1 Nephi 15:17

17 And this is what our father meaneth; and he meaneth that it will not come to pass until after they are scattered by the Gentiles; and he meaneth that it shall come by way of the Gentiles, that the Lord may show his power unto the Gentiles, for the very cause that he shall be rejected of the Jews, or of the house of Israel.

So much history would have been different in this world if the Jews or the House of Israel had not rejected Christ. But for the very cause that they rejected Him, the Gentiles were the instruments through which the Lord is humbling His true covenant people. Through the Gentiles the Jews are scattered; through the Gentiles they are gathered. Abraham must have been one very special man for the lord to make such a strong and history-consuming covenant with him. It shows me that the Lord keeps His end of covenants, no matter what, as long as we keep our end. And Abraham must have kept his end, because the Lord is keeping His end, even though Abraham’s descendants have gone through many periods of apostasy, including the time when they crucified the very One who made the covenant in the first place.

1 Nephi 15:16

16 Behold, I say unto you, Yea; they shall be remembered again among the house of Israel; they shall be grafted in, being a natural branch of the olive-tree, into the true olive-tree.

I wonder if the house of Israel will literally remember that the Lehites and others that have been separated from them are actually part of their inheritance. Or maybe this is just the house of Israel accepting anyone who has made the covenant with the Lord? Either of those would most likely come about only after the Jews are converted and gathered in.

1 Nephi 15:15

15 And then at that day will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock and their salvation? Yea, at that day, will they not receive the strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God?

Rhetorical questions (answered in the next verse), all making the same point: once their seed come to know their heritage and the gospel, they will come unto Christ.

1 Nephi 15:14

14 And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are the covenant people of the Lord; and then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him; wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved.

It seems like for the remnant of Lehi’s seed, realizing they are part of the Israelite blood relationship will open the door, or make it easier for them to accept the covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. The covenant relationship is more important than the blood relationship (see Luke 3:8 and 2 Nephi 30:2).

• 2 Nephi 3:12

1 Nephi 15:13

13 And now, the thing which our father meaneth concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fulness of the Gentiles, is, that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief, yea, for the space of many years, and many generations after the Messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men, then shall the fulness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the Gentiles unto the remnant of our seed—

Nephi begins to introduce the fact that this lineage of Israel is more than bloodlines. It is a covenant lineage. When they talk about this comparison of the House of Israel to an olive tree, it is both a literal and covenant comparison. When a branch is broken off the family tree, it maintains its identity as far as being from the olive tree (house of Israel), but it has been removed from the original covenant people. The covenant relationship is more important than the blood relationship. Christ tried to teach this principle to the Jews, but they couldn’t get it (see John 8:33–59). John the Baptist also tried to teach them, also to no avail (see Matthew 3:7–12). So Nephi, after reminding his brothers of their blood lines and that the prophesies about the house of Israel are about them, introduces this idea of a covenant lineage as well, which he refers to as the “gospel of the Messiah.” This covenant will dwindle among the Lehites, then will be re-introduced to them by the Gentiles, who have no blood inheritance of Abraham, but do have a covenant inheritance.

1 Nephi 15:12

12 Behold, I say unto you, that the house of Israel was compared unto an olive-tree, by the Spirit of the Lord which was in our father; and behold are we not broken off from the house of Israel, and are we not a branch of the house of Israel?

Nephi is setting up to teach Laman and Lemuel about their place in this recurring comparison of the house of Israel to an olive tree. He wants them to understand that the prophecies are about them. He wants them to liken the scriptures to themselves (1 Nephi 19:23). So he reminds them that they are a branch broken off of the Israelite family tree, and that the prophecies about that tree include Lehi’s little band of refugees.

This is a great principle for every student of the scriptures to remember. Paul taught this to Timothy, that all scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:14–17). This is only the case if we liken them to ourselves, if we personalize them, if we study them as if they were written to and for us individually, which they were.

1 Nephi 15:11

11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

I have heard people ask why it is necessary to ask God for what we need when He already knows. This verse and its provided list of cross references gives some insight to that questions. Faith is an action principle. It cannot remain passive, and it leads to action. Of course, our Heavenly Father already knows what we need and desire before we do, but one of our main reasons for coming to earth is to learn how to exercise faith. Asking is one of the lessons.

Now the question is, why is it so important that we learn to exercise faith? I believe it is because faith is one of the main attributes of godhood. This earth life is, among other things, a school to teach us how to become gods (like Heavenly Father, not replacing Him). If we don’t have sufficient faith, we can’t do the things that gods do. This is our Heavenly Father’s work and glory, to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (MOS 1:39), which would be essentially godhood. Faith is a key ingredient.

