2 Nephi 28

Nephi describes several means Satan will use in the last days to lead mankind away from happiness. The first is false teachings or "the philosophies of men" -

"...they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:4)

Not like Paul where he explains -

"...exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile" (New Testament 1 Thessalonians 2:3)

The Savior asked -

"...he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
18 And if it be by some other way it is not of God." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:17 - 18)

Teaching without the Holy Ghost is not of God. The philosophy of men is -

"...Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us.
8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:7 - 8)

The second means satan will use is anger for -

"...at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:20)

The third is that he will teach that immorality is just fine - do what feels good.

"...because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:14)

For they -

"...turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:16)

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Old Testament Isaiah 5:20)

The last means is tied to the rest - that is the flattering words of men that there is no consequences for our actions saying -

"...others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:22)

Nephi leaves this simple but profound warning -

"...wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:24)

2 Nephi 26

Nephi teaches us of the Savior -

"He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 26:24)

Why?

"...for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 26:24)

My thoughts are combine that with the teachings of Paul -

"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." (New Testament Hebrews 10:36)

These two verses puts the burden on us to move forward in faith. For -

"...he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 26:13)

Moroni teaches us a profound principle as we strive to move forward in faith -

"...But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled.
12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them..." (Book of Mormon Ether 12:11 - 12)

We must have faith that -

"He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 26:24)

2 Nephi 18

Isaiah asked -

"...should not a people seek unto their God for the living to hear from the dead?
20 To the law and to the testimony..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 18:19 - 20)

Much of the instruction we find in the scriptures, of which much is quoted in modern-day gospel counsel and instruction is the law and testimony given by the dead. The dead are prophets that have testified concerning their dealings with God. Paul reminds us -

"...In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (New Testament 2 Corinthians 13:1)

Nephi understood this as he testified of the Savior -

"And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him.
3 And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 11:2 - 3)

It is testimonies such as this that Isaiah prophecies of speaking of scattered Israel -

"And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust." (Old Testament Isaiah 29:4)

Speaking of the writings of his people, Nephi writes -

"For those who shall be destroyed shall speak unto them out of the ground, and their speech shall be low out of the dust, and their voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit; for the Lord God will give unto him power, that he may whisper concerning them, even as it were out of the ground; and their speech shall whisper out of the dust." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 26:16)

Moroni in his closing remarks writes -

"I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust?" (Book of Mormon Moroni 10:27)

One of those records that we hear from the dead is the Book of Mormon. In the introduction we read -

"The ancient record thus brought forth from the earth as the voice of a people speaking from the dust, and translated into modern speech by the gift and power of God as attested by Divine affirmation, was first published to the world in the year 1830 as THE BOOK OF MORMON." (Book of Mormon Preface Joseph Smith:25)

2 Nephi 15

Nephi records these words of Isaiah -

"...my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 15:13)

Isn't captivity synonymous to bondage. Isn't being in bondage the opposite of being free.

The Savior said -

"...If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (New Testament John 8:31 - 32)

How do we gain knowledge?

"...seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:118)

Knowledge frees us from bondage and limitations that handcuff in our service to God. When it comes to knowing or duty and God's will, we find His word comes in the form of the scriptures, handbooks of instructions, priesthood leadership counsel, inspiration as we sit in council, and by the power of the Holy Ghost.

...now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.
100 He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. : (Doctrine and Covenants Section 107:99 - 100)

Note that the first requirement is for one to learn his duty. Knowledge will then set us free in magnifying our callings.

