2 Ne 27:1 all the lands of the earth…will be drunken with iniquity
According to the justice of
God, the wicked cannot be destroyed until certain conditions are met. These
conditions are that the people have reached such a state of wickedness that the
Lord is justified in punishing them and that they have been sufficiently warned
by the prophets. Both of these conditions will have been met prior to the
destruction of the wicked in the last days.
We can see a pattern in the
many other societies who have been destroyed by the Lord. First, was the flood,
And God saw that the wickedness of man was
great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his
heart was only evil continually (Gen 6:5). Obviously, Noah was
the prophet of warning. This pattern was repeated with the destruction of Sodom
and Gomorrah, the Jews in the meridian of time, the Jaredites, the Nephites at
the time of the coming of Christ, and the Nephites prior to their ultimate
destruction.
What is remarkable about
Nephi’s prophecy is that in the last days all the
lands of the earth will reach such a state of wickedness that they will
be ripe for destruction. Paul accurately described the state of being drunken with iniquity:
‘In the last
days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers
of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural
affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of
those that are good,
Traitors, heady,
highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof: form such turn away.
For of this sort are
they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led
away with divers lusts,
Ever learning, and
never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
…men of corrupt minds,
reprobate concerning the faith.
But they shall proceed
no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men.’ (2 Tim 3:1-9)
2 Ne 27:3 all the nations that fight against
Zion…shall be as a dream of a night vision
Nephi continues to borrow from the
prophecies of Isaiah, see Isa 29:8. He prophesies that those who contend
against Zion will be like a thirsty man whose thirst is never quenched or a
hungry man whose hunger is never satisified. Elsewhere, Isaiah make it clear
that the day will soon come when the Lord will fight Zion’s battles, I will contend with him that contendeth with thee (Isa
49:25). The D&C teaches that the fame of Zion will spread because of the
power of the Lord which will preserve it:
‘And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a
land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most
High God;
And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the
Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and
it shall be called Zion.
And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that
will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for
safety.
And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under
heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with
another.
And it shall be said among the wicked: Let us not go up to battle
against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot
stand.’
(DC 45:66-70)
The
day will come when Zion, or the New Jerusalem, will become so powerful, both
spiritually and politically, that it will strike fear into the hearts of the
wicked. Verse 9 of chapter 22 reads, all they who
fight against Zion shall be cut off. This doctrine was sometimes boldly
and tactlessly declared by the early saints in Missouri. This contributed to
the paranoia and hatred which was so easily engendered among the Missourians of
the early 1830’s.
2
Ne 27:7-11 in the book shall be a revelation from
God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof
Nephi understands that
Isaiah’s reference to the words of a book that is
sealed (Isa 29:11) refers to the golden plates. The sealed portion of
these plates has engendered some speculation. What is contained in the sealed
portion? When will we get to read that sealed portion? The Book of Mormon
answers both of those questions. First of all, Nephi explains that the sealed
book contains a revelation covering the events of the entire world’s history, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof.
This is exactly how Mormoni explains it in Ether 3:27:
‘And when the Lord had
said these words, he showed unto the brother of Jared all the inhabitants of
the earth which had been, and also all that would be; and he withheld them not
from his sight, even unto the ends of the earth.
For he had said unto
him in times before, that if he would believe in him that he could show unto
him all things--it should be shown unto him; therefore the Lord could not
withhold anything from him, for he knew that the Lord could show him all
things.
And the Lord said unto
him: Write these things and seal them up; and I will show them in mine own due
time unto the children of men.’ (Ether
3:25-7)
The brother of Jared had
such faith that he was given this revelation—a history of the inhabitants of
the earth from beginning to end. It would contain all
things…which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be
even unto the end of the earth (v. 11). Had this revelation been
translated by Joseph Smith, we would likely have a much clearer picture of the
events that are to transpire at the time of the Second Coming. Instead, they are given to us in the
figurative language of John the Revelator. The brother of Jared’s words would
have been written to our understanding and would contain the great power that
Moroni prayed about, the things which he (the
brother of Jared) wrote were mighty even as thou
art, unto the overpowering of man to read them (Ether 12:24).
