Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

2 Nephi 24

We find that the teachings of Isaiah from the brass plates are not exactly the same as that found after years of translations in the Bible. I noticed this morning an important doctrine whereby Isaiah prophecies that -

"...the people [or members of many nations] shall take them and bring them to their place; yea, from far unto the ends of the earth; and they shall return to their lands of promise..." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 24:2)

It becomes clear that places of gathering are not restricted to one place but to "their lands of promise". Speaking of such lands of promise,Isaiah wrote -

"Enlarge the place of thy tent [or Zion], and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes..." (Old Testament | Isaiah 54:2)

I believe these lands of promise are the stakes of Zion such -

"...that the gathering together upon the land of Zion [lands of promise], and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 115:6)

And it is in these stakes of Zion or lands of promise that -

"...the house of Israel shall possess them, and the land of the Lord shall be for servants and handmaids..." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 24:2)

In other words, within stakes is where the house of Israel or many members may have the privilege to serve and care for the poor and needy for -

"This is the purpose [or the very plan] that is purposed upon the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all nations.
27 For the Lord of Hosts hath purposed [or planned], and who shall disannul? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?" (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 24:26 - 27)