Day 4 1 Nephi 19-22, 2 Nephi 1-2, D&C 13-16

[pam]

I absolutely LOVED this scripture: 2 Nephi 2:13

13 And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.

Is that not so true?

[pam]

Could someone clear up something for me? In the introduction to D&C 13 it states that John the Baptist came as an angel to ordain Joseph and Oliver to the Aaronic Priesthood. Now in past readings I am to understand that John the Baptist would walk the earth and not face death. How could he come as an angel then?

[ruthiechan]

It was John the Beloved that would walk the earth and not face death. Not John the Baptist. (I used to have that one confused too.)

[pam]

Oh thank you for clarifying that. Yep I'm confused.

[KeithLBrown]

Originally Posted by pam

Could someone clear up something for me? In the introduction to D&C 13 it states that John the Baptist came as an angel to ordain Joseph and Oliver to the Aaronic Priesthood. Now in past readings I am to understand that John the Baptist would walk the earth and not face death. How could he come as an angel then?

Is John the Baptist, the one who baptized Christ, the same person who wrote the Book of John? Is he the same one who ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood?

Answer:
No he isn't. John the Baptist was beheaded before the New Testament was complete. In fact, John the Baptist was beheaded before the writing of the Greek Scriptures started.

The author of The Gospel According to St. John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation in the New Testament is John the Beloved, one of the original Twelve Apostles under the authority of Jesus Christ. Although the author identifies himself as John in the Revelation (Rev. 1:1, 4, 9), he is known only as "the Elder" in 1, 2, and 3 John and as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" in the Gospel. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of James, another of the Twelve Apostles. They originally were fishermen and fished with their father in the Lake of Genesareth.

In his writings, John emphasizes spiritual qualities, including some contrasting pairs of qualities that illustrate the two opposing spiritual forces in the world. Examples include light and darkness, love and hate, truth and falsehood, and God and the devil. John also emphasizes such ideas as bearing true witness, knowing the Lord, enduring to the end, and being raised up by the Savior.

Although the Gospels of Matthew and Luke list Peter, Andrew, James, and John at the beginning of their lists, Mark and Acts place Peter, James, and John at the beginning of the list of the Twelve. These three apostles were alone with Jesus on special occasions, such as at the raising of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37-43), on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-9), and at Jesus' suffering in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:37-45). Only John and Peter were sent into the city to make the preparation for the final Passover meal [Last Supper] (Luke 22:8). At the meal itself, John's place was next to Jesus on whose chest he leaned (John 13:23-25). The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that these three ancient apostles received the keys of the priesthood during the transfiguration experience (TPJS, p. 158).

John is usually identified as one of the two disciples of John the Baptist mentioned in the Gospel of John who became disciples of Jesus after his baptism (John 1:35-40). James and John were called Boanerges ("Sons of Thunder") by Jesus, perhaps because of their strong and impulsive personalities. Either they (Mark 10:35-40) or their mother on their behalf (Matt. 20:20-23) asked Jesus to grant them places of honor in his heavenly kingdom. Although rebuked for their ambition, they averred their willingness to share in his trials and suffering, and Jesus affirmed that they would do so.

When Jesus was bound and taken to the high priest, John (who "was known unto the high priest") and Peter followed along (John 18:15). John continued to follow the Savior through the ensuing events and was the only one of the Twelve recorded as being present at the Crucifixion. Jesus asked him to take care of his mother, Mary, and John took her to his own home (John 19:26-27).

Following the resurrection of Christ, Peter and John ran to the tomb when told by Mary Magdalene that the covering stone had been removed. John ran faster and arrived first at the empty tomb (John 20:1-8). Later, the Lord told Peter that John would remain (on earth) until the Lord's second coming (John 21:20-23), giving rise to the early Christian tradition that John did not die. The Prophet Joseph Smith confirmed and corrected that tradition in a revelation that states that John, having been given "power over death," remains on earth "as flaming fire and a ministering angel…for those who shall be heirs of salvation" until the Savior returns (D&C 7). The resurrected Christ also mentioned John's continued earthly ministry during his visit to the people of the Book of Mormon (3 Ne. 28:6-8).

[pam]

Thanks so much to Keith and Ruthie. Yeh I was confused there. But now that I've seen the explanations I realize I knew that all along. Had a moment there I suppose.

