1 Nephi 9:5

5  Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a ^awise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.

            -a man, although he has spoken with God, may (will) still not know everything about all things.  Nephi did not know what God’s purpose or reasoning was here (and after being privy to so many manifestations).  Should we therefore lose faith when we are not given explanation to certain things?

            -while the rational or reasons for things might not be given, we should nonetheless, remember that it is wisdom and understood to God.  Ours is to obey while not always understanding.  Nephi, while lacking complete explanation, still wanted it to be known that he knew it was still for a wise purpose.

            -what is wisdom is not always understood at the time, therefore the wise will not always wait for full comprehension before engaging in some act.  Wisdom itself, then, would have to include an element of faith or lack of comprehension or the requirement to reach into the unknown before the wise result is revealed.

            -30 years later Nephi still did not know the Lord’s reason, but he obeyed!

            -it was done for a wise purpose in whom?  Not Nephi!  It was God’s purpose, see D&C 3:3-4.

1 Nephi 9:3-4

3  Nevertheless, I have received a commandment of the Lord that I should make these plates, for the special ^apurpose that there should be an account engraven of the ^bministry of my people.

4  Upon the other plates should be engraven an account of the reign of the kings, and the wars and contentions of my people; wherefore these plates are for the more part of the ministry; and the ^aother plates are for the more part of the reign of the kings and the wars and contentions of my people.

    “upon the other plates”

            -two things worth consideration come up with the continuation of this phrase.

            1.  why was a secular or historical history even kept?  Do we currently possess this?  No! 

            Either we will eventually have it, which we should be working toward, or its

purpose was fulfilled in the Book of Mormon times already past.

            2. what a pain for Nephi to keep two sets of records, but he did it as he was directed!  I

 could see a spiritual history being kept, but is the effort to keep a historical record

 necessary?

1 Nephi 9:2

2  And now, as I have spoken concerning these plates, behold they are not the plates upon which I make a full account of the history of my people; for the ^aplates upon which I make a full account of my people I have given the name of Nephi; wherefore, they are called the plates of Nephi, after mine own name; and these plates also are called the plates of Nephi.

            -Chapters 2 through 9, and the events within them, happened as the family stayed in the valley of Lemuel.

1 Nephi 9:1

1  AND all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak, as he dwelt in a tent, in the ^avalley of Lemuel, and also a great many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates.

            -the time spent in the valley of Lemuel was a prolific period of “seeing, hearing and speaking” the revelations of God.  This was a spiritually fruitful time but it was also a physically challengeing time.  This was not a place of ease and comfort (compared to the previous life in Jerusalem or the coming stay in Bountiful).  Life is often defined by these contrasts:  we discover wisdom, truth and a closeness with God in our depraved and challenged conditions.

      “great many more”

            -how much?  What of and about?

1 Nephi 8:38

38  And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them.

    “and he did cease speaking unto them.”

            -this is a very important step in the process.  There comes a time when parents, leaders, teachers and friends must STOP speaking (sometimes known as “preaching) and allow others to exercise their agency, to make their decision.  There is reason in the pattern of our infrequent conversations with our Heavenly Father while here in mortality.  He has said everything he has to say and has given us sufficient direction… now it is time for use to decide of our own accord  He is largely silent during this phase of our existence.

1 Nephi 8:37

37  And he did ^aexhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them.

      “he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent.”

-even thought their fate appeared to be sure, Lehi does not give up or take a fatalist stance.

-(perhaps this has no bearing and is of no importance, but it is something I noticed none the less):  Up to a verse ago Lehi, through Nephi’s transcription , has been simply reporting or describing his dream and the events that happened therein.  Now comes his reaction and his response to things shown him.  We might remember that the character of Lehi in the dream was not, in reality, Lehi but a representation of him (granted the charter had the same traits as the real Lehi) but now his actions were truly his own and he makes an impassioned plea to his sons to somehow change the events he saw in the vision.

      “my father did preach unto them.”

            -I guess when all is said and done all we can do is speak the truth with love and invite obedience  -even to those with whom we have the closest relationship ties and involvement.  Agency exists among family members –even between parents and children- as much as it does among strangers.