The Lectures on Faith, taught under the direction of Joseph Smith, says the following:

“[Faith] is the principle by which Jehovah works and through which he exercises power over all temporal as well as eternal things. Take this principle or attribute (for it is an attribute) from the Deity and he would cease to exist.

“Who cannot see that if God framed the worlds by faith, it is by faith that he exercises power over them, and faith is the principle of power? And if it is the principle of power in the Deity, it must be so in man as well?” (Lectures on Faith 1:16–17)

Most of us don’t have that kind of eternal perspective on why we need to learn the principle of faith, or the importance of keeping the commandments. We believe it is so we can successfully get through this life and return to our Heavenly Father. Laman and Lemuel couldn’t even grasp that much of the principle. But at least Nephi could teach them that by asking in faith they could get answers to their questions. That’s a great lesson in our education.

• James 1:5 (5–6)
• 1 Nephi 2:19 (18–21)
• 1 Nephi 7:12 (9–13)
• Mosiah 26:3

1 Nephi 15:10

10 Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts?

Again, as in verse five, Nephi is concerned with the spiritual life or death rather than the physical. Everyone dies, and Nephi knows that. Physical death is completely unrelated to “the hardness of [Laman and Lemuel’s] hearts” that would cause them to perish. It is definitely their spiritual welfare he is concerned with.

1 Nephi 15:9

9 And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.

Of course the Lord maketh no such thing known unto Laman and Lemuel; they don’t ask. And why do they not ask? It’s because they have no faith that the Lord will answer them. They have no experience with spiritual things. Even on those occasions when they were obedient it was more out of fear than because of any conversion. There’s no evidence that Laman and Lemuel would recognize the Spirit, even if they did get an answer.

• John 7:17
• John 15:7
• 1 Nephi 2:12

1 Nephi 15:8

8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?

Nephi asks his brothers the first and most obvious question that any of us should ask if we have questions about spiritual matters. The source of those spiritual experiences or revelations will obviously know what they mean. And that’s where we should go for answers. That’s what James taught in James 1:5. Joseph Smith took that counsel and became the instrument through which the Lord restored his Church. The Lord answered Joseph’s inquiry, and He will answer our sincere questions as well. Although I wouldn’t count on Him answering our prayers in quite as dramatic manner as Nephi and Joseph Smith, He will answer these sincere, searching prayers.

• Matthew 7:7
• James 1:5
• Alma 37:37
• Moroni 10:5 (4–5)

1 Nephi 15:7

7 And they said: Behold, we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken concerning the natural branches of the olive-tree, and also concerning the Gentiles.

This is interesting because it tells me that Laman and Lemuel were at least thinking about the preaching of their father, Lehi. They were arguing, trying to figure it out, which is the wrong approach for this, but at least they were thinking about it. I take that as a good sign. It also opens the door for Nephi to teach them (and us) about receiving revelation.

1 Nephi 15:6

6 And it came to pass that after I had received strength I spake unto my brethren, desiring to know of them the cause of their disputations.

Spiritual experiences can be exhausting. At least prolonged ones can be. Nephi, Moses (Moses 1:10), Joseph Smith (Joseph Smith-History 1:20) all had the same experience after seeing the Lord in vision. They were exhausted, or overcome physically with the experience. Moses and Joseph Smith went so far as to record that they essentially passed out from the experience, having no natural strength (see Moses 1:9–11; Joseph Smith-History 1:20). While Nephi doesn’t tell us that he passed out, we see in this verse he was weakened after being in a transfigured state that allowed him to see his great vision. I’ve had just a portion of that feeling at especially spiritual experiences, such as temple dedications. I just come away exhausted, and I have never seen the kind of vision that Nephi had, let alone see the Lord Himself, like Moses, Joseph Smith, or the brother of Jared. Here, Nephi, once he has the strength to deal with his murmuring brothers, goes to teach them and to referee their arguments.

• Moses 1:10
• JS-H 1:20, 48

1 Nephi 15:5

5 And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all, because of the destruction of my people, for I had beheld their fall.

