places, and cried with a loud voice testifying against their works. And all men were offended because of him. And they came forth to hear him upon the high places, saying unto the tent-keepers, Stay here and keep the tents while we go there to behold the seer, for he prophesies. And there is a strange thing in the land: a wild man has come among us. And it came to pass, when they heard him, no man laid their hands on him, for fear came on all them that heard him, for he walked with God. (Moses 6:37 - 39, OC Genesis 4 par. 4)

When he comes among the people his message is so powerful that the people quake at hearing it but they still did not know who he is nor where he came from.

And there came a man unto him, whose name was Mahijah, and said unto him, Tell us plainly who you are and from where you came. And he says unto them, I came out from the land of Cainan, the land of my fathers, a land of righteousness unto this day; and my father taught me in all the ways of God. And it came to pass, as I journeyed from the land of Cainan by the sea east, I beheld a vision, and lo, the Heavens I saw. And the Lord spoke with me and gave me commandment; wherefore, for this cause — to keep the commandment — I speak forth these words. And Enoch continued his speech, saying, The Lord who spoke with me, the same is the God of Heaven. And he is my God, and your God, and you are my brethren. And why do you counsel yourselves and deny the God of Heaven? The heavens has he made, the earth his footstool, and the foundation thereof is his. Behold, he laid it. And hosts of men has he brought in upon the face thereof, and death has come upon our fathers; nevertheless, we know them and cannot deny. And even the first of all we know, even Adam, for a book of remembrance we have written among us according to the pattern given by the finger of God, and it is given in our own language. (Moses 6:40 - 46, OC Genesis 4 par. 5)

So if we are to consider Enoch as a pattern, can we discover that God uses outsiders, almost all of the time despised by the priests and ruling classes, as His prophets to call people to repentance and to lead a repentant people out from dying societies if they will?

If we look at Lehi does he fit this pattern?

Was Lehi of the priestly or ruling class in Jerusalem?

What about Jeremiah his contemporary?

What about Abinadi among the people of king Noah?

How about Elijah?

Was the Lord considered an outsider among the priestly and ruling class at Jerusalem?

When Ether came prophesying among the Jaredites was he part of the priestly or ruling class?

What about the prophet Joseph?

Was Joseph accepted by the religionists and leaders of his day?

With all of the above examples, wasn't it the message they were commanded to declare, wasn't that the sign of their authority from God?

Why would God follow such a pattern?

Last general conference [April 5, 2014] the entire First Presidency, the Twelve, the Seventy, and all other general authorities and auxiliaries voted to sustain those who abused their authority in casting me out of the Church. At that moment, the Lord ended all claims of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to claim it is led by the priesthood. They have not practiced what he requires. The Lord has brought about His purposes. This has been in His heart all along. He has chosen to use small means to accomplish it, but he always uses the smallest of means to fulfill His purposes. (T&C 166:3)

If God intends to do His work through the smallest of means then that would mean that He would use the weak and the despised among men for they are the smallest of means aren't they?

Lying spirits appeal to your pride and vanity. God will chasten you and require you to be meek and serve both Him and your fellow man. Lying spirits will tell you that you are some great and mighty person. God will remind you that only He is strong, but He uses the weak things of this world to accomplish His work. Therefore, no one can take credit but Him for whatever is accomplished.

Proud, foolish and vain people have never built Zion. Only the penitent, the meek, and the humble can qualify to be around as God does His work. ("Today and Yesterday," Denver Snuffer, Denversnuffer.com, July 21 2014)

Don't the weak and despised of men have a more accurate view of their situation before God than the noble, proud, titled, and educated?

Don't the weak and despised of men trust in the Lord and do His will without improvising unlike the noble, proud, titled, and educated?

As I look around me today, in this time of commotion, is it possible that I might find that God is sending forth truth from an unlikely source, someone weak and despised by the noble, educated, titled, and proud, in an effort to prepare a people to lead them out from a dying society?

How likely was it that a 14 year old farm boy saw God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ?

Did that defy tradition and culture?

What would the apocalyptic, as Hugh Nibley put it, message from God consist of?

What was the message Enoch was sent to declare?

I beheld a vision, and lo, the Heavens I saw. And the Lord spoke with me and gave me commandment; wherefore, for this cause — to keep the commandment — I speak forth these words. And Enoch continued his speech, saying, The Lord who spoke with me, the same is the God of Heaven. And he is my God, and your God, and you are my brethren. And why do you counsel yourselves and deny the God of Heaven? The heavens has he made, the earth his footstool, and the foundation thereof is his. Behold, he laid it. And hosts of men has he brought in upon the face thereof, and death has come upon our fathers; nevertheless, we know them and cannot deny.

Wasn't Enoch's message defiant of the then settled culture and religion of that day?

What was Lehi's message to those at Jerusalem?

Shouldn't we expect that the message God sends through these small means will be uncomfortable even unnerving for us compared to our traditional beliefs and ideas?

Isn't the message always a message of repentance?

If God is setting things right again because things have been going the wrong way for a long time then doesn't that require a message of repentance?

How is such a message viewed by a majority of the human family?

What is the scriptural pattern here?

Should it surprise us if a message from God, sent through an unlikely source, is not well received?

What did the Prophet Joseph declare concerning the small means (true prophets) who were sent to declare a message from God?

