1 Nephi 1 intro and verse 1

Yep, that's all. But first things first.

Poor Cindy got up early again and had to go to work. I stayed up all night because I may be the only person on earth who gets all wired up from percocet, or so it seems. I was back on the pc, being immobile from the ankles down, when I heard a noise about 9 am. I was pretty sure it was Loni, because it had that stealth sound, like she does when she is sneaking up on me to scare me. She does this very well, and now I cannot even chase her down. So I'm a sitting duck. I called out and she answered, which kept us both alive, for now.

Loni and I sat down and watched a bunch of Book of Mormon seminary videos this afternoon. Very nice, and then we discussed gospel topics ranging from Gadianton robbers, to the Hamitic line, to the Twelve Tribes, to tithing, chastity, word of wisdom, the temple, following the living prophets, etc. I loved it, and she was visibly touched, too.

Then I read my Book of Mormon as I promised. I am following the Lord's blessing given to me through the bishop when I was set apart as Sunday School president: read the Book of Mormon with an eye to looking for the symbols, types, and shadows of Christ in it.

This is harder than it sounds, as I've said in another blog entry. The Old Testament is not as explicit in it's testimony of Christ as the New Testament and the Book of Mormon are, so you have to do a little detective work there, and it's like solving a riddle. The Book of Mormon is quite explicit: Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, who atoned for the sins of all men, women, and children. Any questions?

So I got reading the introduction to 1 Nephi, which was written by Nephi, himself. Just read it for style. Nephi's style is straight to the point, matter of fact. I tend to think of him as not very romantic. A real Joe Friday. "Just the facts, ma'am":

"An account of Lehi and his wife Sariah and his four sons, being called, (beginning at the eldest) Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi. The Lord warns Lehi to depart out of the land of Jerusalem, because he prophesieth unto the people concerning their iniquity and they seek to destroy his life. He taketh three days’ journey into the wilderness with his family. Nephi taketh his brethren and returneth to the land of Jerusalem after the record of the Jews. The account of their sufferings. They take the daughters of Ishmael to wife. They take their families and depart into the wilderness. Their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness. The course of their travels. They come to the large waters. Nephi’s brethren rebel against him. He confoundeth them, and buildeth a ship. They call the name of the place Bountiful. They cross the large waters into the promised land, and so forth. This is according to the account of Nephi; or in other words, I, Nephi, wrote this record."

I have one observation to make about the wording in this intro, and it applies to the entire Book of Mormon. One of the arguments critics make is the use of the "eth" endings, etc, which were common in middle English, but not, say, in Arabic, or Hebrew, or Egyptian, or even in early 19th century English. But the book is a translation. When you translate something, you put it into language understood by the recipients. The "eth" ending was standard King James English in the Bible, and for prayers and hymns, all sacred language, in the early 19th century. The End.

Now look at 1 Nephi 1:1. The first type of Christ in the Book of Mormon. Can you find it?

"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days."

Nephi was born to good parents. So was the Savior. His mother was the most pure and fair virgin ever, his Father was God, and his foster father was an honest, decent, hardworking man who taught him the gospel as evidenced by his 12 year old temple trip.

Nephi was taught in the learning of his father. So was the Savior. Nephi learned language, business, work, arts, the gospel, etc. The Savior was taught by Heavenly Father directly to know who He was, and by Joseph to be a carpenter. He was taught enough by both so that he could teach the doctors, scribes, and learned men in the temple at age 12.

Nephi saw many afflictions in his young life. So did the Savior. Nephi was the good boy, and his brothers taunted him for it. The Savior had half brothers and half sisters through his mother and Joseph after he was born, for he was her first born, not only born. John 7:1-5 proves that he had brothers who did not believe in him and in fact taunted him and tempted him to show miracles to prove he was "special". (Although after his resurrection they repented and one became an apostle.)

Nephi was highly favored of the Lord, had great knowledge given him by God, because of his obedience. The Savior likewise, in fact Most Highly Favored of God.

So right off the bat, the Book of Mormon produces a type of Christ in Nephi.

I love the Book of Mormon.