Nevertheless, the Book of
Mormon was written to go forth to a wicked world, and the
things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and
abominations of the people (v. 8). Therefore, some of the most holy and
sacred revelations must be withheld until the world is ready. This is why Nephi
couldn’t record all of the vision which he saw (1 Ne 14:25), it is why the
other Nephi couldn’t record those things which Christ prayed for them (3 Ne
17:17), and it is why Paul couldn’t speak of the words which he heard when he
was caught up to the third heaven, he was caught up
into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to
utter (2 Cor 12:2-4).
Joseph Smith
“Paul
ascended into the third heavens, and he could understand the three principal
rounds of Jacob's ladder-the telestial, the terrestrial, and the celestial
glories or kingdoms, where Paul saw and heard things which were not lawful for
him to utter. I could explain a hundred fold more than I ever have of the
glories of the kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and
were the people prepared to receive them.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph
Smith, p. 304)
Joseph Fielding Smith
“Now
the Lord has placed us on probation as members of the Church. He has given us
the Book of Mormon, which is the lesser part, to build up our faith through our
obedience to the counsels which it contains, and when we ourselves, members of
the Church, are willing to keep the commandments as they have been given to us
and show our faith as the Nephites did for a short period of time, then the
Lord is ready to bring forth the other record and give it to us, but we are not
ready to receive it. Why? Because we have not lived up to the requirements in
this probationary state in the reading of the record which had been given to us
and in following its counsels.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1961, pp. 19-20
as
taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K.
Douglas Bassett, p. 156)
2 Ne 27:12 three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of God
There is a significant difference
between what the three witnesses experienced and what the eight witnesses saw.
The scripture says that the three witnesses shall
behold it, by the power of God. This means that rather than Joseph Smith
just showing them the plates, they were given the privilege of seeing Moroni,
of hearing a voice from heaven proclaim the truth of the record, of beholding
the Liahona, sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate (see
commentary on how the 3 witnesses received their witness). The eight witnesses,
in contrast, saw the plates, but the witness was not given by the power of God. Rather it was given according to the will of God (v. 13).
2 Ne 27:13 none other which shall view it, save it be a few
This has reference to the eight
witnesses and Mary Whitmer. The eight witnesses, as described above were
allowed to handle the plates and view the characters. This is in contrast to
the three witnesses who did not handle the plates but had the pages turned for
them by the angel Moroni (see commentary on how the 3 witnesses received their
witness)..
The story of Mary Whitmer is
interesting. She had been making great sacrifices in the Whitmer home to allow
the work to progress. One day, while wearily performing her labors she saw the
angel Moroni who showed her the plates. The story is told by her daughter who
had inquired of Joseph as to the location of plates:
“I saw something which led me to the
belief that the plates were placed or concealed in my father's barn. I frankly
asked Joseph if my supposition was right, and he told me it was. Sometime after
this, my mother (Mary) was going to milk the cows, when she was met out near
the yard by the same old man (judging by her description of him) who said to
her: ‘You have been very faithful and diligent in your labors, but you are
tired because of the increase of your toil; it is proper therefore that you
should receive a witness that your faith may be strengthened.’ Thereupon he
showed her the plates. My father and mother had a large family of their own,
the addition to it therefore of Joseph, his wife Emma and Oliver very greatly
increased the toil and anxiety of my mother. And although she had never
complained she had sometimes felt that her labor was too much, or at least she
was perhaps beginning to feel so. This circumstance, however, completely
removed all such feelings and nerved her up for her increased
responsibilities.” (“Report of Elders Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smith,” Millennial
Star 40 (9 Dec 1878):772-73 as taken from Testimony of the Book of
Mormon Witnesses by Preston Nibley)
It
is remarkable to note that Mary Whitmer was the only woman to behold the
plates. Even Emma, who acted as a scribe and was an untiring support of
Joseph’s work, never saw the plates unless they were covered in some way. The
only members of the prophet’s family who ever saw the plates were Joseph Smith,
Sr., Hyrum Smith, and Samuel H. Smith who were only allowed to see them as part
of the group of eight witnesses.