Here, Nephi is overcome with sadness, or just overwhelmed with what he saw. He says it is because of the destruction of his people, but I think that it is more likely the reason for the destruction, which is wickedness. Death is a part of life, but destruction of a whole people, like what Nephi saw, only comes out of wickedness. And I’m sure Nephi knew that his people were protected as long as they remembered the Lord and kept His commandments. Enoch saw the destruction of all people except Noah’s family at the time of the flood, and “had bitterness of soul, … and said to the heavens: I will refuse to be comforted” (see Moses 7:41–47). He thought all was lost until he was shown Christ’s Atonement, at which time he rejoiced. The problem is not the physical destruction. The problem with what Nephi and Enoch saw, and why they were overcome with grief was the spiritual destruction that led to the physical destruction.

• Moses 7:44 (41–47)

1 Nephi 15:4

4 And now I, Nephi, was grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, and also, because of the things which I had seen, and knew they must unavoidably come to pass because of the great wickedness of the children of men.

One of the many profound statements made in the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament says, “he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow” (ECL 1:18). Nephi is face to face with that concept in this verse. This is a telestial world filled with wickedness, and when it comes to wickedness, ignorance is bliss, as the saying goes. A person who is close to God knows there is wickedness in the world, of course, but it’s different when you put a face on it. When sin becomes personal instead of simply an understanding that it exists “out there,” when you know the person who is sinning and the nature of the sin, it hurts a lot more than when it is nameless and faceless. I think that comes from a genuine love for others. You can love a group of people, but that is different than the kind of personal experience you have when you love an individual. That person can hurt you much more than those people can. Nephi is grieved because of his love for his brothers. He is also grieved because he sees his own flesh and blood descendants destroyed because of their wickedness. And most likely, the wickedness hurts more than the destruction.

• Ecclesiastes 1:18

1 Nephi 15:3

3 For he truly spake many great things unto them, which were hard to be understood, save a man should inquire of the Lord; and they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought.

Ignorance and pride are a pretty tough combination. The scriptures are full of stories and references to hardheartedness. The problem with this combination is that it becomes a vicious cycle. If an ignorant person (not the same as a stupid person) is also proud, they may not recognize their ignorance, for one thing. In that case they would not ask for guidance, thinking that they need none. Another scenario is that they may recognize their ignorance on a certain matter, but believe they can “figure it out,” instead of looking to more reliable sources for answers. This is common in spiritual matters, and it is the case with Nephi’s brethren. Spiritual matters can only be understood by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11), but to ask for spiritual answers requires humility and faith. It requires faith that Heavenly Father is there and will answer your question, and humility to actually turn to Him for the answers. This is what Nephi had; it is what his brethren lacked. Spiritually they were ignorant, and too proud to pray, to go to the source of spiritual knowledge. So they were doomed to stay ignorant and frustrated unless something changed.

• 1 Corinthians 2:11 (10–12)
• 2 Nephi 32:8

1 Nephi 15:2

2 And it came to pass that I beheld my brethren, and they were disputing one with another concerning the things which my father had spoken unto them.

It must have been pretty tough for Nephi to come home after such a great spiritual experience and see his brothers arguing about the very subject of his experience. How can two different responses come from the same experience? Of course, the answer is found in the spiritual preparation, or lack thereof. And a major part of that has to do with humility. Apparently Nephi didn’t understand Lehi’s vision, so he sought the Lord and got an answer. His brethren didn’t understand either, but they chose to argue and try to get it based on their own reasoning. You can only understand spiritual things by the Spirit.

• Proverbs 22:10
• Ether 4:8

1 Nephi 15:1

1 And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been carried away in the spirit, and seen all these things, I returned to the tent of my father.

It appears that Nephi may have been actually, physically carried away to another location. As far as I can tell, sometimes when the scriptures use the term “carried away in the spirit,” it can either mean a higher state of meditation, where visions are shown, or actually moving the recipient’s body to a different location, usually a mountain. 1 Nephi 11:1, the beginning of Nephi’s vision, states that he was “caught away in the Spirit of the Lord…into an exceeding high mountain,” which he had never seen or visited. He is apparently referring to this experience in 2 Nephi 4:25 when he says that his body had been “carried away upon exceedingly high mountains.” What a fascinating experience that would be, to be physically transported to another location in an instant. And yet, I think the transport itself would pale compared to the visions that were sure to follow.

• 1 Nephi 11:1
• 2 Nephi 4:25

Chapter 15 Overview

Lehi’s seed are to receive the gospel from the Gentiles in the latter days—The gathering of Israel is likened unto an olive tree whose natural branches shall be grafted in again—Nephi interprets the vision of the tree of life and speaks of the justice of God in dividing the wicked from the righteous. Between 600 and 592 B.C.