The world always mistook false prophets for true ones, and those that were sent of God, they considered to be false prophets and hence they killed, stoned, punished and imprisoned the true prophets, and these had to hide themselves “in deserts and dens, and caves of the earth,” and though the most honorable men of the earth, they banished them from their society as vagabonds, whilst they cherished, honored and supported knaves, vagabonds, hypocrites, impostors, and the basest of men. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 206)

If a people, no matter how small the group, does respond to God's call to repent and is willing to be gathered even a chicks are gathered under the wings of a hen, what is the pattern God uses to lead them out?

Let's start back with Enoch.

And it came to pass that Enoch continued to call upon all the people, save it were the people of Canaan, to repent. And so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them, and he spoke the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled — even according to his command — and the rivers of water were turned out of their course, and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness. And all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him. There also came up a land out of the depths of the sea, and so great was the fear of the enemies of the people of God that they fled, and stood afar off, and went upon the land which came up out of the depths of the sea. And the giants of the land also stood afar off. And there went forth a curse upon all the people who fought against God.

And from that time forth there were wars and bloodsheds among them, but the Lord came and dwelled with his people and they dwelled in righteousness. The fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord which was upon his people. And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains and upon the high places, and did flourish. And the Lord called his people Zion because they were of one heart, and of one mind, and dwelled in righteousness, and there was no poor among them. And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days that he built a city that was called the city of holiness, even Zion. (Moses 7:12 - 19, OC Genesis 4 pars. 13 - 14)

The Lord by His power led Enoch and the people of God out and protected them. The power of the Lord was among them and they built a city of holiness that the wicked would not come unto.

When the Lord led the children of Israel out of Egypt in an attempt to gather them as chicks did He lead them out of Egypt by His power?

When the Lord led Lehi and his companions out of Jerusalem did He lead them by His power?

When the Lord led Mosiah the first and all who would believe the words the Lord had commanded him to speak out from among the Nephites did the Lord lead them by His power?

And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord. And they were led by many preachings and prophesyings, and they were admonished continually by the word of God. And they were led by the power of his arm through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla.

Did the Lord lead the more righteous among the Nephites out from the wicked by His power at the time of His crucifixion?

And now it came to pass that after the people had heard these words, behold, they began to weep and howl again because of the loss of their kindred and friends. And it came to pass that thus did the three days pass away. And it was in the morning and the darkness dispersed from off the face of the land, and the earth did cease to tremble, and the rocks did cease to rend, and the dreadful groanings did cease, and all the tumultuous noises did pass away, and the earth did cleave together again that it stood, and the mourning and the weeping and the wailing of the people who were spared alive did cease. And their mourning was turned into joy, and their lamentations into the praise and the thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer. And thus far were the scriptures fulfilled which had been spoken by the prophets. And it was the more righteous part of the people who were saved, and it was they who received the prophets and stoned them not, and it was they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who were spared. And they were spared, and were not sunk and buried up in the earth, and they were not drowned in the depths of the sea, and they were not burned by fire, neither were they fallen upon and crushed to death; and they were not carried away in the whirlwind, neither were they overpowered by the vapor of smoke and of darkness. (3 Nephi 10:8 - 13, NC 3 Nephi 4 par. 10)

What did the Lord declare to the Prophet Joseph that must occur for a people to be led out in our day?

Behold, I say unto you that the redemption of Zion must needs come by power, therefore I will raise up unto my people a man who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel, for you are the children of Israel and of the seed of Abraham, and you must needs be led out of bondage by power and with a stretched out arm. And as your fathers were led at the first, even so shall the redemption of Zion be. Therefore, let not your hearts faint, for I say not unto you as I said unto your fathers, my Angel shall go up before you, but not my presence. But I say unto you, my Angel shall go up before you, and also my presence, and in time you shall possess the goodly land. (D&C 103:15 - 20, T&C 104 par. 4)

Has this event occurred?

Do we have a record in our day of the presence of the Lord going up before a people to lead them out to Zion, a city of holiness?

My understanding of scripture is that God works in patterns.

By seeing the scriptural patterns we may be better prepared to recognize what God is doing in our present day.

My present understanding is that in the days of Joseph a light broke forth among them that sit in darkness, and it was the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but they received it not, for they perceived not the light and they turned their hearts from Christ because of the precepts of men. 

The Lord sought in the days of Joseph to gather a people even as a hen gathereth her chicks but they would not be gathered and Joseph was murdered by the conspiracy of those who were part of the church he had begun.

As Hugh Nibley put it, apocalyptic messages come from God after things have gone the wrong way for a long time and just before a period of great destructions.

On September 10th 2013, 169 years following the death of the Prophet Joseph, the Lord began again an apocalyptic message calling people to repentance after 169 years of the ever increasing loss of light following the death of the Prophet Joseph.

The Lord used the smallest means, a weak individual hated and despised by those in power and authority, to deliver this message of repentance.

The Lord instructed this weak and despised individual face to face and gave him the errand of declaring His message.

The message that has been and continues to be delivered by this individual is the sign of his authority from God.

The earth and the political and international events of  the world are all in commotion and upheaval.

All of these elements from the scriptural pattern are present right now today.

All that remains is for a people to respond to the message God is sending by turning to face Him so that they may be led by God's power and His stretched out arm as a hen gathereth her chicks under her wings out from among a dying society.

I am a witness that these things are occurring right before our eyes.  I have been a willing participant in this Restoration movement and as I have stated before my soul has been enlarged and it has become delicious to me.  It has passed Alma's test for planting the seed.

I invite everyone to come in and be part of God's great work among the human family in our day.

The pattern will be completed.  A group of people will be led out by power.  Jeremiah saw that event.