1 Nephi 8:36

36  And it came to pass after my father had spoken all the words of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because of these things which he saw in a vision, he exceedingly feared for Laman and Lemuel; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord.

     “feared”

            -a curious word to use… (think about it)… but perhaps not:  Lehi, after the firsthand experience of this vision, more than anybody would understand the reality of Laman and Lemuel’s situation.  How else would you describe your apprehension about one you loved with all your heart not making it back?  Is there anything worse than facing the serious possibility that one of those you love the most will be “cast off from the presence of the Lord”?

1 Nephi 8:35

35  And ^aLaman and Lemuel partook not of the fruit, said my father.

            -Nephi had just finished describing the sad general rejection by multitudes of people.  It must have been a discouraging panoramic view of so many people rejecting, in mass, the gospel and love of God.  The overview suddenly becomes very personal as the spotlight falls on two individuals.

            -In this live we cannot do all things, we cannot change the lives of masses of people.  Evil and wickedness will continue to retain a substantial hold over the world but there are a select few who fall directly within our sphere of influences who we have some level of responsibility for.  These are they whom we are to look after, work on and pray for.  And shouldn’t it be so?  We know best the specifics (the needs, concerns, hang ups, etc.) of our family members.  Saving souls happens one at a time.  And while it is God’s work and glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of mankind, each man or woman  obtains that goal individually, it does not happen to entire races or generations, families, clubs or even pairs  -it happens one at a time.  This should be very telling about the manner in which we should assist the Lord in this effort.  Lehi, although surely troubled by the mass rejection of the fruit, was fundamentally concerned that two particular people did not partake.  Can you imagine the anxiety this created in him and how it surely weighted on his soul?!

 

1 Nephi 8:34

34  These are the words of my father: For as many as ^aheeded them, had fallen away.

            -We cannot heed what the world says, we give them power by listening.   See Alma 60:28

            -Just a few verses earlier Nephi had said he was going to paraphrase his father and then began to do so but all of a sudden we find a direct quote.  It is as if Nephi is saying, “This is key, it is really important, so listen up!”  He paraphrases much, but this is too important to be condensed.

    “as many as heeded”

            -that is a powerful (unequivocal, no room for exceptions) statement.  It is almost the statement of a law:  all who heeded fell away –or– if you heed you will fall.  It does not say, “some” or “most” who heeded… I think we are being given a warning or directive.

     “as many as heeded them, had fallen away.”

            -there is much said here that is not said.  This could have been stated:

                        as many as let go of the rod fell away, or

                        as many as walked toward the building fell away, or

                        as many as didn’t quite get to the fruit fell away, or

                           (any other action)    fell away,  BUT

the words used and the message sent to us is found in the concept of “heeded”.  Listening (or heeding) seems so innocent (certainly it can’t hurt just to hear it out) so much less dangerous than letting go of the rod, or walking toward the building or not quite eating the fruit.  Perhaps though these latter manifestations are but outgrowths of the more primary act of simply “heeding”!  What a powerful lesson we are being taught by having been shown the importance of never giving space to the voices, temptations, rationales, arguments, etc. in the most initial stage.

1Nephi 8:33

33  And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building.  And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of ^ascorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.

     “great was the multitude”

            -why are so many attracted to the building while so few pursue the path and the tree?

            -furthermore, why is the one activity of those who have entered the building of temporal glory to scorn and mock those who partake of the fruit?  Why do they not spend their time in quiet contented self-fulfillment?  Why are they obsessed with other’s condition.

    “strange”

            -this adjective is used several times in this description by Nephi to signify evil or avoidable places.  Other possible synonyms could be:  unfamiliar, curious or even exciting.

    “the finger of scorn”

            -scorn: 1. contempt or disdain.  2. derision
                            contempt:  a feeling that someone is inferior and undesirable .

            -the definition of scorn (and contempt) is very insightful.  The feeling driving those in the building and also being decoded by the objects of such scoffing, is one of pride, self-aggrandizement and superiority.  One of the greatest threats to the peaceful cohabitation of man to man is the cultural and racial superiority of one people to another.  Not only on earth though  -in the pre-mortal life Lucifer also tried to establish his pre-eminence to Christ and his elevated position when he said, “Give me thy honor” and “the glory by mine because, surely, I will do it.”