What a disappointment it must have been for Nephi to come home after his amazingly spiritual experience to hear arguing and bickering from his brothers. I’ve had similar experiences, where I come home from the temple or an especially uplifting meeting where I was edified, only to find out that life had continued without me. The kids are arguing, or there’s some household emergency to deal with, when all I want to do is bask in the spirit of the meeting, or share some of my spiritual insights, only to have the wind knocked out of the sails. In this case Nephi had just seen a truly remarkable and significant vision. I think we get some interesting insight into Nephi’s personality in this chapter. Is he feeling a bit sorry for himself in verse five? He certainly seems to be losing patience with Laman and Lemuel and their lack of spiritual sensitivity. He also establishes himself as the spiritual teacher of the family. He has already shown himself as the obedient one in the trips to Jerusalem. Now he becomes his brothers’ teacher as well. I think he would have been content to not have to take this role with his brothers. It seems to me that he is expressing some frustration with their lack of spiritual initiative before he begins teaching them.

This chapter also underscores the importance of Lehi’s vision, or at least its impact on Nephi. This will be the third time he gives a description or interpretation of it. It obviously had a major impact on Nephi.

1 Nephi 14:30

30 And now I make an end of speaking concerning the things which I saw while I was carried away in the spirit; and if all the things which I saw are not written, the things which I have written are true. And thus it is. Amen.

Nephi ends his description of this significant vision with his testimony. The difference between Nephi’s record, where he was not allowed to write all that he saw, and the Bible, where parts of the record are taken out, is authority and motive (1 Nephi 13:27). In Nephi’s case he was not authorized to put in part of his revelation. In the Bible’s case compilers and translators were not authorized to take parts out. Of course these are God’s records, not man’s, so He has authority to choose what to leave in and take out what He wants. Man does not have that authority. 1 Nephi 13:27 tells us that the motive for men’s leaving out truths is “that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men.” The Lord, on the other hand, would like to tell us more, but most of us are not ready (2 Nephi 32:7). And I’m sure that is at least part of the reason Nephi was not permitted to write everything he saw and heard.

1 Nephi 14:29

29 And I bear record that I saw the things which my father saw, and the angel of the Lord did make them known unto me.

Clearly the Lord can show visions to whomever He want to. And he can show the same vision to multiple people. The cool thing about Nephi seeing his father’s dream is that he had a “tour guide” to help him interpret the vision. It’s kind of like watching a movie DVD, where you can turn on commentary that plays over the movie. It gives you added insight into the movie from the actor’s perspective, or that of the director, producer, etc. You see the same movie, but the running commentary provides added insight and points out details you may have missed (such as 1 Nephi 15:27). Nephi had the benefit of that added insight when he saw the dream.

1 Nephi 14:28

28 And behold, I, Nephi, am forbidden that I should write the remainder of the things which I saw and heard; wherefore the things which I have written sufficeth me; and I have written but a small part of the things which I saw.

This follows the same theme as verses 24–25: Nephi is not allowed to tell us all that he knows. Obviously the Lord knows more than what He has revealed. And some of the knowledge He reveals is not for general consumption. If we diligently seek after answers to questions we may have, then I’m sure that it will eventually be given (Alma 40:3), as long as it is for our good and we are prepared for it (2 Nephi 2:27; 4:35). The seeking works to prepare us for the answer. A comparison would be if someone were moved forward in time in an instant. If Leonardo DaVinci had been moved to our day, he might have been able to handle it after a time because he was always searching for knowledge. He would be much better prepared for time travel than say, a person with no education and no curiosity. That person would be totally unprepared to see the mysteries of our day. It would be total sensory overload, and he would probably go crazy. Likewise, the mysteries of God are given to those who diligently seek them because the seeking prepares them to receive answers. Prophets are among the most prepared to receive mysteries, so the Lord reveals more to them than to the rest of us (not to mention it’s their job to receive those answers). However, they “are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart” that knowledge except to those who are prepared for it, “according to the heed and diligence which they give unto [the Lord]” (Alma 12:9). So prophets know more than they tell. And people who seek know more than they tell as well.

• 2 Nephi 32:7
• Alma 12:9

1 Nephi 14:27

27 And I, Nephi, heard and bear record, that the name of the apostle of the Lamb was John, according to the word of the angel.

This verse makes me wonder how often children’s names are inspired or revealed to parents. Were John’s parents inspired to name him John, or is it just that all things, past, present, and future, are “continually before the Lord” (D&C 130:7), and that’s how he knows John’s name nearly 600 years before his birth? We know that at times the Lord changes people’s names, such as Abram to Abraham, Simon to Peter, and Saul to Paul. But that was not the case here with John.