2 Nephi 9

As Jacob is teaching his people, he says of the natural man -

"O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:28)

And then Jacob provides a series of "woes" or warnings of grief and affliction as a result of disobedience -

"...wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state!" (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:27)

"...wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:30)

"...wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they shall perish." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:31)

"Wo unto the blind that will not see; for they shall perish also." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:32)

"Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart, for a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:33)

"Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:34)

"Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, for he shall die." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:35)

"Wo unto them who commit whoredoms, for they shall be thrust down to hell." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:36)

"...wo unto those that worship idols, for the devil of all devils delighteth in them." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:37)

But most of all -

"...in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; for they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:38)

Jacob summarizes with this truth -

"...remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:39)

2 Nephi 9

The prophet Jacob must have been a very obedient, diligent, and special person. Nephi must have been very impressed with him as he wrote these words of his brother -

"Behold, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, having been called of God, and ordained after the manner of his holy order, and having been consecrated by my brother Nephi, unto whom ye look as a king or a protector, and on whom ye depend for safety, behold ye know that I have spoken unto you exceedingly many things.
3 Nevertheless, I speak unto you again; for I am desirous for the welfare of your souls. Yea, mine anxiety is great for you; and ye yourselves know that it ever has been. For I have exhorted you with all diligence; and I have taught you the words of my father; and I have spoken unto you concerning all things which are written, from the creation of the world.
4 And now, behold, I would speak unto you concerning things which are, and which are to come; wherefore, I will read you the words of Isaiah. And they are the words which my brother has desired that I should speak unto you." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 6:2 - 4)

He speaks of an -

"...awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:10)

Of the monster, death and hell, he explains -

"For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:6)

"...Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:7)

Without this "power of the resurrection" Jacob teaches the consequences -

"O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more.
9 And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness.
10 O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:8 - 10)

By the power of the Savior's infinite atonement -

"...this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.
12 And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:11 - 12)

But even though the atonement delivers men for the the awful monster, death and hell, it does not necessarily deliver them from -

"...that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:19)

"...it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.
16 And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath spoken it, and it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away, that they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:15 - 16)

Of the righteous that are righteous still or -

"...the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever.
19 O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:18 - 19)

"And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:24)

2 Nephi 3

A contemporary to Lehi, Ezekiel writes that -

"The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
18 ¶ And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
20 ¶ And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes." (Old Testament Ezekiel 37:15 - 20)

It appears Ezekiel had received this revelation after the destruction of Jerusalem. About the same time, Lehi relates a prophecy that was given to Joseph, son of Jacob, to his own son, Joseph -

"...the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 3:12)

What is interesting in this prophecy is the emphasis that these two writings shall "grow together" suggesting that the confounding of false doctrines will not be immediate but it will be to one that studies these two works a "growing" of understanding as each work will teach the meaning of the other. That is why Lehi relates for -

"...out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 3:13)

Elder Boyd K. Packer said -

“The stick or record of Judah—The Old Testament and the New Testament—and the stick or record of Ephraim—The Book of Mormon, which is another testament of Jesus Christ—are now woven together in such a way that as you pore over one you are drawn to the other; as you learn from one you are enlightened by the other. They are indeed one in our hands. Ezekiel’s prophecy now stands fulfilled” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1982, p. 75; or Ensign, Nov. 1982, p. 53).

2 Nephi 2

There are many people that believe that if God is a loving God, if we sin, he will just slap our hand and tell us not to do it again, and all with be saved in the kingdom of God. Lehi teaches his son Jacob that God is a just God saying -

"..by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:5)

"Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:10)

For every sin or transgression of a law there is a punishment affixed. There is only one way the sinner can avoid such punishment. Lehi taught -

"Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.
7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:6 - 7)

Of those that do not repent with a broken heart and contrite spirit, the punishment is still affixed. From his study of the scriptures, Lehi teaches Jacob -

"...according to the things which I have read, must needs suppose that an angel of God, according to that which is written, had fallen from heaven; wherefore, he became a devil, having sought that which was evil before God.
18 And because he had fallen from heaven, and had become miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:17 - 18)

Nothing Satan would enjoy more would be to know God's children suffer with the punishment of Justice. Of such pain and suffering, the Savior said -

"Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 19:15)

"...I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 19:20)

His command to repent is a loving, pleading command for our eternal welfare. It is clear that these punishments will happen if we do not repent -

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:27)

Lehi's final words to Jacob apply to us all -

"...I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;
29 And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:28 - 29)

2 Nephi 1

Recently I had a conversation with a member of my family where this person was frustrated with me in that it seemed that I expected too much of this person - that I was being to hard for the circumstance. In addition to my expectations, they were just as much frustrated with the intensity in which I attempted to communicate this.