    “pointed the finger of scorn at me”

            -how are we the recipients of this pressure in real life?  What is the present day manifestation of this ridicule?

     “we heeded them not”

-we can’t even give them a start, not even a thought.  Give NO heed!  And get the temptation out of the way.

-see comments for verse 25:  “cast their eyes about…”

 -a temptation is as powerless as a butterfly to an elephant but when we consider the “virtues” or “attractions’ of the temptation then the temptation grows to be as powerful as a black hole.  It sucks us in until all personal power to direct our own path is gone and we (our will, our desire, our actions) are dictated to by the temptation It all begins when we allow it audience even just a tiny bit!  To once and forever rid yourself of the pressures and enticements coming from the great and spacious buildings you should never heed it the first time.  Once you do, it becomes an exponentially more difficult thing to escape.  Nephi did not ever have to worry about getting out of the building or even returning to the tree or regaining the path because he never gave heed to voices/influences he knew to be wrong  --see verse 34!

1 Nephi 8:32

32  And it came to pass that many were drowned in the ^adepths of the ^bfountain; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads.

     “many were drowned… many were lost”

            -when those who have chosen wickedly eventually awake to see the substance of their reward and recognize that they are Lucifer’s they will also see that his promises were hollow, that they are guaranteed nothing, that their pleasure is not lasting and that Lucifer will not/cannot uphold his own.  The only joy that comes in wickedness is very momentary and fleeting and many are not able even to enjoy that.  Just as many were drowned or lost before ever reaching the building, so also is the character of the wages of wickedness  -by nature it is punishing in its pleasure.  For example, consider the person addicted to alcohol or tobacco:  Their joy is not only so very temporary and a fabrication of external elements but it mocks them in that it requires them to obtain more in light of rapidly ensuing pain of addiction.  Thus they are caught in a vicious trap where the pleasure is no longer joy but necessity, making themselves a slave to constantly fulfilling the need.

1 Nephi 8:31

31  And he also saw other ^amultitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.

            -Just as there are some who strive for the tree, there are others who just as diligently search for and press toward the building of material/temporal glory to seek salvation there.

    "multitudes"
        -when, in this life, we find ourselves in the minority as pertaining to things of faith, values, morality and God, we should not be surprised.  We should certainly not be shaken in our own faith because they that are against us are more than those who are with us (or at least when taking a poll of mortal beings).  In fact, if we find ourselves too often in the camp of the majority, we should engage in sober self-reflection.  Is our moral compass accurate and functional.
       -the clichéd warning regarding going along with the crowd is not something we age out from.  It does not cease after elementary or high school.  Swimming against the prevailing current and walking away from the multitudes requires and also produces strength.

    "feeling their way"
        -the magnetism of the great and spacious building is the satisfaction of carnal appetites and desires. We "feel" our way toward the pleasure palace of mortality by indulging the passions and immediate impulses of the natural man.  We indulge our feelings rather than soberly contemplating the things of eternity which largely convince us to delay physical gratifications now for eternal rewards in the future. This is true for the spiritual realm just as it is for the political realm.

1 Nephi 8:29-30

29  And now I, Nephi, do not speak ^aall the words of my father.
30  But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the ^arod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.

            -compare this verse to verse 24.  The description of those pressing forward and of their actions are very, if not exactly, similar and yet as we discover later in the verse that these seemed to remain after partaking of the fruit… why?  What is/are the differences between these groups?

    “continually”

            -another important word that tells us the requirements of reaching through the mist of darkness to the tree.  There must be consistency and commitment.  We cannot vacillate, the journey is demanding and although we may “get away” with some lapses I don’t believe that we can always count on getting to the tree if we occasionally let go of the rod.  Eventually we will find ourselves disconnected and hopelessly lost.  The goal demands strict adherence.

     "...came forth and fell down..."