1 Nephi 14:26

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.

I think I see what is happening here. The Lord has revealed these great things to His prophets, then He told them to not record them because others would record them, the very revelations that Nephi saw. I think that is specifically so they could remain hidden from the world until the Lord reveals everything (2 Nephi 30:16–18). That being the case, if Nephi had recorded them on these plates, they would have been translated and come to light too soon, before we were ready to receive such great revelations. Remember that Mormon included these plates of Nephi without editing or abridging them, so those records could very well have come out in that case.

• Daniel 12:9
• 2 Nephi 30:17 (16–18)
• Ether 3:21 (21–27)
• D&C 35:18

1 Nephi 14:24–25

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.

25 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.

Nephi saw the same things as John, but it was given to John to write them down. It seems that part of the job of a prophet is not only knowing what to write, but also to know what not to write. And it seems there are various reasons to leave things out of the record. Mormon was forbidden to write the names of the three Nephites who would not taste death (3 Nephi 28:25). I’m not sure why, since we are given to know that John (who is called to write the part of the this vision that Nephi is forbidden to write) was granted the same request as the three Nephites were. Mormon is just told that they are hidden, and then goes into some of their ministry, which for some reason must remain anonymous for now. Another example of writing is when Jesus prayed at his coming to the Nephites (3 Nephi 19:32–34). In this case the words were too sacred to write or even speak. We also have the example of The Book of Mormon itself. We are only given 1/3 of the book. Why not the rest? It could be that we don’t appreciate the part we do have, let alone the possibly greater mysteries recorded in the rest of the book. Jacob tells us that there are many things we cannot understand, so they are held back. The Jews desired those things, to their detriment when the Lord gave it to them (Jacob 4:14). So not everything that can be written has been written. But we can be assured that the things that are written are for our benefit and salvation. They are written because the prophets have a job to do, that if they don’t do, they are brought under condemnation (Mormon 9:35; Jacob 1:19). And the notion held by sectarian Christians that the Bible contains all the word of God just doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.

• John 20:30 (30–31)
• John 21:25
• Revelation 1:19

1 Nephi 14:23

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.

This is a strong testimony of John the Revelator and his description of the latter days. It is also a confirmation of the clarity that was originally found in the Bible. I believe that Heavenly Father wants all of His children to succeed. So in most cases His instructions to us are clear, or as clear as we are able to understand. The Savior taught in parables not to clarify His doctrine for everyone, but to hide it from those who are not ready for it (see Matthew 13:10–17). In some cases He hid his doctrine because the people didn’t want it (see Isaiah 6:9–10; Jacob 4:14). But in the case of John writing the book of Revelation, God’s meaning was clear and easy to understand. Now, however, it’s not so clear. That could be due to problems in translation (and certainly the JST makes it more clear), but it also could be due to cultural differences. Many of the symbols John used may have been more common or clear to him and the people of his time than they are to us simply because they understood symbols differently. They understood expressions differently than we do. Having said that, I am convinced that we can understand these revelations by the spirit of revelation. In fact it’s not only our privilege, but our responsibility to do so.

• 1 Nephi 13:20 (20–24)
• 1 Nephi 13:28 (28–32)
• Ether 4:16

1 Nephi 14:21–22

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.

I think this is an interesting indication or piece of evidence that each prophet has a specific purpose, calling, or assignment. In this case, Nephi is told about and shown another prophet, John, who is called to prophesy and write about many of the same things Nephi wrote about, plus some things that Nephi was told not to write about even though they were shown to him. I wonder what determines when a prophet is called to be on the earth? Is it personality traits along with specific strengths that will help that prophet be most effective at that time and in those unique circumstances? Or could one prophet do just as well as another in a setting. In other words, could someone like, say, Isaiah have done what Joseph Smith did, and visa versa? Would they have done as well? Clearly, in this case, John will have the responsibility to write about these things, including the end of the world. That was John’s job, not Nephi’s, even though Nephi saw those same things. Interesting question to ponder.

• 1 Nephi 13:24

1 Nephi 14:18–20

18 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!

19 And 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.

I just find it most interesting how aware the Book of Mormon prophets were of events in the “Old World,” and how unaware the people of Jerusalem were of the “New World.” Of course there are references in the Bible to Lehi’s group, but they are fairly cryptic. Here we have Nephi recording that he saw not only an event, but a specific person, Including a name for that person (see vs. 27), who would come along in the far future. For sure, “all things are present before [the Lord’s] eyes” (D&C 38:2) for Him to reveal or not, according to His will.

