3 - And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.
Did all of the people that were there hear the voice? "...it did pierce them that did hear.." What about this voice, as described here, is different from the traditional view of the "still, small voice"? What is the significance of their frames quaking and their hearts burning? Was this the baptism of a cleansing fire for these people? If so, why did it happen at this moment? What were they cleansed of? Was it in preparation for something else to come later?
4 - And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.
5 - And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.
What does it mean to open your ears in a spiritual sense? Is this doing a combination of something physical and spiritual? Look up the first footnote for the word 'open' (Job 36:15). How would this verse apply to the Nephites at that time? How would it apply to you? Is this a pattern and a type to recognize the process of how ones ears are opened? What does looking steadfastly towards heaven imply? Did they expect to hear more at this time? Were they distracted once they had heard the voice three times?
6 - And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:
Father in heaven had to call three times, once for each level of separation (Celestial -> Terrestrial -> Telestial) from Him to this earth. Was the baptism by fire and the opening of their ears to prepare them to hear a message from a celestial being? Does that happen to all that go through this process? Did the Father repeat the same message three times before they heard it?
...Great things 2 ponder upon.
June 6, 2012
June 5, 2012
3 Nephi 11:1-2
1 - And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place.
Could there have been more than one temple in the lands of the Nephites? Look at the scriptures in the footnote for "gathered". Is the fact that there were more than one temple in the lands of the Nephites why the specific temple in the land Bountiful needed singled out? Why was everyone gathered at the temple? Remember, this was almost a year after the signs of the death and resurrection of Jesus (info here). Was there a yearly ceremony that took place at the temple? Could they have gathered for that and been discussing what had gone before? Hugh Nibley suggested that the reason that they gathered could have been for something like the Egyptian end of year ceremony. This ceremony in the Egyptian form had elements of death and resurrection of a deity in it.
2 - And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death.
So those gathered recognized that the experiences that they had experienced earlier that year fulfilled the prophecies about Jesus. Did they understand at this time that he was resurrected? Did they know what that meant? Even the apostles in Israel had a hard time understanding what that would mean. Was there a connection between their recognition that the signs had happened and the reason that they were gathered? Could there have been some confusion as to how they should proceed?
...Great things 2 ponder upon.
Could there have been more than one temple in the lands of the Nephites? Look at the scriptures in the footnote for "gathered". Is the fact that there were more than one temple in the lands of the Nephites why the specific temple in the land Bountiful needed singled out? Why was everyone gathered at the temple? Remember, this was almost a year after the signs of the death and resurrection of Jesus (info here). Was there a yearly ceremony that took place at the temple? Could they have gathered for that and been discussing what had gone before? Hugh Nibley suggested that the reason that they gathered could have been for something like the Egyptian end of year ceremony. This ceremony in the Egyptian form had elements of death and resurrection of a deity in it.
2 - And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death.
So those gathered recognized that the experiences that they had experienced earlier that year fulfilled the prophecies about Jesus. Did they understand at this time that he was resurrected? Did they know what that meant? Even the apostles in Israel had a hard time understanding what that would mean. Was there a connection between their recognition that the signs had happened and the reason that they were gathered? Could there have been some confusion as to how they should proceed?
...Great things 2 ponder upon.
June 4, 2012
3 Nephi 10:16 - 19 Prophecy Before Linked to Prophecy After
16 - Yea, the prophet Zenos did testify of these things, and also Zenock spake concerning these things, because they testified particularly concerning us, who are the remnant of their seed.
What is meant by "who are the remnant of their seed"? Is this referencing the literal seed of Zenos and Zenock? Is this referencing the seed of Israel? Is this referencing spiritual seed? Is it referencing many or all of the above? It is apparent that these prophets who went on before had seen that there would be a branch of Israel that was broken off and would witness the signs of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. It was very important for them to testify and write these things down. Why was there no record of this in the Old Testament that we have? Who would have been behind this "losing" of these prophecies?
17 - Behold, our father Jacob also testified concerning a remnant of the seed of Joseph. And behold, are not we a remnant of the seed of Joseph? And these things which testify of us, are they not written upon the plates of brass which our father Lehi brought out of Jerusalem?
Even Jacob (Israel) what would happen to the remnant of his seed. Is this a pattern that we see in the scriptures? How many prophets are shown what will happen to their seed? Is this something that can be shown to each one of us? Could this be one of the reasons that it was important for the Lord to have Lehi go back and get the plates of brass? Think of all of the times that the plates of brass are referenced throughout the Book of Mormon.