            -the journey is long and hard 

            -a token of reverence

    “fell down”

            -what a beautiful description!  It tells me two things:

              1. the journey is exhausting.  Physically and spiritually the effort to finally arrive at the tree is demanding.  Are we equipped and sufficiently strong to pursue the path?

              2.  this might be  the one hint that gives us answer to the question posed in verse 30 (what is the difference between the two groups – those who made it to the tree and those who did not).  The falling down could also illustrate, besides exhaustion, a quality that sets the two groups apart.  Humility that is rooted in the proper motive for pursuing the path is vital to a correct understanding of God, his love, who we are and what we are to become.  A person who is worthy to partake of God’s love and presence is one who recognized his lack of merit and is dependant before the Savior.  There is no hope for worldly power, glory or position, only a quite desire to worship the Father through character beautification and service to his fellow man.  This humility stands in stark contrast to the “fine apparel” of those in the spacious building.  Every soul will be exposed and each will be made to finally choose for him and herself which to choose.  Even those who have partaken, if it is not done for the right reasons or if they are not sufficiently filled with appropriate character, they will abandon the tree and the fruit and make way to what ultimately drives them:  the qualities found  in the spacious building  -selfishness, praise, worldliness, status, materialism, rudeness, competition, fun and indulgence.

1 Nephi 8:28

28  And after they had ^atasted of the fruit they were ^bashamed, because of those that were ^cscoffing at them; and they ^dfell away into forbidden paths and were lost.

            -listening to the world

             basing your self-esteem on others

             danger or going after the glory of the world

     “they were ashamed”

            -because they were so concerned with the esteem of other people they were not only ashamed but did not enjoy the peace/joy that partaking of the fruit brought.  Some Latter-day Saints fall away and, in complete honesty, declare that the church did not provide them with anything special, that the manifestation of the Holy Ghost was no more profound than what is experienced in other religions.  For lack of a better words, these did not recognize the “fruits” of the restored gospel to be remarkable in any way.  This may at first appear to be worrisome to us who have been impressed with the delicious fruits of the gospel but the insight provided by Lehi’s vision provides an answer.  Our concern over or focus on the “sacrifices” required by the gospel and our subsequent shame (which comes as a result of comparing the worlds liberal ways with the gospel’s restraint) can diminish impact of the sweet taste of the fruit.  The cost, for some, is too high and the product is not sufficient for the work required.  These were never fully given to the gospel, they were gospel instrumentalists  -pursuing the gospel as an answer to their short term (i.e. temporal) search for success or satisfaction.  Even the gospel with it’s plentiful answers for happiness, meaning and prosperity is not complete if viewed in the narrow parameters of this life only.  It is, at its core, an eternal program and it does not have its full power or provide complete understanding to the vital questions of life  until it is placed in an eternal context.  We cannot understand the gospel within the narrow confines of a strictly mortal existence.  It is like trying to understand relativity with only algebraic constructs.

     “because of ________”

            -the shame created when the listener gives substance to those mocking.

            -listening to the world.

            -basing self-esteem on others/anything but God.

            -the danger of going after the glory of the world is that it is a confederate mass consciousness.

     “because of those that were scoffing at them”

            -what form does this scoffing take?  Qualitatively, what is the mockery, the teasing, the derogatory communication, the derision of any shade or gradation in our day?  Why do we care?

    “fell away into forbidden paths”

            -the “falling away” is the behavioral manifestation of the internal attitude (feeling ashamed due to the estimation of mankind).  To feel ashamed is no sin of itself BUT it seems rare that one who is ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16) could remain true in actions and behavior.  Indulgence in forbidden paths is the end result of internal psycho-spiritual processes.

            -shame leads to falling away.  Falling away leads to forbidden paths.  Forbidden paths leads to being lost.

    “were lost”

            -there are not many phrases that strike me with a profound sadness, but this one has a way of creeping into my heart.  These are souls that are gone… lost.  Almost as certain as the sun follows the emerging dawn, does a soul who “falls away” then become lost.

1 Nephi 8:27

27  And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the ^aattitude of ^bmocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

     “it was filled with people”

            -sounds like standing room only!  Compare this to the few who were pressing forward and the few who made it to the tree of life.