2
Ne 27:15-19 The Charles Anthon story
Nephi
is much more clear in his prophecy of the Charles Anthon encounter than is Isa
29:11-12. Look at the following passage, the Lord
God shall say unto him (Joseph Smith) to whom
he shall deliver the book: Take these words which are not sealed and deliver
them to another (Martin Harris), that he may
show them unto the learned (Charles Anthon),
saying: Read this, I pray thee. And the learned shall say: Bring hither the
book, and I will read them. Martin Harris recorded the following
history:
“I went to the city of New York, and
presented the characters which had been translated, with the translation
thereof, to Professor Charles Anthon, a gentleman celebrated for his literary
attainments. Professor Anthon stated that the translation was correct, more so
than any he had before seen translated from the Egyptian. I then showed him
those which were not yet translated, and he said that they were Egyptian,
Chaldaic, Assyric, and Arabic; and he said they were true characters. He gave
me a certificate, certifying to the people of Palmyra that they were true
characters, and that the translation of such of them as had been translated was
also correct. I took the certificate and put it into my pocket, and was just
leaving the house, when Mr. Anthon called me back, and asked me how the young
man found out that there were gold plates in the place where he found them. I
answered that an angel of God had revealed it unto him.
“He then said to me, ‘Let me see that
certificate.’ I accordingly took it out of my pocket and gave it to him, when
he took it and tore it to pieces, saying, that there was no such thing now as
ministering of angels, and that if I would bring the plates to him, he would
translate them. I informed him that part of the plates were sealed, and that I
was forbidden to bring them. He replied, ‘I cannot read a sealed book.’ I left
him and went to Dr. Mitchell, who sanctioned what Professor Anthon had said
respecting both the characters and the translation.” (History of the Church,
vol. 1, p. 20)
Neal A. Maxwell
“This is not solely a reference to
professor Anthon, since the plural pronoun they is used (2 Ne 27:20).
The reference suggests a mind-set of most of the learned of the world, who by
and large, do not take the Book of Mormon seriously. Even when they read it,
they do not really read it, except with a mind-set which excludes
miracles, including the miracle of the book’s coming forth by the ‘gift and power of God.’” (First Nephi, The
Doctrinal Foundation, BYU Religious Studies center, p. 9 as taken from Latter-day
Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 157)
2
Ne 27:22 seal up the book again, and hide it up unto
me
Investigators
often ask about the current whereabouts of the golden plates. If Joseph Smith
had found an ancient record, it should be displayed like the relics of King
Tut, or any other archeological site. What is misunderstood, is that the Book
of Mormon was delivered and translated by the power of God. The Lord makes it
clear that the sealed portion is not to go forth to the world until it is time,
in his infinite wisdom, to reveal all things unto
the children of men (v. 22). In order to protect this sealed portion,
Joseph Smith was required to return the plates to Moroni when he was done
translating the unsealed portion. Even if Joseph had been able to show the
plates to the world, they would not have believed his message, Behold if they will not believe my words, they would not
believe you, my servant Joseph, if it were possible that you should show them
all these things (the plates, etc.) which I
have committed unto you (DC 5:7).
Joseph Fielding Smith
“The question has been asked many times
of our elders: Where are the plates? Does the Church have in its possession the
plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith?
“When the answer is given that the
plates were received again by the Angel Moroni, who through the centuries since
they were hid up unto the Lord has been their special guardian, the reply is
generally made: What a wonderful aid it would be to your people in convincing
the world of the truth of your story if you could show the plates to prove that
Joseph Smith really had them.
“Perhaps it is natural for a man who
hears for the first time the story of Joseph Smith and the coming forth of the
Book of Mormon to propound such a question and to think that the plates, if
they had been placed in some museum where the public could examine them, would
have added much to prove the authenticity of the Prophet's story. With deeper
reflection we discover that this would not have been the case, for it is not
the way the Lord proves his truth, now or at any other time. However, in
surprise, and in some cases with an incredulous smile, the propounder of this
question turns away feeling that such an answer as he has received is an
admission that Joseph Smith never had the plates and practiced a fraud upon the
public.
“EXISTENCE OF PLATES WOULD NOT PROVE
DIVINITY OF BOOK. It is well in considering this matter to remember the words
of the Lord to Isaiah: ‘For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are
higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts
than your thoughts.’(Isa 55:8)
“If the Lord had followed the thoughts
of men and had commanded Joseph Smith to place the plates in some repository
where they could have been inspected by the curious public, it would have led
to endless disputations. Enemies of the Church would not have been convinced
and would have contended most bitterly that the plates were spurious. No one
could have read them for the characters engraved on them are unknown to the
savants of the present age.