18 - And it came to pass that in the ending of the thirty and fourth year, behold, I will show unto you that the people of Nephi who were spared, and also those who had been called Lamanites, who had been spared, did have great favors shown unto them, and great blessings poured out upon their heads, insomuch that soon after the ascension of Christ into heaven he did truly manifest himself unto them--
Which ascension of Christ into heaven is being referenced here? Look at the footnote for "ascension". Which one does that reference? Why would Mormon have been shown this in vision?
19 - Showing his body unto them, and ministering unto them; and an account of his ministry shall be given hereafter. Therefore for this time I make an end of my sayings.
Why was it important for Mormon to point out that Christ appeared in his body to them? What other doctrine of the Gospel of Christ makes mention of Christ appearing in bodily form? Did this apply to those to who Christ appeared to here in the Americas? Is the account that follows a type of what to expect for all who receive it? Why did Mormon pause here? Could it have been because he needed to compose and gather his thoughts to write about what happened next? If it was so important for Mormon to get the correct thoughts down, how important should it be for us to study and contemplate all of the details of the experiences detailed in the following chapters? How often do you think about those things?
... Great things 2 ponder upon.
What is meant by "who are the remnant of their seed"? Is this referencing the literal seed of Zenos and Zenock? Is this referencing the seed of Israel? Is this referencing spiritual seed? Is it referencing many or all of the above? It is apparent that these prophets who went on before had seen that there would be a branch of Israel that was broken off and would witness the signs of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. It was very important for them to testify and write these things down. Why was there no record of this in the Old Testament that we have? Who would have been behind this "losing" of these prophecies?
17 - Behold, our father Jacob also testified concerning a remnant of the seed of Joseph. And behold, are not we a remnant of the seed of Joseph? And these things which testify of us, are they not written upon the plates of brass which our father Lehi brought out of Jerusalem?
Even Jacob (Israel) what would happen to the remnant of his seed. Is this a pattern that we see in the scriptures? How many prophets are shown what will happen to their seed? Is this something that can be shown to each one of us? Could this be one of the reasons that it was important for the Lord to have Lehi go back and get the plates of brass? Think of all of the times that the plates of brass are referenced throughout the Book of Mormon.
18 - And it came to pass that in the ending of the thirty and fourth year, behold, I will show unto you that the people of Nephi who were spared, and also those who had been called Lamanites, who had been spared, did have great favors shown unto them, and great blessings poured out upon their heads, insomuch that soon after the ascension of Christ into heaven he did truly manifest himself unto them--
Which ascension of Christ into heaven is being referenced here? Look at the footnote for "ascension". Which one does that reference? Why would Mormon have been shown this in vision?
19 - Showing his body unto them, and ministering unto them; and an account of his ministry shall be given hereafter. Therefore for this time I make an end of my sayings.
Why was it important for Mormon to point out that Christ appeared in his body to them? What other doctrine of the Gospel of Christ makes mention of Christ appearing in bodily form? Did this apply to those to who Christ appeared to here in the Americas? Is the account that follows a type of what to expect for all who receive it? Why did Mormon pause here? Could it have been because he needed to compose and gather his thoughts to write about what happened next? If it was so important for Mormon to get the correct thoughts down, how important should it be for us to study and contemplate all of the details of the experiences detailed in the following chapters? How often do you think about those things?
... Great things 2 ponder upon.
April 29, 2012
3 Nephi 10:12-15 -- Enduring to Witness the Resurrection
12 - 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-
What did it take to be a part of this "more righteous part". Look at the scriptures in the footnotes for "more". Specifically, read 2 Nephi 26:8. These were those who hearkened to the words of the prophets, and destroy them not. Destroy what, the words of the prophets? The prophets themselves? Is there a difference from an eternal perspective? How does one go about destroying the words of the prophets? They looked forward to Christ with steadfastness. What does it mean to be steadfast in this instance? They were steadfast, even in the midst of all persecution. For ANY person to walk the same path that these saints walked, persecution will come. That persecution may have different forms for different people, but the persecution will come. This is part of the process of salvation. Think about all the dispensations of the gospel, were there any where the righteous were not persecuted? If you are not being persecuted, what can that imply? Back to verse 12. What or who makes a person a prophet? Why were they stoned? Why not just ignore them?