...Therefore, behold, the days come, says the Lord, that they shall no more say, The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt — but, The Lord lives who brought up and who led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries to which I had driven them. And they shall dwell in their own land. (Jeremiah 23:5 - 8, OC Jeremiah 8 par. 17)

Part of God's power has already been manifest in the light He is sending down presently and by way of a covenant He has condescended to provide for anyone who will willingly accept it.

There are two places anyone may go and find this message.

www.thetentalks.com

www.learnofchrist.org

Upon review of this message, if anyone desires to act according to the message they may go to www.bornofwater.org and request baptism as a sign between them and God alone that they accept His apocalyptic message for our day, desire to receive the holy ghost which the Father pours out upon all who follow the example of His Son Jesus Christ by being baptized, and desire to be gathered and led out from a dying society.

 

It is readily apparent that great destructions are upon us now and men's hearts have grown cold heeding lies and deceits instead of truth and growing ever increasingly angry with one another without cause.

God has begun to save what He began with Joseph that will culminate in a righteous people being led out from among the wicked to a place of holiness even as Enoch and his people.

I testify, as a living participant, that this is currently underway.

A Round Ball of Curious Workmanship

1 Nephi 16:9 - 10, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 3

 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord spake unto my father by night and commanded him that on the morrow he should take his journey into the wilderness. And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning and went forth to the tent door, and to his great astonishment, he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship, and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles, and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.

The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 5 par. 3

And it came to pass that the voice of yhwh spoke unto my father by night and commanded him that the next day he should take his journey into the wilderness. And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning and went forth to the tent door, and to his great astonishment, he beheld upon the ground a round ball of elegant workmanship, and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles, and the one pointed the way where we should go into the wilderness.

We do not know how long Lehi, Ishmael, and their families sojourned in the valley of Laman by the river Lemuel.  I am inclined to believe that it was possibly a matter of a few years at least.

One indication to me that bears this up is their efforts to gather seeds of every kind.

And it came to pass that we had gathered together all manner of seeds of every kind, both of grain of every kind and also of the seeds of fruits of every kind. (1 Nephi 8:1, NC 1 Nephi 2 par. 6)

It would seem to me that it would take some years of time to be able to accomplish this task.

Again we have evidence again here that Lehi and his company continue to be connected to the kingdom of God because God the King continues to speak to them and give them commandments specific to their circumstances.

One thing that is very interesting to me is the specific mention by Nephi that the Lord spake unto Lehi by night and commanded him to begin the journey into the wilderness.

Why not state "the Lord spake unto my father and commanded him that he should take his journey into the wilderness"?

Wouldn't it be easier to inscribe that and wouldn't we still understand that the Lord commanded Lehi to begin the journey into the wilderness and Lehi was obedient?

Is this instance consistent with a gift that Lehi possesses?

And now I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things which my father had written, for he hath written many things which he saw in visions and in dreams. And he also hath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto his children, of which I shall not make a full account. But I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days. Behold, I make an abridgment of the record of my father upon plates which I have made with mine own hands. Wherefore, after that I have abridged the record of my father, then will I make an account of mine own life. (1 Nephi 1:16 - 17, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 4)

For behold, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father, yea, even in a dream, and said unto him, Blessed art thou Lehi because of the things which thou hast done. And because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to take away thy life. And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness. And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord; wherefore, he did as the Lord commanded him. (1 Nephi 2:1 - 3, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 6)

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, returned from speaking with the Lord, to the tent of my father. And it came to pass that he spake unto me, saying, Behold, I have dreamed a dream in the which the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brethren shall return to Jerusalem... (1 Nephi 3:1 - 8, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 10)

And it came to pass that while my father tarried in the wilderness, he spake unto us, saying, Behold, I have dreamed a dream, or in other words, I have seen a vision. And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi and also of Sam; for I have reason to suppose that they and also many of their seed will be saved. But behold, Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly because of you. For behold, methought I saw in my dream a dark and dreary wilderness. And it came to pass that I saw a man and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me. And it came to pass that he spake unto me and bade me follow him. And it came to pass that as I followed him, I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste. And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me according to the multitude of his tender mercies. (1 Nephi 8:2 - 8, NC 1 Nephi 2 par. 7)

Are dreams considered fragile things in this world?

Do individuals discount dreams?

Is there a lot of analysis of dreams that is made to try to interpret the psyche of an individual?

How difficult would it be to trust the word of someone's dream?

Would I be trusting of the contents of the dreams of my own father?

Is this possibly a challenge of faith the Lord is putting forth for the rest of Lehi's party?

How would I respond?

Is Lehi's gift consistent with scriptural instruction?

 And the Lord heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men who were upon the face of the earth. And the Lord spoke suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out you three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all my house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in dark speeches. And the similitude of the Lord shall he behold. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? (Numbers 12:2 - 8, OC Numbers 7 par. 22)

We know from the Book of Mormon record that Lehi was a descendant of Joseph who was sold into Egypt.

Did Joseph who was sold into Egypt possess this gift of inspired dreams?

And Joseph dreamed a dream and he told it to his brethren, and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed; for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright. And behold, your sheaves stood round about and bowed down to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams and for his words. And he dreamed yet another dream and told it to his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more. And behold, the sun, and the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me. And he told it to his father and to his brethren. And his father rebuked him and said unto him, What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to you to the earth? And his brethren envied him, but his father observed the saying. And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem. (Genesis 37:5 - 12, OC Genesis 11 par. 2)

As much evidence as there is scripturally for the gift of dreams, including right here in the Book of Mormon, I still have to ask myself do I really believe in the gift of inspired dreams?