[Seanette]

Yes, I’m behind on the reading . Spent most of a week coping with fatigue and depression, thanks to hormones and (I suspect) interference from a certain adversary who objects to study of the Scriptures. Anyone else running into any difficulties coinciding with the challenge?
1 Nephi 18: God tells Nephi how to build the ship, which is not the same way ships are normally built based on the wisdom of men. Nephi prays often and receives guidance and instruction to accomplish the task the Lord has for him. L&L see that the completed ship is good and are humble. Jacob and Joseph have been born during the family’s wandering in the wilderness. The family loads up the ship, boards, and launches, with strong winds driving the ship in the desired direction. L&L, and those who side with them, begin dancing and reveling (while it’s not stated in the passage, I suspect some alcohol is involved) and disregard God (or even basic courtesy toward other family members) in pursuit of pleasure. Nephi fears that his brothers will incur God’s anger and attempts to reprove them. They tie him up and apparently abuse him. They also threaten anyone who speaks in Nephi’s favor, even their parents. The compass ceases to work and a storm comes up that threatens the survival of the ship. Even with this happening, it takes three days for L&L to acknowledge God’s power, reconsider their actions, and free Nephi. Nephi’s prayer calms the storm and the compass begins working again. They arrive at the promised land and begin planting crops. They find they have plenty of animals, ore, and other needed things.
1 Nephi 19: Nephi obeys the Lord’s command, makes plates, and begins recording. The plates are divided into secular and religious histories and are to be handed down through the generations, from prophet to prophet, until the Lord instructs otherwise. Nephi discusses man’s disregard for Divine counsel. He speaks of Christ’s coming and sacrifice, referring to the (lost to us) prophecies of Zenos and Zenock (based on similarity of names, are they related?). Nephi knows that Christ will go to all of Israel throughout the world. The Jews will be hated and scattered for rejecting Christ. In due time, Israel will be gathered in. In discussion of Zenos and Zenock, we see again the plain and precious things lost from the Bible that we get back via the Book of Mormon and the Restoration.
1 Nephi 20: Compare Isaiah 48. Israel is obstinate, but will be refined by affliction. The Lord does not speak or act in secret, but declares His works. Israel was led from Egypt to freedom by the Lord. There is no peace for the wicked.
1 Nephi 21: Compare Isaiah 49. Messiah will free prisoners, raise up Israel, and be a light to the Gentiles. The Lord does not forsake His children. Israel will be gathered, with kings and queens caring for Israel. Captives will be delivered.
1 Nephi 22: L&L ask if these chapters are temporal or spiritual and are told that they’re both. The scattering of Israel is already underway in Nephi’s time, with the Ten Tribes having been lost, Nephi’s colony and the Mulekites coming to the New World, and probably other groups whose records we do not yet have. Nephi summarizes the future of Israel. Other nations warring against Israel will be turned against one another and eventually destroyed. The righteous will be preserved when God’s wrath comes to the wicked. The Lord will prepare a way for His people (we’ve already seen this through the book of 1 Nephi).
2 Nephi 1: Lehi, knowing he is near death, speaks to his family about their journey from Jerusalem to the promised land and tells them he has seen the destruction of Jerusalem in vision. The land they’ve been led to has been consecrated and will be kept from the knowledge of other nations. Those who keep God’s commandments will prosper in the land, while turning away will bring the judgment of God. Lehi reproves the rebellious ones for their behavior toward Nephi and urges them to shake off the chains of sin. Nephi is the chosen next leader because of his faith and righteousness.
Section 13: Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery are ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood.
Section 14: early part is a repeat of material from section 11. The work of God is coming forth. Keep the commandments and endure to the end to obtain eternal life.
Section 15&16: identical except for name of person to whom section is addressed. Preach repentance and bring souls to God.
Moses 7: The city of Zion is established, with Enoch leading, teaching, and prophesying. He has sufficient faith to move mountains. God weeps over those who will not follow Him, to Enoch’s surprise. God explains His grief, and shows Enoch Noah’s time. Enoch also grieves. He is promised that his posterity will continue even after the Flood (Noah is descended from Enoch via Methuselah). Enoch sees Christ’s ministry. The earth mourns the wickedness of man and asks for rest. Enoch is shown our time. Zion is taken up to God. (Again, important material is being repeated, with the very early prophets being shown Christ’s ministry and our day.)
Moses 8: Enoch’s son Methuselah is not taken up with Zion, but remains on earth and becomes an ancestor of Noah (whom we learn in modern revelation is also the angel Gabriel). Noah prophesies and preaches repentance, but is rejected. His daughters marry unbelievers. Noah is ordained to the priesthood. Noah and his three sons (and presumably their wives) are the only remaining righteous people on earth. At this point, the story rejoins Genesis, with the JST offering, in my opinion, much more richness and clarity than the KJV. The book of Moses, as is the book of Abraham, is an excerpt from the JST.

[pam]

Anyone else running into any difficulties coinciding with the challenge?

In the last day or so yes. More tired than usual, in fact exhaustion. I'm now a couple of days behind and need to get with the program here again.

[KeithLBrown]

Seanette said:
Anyone else running into any difficulties coinciding with the challenge?

Yes, believe it or not I fell a little behind myself, but should be all caught up tonight. Between work, Church responsibilities, and just plain being exhausted at night it can be a little challenging. The object is to keep pressing on. I tried reading last night and had to quit because I found myself fading in and out and reading sections over and over again. Satan is crafty though. As soon as I put the Scriptures aside and started to work on a couple of other small things before I went to bed, suddenly I was wide awake again. Anyone have any similar experiences?

[pam]

Man Keith that is describing me to a "T."