13 - 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 darkness.
14 - And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures, let him search them, and see and behold if all these deaths and destructions by fire, and by smoke, and by tempests, and by whirlwinds, and by the opening of the earth to receive them, and all these things are not unto the fulfilling of the prophecies of many of the holy prophets.
Mormon stops the reader here and says "And now, whoso readeth, let him understand". Why would he have put a statement in there like that? Are the things preceding that statement to be taken lightly? Glossed over? He saw us in this day. He knew what kind of people were are. Why are the events that happened on the American continent at the death and resurrection of Christ so important to us now? We don't stone prophets do we? Are those events and attitudes that happened then a type of what will happen before the second coming of Christ? Mormon also pleads with us to search the scriptures. Why? He tells us that they say these things. Why would he tell us to search them? Is there something vital that can not be gained/given to a person except through searching in the scriptures for these things? Do you trust Mormon enough to do as he asks?
15 - Behold, I say unto you, Yeah, many have testified of these things at the coming of Christ, and were slain because they testified of these things.
When is the time period being referenced here? Is it at the same time that the signs of the Savior's birth? So great signs were given and those who prophesied that more great things would happen at his death were killed because they said these things. How can that possibly apply to us in this day and age? Are we guilty of thinking that all of the calamitous events prophesied to happen before the second coming of the Lord won't happen because everything seems to be going fine right now? Are we guilty of destroying the words of prophets by rationalizing the meaning away because it is contrary to our will? Are you prepared to endure the events that are coming?
March 4, 2012
3 Nephi 10:9-11 -- Witnesses of the Resurrection
9 - 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.
So in what time frame did the voice of Christ speak to the Nephites? Did this happen in Israel? Why not? What about the other other sheep that Christ visited, would this have happened there as well? What happened on the morning of the third day after Christ's crucifixion? Why would the earth have been trembling and groaning during those three days? Did the earth, as a being, recognize what had happened better than mankind upon the face of the earth? Was the earth mourning death of the only being who did not have to die, but was now dead? Was the earth confused, or just sad? Why did the earth stop all of this when the sun came up? Had the earth witnessed a particular event upon the face of it that would have stopped its sadness?
10 - 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 thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.
Why did the earth cleave together again? Did it have a new brightness of hope? A perfect brightness of hope? Why did the people who were left alive stop mourning? Did they realize what the passing of the three days and the ceasing of the trembling of the earth meant? Remember that they had received many invitations from the voice of Christ in the previous verses. Remember they had stopped weeping and wailing for several hours to ponder the words and teachings that they had heard. Undoubtedly, at some level, they realized that the realization of the promises extended to them by invitation would be contingent upon the completion of Christ's earthly mission. At the time they were given, Christ was not resurrected yet. Do you think that they were able to match the prophecies of prophets to the events that they were living in? Did the three days mean anything to them? Did they realize that Christ was now resurrected and that they would be able to for sure seek after those promises they had been given by invitation from Christ himself? Would that cause them to change from mourning to praise and thanksgiving for the Redeemer? Notice one particular word used by Mormon, "their" vs "the". What does this imply that those people knew/realized at that time?
11 - And thus far were the scriptures fulfilled which had been spoken by the prophets.
Why did Mormon use the particular wording "And thus far..."? Which prophets are being refered to here? Just New World prophets or also Old World prophets?
... Great things 2 ponder upon.
So in what time frame did the voice of Christ speak to the Nephites? Did this happen in Israel? Why not? What about the other other sheep that Christ visited, would this have happened there as well? What happened on the morning of the third day after Christ's crucifixion? Why would the earth have been trembling and groaning during those three days? Did the earth, as a being, recognize what had happened better than mankind upon the face of the earth? Was the earth mourning death of the only being who did not have to die, but was now dead? Was the earth confused, or just sad? Why did the earth stop all of this when the sun came up? Had the earth witnessed a particular event upon the face of it that would have stopped its sadness?
10 - 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 thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.