“The Lord does not convince men of his
truth by placing before their eyes and in their hands tangible evidence, as a
lawyer may do before the court, marking it exhibit A and exhibit B, and then
expect it to be accepted. The Lord expects the searcher after truth to approach
him with a contrite spirit and with sincerity of purpose; if he will do this
and keep the commandments of the Lord, he shall receive the witness through the
Holy Spirit and shall know the truth.”
(Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 227-8)
2
Ne 27:25 Forasmuch as this people draw near to me
with their mouth
Nephi
prophesies of the first vision for he declares the very words that the Lord
will tell Joseph Smith at that time. This passage describes well the state of
religion in the days of Joseph Smith. It also refers to the hypocrites in the
days of Christ, well did Esaias prophesy of you,
saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me
with their lips; but their heart is far from me (Matt 15:8).
This
scripture also demonstrates the importance of what is in our hearts, not what
comes out of our mouths. The person who is fake and phony in conversation,
exhibiting a kindness that is more pretended than real, aptly demonstrates this
principle. It doesn’t matter how nice a person is if he or she is not willing
to lift a finger to help another person. Members of the church are commonly
guilty of this. They draw near to their fellowmen with their mouth but their
hearts are far from them.
It
should be noted that from verse 25 to the end of the chapter, Nephi is quoting
the last half of Isaiah 29.
2
Ne 27:27 wo unto them that seek deep to hide their
counsel from the Lord
We
learned from the last chapter that Isaiah
was apparently describing secret combinations when he described those that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and
their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? And who knoweth us? (Isa
29:15) That these secret combinations are founded by the devil is well
established in the Book of Mormon. See also 1 Ne 14:9.
2 Ne 27:28 Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field
“As
a proof of the Divine power and interest in human affairs, Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field; and the
fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest. That is to say, the fertility
and productiveness of the country will be so great, with the blessings of God,
that there will seem to be no difference between a natural forest and an
artificial park. All will have the appearance of a well cultivated garden.
“This
has been corroborated in our own day. In less than 25 years, the actual
development of Palestine, agriculturally, commercially and intellectually, is
the marvel of history. The Jews in Palestine, as the Latter-day Saints in
America, have, literally, turned a desert into a garden. They have brought
money, knowledge, idealism, and the type of people settled there is the best
human material available for the building up of a country. Of the 400,000 Jews
in Palestine about 10,000 are said to be immigrants from America. They have
contributed much, particularly through investments, toward development of the
orange groves, shipping and commercial companies and industries.” (Reynolds and
Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 1, p. 400)
2 Ne 27:29 the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the
blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness
The Book of Mormon is
certainly available in brail and on audiocassette so that the deaf and blind
can understand the message of the Book of Mormon. However, this is not what
Isaiah is prophesying about. Rather, he understands that the spiritually deaf
will hear the word of the Lord and the spiritually blind will see the light of
the gospel as taught in the Book of Mormon.
2 Ne 27:35 They also that erred in spirit shall come to
understanding
Orson Pratt
“Oh,
how my heart has been pained within me when I have seen the blindness of the
Christian world, and I knew that many of them were sincere! I knew they desired
to know the truth, but they scarcely knew whether to turn to the right or to
the left, so great were the errors that were taught in their midst, and so
strong the traditions which they had imbibed, the fear of the Lord being taught
them by the precepts of men instead of by inspiration and the power of the Holy
Ghost. ‘They also that erred in spirit shall come to
understanding’ when this book comes forth, and ‘They
that murmur shall learn doctrine.’
“It
would seem, then, that there is something connected with doctrine in the
contents of this book, or the people could not learn doctrine therefrom and
have their errors done away. But those who have read this book will bear me
record that their minds have been forever set at rest in regard to doctrine, so
far as the ordinances of the kingdom of God are concerned. Those who erred, and
did not know whether sprinkling, pouring or immersion was the true method of
baptism, now know? Why? Because the Book of Mormon reveals the mode as it was
given to the ancient Nephites on this continent. So in regard to every other principle
of the doctrine of Christ--it is set forth in such great plainness that it is
impossible for any two persons to form different ideas in relation to it, after
reading the Book of Mormon.” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 15, p. 187)