How would I have responded here if I had been part of Lehi's company?

How would I have responded even at the first with the dream to leave Jerusalem?

How would I have responded to a dream that showed my unwillingness to approach God?

Is it possible that the appearance of the Liahona at this point has the added purpose of persuading the group that the direction given to Lehi by night, to depart into the wilderness, really is from God?

Right here at the first mention of the brass ball of curious workmanship we are told that there were two spindles in the ball but we are told only concerning one of them at this point.

 And within the ball were two spindles, and the one pointed the way where we should go into the wilderness.

As far as the recording of events goes we see not too much further in the record that there was more to the Liahona than just giving  directions for travel.

During a period of repentance, following murmuring, the Lord gave Lehi the following direction.

And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him, Look upon the ball and behold the things which are written. And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brethren, and the sons of Ishmael, and our wives. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith, and diligence, and heed, which we did give unto them. And there was also written upon them a new writing which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things... (1 Nephi 16:26 - 32, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 8)

Do I understand this correctly?

Was there writing on the ball and also writing upon the two spindles, which writing on the spindles changed from time to time?

What was written on the ball that caused Lehi and the others to fear and to tremble exceedingly?

What was the new plain to read writing that was upon the spindles that gave understanding of the ways of the Lord to them?

Were any of these writings recorded?

What are the ways of the Lord?

Were the things written specific to the ways of the Lord concerning their journey or were they things that were even more inclusive that would benefit all men?

If there is more to the record than we have right at this moment is there a way for me to access this information?

Would it be beneficial for me to consider and pursue a greater understanding of these things?

Is the information recorded in this part of the record in any way related to the following declaration of Mormon?

And now there cannot be written in this book even an hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people. But behold, the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people. And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people, and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people from the gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken. And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first to try their faith, and if it should so be that they shall believe these things, then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them unto their condemnation. Behold, I were about to write them all, which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbid it, saying, I will try the faith of my people. Therefore I, Mormon, do write the things which have been commanded me of the Lord. And now I, Mormon, make an end of my sayings and proceed to write the things which have been commanded me. Therefore, I would that ye should behold that the Lord truly did teach the people for the space of three days, and after that, he did shew himself unto them oft, and did break bread oft, and bless it, and give it unto them. (3 Nephi 26:6 - 13, NC 3 Nephi 12 par. 1)

How would I go about demonstrating that I believe these things that are given so that the greater things might be made manifest to me?

Is there anywhere I can go to get understanding of where the Lord might want me to begin to demonstrate my belief in what Nephi recorded here?

My present belief is that Lehi might have been sent to minister to Alma.

Why do I believe this?

Alma spoke of seeing the Father even as Lehi had seen the Father, he spoke extensively of the tree of life and how to come and pluck of the fruit of that tree, and Alma also spoke extensively concerning the Liahona.

How might Alma have gained such insight into all those things?

...“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he being dead, yet speaketh.” (Hebrews 11:4.) How doth he yet speak? Why he magnified the Priesthood which was conferred upon him, and died a righteous man, and therefore has become an angel of God by receiving his body from the dead, holding still the keys of his dispensation; and was sent down from heaven unto Paul to minister consoling words, and to commit unto him a knowledge of the mysteries of godliness. 

And if this was not the case, I would ask, how did Paul know so much about Abel, and why should he talk about his speaking after he was dead? Hence, that he spoke after he was dead must be by being sent down out of heaven to administer. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pgs. 169)

Would it be beneficial to look at Alma's words concerning the Liahona, as he was giving his son Helaman charge concerning it, in order to come to an even better understanding of the Liahona and what might have been inscribed on the ball and also on each of the two spindles?

And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball or director, or our fathers called it Liahona, which is (being interpreted) a compass; and the Lord prepared it. And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to shew unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness; and it did work for them according to their faith in God. Therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done. Therefore, they had this miracle, and also many other miracles, wrought by the power of God, day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means, it did shew unto them marvelous works. They were slothful and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence, and then those marvelous works ceased and they did not progress in their journey. Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst because of their transgression.

And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow. For as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal), they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.

O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way, for so was it with our fathers. For so was it prepared for them, that if they would look, they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look, we may live for ever. And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell. (Alma 37:38 - 47, NC Alma 17 pars. 15 - 17)

If I understand correctly, Alma instructed Helaman that the account of the Liahona was most beneficial for use by those after Lehi's journey as a type and a shadow of each person's ability, through faith and diligence, to heed the word of Christ in order to be led on a straight course beyond our present vale of sorrow into eternal bliss.

What does Alma mean by heeding the words of Christ?

What constitutes the words of Christ?

What does Nephi declare on the subject?

Following Nephi's exhortation to all to enter into the waters of baptism in order to follow the example of the Son of God in order to receive the holy ghost from the Father he poses the following questions.

 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. (2 Nephi 32:1 - 6, NC 2 Nephi 14 par. 1)

As I presently understand What Nephi declares here, the words of Christ constitute that which is spoken by the power of the holy ghost.  

The words of the angels sent to be messengers from the Father (the ones Adam and Eve sought for in the beginning and the ones Mormon declares we must receive or else we have no faith) are spoken by the power of the holy ghost and are therefore part of the word of Christ which will guide us if heeded in faith and with all diligence beyond our vale of sorrow to eternal bliss.

Nephi declares that these words of Christ will show us (me) all things that we (I) should do. 

Does this miraculous guidance come about by small and simple means?