Why did the earth cleave together again? Did it have a new brightness of hope? A perfect brightness of hope? Why did the people who were left alive stop mourning? Did they realize what the passing of the three days and the ceasing of the trembling of the earth meant? Remember that they had received many invitations from the voice of Christ in the previous verses. Remember they had stopped weeping and wailing for several hours to ponder the words and teachings that they had heard. Undoubtedly, at some level, they realized that the realization of the promises extended to them by invitation would be contingent upon the completion of Christ's earthly mission. At the time they were given, Christ was not resurrected yet. Do you think that they were able to match the prophecies of prophets to the events that they were living in? Did the three days mean anything to them? Did they realize that Christ was now resurrected and that they would be able to for sure seek after those promises they had been given by invitation from Christ himself? Would that cause them to change from mourning to praise and thanksgiving for the Redeemer? Notice one particular word used by Mormon, "their" vs "the". What does this imply that those people knew/realized at that time?
11 - And thus far were the scriptures fulfilled which had been spoken by the prophets.
Why did Mormon use the particular wording "And thus far..."? Which prophets are being refered to here? Just New World prophets or also Old World prophets?
... Great things 2 ponder upon.
February 22, 2012
3 Nephi 10:3-8 As a Hen Gathereth
3 - And it came to pass that there came a voice again unto the people, and all the people did hear, and did witness of it, saying:
Once again, what does it signify to hear the voice of Christ and to witness of it? What do witnesses do? Do gospel ordinances make use of witnesses? Is this the same context?
4 - O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yeah, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.
Why is the Lord referencing their ancestor Jacob? Didn't they know that they were descendents of Jacob/Israel? What was Jacob promised by the Lord? How could that relate to "the house of Israel"? Who lives in houses? What do the promises made to the Fathers (ancient patriarchs) have to do with the Nephites at this time? Do they have anything to do with us? Is Christ reminding them of these promises? How does one qualify to have these same promises extended to them? Can we do it of ourselves, by ourselves? Is it necessary that we be "gathered" and "nourished"? Look up the footnote for "gathered" ( Helaman 7:19 ). What must be done to qualify to be gathered? What qualifies for scattering? Look up the second footnote for "nourished" ( 1 Nephi 17:3 ). What must one do to be qualified to be nourished? Have we been commanded to seek and receive the promises made to the Fathers? What is the way to have the means provided to us to accomplish that as outlined in 1 Nephi 17:3?
5 - 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, 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.
How many times does Christ use the analogy of a hen gathering her chickens under her wings in verses 4, 5, and 6? If Christ says it that many times, is it important to pay attention? If Mormon caused the same thing to be written in his compilation that many times, is it important to pay attention? Did Mormon understand what Christ meant by that analogy? Do we? If not, is Mormon trying to get our attention? Was Christ trying to get the attention of the Nephites here? The Lord repeats the phrase "the house of Israel" again. Why? Is he drawing attention to something? Why does Christ mention those that dwell at Jerusalem to those who are hearing his voice on the American continent? Is he trying to tell the Nephites something about the state of the people from whence they came? Is he trying to tell the Nephites something about themselves? (1 Nephi 19:11).
6 - 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.
Do you want to be gathered by Him as a hen gathereth her chickens? What two things must each individual do to have this happen to them? What does "full purpose of heart" mean? Something similar to "eye single to his glory"? Something similar to "a broken heart and a contrite spirit"? If one doesn't doe these things with a "full" purpose of heart, but with a "partially full" purpose of heart, is this mocking God? What happens to those who do that? How do you get your heart more "full" of purpose? Is the second of the two things mentioned above dependent on the first? Do "listening" and "doing" have a place in that process as well?
7 - But if not, O house of Israel, the places of your dwellings shall become desolate until the time of the fulfilling of the covenant to your fathers.
What does it mean to have "places of your dwellings shall be come desolate"? Is this purely physical, or is there also a spiritual component of this as well? What is implied by a spiritual dwelling to become desolate? What does that mean when associated with the "house of Israel"? Does it have something to do with promises extended to the Fathers? To descendents of Israel? Which covenant(s) that were made to their fathers is Christ referring to? Have they been fulfilled? Are they in the process of being fulfilled? Is that fulfillment still a future event from now?
8 - 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.
Why would the people start to weep and howl now? They had heard things that caused them to stop that and be silent for many hours. Did it have something to do with the fact that they understood the relationships between being "gathered" and "nourished" by Christ, the promises extended by God to the fathers/patriarchs, and being of the "house of Israel". Once they understood this and heard the voice of Christ lamenting that those who were destroyed ( their kindred and friends ) in the recent upheaval of nature at the time of his death had refused to be qualify themselves to be gathered and nourished by Him, were they lamenting the eternal consequences of that refusal that were going to be laid upon those that had perished?
