This review is probably going to run a little long, especially in the Pearl of Great Price, where we learn a great deal about Adam and Eve and their family that is not in our present Bible, especially about Satan’s personality and methods (somehow, doesn’t seem surprising that that’s a large part of what’s been removed from the early portion of Genesis, since our Adversary benefits from his victims’ lack of knowledge about who/what he is and how to fight him).
1 Nephi 12: Nephi’s vision continues – he is shown the future of his descendants, including the contention that will come to be between his seed and the seed of his brothers, down to the apostasy following Christ’s visit to the New World (this falling-away is discussed in 4 Nephi). He learns that his seed will be doomed by their pride. The symbols of the vision of the Tree of Life are explained to him. The river of filthy water represents the depths of hell, the great and spacious building is the pride and vain imaginings of the world, the mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil (elsewhere, we note that being deceived by Satan is characterized as a darkening of the mind), and the gulf between the Iron Rod and the great and spacious building represents the word and justice of God, and the Messiah.
1 Nephi 13: Nephi’s vision continues: he sees the discovery and colonization of the American continent, the church of the devil taking shape, the bringing forth of the Bible and the loss of many plain and precious things from it (e.g., the information about Satan not found in the present Genesis, but found in the book of Moses). He sees the coming Apostasy, followed by the Restoration in the latter days, with additional Scripture coming forth.
1 Nephi 14: the Lord tells Nephi that repentant Gentiles will be blessed, the unrepentant will be cursed. It’s explained that there are only two churches: the Church of the Lamb of God, and the church of the devil, which is made up of all those who do not belong to the Church of the Lamb. There is no middle ground. The church of the devil will vastly outnumber the Church of the Lamb and will band together to fight the true Church, but the righteous will be granted God’s power. Nephi is shown more of the future, but is commanded to not write it, being told that is the assignment of John (whom Nephi is shown).
1 Nephi 15: L&L complain that they cannot understand their father’s words. Nephi asks them if they have inquired of the Lord. They have not, being unwilling to humble themselves to do so. Nephi explains the olive tree allegory and commands his brothers to inquire of God. They do so, and Nephi explains the Tree of Life vision to them, including the information that this is both temporal and spiritual. He tells them that their seed will receive the Gospel from the Gentiles in time.
1 Nephi 16: The wicked take the truth to be hard (this would appear to be a general human condition, as frequently as we see throughout Scripture and in our own time how hard non-believers fight to reject God’s truths and laws). Lehi’s sons and Zoram take wives from among the daughters of Ishmael (presumably, Lehi’s daughters are also marrying Ishmael’s sons). The group is given the Liahona (not yet known by that name), and discover that this guide works by their faith, pointing them in the direction they are to go and giving messages. We have the incident of Nephi’s broken bow, apparently the last working bow in the group. Everyone complains, even Lehi. Nephi doesn’t waste time murmuring and complaining, he’s too busy solving the problem by making himself another bow. It’s known that he will lead the group after Lehi does, and probably could have assumed control at this point, since Lehi is as demoralized as anyone else. Instead, Nephi honors his father as patriarch and priesthood leader by seeking his counsel on where to go to get food. This helps Lehi recover from his discouragement. Ishmael dies, and his daughters mourn. Laman, still upset over the loss of material comforts his family sacrificed to follow the commands God gave Lehi, tries to persuade his brothers and the sons of Ishmael to kill Nephi. They are chastened by the voice of the Lord.
1 Nephi 17: Nephi is commanded to begin building a boat, which his brothers oppose, since they don’t believe it can be done and don’t want to do the work. They’re still complaining over their sacrificed riches, social prestige, and comforts back in Jerusalem. Nephi reviews with them the history of God’s dealings with Israel. Nephi speaks of obedience bringing God’s favor and help in doing what is commanded. Nephi is filled with God’s power, his brothers are commanded to not touch him, until God decides to get their attention and, via Nephi, sends a shock through them. They respond by trying to worship Nephi, which he forbids, directing their worship to God, where it belongs. L&L are briefly repentant, although Nephi fears they are “past feeling”.
Section 9: more records are yet to be given to man. The process of obtaining revelation is set out: we are to study out the question for ourselves, arrive at what we believe the answer to be, then seek confirmation from the Lord as to whether we’re right. The Lord, as often stated in Scripture, expects us to give our best efforts, then He’ll make up the difference between that best and what’s needed.
Section 10: Joseph Smith is warned of the scheme relating to the 116 lost pages, that will be altered to supposedly discredit him when he retranslates the material. He’s instructed to use the other set of records that cover the same material (reference 1 Nephi 9) to foil this plan. Satan stirs up opposition to the work of God, among other things teaching that there is no sin in lying to supposedly catch God’s representatives in a lie. The Book of Mormon will take the Gospel to the Lamanites and all other nations. The repentant and obedient will be gathered to the church the Lord will establish.
Section 11: God’s work will come forth. His servants are instructed to keep the commandments, preach repentance, seek for wisdom, trust the Holy Spirit, and study. We must obtain God’s Word before we can preach it. We are instructed to not deny revelation or prophecy.
Section 12: repeats early part of Section 11
Moses 5: lots of material here that does not appear in our present book of Genesis that makes for a much clearer and more detailed narrative of events, including information about Satan’s methods. Adam and Eve begin having children. Adam offers sacrifices, not knowing why. As Nephi in 1 Nephi 9, it’s enough for Adam that the Lord commanded him to do so, he doesn’t need to know all the details many people seek before they’ll obey God. Eve expresses her gratitude for the Plan of Salvation and the knowledge of good and evil, the joy of redemption, and that they would not have had children without the Fall. They teach their children the Gospel. Satan tempts their children, draws some away from righteousness. Cain chooses to follow Satan, including taking it on himself to decide what is an acceptable offering to God rather than obeying God’s instructions on the subject. Abel is obedient, resulting in his offering being accepted while Cain’s is rejected, to his anger. The Lord warns Cain to turn back to the path of good, warning that he will become Perdition and rule over Satan, being known to posterity as the source of abominations, and will be cursed. Cain refuses to heed this warning. He marries one of his nieces, who shares his rebellion. He covenants with Satan and becomes Master Mahan, glorying in his wickedness. He kills Abel, expecting to receive Abel’s flocks and considering himself free. He is cursed and cast out, a mark placed on him. Several generations later, his descendant Lamech in turn becomes Master Mahan and kills Irad for revealing the secret Satan gave Cain. Lamech’s wives denounce him. The Earth is cursed for man’s wickedness. Even this early in history, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being taught.
Moses 6: Seth is born and is like Abel in righteousness. Adam and his family keep a book of remembrance in their pure, undefiled language (is this the language of God? I wonder). Wars and bloodshed are brought about by the wicked seeking for power by secret works. Enoch is called as prophet and begins preaching repentance and the Gospel. Baptism was taught first to Adam. Enoch explains the parallels between physical birth and baptism: water (in the womb, used to baptize), blood (at birth, the Blood of Christ to wash away sin), and spirit (the human spirit entering the body, the Spirit of God as companion and guide).
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