Is it possible for me to be slothful and neglect my duty to, with faith, diligently heed these words of Christ?

Do I need to ask myself daily if I am neglecting the words of Christ for me?

Is it possible that the words of Christ for me might be as simple and small a thing as "Go help your neighbor?"

Is it possible that the words of Christ for me might also be as simple and small a thing as "Go apologize to your child or to your wife?"

Is it possible that the words of Christ to me have much to do with my relationships with other folks?

Wouldn't such small and simple directions, if heeded diligently by me, achieve marvelous and miraculous works and have the effect of leading me in a straight course beyond this vale of sorrow?

Hugh Nibley pointed out some things Alma declared concerning the Liahona.

1) The Liahona was a gift of God, the manner of its delivery causing great astonishment.

2) It was neither mechanical nor self-operating, but worked solely by the power of God.

3) It functioned only in response to the faith, diligence, and heed of those who followed it.

4) And yet there was something ordinary and familiar about it. The thing itself was the "small means” through which God worked; it was not a mysterious or untouchable object but strictly a “temporal thing.” It was so ordinary that the constant tendency of Lehi’s people was to take it for granted—in fact, they spent most of their time ignoring it: hence, according to Alma, their needless, years-long wanderings in the desert.

5) The working parts of the device were two spindles or pointers.

6) On these a special writing would appear from time to time, clarifying and amplifying the message of the pointers.

7) The specific purpose of the traversing indicators was “to point the way they should go.”

8) The two pointers were mounted in a brass sphere whose marvelous workmanship excited great wonder and admiration. Special instructions sometimes appeared on this ball.

9) The device was referred to descriptively as a ball, functionally as a director, and in both senses as a “compass,” or Liahona.

10) On occasion, it saved Lehi’s people from perishing by land and sea—“. . . if they would look they might live.” (Alma 37:46.)

11) It was preserved “for a wise purpose” (Alma 37:2, 14, 18) long after it had ceased to function, having been prepared specifically to guide Lehi’s party to the promised land. (Idem, vv. 39 f.) It was a “type and shadow” of man’s relationship to God during his earthly journey.

We should not pass by Alma’s description without noting a most remarkable peculiarity of verses 40 and 41. (chap. 37.) Let us read these verses without punctuation, as the ancients did:

“. . . therefore they had this miracle and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God day by day nevertheless because those miracles were worked by small means nevertheless it did shew unto them marvellous works they were slothful and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvellous works ceased.”

The meaning is perfectly clear: though Lehi’s people enjoyed daily demonstrations of God’s power, the device by which that power operated seems so ordinary (Alma includes it among “small and simple things . . . very small means . . w. 6-7) that in spite of the “marvellous works” it showed them they tended to neglect it. We could punctuate the passage accordingly:

“Therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles, wrought by the power of God day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means (albeit it did show unto them marvellous works), they were slothful and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence. . . .” ("The Liahona's Cousins," Hugh Nibley, The Improvement Era, Vol. 64, No. 2 (February 1961), pp. 87 - 89, 104 - 111)

Wouldn't the words of Christ to me, if heeded, demonstrate God's power to me and work many miracles by the power of God day by day in my life?

Do the words of Christ seem so ordinary to me that I neglect them?

What curious workmanship is used to construct those words of Christ for me?  

They are not magic words but they work in my life, by the power of God, to lead me so that if I look on them I may live.

Blessed of the Lord Exceedingly

 1 Nephi 16:7 - 8, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 2

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, took one of the daughters of Ishmael to wife, and also my brethren took of the daughters of Ishmael to wife, and also Zoram took the eldest daughter of Ishmael to wife. And thus my father had fulfilled all the commandments of the Lord which had been given unto him. And also I, Nephi, had been blessed of the Lord exceedingly.

The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim, 1 Nefi 5 par. 2

And it came to pass that I, Nefi, took one of the daughters of Yishma’el to wife, and also my brothers took of the daughters of Yishma’el to wife, and also Tzuram took the eldest daughter of Yishma’el to wife. And thus my father had fulfilled all the mitzvot of yhwh which had been given unto him. And also I, Nefi, had been blessed of yhwh exceedingly.

This is the second time that Nephi mentions specifically that his father, Lehi, "had fulfilled all the commandments of the Lord which had been given unto him."

The first time Nephi declared this was here.

And it came to pass that thus far I and my father had kept the commandments wherewith the Lord had commanded us. And we had obtained the record which the Lord had commanded us and searched them and found that they were desirable, yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children. Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us as we journeyed in the wilderness toward the land of promise. (1 Nephi 5:20 - 22, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 23)

These statements come after specific events that pertain to their unique situation in life.

The first commandment, we know from the record, was necessary in order for Lehi's children and further descendants to be able to know the words and mysteries of God.

And now there was no more contention in all the land of Zarahemla, among all the people who belonged to king Benjamin, so that king Benjamin had continual peace all the remainder of his days. And it came to pass that he had three sons, and he called their names Mosiah, and Helorum, and Helaman. And he caused that they should be taught in all the language of his fathers, that thereby they might become men of understanding, and that they might know concerning the prophecies which had been spoken by the mouths of their fathers, which were delivered them by the hand of the Lord. And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, saying, My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God. For it were not possible that our father Lehi could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates. For he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians, therefore he could read these engravings and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God even down to this present time. I say unto you my sons, were it not for these things which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief. And we should have been like unto our brethren the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers which are not correct. O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now; and they are true. And we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes. And now my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby. And I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers. And many more things did king Benjamin teach his sons, which are not written in this book. (Mosiah 1:1 - 8, NC Mosiah 1 par. 1)

Now we see that following the marriage of Lehi's children and Zoram to Ishmael's children another commandment has been kept that is unique to their life circumstances.