... Great things 2 ponder upon.
Once again, what does it signify to hear the voice of Christ and to witness of it? What do witnesses do? Do gospel ordinances make use of witnesses? Is this the same context?
4 - O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yeah, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.
Why is the Lord referencing their ancestor Jacob? Didn't they know that they were descendents of Jacob/Israel? What was Jacob promised by the Lord? How could that relate to "the house of Israel"? Who lives in houses? What do the promises made to the Fathers (ancient patriarchs) have to do with the Nephites at this time? Do they have anything to do with us? Is Christ reminding them of these promises? How does one qualify to have these same promises extended to them? Can we do it of ourselves, by ourselves? Is it necessary that we be "gathered" and "nourished"? Look up the footnote for "gathered" ( Helaman 7:19 ). What must be done to qualify to be gathered? What qualifies for scattering? Look up the second footnote for "nourished" ( 1 Nephi 17:3 ). What must one do to be qualified to be nourished? Have we been commanded to seek and receive the promises made to the Fathers? What is the way to have the means provided to us to accomplish that as outlined in 1 Nephi 17:3?
5 - 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, 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.
How many times does Christ use the analogy of a hen gathering her chickens under her wings in verses 4, 5, and 6? If Christ says it that many times, is it important to pay attention? If Mormon caused the same thing to be written in his compilation that many times, is it important to pay attention? Did Mormon understand what Christ meant by that analogy? Do we? If not, is Mormon trying to get our attention? Was Christ trying to get the attention of the Nephites here? The Lord repeats the phrase "the house of Israel" again. Why? Is he drawing attention to something? Why does Christ mention those that dwell at Jerusalem to those who are hearing his voice on the American continent? Is he trying to tell the Nephites something about the state of the people from whence they came? Is he trying to tell the Nephites something about themselves? (1 Nephi 19:11).
6 - 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.
Do you want to be gathered by Him as a hen gathereth her chickens? What two things must each individual do to have this happen to them? What does "full purpose of heart" mean? Something similar to "eye single to his glory"? Something similar to "a broken heart and a contrite spirit"? If one doesn't doe these things with a "full" purpose of heart, but with a "partially full" purpose of heart, is this mocking God? What happens to those who do that? How do you get your heart more "full" of purpose? Is the second of the two things mentioned above dependent on the first? Do "listening" and "doing" have a place in that process as well?
7 - But if not, O house of Israel, the places of your dwellings shall become desolate until the time of the fulfilling of the covenant to your fathers.
What does it mean to have "places of your dwellings shall be come desolate"? Is this purely physical, or is there also a spiritual component of this as well? What is implied by a spiritual dwelling to become desolate? What does that mean when associated with the "house of Israel"? Does it have something to do with promises extended to the Fathers? To descendents of Israel? Which covenant(s) that were made to their fathers is Christ referring to? Have they been fulfilled? Are they in the process of being fulfilled? Is that fulfillment still a future event from now?
8 - 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.
Why would the people start to weep and howl now? They had heard things that caused them to stop that and be silent for many hours. Did it have something to do with the fact that they understood the relationships between being "gathered" and "nourished" by Christ, the promises extended by God to the fathers/patriarchs, and being of the "house of Israel". Once they understood this and heard the voice of Christ lamenting that those who were destroyed ( their kindred and friends ) in the recent upheaval of nature at the time of his death had refused to be qualify themselves to be gathered and nourished by Him, were they lamenting the eternal consequences of that refusal that were going to be laid upon those that had perished?
... Great things 2 ponder upon.
February 17, 2012
3 Nephi 10:1-2 Initial Nephite Silence
1 - And now behold, it came to pass that all the people of the land did hear these sayings, and did witness of it. And after these sayings there was silence in the land for the space of many hours;
Who was it that heard the voice of Christ and what he had testified about? Look up the footnote for the word 'hear' ( 1 Nephi 19:11 ). What was the manner of visitation of the Lord promised by Zenos for the righteous? What was the manner of visitation of the Lord promised by Zenos for those who were not righteous? Which ones happened on the American continents? Which ones did those who heard his voice from the heavens in the Americas experience? Why? What can that mean in other instances when the Lord has made know that there will be different things happening based on the righteousness of the people? What do the words 'did hear these sayings' mean? What does it mean to 'witness of it'? What does hearing and witnessing of the words which they had heard imply? Why was there silence in the land? Why weren't they talking to each other about what they had just heard? This verse says that everyone heard it, so why weren't they talking?