            -if popularity or being mainstream is important to us, we are on a course toward misery.  We will either forsake the things of eternity or we will live a lamenting life, anguished over our exclusion from the “in” crowd.  The committed Christian must come face to face with the social reality of being at odds with the masses of society, with the vogue and the norm.  It will be socially uncomfortable to bear the mockery of the world and to forgo the praises and positions of status bestowed by society at large.  Even more difficult however, is when subtle rejection turns to ridicule and antagonism.  Evil is not content to endure goodness but works to subdue, transform and abolish it.  Light is not compatible with darkness because of the contant threat to illuminate and expose the emptiness that darkness masks.

    “manner of dress was exceedingly fine…”

            -this one specific description was used as the illustrator of the character of people who occupied the building.  “Old and young” describes their age, “mocking and pointing fingers” describes their behavior, but their manner of dress is a telling indicator of where their hearts are and what type of people would be found in the building.  Are we so concerned with our worldly appearance/possessions?  It may be painful to consider, but what is the manner of our dress?

    “attitude”

            -not simply a behavior.  An attitude is more permanent, more a part of your character.  These are people whose rudeness is strongly rooted in them.  They are developed in their behaviors.

     “… of mocking…’

            -I think “mockery” is one of the worst behaviors a person can engage in:  it shows many weaknesses:  rudeness, judgmental, comparing, no compassion, accusation, lack of kindness but it is also a sign of a sever lack of personal substance.  They are not standing tall by their own merits but are attempting to become greater by putting others down.

    “pointing their fingers at…’

            -there is no question as to who is the object of this (of Satan’s) attack.  Furthermore, it is interesting that they do not find contentment in their own station but rather the source of their focus is still those who are doing correctly:  Isn’t it curious that the people in the building aren’t having a party where their focus is each other.  Neither are they doing a thousand other enjoyable things and sharing a good time with one another.  Their efforts and attention is on those outside the building.  There is no joy inherent to or based within the building!

1 Nephi 8:26

26  And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the ^aother side of the river of water, a great and ^bspacious building; and it stood as it were in the ^cair, high above the earth.

            -great and spacious building = mankind’s pride, wisdom that is foolishness, man’s vanity, self-deception of grandeur, pride of the world

            -why the symbols of the specific adjectives “great” and “spacious”?

-the building seems to be important, powerful (has all the outward appearances), but it is not.

     “I also cast my eyes round about”

            -it is no sin to recognize choices.  We are to question and consider, we are to be faced with opposition and see alternatives but that is quite different from choosing or supporting the unworthy or evil alternatives.  When we “buy into” or indulge –even in thought- on the wrong/evil side of a choice then the problem has commenced.  Lehi looked and weighed out the world around him but he was never “ashamed” and certainly did not make mental plans to enter or go to the building.

    “on the other side of the river of water”

            -between good and evil there is always a line of demarcation that we are not to pass.  It separates the wicked from the righteous.  The devil sets up his kingdom in contrast to –not in concert with or on the same side as- God and his kingdom.  In order to entice those on God’s side he will make his terrain appear more attractive; he does this by focusing on our temporal appetites rather than our spiritual or eternal appetites.

            -while it may appear that choosing the right is more difficult than choosing evil, those who end up in the great and spacious building will recognize that getting there took effort.  It may appear like more fun and require less sacrifice or self-denial and discipline but it does take work to get to hell. This work is often masked by sensual stimulation that is pleasurable to the physical body.  The effort or work is going to be required of us whichever way we trod, so we might as well pursue the right path.  This is clearly illustrated by comparing Nephi to Laman and Lemuel.  Each engaged in the voyage from Jerusalem to the promised land, the effort required was the same for both, but the destination each arrived at (spiritually speaking) was diametrically contrasting.  In fact, the journey was arguably easier for Nephi than for Laman and Lemuel  -they spent much time, effort and energy suffering from the consequences of “kicking against God.”

            -in this image we have two contrasting elements/symbols:

 

            -how are these two opposed to each other?

            -Lucifer always imitates characteristics of God’s principles with an evil corollary, (i.e. love vs. lust, happiness vs. pleasure) how is the great and spacious building an adultery of the good that is in the tree of life?