And now I would that ye might know that after my father Lehi had made an end of prophesying concerning his seed, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto him again, that it was not meet for him, Lehi, that he should take his family into the wilderness alone, but that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise. And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi, and my brethren should again return into the land of Jerusalem and bring down Ishmael and his family into the wilderness. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did again with my brethren go forth into the wilderness to go up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass that we went up unto the house of Ishmael, and we did gain favor in the sight of Ishmael, insomuch that we did speak unto him the words of the Lord. And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael and also his whole household, insomuch that they took their journey with us down into the wilderness to the tent of our father. (1 Nephi 7:1 - 5, NC 1 Nephi 2 par.2)

As an aside, it is interesting to me that many have used the words of Jacob to the Nephites that he, Jacob, declared from the Lord to permit polygamous relationships at certain points and times.

For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people. Otherwise, they shall hearken unto these things: for behold, I, the Lord, have seen the sorrow and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of Jerusalem, yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands. And I will not suffer, saith the Lord of Hosts, that the cries of the fair daughters of this people, which I have led out of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men of my people, saith the Lord of Hosts. For they shall not lead away captive the daughters of my people because of their tenderness, save I shall visit them with a sore curse, even unto destruction. For they shall not commit whoredoms like unto them of old, saith the Lord of Hosts. (Jacob 2:30 - 33, NC Jacob 1 par. 8)

Isn't it interesting that as the Lord is commanding Lehi to persuade Ishmael and his family to come on board so that Lehi and Ishmael's families may "raise up seed unto the Lord", there is absolutely no mention of polygamy?

They are about to begin an entirely new nation in a land far away where they will be alone and even with this reality there is no command from the Lord for Lehi to provide multiple wives for Nephi and his brothers in order to populate this new nation.

Is this something that ought to be considered?

Is it possible that Jacob was pointing out that the Lord has never commanded anyone to have multiple wives in order to raise up seed unto Him; or in other words "If this is what the Lord wanted He would command it" with the obvious conclusion from scripture being that the Lord had never in the history of the world commanded anyone to practice polygamy?

Do we wrest the scriptures to our own condemnation?

Should we repent of wresting the Lord's words through Jacob?

If we are wresting Jacob's words then isn't the act of polygamy adultery no matter the situation?

If polygamy is adultery in the eyes of God then isn't it committing adultery in our hearts to consider that one day we will live polygamously?

Back to the post.

If I look at this pattern in the Book of Mormon can I come to understand how God will work with me?

Should I look at the record of the Book of Mormon as a record of "how great things the Lord has done"?

Is God willing to give me commandments that pertain to my own unique life situation?

How would I receive such commandments?

Is it possible that one of the reasons Nephi spoke to his brothers about inquiring of the Lord and not hardening their hearts is because he understands that it is only through an association with the Lord that his brothers can receive commandments that are unique to their life situations?

Is it possible that this idea of commandments unique to each persons unique life situations is related to what the Lord declared here through the Prophet Joseph concerning those who will eventually dwell in Zion?

Behold, blessed, says the Lord, are they who have come up unto this land with an eye single to my glory, according to my commandments, for they that live shall inherit the earth, and they that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them. And they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them. Yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my gospel, for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth, and it shall bring forth in her strength. And they also shall be crowned with blessings from above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time, they that are faithful and diligent before me. (D&C 59:1 - 4, T&C 46 par. 1)

Could it be said of any individual who is blessed with commandments not a few that pertain to their unique life circumstances that they are blessed to be a part of the kingdom of God because God, the King, is actively speaking to them and commanding them?

If the heavens are brass to me personally is that an indication that I find myself presently outside the kingdom of God because He, the King, is not communicating with me?

Is this pattern pointed out by Nephi further demonstrated in the life of Abraham?

In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my father, I, Abraham, saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence. And finding there was greater happiness, and peace, and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the Fathers and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same. Having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a Father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a high priest, holding the right belonging to the Fathers. It was conferred upon me from the Fathers: it came down from the Fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning (or before the foundations of the earth) to the present time, even the right of the firstborn (or the first man — who is Adam — or first Father) through the Fathers unto me. I sought for my appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the Fathers concerning the seed. (Abraham 1:1 - 4, T&C 145, Abraham 1 par. 1)

Was Abraham blessed with commandments not a few from God throughout his life that were specific to Abraham's unique life circumstances?

Abraham was not content with knowledge. He wanted to obtain greater knowledge. The
purpose of pursuing knowledge was to receive and obey commandments. Greater knowledge
facilitates greater obedience. Knowledge is not the goal, it is the desirable effect that knowledge has
on the heart and mind of a righteous soul. ("The Religion of the Fathers," Denver Snuffer, March 2021, pg. 36)

Do we have further assurance of this pattern Nephi is pointing out; that of keeping the commandments of God given for our unique circumstances?

From these few scriptures, we learn Enoch, Moses, the Brother of Jared, and Abraham learned
or experienced:

-knowledge about the spirits God created
-things not visible to the eye of mankind
-all the doings of mankind
-beholding eternity
-the creation of this world and the end thereof
-all the inhabitants of the world, past, present and future
-all things.