2 - For so great was the astonishment of the people that they did cease lamenting and howling for the loss of their kindred which had been slain; therefore there was silence in all the land for the space of many hours.
What astonished the people? What could cause them to stop mourning the violent deaths of their relatives? Go back to Chapter 9 and look at what the voice of the Lord said:
9:13 - 1st invitation given by the Lord.
9:14 - 2nd invitation from the Lord. Did they think they had been forgotten by the heavens?
9:15 - The Lord identifies himself in a context (1st) for the people to recognize.
9:16 - The Lord identifies himself in another context (2nd) for the people to recognize.
9:17 - 3rd invitation from the Lord. Is the same invitation as in 9:14? How many times in the scriptures is the term 'sons of God' used? The Lord identifies himself in another context (3rd ) for the people to recognize.
9:18 - The Lord identifies himself in another context (4th) for the people to recognize.
9:19, 20 - The Lord gives new doctrine given and ties it in to a grand spiritual experience that was well-known to the people so that they would know what to expect as a result of obedience to this new direction. This blessing had happened before as a result of obedience and will continue to happen as a result of obedience to the new doctrine given them by the Lord.
9:21 - The Lord identifies himself again in the same context that he did the 3rd time. If the Lord repeats himself, is that important? Should we pay attention? Should we ponder as to why?
9:22 - 4th invitation given from the Lord.
There is a lot there to ponder. Wouldn't you if you were suddenly given instruction and invitations by the voice of the Lord after passing through what must have seemed almost unbearable experiences just prior? In the experiences that these Nephites went through, is there a type that we should be aware of? Lots to ponder, maybe even for the 'space of many hours'?
... Great things 2 ponder upon
Who was it that heard the voice of Christ and what he had testified about? Look up the footnote for the word 'hear' ( 1 Nephi 19:11 ). What was the manner of visitation of the Lord promised by Zenos for the righteous? What was the manner of visitation of the Lord promised by Zenos for those who were not righteous? Which ones happened on the American continents? Which ones did those who heard his voice from the heavens in the Americas experience? Why? What can that mean in other instances when the Lord has made know that there will be different things happening based on the righteousness of the people? What do the words 'did hear these sayings' mean? What does it mean to 'witness of it'? What does hearing and witnessing of the words which they had heard imply? Why was there silence in the land? Why weren't they talking to each other about what they had just heard? This verse says that everyone heard it, so why weren't they talking?
2 - For so great was the astonishment of the people that they did cease lamenting and howling for the loss of their kindred which had been slain; therefore there was silence in all the land for the space of many hours.
What astonished the people? What could cause them to stop mourning the violent deaths of their relatives? Go back to Chapter 9 and look at what the voice of the Lord said:
9:13 - 1st invitation given by the Lord.
9:14 - 2nd invitation from the Lord. Did they think they had been forgotten by the heavens?
9:15 - The Lord identifies himself in a context (1st) for the people to recognize.
9:16 - The Lord identifies himself in another context (2nd) for the people to recognize.
9:17 - 3rd invitation from the Lord. Is the same invitation as in 9:14? How many times in the scriptures is the term 'sons of God' used? The Lord identifies himself in another context (3rd ) for the people to recognize.
9:18 - The Lord identifies himself in another context (4th) for the people to recognize.
9:19, 20 - The Lord gives new doctrine given and ties it in to a grand spiritual experience that was well-known to the people so that they would know what to expect as a result of obedience to this new direction. This blessing had happened before as a result of obedience and will continue to happen as a result of obedience to the new doctrine given them by the Lord.
9:21 - The Lord identifies himself again in the same context that he did the 3rd time. If the Lord repeats himself, is that important? Should we pay attention? Should we ponder as to why?
9:22 - 4th invitation given from the Lord.
There is a lot there to ponder. Wouldn't you if you were suddenly given instruction and invitations by the voice of the Lord after passing through what must have seemed almost unbearable experiences just prior? In the experiences that these Nephites went through, is there a type that we should be aware of? Lots to ponder, maybe even for the 'space of many hours'?
... Great things 2 ponder upon
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