·         Both are a type of destination (goal or objective)

·         Both are proclaimed to be sources of joy

However there are also clear contradictions between the tree and the building:

                        -a building is not natural , it is the workmanship of man.  Man cannot create/make a tree.  In this same light, a building “high above the earth”, in the air must have been very impressive, alluring, even intimidating compared to some lowly tree.  But that appearance is very shallow and deceptive.  Man’s workmanship is sometimes considered remarkable (pyramids, skyscrapers, beautiful architecture and inventions) but his objects are a reworking of the materials God created.  Even so, man cannot begin to match the majesty of a sunset, of mountains or of the Grand Canyon.

    “great and spacious building”

            -this is the great temple of man.  It is the monument to man’s self-estemation.

     “it stood in the air, high above the earth.”

            -there was another building fitting this description almost exactly.  The Tower of Babel extended high into the air, above the earth.  Is this visualization conincidental or are the two comparable typologies?  The people involved in both stand in opposition to God.  They are consumed with their own greatness.  They and their artifacts (the building itself which is the object of their greatness) are superior to the naïve and imbecilic believers of God.  They are antagonistic in their view of those who do not believe that we are the gods of our existence.

1 Nephi 8:25

25  And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ^aashamed.

      “did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed”

            -these were concerned with the judgments of the world; concerned with popularity, prestige and success.

            -after working so hard and enduring why does the opinion of the world matter so much?

            -was the taste/joy of the fruit not enough to satisfy these people?  What were they looking for from the fruit?  Are there other satisfactions

that rival the joy/taste of the fruit?

     “cast their eyes about”

            -the moment we start looking around at others and start comparing we’ve opened ourselves up to a tragic end.  Comparing, by definition, entails a value judgment and the world’s judgment of happiness is rarely in line with eternal happiness.  We cannot be ashamed if we refuse to adopt and apply the world’s comparative measurements.

            -what insights do we gain from this condition?  What do we learn of the fruit and our experience with it?

            1.  those who obtain the fruit are not automatically isolated from the temptations of the world.  In other words, the fruit is not a guarantee of salvation.  It is not the end and completion of the journey.

            2.  the fruit and its indescribable magnificence (deliciousness), for some, is not unparalleled in desire, in fulfillment, in gradeur.  Some turn away from it wanting “more”.

            3.  there is a rival to the fruit, no matter how glorious it was.  There are counter forces in the world which pull at us.  Even for something as magnificent as the fruit, there is opposition in all things.

            4.  ultimately we are not won by outside forces (the fruit is an object outside of us) but by that which we give power to.  We set our heart upon the fruit or the building  -we imbue it with value and influence.

1 Nephi 8:24

24  And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, ^aclinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the ^bfruit of the tree.

-why is it that “others” who were also “pressing forward” did not get lost from the mist of darkness?

     “came forth and caught hold”

            -it seems that this catching hold of the rod, even in the face of some very difficult circumstances, is something that set those who did not lose their way apart from those who became lost.

            -the rod is a sure guide and without it there appears to be little hope of achieving the goal.   The rod becomes the gospel, it is a concrete, actual guide to hold to.  But it does not pull you along or do the work, it is a tool to use.  It does not make the mist disperse either –although it does give a very nice sense of comfort while being surrounded by the mist.

            -not all (or any for that matter) started at the rod or iron.  Thy journeyed until they found it, then grabbed on and followed.

      “press forward”

            -there is a lot f “pressing forward” going on.  As if our constant improvement is necessary, and as if we should expect our journey here to be a lot of hard work marked by difficulty… should we expect anything less than an experience similar to previous groups whose own efforts to press forward are recorded in the scriptures and in the history books of this world. 

      “through the mist”

            -there is only one way to travel life’s journey:  it is “through”.  There is no around, under or other bypass.  We are to go through the difficult times, through the heartache, through the temptations and through trials.  It is the “going through” that is the object of this existence.

      "...clinging ..."

            -apply to locking your hands when wrestling.

            -an action word.  I don’t know if there is a more proactive or descriptive verb that would be used here to illustrate the way in which we must pursue this path.