Others had many “mysteries” revealed to them. Remember that, “Knowledge of the mysteries of godliness is obtained only through obedience to God.” That is why Abraham’s desire to get additional knowledge was so he could receive instructions and keep God’s commandments.  Obedience earns more knowledge, and more knowledge requires greater obedience. They move together in one eternal round.

In one sense, the religion of the fathers is based on a direct connection to God. Reduced to one thought, it is that as long as God is speaking directly to a body of people, giving them commandments, they have the most essential element of the religion of the fathers. If they remain true to that connection all things can be restored to them. 

The last days people of Zion will have more revelation, and consequently more commandments than others. Disobedient souls, who refuse to obey God’s commandments, have no interest in Zion.  Likewise, they have no opportunity for seeing Zion, because it is only possible through receiving commandments and obeying them. This has been explained in modern scripture:

Yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my
gospel, for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth, and it shall
bring forth in her strength. And they also shall be crowned with blessings from
above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time,
they that are faithful and diligent before me.

This is a critical part of Christ’s gospel. Any body of saints in any age of the world must obtain
the Lord’s commandments addressed to them to be saved. Commandments given to others belong to them, and only commandments God gives to us belong to us. Joseph Smith explained this matter,
after referring to the New Testament:

And though we cannot claim these promises which were made to the ancients for they are not our property, merely because they were made to the ancient Saints, yet if we are the children of the Most High, and are called with the same calling with which they were called, and embrace the same covenant that they embraced, and are faithful to the testimony of our Lord as they were, we can approach the Father, in the name of Christ as they approached Him, and for ourselves obtain the same promises. These promises, when obtained, if ever by us, will not be because Peter, John, and the other Apostles … walked in the fear of God and had power and faith to prevail and obtain them; but it will be because we, ourselves, have faith and approach God in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, even as they did; and when these promises are obtained, they will be promises directly to us, or they will do us no good. They will be communicated for our benefit, being our own property (through the gift of God), earned by our own diligence in keeping His commandments, and walking uprightly before Him.  

This is affirmed in our scriptures:

I admit that by reading the scriptures, of truth, the saints in the days of Paul could learn, beyond the power of contradiction, that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had the promise of eternal life confirmed to them by an oath of the Lord; but that promise or oath was no assurance to them of their salvation, but they could, by walking in the footsteps and continuing in the faith of their fathers, obtain for themselves an oath for confirmation that they were meet to be partakers of the inheritance with the saints in light.
If the saints in the days of the apostles were privileged to take the ancients for examples, and lay hold of the same promises, and attain to the same exalted privilege of knowing that their names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and that they were sealed there as a perpetual memorial before the face of the Most High, will not the same faithfulness, the same purity of heart and the same faith bring the same assurance of eternal life, and that in the same manner, to the children of men now in this age of the world?

I have no doubt but that the holy prophets and apostles and saints in ancient days were saved in the kingdom of God; neither do I doubt but that they held converse and communion with him while they were in the flesh, as Paul said to his Corinthian brethren that the Lord Jesus showed himself to above five hundred saints at one time after his resurrection. Job said that he knew that his Redeemer lived and that he should see him in the flesh in the latter days. I may believe that Enoch walked with God and by faith was translated. I may believe that Noah was a perfect man in his generation and also walked with God. I may believe that Abraham communed with God and conversed with angels. I may believe that Isaac obtained a renewal of the covenant made to Abraham by the direct voice of the Lord. I may believe that Jacob conversed with holy angels, and heard the voice of his Maker, that he wrestled with
the angel until he prevailed and obtained the blessing. I may believe that Elijah was taken to Heaven in a chariot of fire with fiery horses. I may believe that the saints saw the Lord and conversed with him face to face after his resurrection. I may believe that the Hebrew church came to Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels. I may
believe that they looked into eternity and saw the Judge of all, and Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant. But will all this purchase an assurance for me, and waft me to the regions of eternal day, and seat me down in the presence of the King of kings with my garments spotless, pure, and white?
Or must I not rather obtain for myself, by my own faith and diligence in keeping the commandments of the Lord, an assurance of salvation for myself? And have I not an equal privilege with the ancient saints? And will not the Lord hear my prayers and listen to my cries as soon as he ever did to theirs, if I come to him in the manner they did?  ("The Religion of the Fathers," Denver Snuffer, March 2021, pgs. 41 - 43)

Is Nephi pointing out, for our benefit, that this is the pattern that must be followed for anyone to receive what God is willing to give freely to all who will approach Him?

Should I expect that if I approach God this is the pattern I must follow to arrive?

What if in my unique life circumstances my circle of influence is only family and a few friends and neighbors; can those limited life circumstances afford me the necessary opportunities to be blessed with commandments not a few and be obedient to those commandments just like Nephi?

How big was Nephi's circle of influence during his life?

Who did Nephi associate with while he was blessed with and obeyed commandments not a few?

What did Nephi mean when he declared here that he had been blessed of the Lord exceedingly?

Is this statement related to what we have been discussing above in this post?

Was Nephi referring to being crowned with blessings from above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time?

Did Nephi's assertion that he had been exceedingly blessed of the Lord mean that his life was conflict free, trouble free, etc.?

Did Nephi recognize the the Lord had exceedingly blessed him in spite of the physical problems he faced in life?

Wisdom literature is about mature faith, where disappointments and difficulties are accepted and anger against God for life's setbacks is exposed as foolishness. Wisdom literature teaches about enduring, patient, determined, and resilient faith. Job's friends mistook his suffering with divine disfavor. One of the major themes is faithfulness through adversity and trials.

