Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 3
1 Ne 3:175 Because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceeding
great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them;
3: 175 In the last three or more centuries an approach has been made causing many to stumble and
lose faith in the word of God. Some biblical scholars point out that certain significant passages
"are not in the ancient manuscripts" or that they are worded differently. It is not surprising that
copies of copies might do both of these things. This should not destroy our faith that “holy men of
God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Pet, 1:21). Near the close of his gospel,
John says that Jesus did many other things “which are not written in this book; but these are
written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might
have life through his name" (John 20:30, 31). The Inspired Version was given to correct some of
the obvious and more difficult passages. The Book of Mormon was to "come forth unto the
Gentiles by the gift and power of the Lamb" (3:185), and this was to be "my rock and my
salvation" (3:186).
REMNANT OF ISRAEL SPARED BY GEN11LES, VER. 176-189
1 Ne 3:176 Nevertheless thou beholdest that the Gentiles who have gone forth out of captivity, and have
been lifted up by the power of God above all other nations upon the face of the land, which is choice
above all other lands,
1 Ne 3:177 Which is the land that the Lord God hath covenanted with thy father that his seed should
have for the land of their inheritance, will not utterly destroy the mixture of thy seed, which are among
thy brethren;
1 Ne 3:178 Neither will he suffer that the Gentiles shall destroy the seed of thy brethren;
3:176-178 This vision and prophecy has historic validity. Alma tells of a time when Nephi's
descendants shall seek to save themselves by mingling with the Lamanites, and they become like
them (A. 21:9-15).
Settlers and colonizers would not be allowed to annihilate the American Indians. Until relatively
recent years, however, they have been "the vanishing American." An interesting corollary to this
prediction is a prophecy of Joseph Smith's concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ. “But
before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness; and the
Lamanites shall blossom as the rose" (D. and C. 49:5a). It is noteworthy that the U. S. Census
Bureau reports that the "Indian" today (1949) is the United States' most rapidly increasing racial
stock.
1 Ne 3:187 And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have
the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost;
3:187 This is a beautiful and comforting promise. The Saints received this divine power in the
gifts of the Spirit and signs following the believers. The church was so different it became an
object of scorn and jealousy. Persecution arose almost immediately (1832, 1833).
When the Saints had been driven from Jackson County and their homes sacked and burned in the
late fall of 1833, the Lord gave a revelation showing that their sufferings were largely due to their
own transgressions (D. and C. 98:1-3).