            -what is the nature of our hold (our grip) to the rod?  Are we touching, holding, gliding, etc.?  How seriously do we live the gospel?  Do we let some things “slip through”?  Are we lax in our observance?  Are we a Sunday Mormon?  Do we obey and keep the rules or do we “live the gospel”?  Do we love its principles, laws and ordinances?

            -just having the gospel is not enough.  We cannot just “walk the path”.  We must be anxiously engaged in living and hold tight to the gospel.  We must let it posses us.

            -this verse describes people whose effort has been nothing short of commendable.  These are good hearted, anxiously engaged people.  They have pursued and endured many things in their effort to obtain the fruit of the tree.  If we were to stop at the conclusion of this verse –knowing nothing more of the people described here- we would conclude that these are choice people, valiant and good.  BUT all is about to be turned on its head with one factor:  see verse 25.

1 Nephi 8:23

23  And it came to pass that there arose a ^amist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were ^blost.

            -mist of darkness = confusion, veil, influence of untruths, lack of clarity/vision.

      "...arose a mist of darkness..."

            -what are the small things (this mist)?

                                    -TV                              -thoughts                     -caffeinated sodas

                                    -"R" rated movies        -posters or books         -not reading scriptures

            -interesting that this darkness came after the people had gotten out of “the world” and were diligently trying to live truth.

            -(1/31/96)  Answers to the following questions about the mists of darkness could substantially aid our understanding:

              1.  Where does the mist come from?

                        Without specifically answering the question “where from?”, (since I don’t know if there is a definite answer or if it is really important) we can safely say that it affects the people as they travel along the path or are in the field.  Hence, it is an element that effects us while on earth in our mortal experience.  What could it be then?

                                    -TV influence              -foul language             -contemporary attitudes

                                    -thoughts                     -posters, books            -“R” rated movies

                                    -or it could be something along very different lines:  it could be a veil that separates us from God. (“the” veil or the barriers we set up when we sin).

            2.  What is the nature (the physical properties) of the mist?

                        First of all, the mist is impenetrable.

                        Second, it is non-discriminatory, it does not “pick on” some more than others

                        Thirdly, it is curious to recognize that the Lord decided to symbolize with a mist instead of a violent whirlwind or sleet or hail.  Similarly he did not use a brick wall as the object for this principle he wanted to explain.  Mist is a very gentle, light, small substance  -implying that the barrier/resistance symbolized here are things that are almost imperceptible;  they are “the small” or “little” things that will blind us and take us off course.  Although we should also realize that the mist does not knock or take us off the path  -it is simply a passive obstacle.  We leave the path n our own accord.

   “… they who had commenced in the path…”

            -the devil always sets up his kingdom in direct opposition to the kingdom of God.  He wants to hide the goal (the tree and what it represents) from our sight.  Just because it is no longer in our view does not mean it is not there.  The principle of “object permanence” has spiritual as well as temporal application.  In fact, God has already provided for this lack of visual guidance by providing  the iron rod.  We are not meant to navigate this life by physical sight alone.  The eyes, as a physical sensory input, are easily manipulated and corrupted.  They are heavily influenced by and biased toward the physical.  We do not see the Spirit.  Even the privilidged prophets who have had great theophanies have not seen the Spirit, they may have seen God but even these FEEL the Spirit.  It should not be a surpise that the sure way through this mist of darkness is by feeling the rod of iron and not –due to the mist of darkness- by visual orientation to the tree of life.

a way that we can feel our way (even if we cannot “see” our way) towards the goal:

            -Just having the gospel is not enough.  We not only walk the path, we have to be anxiously engaged in living and holding tight to the gospel.

 

The difference between verses 23 and 24 or “those who wandered off” and those who “partake of the fruit” is in their level of commitment or how they hold to the gospel:  clinging.

            -there is a sense of urgency here.  What if those who were lost in the mist had commenced earlier?  Perhaps they would have made the iron rod before the mist arose and would not have been lost.

            -those who became lost after they, at first, began correctly did so primarily because of the mist.  The confusion, lack of understanding prohibited their continuance.