• 1 Nephi 11: 29

1 Nephi 14:17

17 And when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable church of all the earth, whose founder is the devil, then, at that day, the work of the Father shall commence, in preparing the way for the fulfilling of his covenants, which he hath made to his people who are of the house of Israel.

This verse kind of caught me off guard a little. When I think of the last days I don’t have to imagine, because I’m living them. Sometimes I forget that the “last days” went way back to the Restoration and Joseph Smith. So when this verse describes conditions with the “mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable church of all the earth, whose founder is the devil,” I think the reference is to today. Then this verse said, “at that day, the work of the Father shall commence,” and I stopped. That work commenced with Joseph Smith. This verse and others like it paint a pretty grim picture of this time when the work will commence. How far have we gone down the road of “the mother of harlots” since Joseph Smith’s time? How much worse are conditions now than they were then? That really gives me something to think about. How much worse does it need to get before the real end comes? Things are pretty bad now. How bad does it need to get before it’s bad enough?

• 1 Nephi 22:16 (15–16)
• 3 Nephi 20:20 (19–21)
• 3 Nephi 21:26 (7, 20–29)

1 Nephi 14:16

16 And as there began to be wars and rumors of wars among all the nations which belonged to the mother of abominations, the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold, the wrath of God is upon the mother of harlots; and behold, thou seest all these things—

Once again we have the statement that in the latter days the wicked will be the ones punishing themselves. And all God has to do is let it happen. There will be natural disasters as well, but the real wrath of the Lord will be evident through the actions of others. A statement made at the end of both the Jeredite and Nephite civilizations was that the Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with the people (see Ether 15:19 and Moroni 9:4). When that happened, in both civilizations it was a rapid drop to the bottom. There was nothing or nobody that could constrain the people. They became “drunken with anger, even as a man who is drunken with wine.” (Ether 15:22) They were so angry that they had “no fear of death; and they have lost their love, one towards another; and they thirst after blood and revenge continually.” (Moroni 9:5) This is where our world is heading right now, I’m afraid. It will get much worse before it gets much better. The parallels between these Book of Mormon accounts and us are just too compelling to ignore.

• 1 Nephi 22:13 (13–14)

1 Nephi 14:15

15 And it came to pass that I beheld that the wrath of God was poured out upon that great and abominable church, insomuch that there were wars and rumors of wars among all the nations and kindreds of the earth.

There are many references in the scriptures to how God punishes the wicked by the wicked. The latter days will be no exception. When it comes time for the Lord to pour out His wrath on that great and abominable church, wars will be a major part of it. Remember that the members of that church are the proud and insincere, without regard to church affiliation (see comment to 1 Nephi 14:10). The proud are jealous and cannot handle the idea of anyone else having more than they do. This pride leads to wars and rumors of wars as one faction tries to exert dominance over another. And, in His wrath, the Lord will let it happen. He will not have to do much, just stand back and watch the church of the devil tear itself apart. And the devil will just laugh.

• Ether 15:19
• Moroni 9:4
• D&C 45:62–71
• D&C 115:6 (5–6)

1 Nephi 14:14

14 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.

Even though the saints of the church of the Lamb of God are few compared with the hosts of the whore of all the earth, they are not left defenseless. Not only is the armor of righteousness strong enough to defend against the enemies of God, the saints are given the “power of God in great glory.” The Lord will fight the battles of the righteous—His sincere followers.

• Psalm 3:3
• Ephesians 6:11–18

1 Nephi 14:13

13 And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the Gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God.

What I find interesting here is that the verse specifies that the great mother of abominations would gather her multitudes among the nations of the Gentiles. As I understand it, the European nations (then spilling over to America) are generally considered the Gentile nations. (Any nation besides the covenant Israel could be considered “gentile,” but it’s particularly interesting to look at this verse with at European slant.) This makes sense when you couple it with verse 11. The European nations are generally and traditionally considered “Christian” nations. Here we go again with the counterfeit covenants referred to symbolically as the “whore.” As noted in verse 11, this is not the true covenant because there is no authority, due to apostasy. It is a substitute, and now she is fighting against the Lamb of God. Is it a physical or spiritual war? Probably some of both. There definitely has been violence against sincere seekers of truth. Now the war seems to be more spiritual, undermining people’s faith. In many ways secularism, by creating such conflict in vying for membership, has killed the faith or spirit of many people.

• 1 Nephi 13:5