The first verse of the Book of Mormon echoes with Wisdom. It contains a profound lesson learned over a lifetime. Nephi explained: Having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days (1 Nephi 1:1 RE). He saw many afflictions. He was highly favored of the Lord in all his days, including those in which the affliction was visited on him.
How can one suffer many afflictions and be highly favored of the Lord? Wisdom literature would suggest that perhaps they are related to one another. Do those who are highly favored need to encounter afflictions to understand God's grace and favor toward them? That is a Wisdom theme.

When we say life should be easier, we are foolish. We're not wise. 

In his final blessing to his son Helaman, Alma says something similar: I...know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions (Alma 17:1 RE). Trusting God does not remove life's trials. Trusting God will not keep afflictions from you. Trusting God will not prevent troubles in your life. 

The Book of Mormon explains a mature form of faith in God: resilient in the face of difficulty, enduring in the day of trouble, comforting in the moment of affliction. The faith of the Book of Mormon writers is not superficial, conditional, and weak. It bears up under trial; it is proven in troubles; it accompanies during afflictions. 

The Book of Mormon is, among other things, a Wisdom text. What if trials, afflictions, and troubles are not negative? What if they are gifts provided as an opportunity to prove us therewith so that we and God may show what is in our heart? 

Job asks: Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:3 RE). Christ taught: In this world there are difficult trials to be faced by my followers, but those who remain devoted will, like me, finish the path and experience the fullness of joy (Testimony of St. John 10:29 RE). ("Signs Follow Faith," Denver Snuffer, March 2019, pgs. 1 - 2)

Is being blessed exceedingly related to prospering in the land?

O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the commandments of God. And he said, If ye will keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land, but if ye keep not his commandments, ye shall be cut off from his presence. And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations. (Alma 37:13 - 14, NC Alma 17 par. 9)

If I or we are not blessed with unique commandments not a few from God for our individual life experiences can we truly state that we enjoy the presence of God?

If we are cut off so that we do not hear the voice of the King giving us commandments unique to us for our individual life experiences are we prospering in the land according to Alma?

If I move forward along the path I am blessed with commandments not a few for myself and I begin to be obedient to those commandments can I expect that I will pass through many life experiences that will test my resolve to remain faithful and to continue?

The people of Ammon connected with God and were blessed with commandments not a few unique to their circumstances and further covenanted with God not to lift a weapon of war against anyone even to defend themselves.

How far did God go with them in testing their resolve to remain faithful?

How far did God go with Abraham in testing his resolve to keep those commandments unique to him?

How far did God go with Nephi in testing his resolve?

Is this the only way mature faith, as mentioned above, is acquired?

Having treated, in the preceding lectures, of the ideas of the character, perfections, and attributes of God, we next proceed to treat of the knowledge which persons must have that the course of life which they pursue is according to the will of God, in order that they may be enabled to exercise faith in him unto life and salvation.

This knowledge supplies an important place in revealed religion, for it was by reason of it that the ancients were enabled to endure as seeing him who is invisible. An actual knowledge to any person that the course of life which he pursues is according to the will of God is essentially necessary to enable him to have that confidence in God, without which no person can obtain eternal life. It was this that enabled the ancient saints to endure all their afflictions and persecutions and to take joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing (not believing merely) that they had a more enduring substance. Hebrews 10:34 [Heb. 1:34].

Having the assurance that they were pursuing a course which was agreeable to the will of God, they were enabled to take not only the spoiling of their goods and the wasting of their substance joyfully, but also to suffer death in its most horrid forms, knowing (not merely believing) that when this earthly house of their tabernacle was dissolved, they had a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1 [2 Cor. 1:15].

Such was and always will be the situation of the saints of God: that unless they have an actual knowledge that the course that they are pursuing is according to the will of God, they will grow weary in their minds and faint, for such has been and always will be the opposition in the hearts of unbelievers and those that know not God, against the pure and unadulterated religion of Heaven (the only thing which ensures eternal life), that they will persecute to the uttermost all that worship God according to his revelations, receive the truth in the love of it, and submit themselves to be guided and directed by his will, and drive them to such extremities that nothing short of an actual knowledge of their being the favorites of Heaven, and of their having embraced that order of things which God has established for the redemption of man, will enable them to exercise that confidence in him necessary for them to overcome the world and obtain that crown of glory which is laid up for them that fear God.

For a man to lay down his all, his character and reputation, his honor and applause, his good name among men, his houses, his lands, his brothers and sisters, his wife and children, and even his own life also, counting all things but filth and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, requires more than mere belief, or supposition that he is doing the will of God, but actual knowledge, realizing that when these sufferings are ended he will enter into Eternal rest and be a partaker of the glory of God.

For unless a person does know that he is walking according to the will of God, it would be offering an insult to the dignity of the Creator were he to say that he would be a partaker of his glory when he should be done with the things of this life. But when he has this knowledge, and most assuredly knows that he is doing the will of God, his confidence can be equally strong that he will be a partaker of the glory of God.

Let us here observe that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. For from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things: it was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life, and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth’s sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does know most assuredly that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life.

It is in vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those, or can be heirs with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtained faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they in like manner offer unto him the same sacrifice, and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are accepted of him. (T&C 110, Lectures on Faith, Lecture 6th, pars. 1 - 8)

If any of this, which is my present understanding of Nephi's statement, is correct then Nephi is declaring a critically important principle here in the record of how great things the Lord can do in my life or anyone's life.

Here he presents how anyone may come to be blessed of the Lord exceedingly.