I will more than admit that I am not perfect and need to learn to show more kindness, compassion, and soft words. But as a result of this experience, the words of Lehi seemed to bring more meaning to me as he said to Laman and Lemuel concerning Nephi -

"...I exceedingly fear and tremble because of you...for behold, ye have accused him that he sought power and authority over you; but I know that he hath not sought for power nor authority over you, but he hath sought the glory of God, and your own eternal welfare.
26 And ye have murmured because he hath been plain unto you. Ye say that he hath used sharpness; ye say that he hath been angry with you; but behold, his sharpness was the sharpness of the power of the word of God, which was in him; and that which ye call anger was the truth, according to that which is in God, which he could not restrain, manifesting boldly concerning your iniquities.
27 And it must needs be that the power of God must be with him, even unto his commanding you that ye must obey. But behold, it was not he, but it was the Spirit of the Lord which was in him, which opened his mouth to utterance that he could not shut it." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 1:25 - 27)

I believe that to be true.

1 Nephi 21

Isaiah prophecies that Israel will say -

"...The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 21:14)

Isn't that true today as many feel the same way. Why is that? Is it because the Lord has forsaken them or is it because his children for forgotten the Lord. Isaiah continues -

"...he will show that he hath not.
15 For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 21:14 - 16)

Nephi explains to his brothers -

"...as for those who are at Jerusalem, saith the prophet, they shall be scourged by all people, because they crucify the God of Israel, and turn their hearts aside, rejecting signs and wonders, and the power and glory of the God of Israel.
14 And because they turn their hearts aside, saith the prophet, and have despised the Holy One of Israel, they shall wander in the flesh, and perish, and become a hiss and a byword, and be hated among all nations." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 19:13 - 14)

Is it solely because they did "crucify the God of Israel" or is it really "because turn their hearts aside". I think it is the latter as Nephi continues to explain -

"Nevertheless, when that day cometh, saith the prophet, that they no more turn aside their hearts against the Holy One of Israel, then will he remember the covenants which he made to their fathers." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 19:15)

It think it all depends on our own heart. In summary, the Lord has said -

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (New Testament Matthew 23:37 - 39)

Notice the condition - "till ye shall say".

1 Nephi 17

Nephi is one of the best examples of a prophet that lived righteously always seeking to do the will of the Lord. But even yet, he shares with us many of the tribulations that he and his family faced in their journey to the promised land. Besides just the plain old traveling through the wilderness living in a tent where his brothers say -

"...we have suffered much affliction, hunger, thirst, and fatigue..."
(Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:35)

On one occasion Nephi particularly writes they were -

"...without food...and being much fatigued, because of their journeying, they did suffer much for the want of food." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:19)

Nephi briefly states -

"...we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness; and our women did bear children in the wilderness." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 17:1)

This wasn't for a brief time only for they -

"...did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 17:4)

Why would the Lord require this of Nephi and his family in that they were already doing his will. We receive some incite as Nephi later relates -

"...so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.
3 And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 17:2 - 3)

It seems that years later, Nephi recognized that the Lord was preparing them, giving them sufficient strength to bear the journey across the seas giving them sufficient strength to establish themselves in the promised land. Nephi compared much of their own experience to that of the children of Israel being led out of the land of Egypt as the Lord prepared his people saying -

"...he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 17:41)

Much in life, because of His love for us, the Lord straiten us with His rod.

