Today, we’ll be studying 1 Nephi 22, which will finish out the book of First Nephi.
The Lord and, by extension, Nephi, knew that Isaiah would be hard for some to understand. Jesus Christ stated the reason for this when his disciples asked him why he chose to speak in parables. However, having been called to be his brothers’ teacher, Nephi did his best to explain the previous passages to them (Click the following links to visit my entries concerning 1 Nephi 20 and 1 Nephi 21).
The brothers start out by asking if the previous passages had to do only with things of the spirit, not the flesh. My understanding of this is as follows. If Nephi had said they regarded things of the spirit (spiritual) then they could be taken as symbolic of their spiritual journey homeward. If Nephi had said they were of the flesh (temporal) they could be taken literally, as things about to happen in the physical world. Nephi, however, tells them that they deal with both spiritual and temporal things, meaning that information can be gleaned from these passages that can provide us with necessary direction on the path back into the presence of our Father, however they also provide us with concrete knowledge of things meant to happen in the physical world.
Nephi informs them that Israel will be scattered across the face of the earth and among all nations. This means that, very likely, there will be a pretty large number of people who aren’t even aware of their Israelite heritage. In fact, by the time Lehi and his family left Jerusalem, most of the children of Israel had already been scattered and much of the previous prophecy read to the brothers by Nephi has been concerning them. Then the Lord will set up the Gentiles (non-Israelites) as a standard. I love the dictionary.com definition of this word:
1. something considered by an authority or by general consent as a basis of comparison; an approved model.
2. an object that is regarded as the usual or most common size or form of its kind: We stock the deluxe models as well as the standards.
3. a rule or principle that is used as a basis for judgment: They tried to establish standards for a new philosophical approach.
4. an average or normal requirement, quality, quantity, level,grade, etc.: His work this week hasn't been up to his usual standard.
5. standards, those morals, ethics, habits, etc., established by authority, custom, or an individual as acceptable: He tried to live up to his father's standards.
This means that the Gentiles (i.e., us) would be chosen by the Lord to represent an approved model. They (we) would be regarded as the most usual, common form of their kind and used as a basis for judgment. Their (our) example would be considered the normal requirement and established by the Lord as acceptable morals, ethics and habits for the re-emerging children of Israel. It also means that the Gentiles would be held up to the world like a banner or flag for people to follow. Many, if not all, of us know what this is like. There’s a good chance that sometime in your life someone has pointed to another person and said something like, “be like that person.” That person has been set up as a standard for you. You may even have been the person people were saying that about. Our ultimate standard, of course, is Jesus Christ.
Nephi also mentions that the Gentiles will nurse the children of Israel, carrying them in their arms and on their shoulders. This makes me think of parenthood. I think it means that the Gentiles will raise, nurture, care for and look after the children of Israel. I’m put in mind of the reestablishment of the country of Israel by the United States in 1948.
He also promises that the righteous will be preserved by the power of the Lord, even if it means the destruction of their enemies by fire. Further, Nephi speaks about the coming of the “Holy One of Israel,” better known as Messiah or the Savior of the World. He tells that all churches built for the sake of making money or getting power or being popular, etc, need to be afraid, because they will be brought low and consumed by fire. At this point, I want to reiterate that at no time in this blog do I intend to point the finger of judgment at other churches. That’s not the job for which I was put onto this earth. Moving on.
After Christ returns to the earth, he will gather his children from all over the world…”and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep and in him they shall find pasture.” I am of the opinion that this means his church will be gathered into one place and he will be the leader and they will look directly to him for knowledge and guidance. What’s more, Satan would be bound, not with cords, but by the righteousness of the people. It is with this information that Nephi ends this part of the Book of Mormon.
Applying the Scriptures to My Life
The part of this scripture that struck me hardest was when Nephi explained that the Gentiles, meaning us, would be set up as a standard to the children of Israel. Looking up the word, as I was inspired to do, gave me an interesting insight into the particular use of that word, “standard.” I knew that a standard could be a flag and it could be a set of morals and good habits that we would be wise to live by. I also remembered John Bytheway explaining that a basketball hoop is called a “standard.” He explained that this was because it is always set at a specific height and that height never changes.
I know that people look at Mormons with quizzical looks wondering what we have that they don’t. So I can’t help wondering if we have already been set up as a standard, not just for the children of Israel, but for the entire world. That sort of makes me think that I should be trying harder to live as close to the gospel and the commandments as possible.
Have a different interpretation of this scripture, or personal thoughts and feelings about it? Feel free to leave them in the comments below.
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