     “lose their way”

            -everyone has “lost their way” at least once in this life.  It happens in an unfamiliar environment or by carelessness.  If we knew how to get to a destination we would not get lost:  knowledge is very important!  As Jacob later says, “how great the importance to make these things known to the inhabitants of the earth” (2 Nephi 2:8).

            -they were not rebelling or purposely planning to go astray but because they happened to lose their way they were lost:  compare to the parables of the sheep, coin and prodigal (Luke 15).

1 Nephi 8:22

22  And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.

     “they”

            -the concourses of people who once were abiding in the field but began pressing forward toward the path.

      “commence”

            -this sounds like a process more than a singular or quick event.  It must necessitate a strong degree of consistency and commitment.  Many will begin along the path, but how many will continue as they have “commenced” (D&C 9:5)?

1 Nephi 8:21

21  And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were ^apressing forward, that they might obtain the ^bpath which led unto the tree by which I stood.

            -numberless concourses of people = mortal mankind

            -the path leads to the rod of iron which leads to the tree, which bears fruit.  The fruit is the ends.  We must remember that the path and the rod are means to the end and not ends themselves.  They are precursors to our salvation, not salvation itself.

     “numberless”

            -here it means “many”, not “unknown” or “faceless”. Lehi was able to identify his family but not individuals in the greater whole.  To God however, they are all individually known and the pain for him must be like Lehi’s when his sons would not come to him.

     “pressing”

            -an action verb that denotes hard work, concentration and concerted effort!  A person so engaged might expect to get tired.

     “pressing forward”

     -looking for the truth, purposes of life, answers to questions.

            -why didn’t Lehi see the people earlier?  Why were Sariah, Nephi, Sam, Laman and Lemuel so easily seen when there were (as he now records) numberless concourses of people?  Surely so many people would have attracted attention earlier unless, for some reason,/purpose they were not meant to be seen until now.

     “that they might obtain the path”

            -the hearts of many are good and their goal is to pursue the proper way. Is our primary motivation for pressing forward (doing good, living right, serving, etc.) to obtain the path?  However, we cannot make our “obtainment of the path” an end in itself.. It is only a means!  A necessary means to the tree of life.

     “the path”

            -when you go hiking you want to travel on a path because it is smoother, easier to travel and contains fewer obstacles.

1 Nephi 8:20

20  And I also beheld a ^astrait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a ^bworld.

            -why are there two instruments that help lead to the tree of life?  Is one (i.e. just the rod of iron) insufficient to get us through all the obstacles we may be faced with?

            -we are given a second source of assistance to get us to the tree of life:  a strait and narrow path.  I have to wonder why two objects are established for our guidance.  If nothing else, it seems clear that God wants to give us all the help he can to bring us to the tree.  Again, while he can’t make us choose to come, he can and does give abundant assistance to those who are trying.

            -strait and narrow path = actions and behaviors that the ordinances and principles of the gospel guide us into.  Expected ways to act that are literally etched into this estate as a path going through the meadow.  How is it comparable to the rod of iron?!

            -a path is made after a large number of people traverse the same area of ground.  It becomes so worn that it becomes a distinct passageway.  Could it be that this path was made by the multitudes who had followed the iron rod to the tree?  Could it be that the path is a natural feature caused by those who had come before and traveled the same ground?

     “it led by the … fountain, unto a large and spacious field”

            -a path seems less prominent than a rod of iron. The more subtle path extends farther into the field than does the rod, it even goes by and beyond the head of the fountain.  Almost as if the nearer one approaches the tree, the more difficult/more obstacles there are, therefore more help is needed and hence an iron rod. A more sure guide that can be followed by the sense of feeling rather than sight alone.

    “a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world.”

            -this world is a wide or open place where people may wander about and do many things unencumbered by direction or law.  There is, however, a guide or a purpose for those who are searching for it.  This standard is represented by the path and the rod that extend out into the world.  A traveler who is exploring the wide world will likely come upon –even if by accident- these standards.  At that moment there is a choice to pursue these fixed objects and discover where they lead or to continue wandering.  If the decision is to follow the path and the rod, they will come out of the world and find a glorious destination that is sweet and magnificent.