1 Nephi 16

We find an interesting piece of information as Nephi writes -

"...that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:18)

Very seldom do we find the use of the word "steel" in the scriptures. Tells us of Laban's sword that -

"...the hilt thereof was of pure gold, and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine, and I saw that the blade thereof was of the most precious steel." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 4:9)

Steel by definition includes carbon and tends to be more malleable than cast iron. Experience with steel in our day tends to be elastic and very seldom breaks, but first deforms losing its elasticity. The steel of Nephi's day must have been much more hard in that Nephi says "I did break my bow". This isn't the first in bibical time when steel bows were broken. David also claims -

"...that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms..." (Old Testament 2 Samuel 22:35)

suggesting, bows of steel (of whatever makeup) were common in those days. It appears that Nephi had a great deal of experience in the making of steel and may have made his own bow for when the Lord instructed him to build a ship, he immediately responded -

"...whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?
10 And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.
11 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make a bellows wherewith to blow the fire, of the skins of beasts; and after I had made a bellows, that I might have wherewith to blow the fire, I did smite two stones together that I might make fire." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 17:9 - 11)

It think all this is quite interesting for those that may question steel being available in the Americas.

1 Nephi 16

On the morning that Lehi's family were to take their journey into the wilderness -

"...as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:10)

And they discovered that -

"...within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:10)

Nephi tells that as they traveled -

"...we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:16)

It is interesting to me that the ball didn't deliver them from the wilderness, but led them in the more fertile parts. And as they used this ball, they -

"...beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:28)

These words suggest that the ball was energized or received power by faith and righteousness. As the group began to murmur losing faith in the Lord -

"...the voice of the Lord came unto my father; and he was truly chastened because of his murmuring against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:25)

It was while Lehi was in this humble state of repentance -

"...the Lord said unto him: Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written.
27 And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and our wives." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:26 - 27)

Nephi tells us -

"...And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:29)

On one instance -

"...I, Nephi, did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the directions which were given upon the ball.
31 And it came to pass that I did slay wild beasts, insomuch that I did obtain food for our families." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:30 - 31)

Nephi then gives us a great incite on the ways of the Lord -

"...And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:29)

Allowing the opportunity to develop faith. Years later, Alma applies a great analogy to the "ball of curious workmanship" while speaking to his son, Helaman -

"And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.
39 And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.
40 And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day.
41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;
42 Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions.
43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.
44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.
45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.
46 O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever." (Book of Mormon Alma 37:38 - 46)

1 Nephi 11 - 14

Moses taught his people -

"...at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established." (Old Testament Deuteronomy 19:15)

To His disciples, the Savior again taught -

"...in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." (New Testament Matthew 18:16)

And later, Paul again substantiated -

"...In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (New Testament 2 Corinthians 13:1)

It becomes clear that "words of Christ" will be established with more than one witness. These became my thoughts as I pondered why Nephi recounts -

I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white.
...Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.
19 And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!
20 And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 11:13 - 20)

And other events -

"...I beheld the Son of God going forth among the children of men; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 11:24)

"...and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 11:27)

"...I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men. And I beheld multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits; and the angel spake and showed all these things unto me. And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 11:31)

"...And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record.
33 And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 11:32 - 33)

"...after he was slain I saw the multitudes of the earth, that they were gathered together to fight against the apostles of the Lamb; for thus were the twelve called by the angel of the Lord." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 11:34)

All of these and much more as another witness and testimony of these events that they indeed happened and are true. And finally -

"...I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe.
20 And the angel said unto me: Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
21 Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things; yea, and also many things which have been.
22 And he shall also write concerning the end of the world.
23 Wherefore, the things which he shall write are just and true; and behold they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew; and at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written were plain and pure, and most precious and easy to the understanding of all men.
24 And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are many things which thou hast seen; and behold, the remainder shalt thou see." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 14:19 - 24)

But as the time is not yet for this second witness -

"...But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them.
26 And also others who have been, to them hath he shown all things, and they have written them; and they are sealed up to come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord, unto the house of Israel." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 14:25 - 26)

I believe the day will come when there will be additional witnesses that will come forth that "every word may be established"