I Nephi 18-22
Probably received instructions from sailors on boats in
the vicinity.
The sycamore fig tree that grows in the desert
produces a very hard wood, is strong, resistant to
water, and almost free from knots. These trees still
grow in the area of Salalah.
The distance traveled would have been around 17,000
miles with possible stops along the way. Probably
landed on the west side of Guatemala or El Salvador.
Joseph Smith thought it might be Chile.
Most LDS scholars are of the opinion that current
studies of Arabic geography and history are in complete
harmony with Lehi’s story.
I Nephi 18:1-2
“Curious Workmanship”
2 Nephi 5:16
The implication is the differences were in quality of
workmanship and some aspects of design.
Possibly as many as 40-50 people on the ship.
The ship would probably have to be at least 60 feet
long to accommodate all the people and dancing.
I Nephi 18:3
Regular Temple Attendance?
I Nephi 18:6
“Much fruits and meat”
Water/wine in pottery or skin bags. It lasted a
long time.
I Nephi 18:7
Jacob and Joseph are born!
I Nephi 18:8
“Driven by the wind to the
promised land”
Typically, ships left the Arabian Coast between midMarch and early May (because of the wind). August or
September, can’t be ruled out.
I Nephi 18:9
Warning: Parenthood Brings Grief!
The Lord wants us to know that while parenthood is
expected, we will suffer much grief because of our
children.
So you have now been warned!
However, remember that “Parenthood may very well be
the test of Godhood!”
I Nephi 18:11
Nephi must have been
acquainted with the basic
skills of the craft, he did
not have to ask the Lord
what tools to make nor how
to make a workable bellow.
I Nephi 18:25
Horses?
In 1830 most experts believed their
were no horses in America prior to
Christopher Columbus. If Joseph
Smith were writing the Book of
Mormon he would have been foolish
to write this. The LaBrea Tar Pits in
Southern California prove that
horses were indeed in the America’s
prior to Columbus.
There was controversy regarding horses in the Western
Hemisphere before Columbus arrived. Modern
archaeological discoveries have shed new light on the
subject: “’Fossil remains of true horses, differing but
very slightly from the smaller and inferior breeds of
those now existing, are found abundantly in deposits of
the most recent geological age, in almost every part of
America, from Escholz Bay in the north to Patagonia in
the south. In that continent however, they became
quite extinct, and no horses, either wild or
domesticated, existed there at the time of the Spanish
conquest, which is the most remarkable as, when
introduced from Europe the horses that ran wild proved
by their rapid multiplication in the plains of South
America and Texas, that the climate, food, and other
circumstances were highly favorable for their existence
(New Americanized Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, 3197).
I Nephi 19:7-9
“The World Shall Judge Him to Be a Thing
of Naught:
Elder Maxwell noted how men today often
follow the same fateful thinking: “For
many moderns, sad to say, the query
‘What think ye of Christ?’ (Matthew
22:42) would be answered, ‘I really don’t
think of Him at all!” (C.R., Oct. 1995,
27).
On another occasion Elder Maxwell taught
that regardless of what the world says,
we must stand fast in our testimony of
Jesus Christ, mankind’s Redeemer.
Comparatively, brothers and sisters, it
matters very little what people think of
us, but it matters very much what we
think of Him. It matters very little, too,
who others say we are; what matters is
who we say Jesus is” (C.R., Apr. 1984,
27).
Why did Nephi include the writings of
Isaiah throughout his record?
And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah,
for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his
words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto
all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even
as I have seen him (2 Nephi 11:2-3).
Nephi and his people view Isaiah as we view Joseph
Smith. Isaiah lived about 150 years before they did.
The same time span is appropriate when we compare
Joseph Smith to us.
I Nephi 20
Why quote Isaiah
48 and 49?
Answer:
Covenants to
Israel and their
fulfillment!
Nephi and Jacob were especially fond
of Isaiah’s writings.
Of the 62 chapters written by these
great men, seventeen --- or one in
four are taken from Isaiah.
I Nephi 21:25
“For the mighty God shall deliver his
covenant people” (JST).
I Nephi 22:7-8
Three Aspects of the Gathering:
1. The gathering of the dispersed of Israel from the
Nations to Zion.
2. Return of the Jews to Jerusalem and the ancient
promised land.
3. The restoration of the lost 10 tribes of Israel to the
true fold of the shepherd.
I Nephi 22:26
How will Satan be bound?
“Satan will be bound by the power of God; but
he will be bound also by the determination of
the people of God not to listen to him” (George
Q. Cannon, C.R., Oct. 1897, 65).
An angel has the key and specific assignment
to seal up Satan for 1,000 years (Revelation
20:1-3, D&C 101:28).
“We need not become paralyzed with fear of
Satan’s power. He can have no power over us
unless we permit it. He is really a coward, and
if we stand firm, he will retreat. The Apostle
James counseled: ‘Submit yourselves…to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you’
(James 4:7)” (James E. Faust, Ensign, Sep.
1995, 6).
Elder McConkie taught that Satan would be
bound during the Millennium because of the
righteousness of the people and they are not
enticed by his evil whisperings (The Millennial
Messiah [1982], 668-69).