Notes from 1 Nephi 19-21

For Friday's discussion we read 1 Nephi 19-21, which includes the first time that Nephi quotes Isaiah in the Book of Mormon.

Nephi begins by talking about the records he is making and why they are important. Then he relates the account of the ministry of Christ on the earth and his crucifixion by the Jews. This would be followed by the fires and tempests in the Americas and the eventual dispersion of the Jews.

Nephi then begins addressing the eventual physical and spiritual gathering of the House of Israel. Nephi says that he quotes Isaiah to "fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer" (19:23), and that he likens Isaiah to his people that they "may have hope" (19:24) in the mission of Christ.

In Chapter 20, Nephi quotes Isaiah who is speaking as the Lord. The Lord states that He has revealed the plan of salvation to His people so that they would know it was His work and not the work of men. He admonishes the people to leave Babylon and Chaldea- symbols of the wickedness of the world. The Lord tells the people to follow His commandments and in this they will have peace.

In Chapter 21, Isaiah continues speaking as the Lord and relates how Christ was chosen from the beginning to be the Messiah to both the Jew and the Gentile. And in the last days the House of Israel will begin to be gathered from the four corners of the earth, because the Lord has not forgotten His covenant with the House of Israel. This gathering will begin with the coming forth of the Book of Mormon from the Gentiles to the Jews and will continue as the House of Israel gathers both physically- the Jews returning to the land of Israel- and spiritually- as missionary work spreads across the earth and people are converted to the truth.  

Next week (November 25th, 2011) we will NOT be meeting due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Instead we will reconvene on December 2nd to discuss 1 Nephi Chapter 22 and 2 Nephi Chapter 1. Once again, I can't remember who I asked to bring the snack, so if it was you, please leave a comment and let me know. Otherwise, I will just assume I forgot to ask and bring something myself :) Until then, I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing you again in December!