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

Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 3
Progress in the Reorganization (1852-1860), so far as gaining converts was concerned, was much
slower than during the lifetime of Joseph Smith, Jr., but the power of the Holy Spirit gave
evidence of divine leadership and favor so that the movement was stable and the church was better
able to assimilate those who came into its fellowship.
OTHER BOOKS TO COME FORTH, VER. 190-196
1 Ne 3:191 And after it had come forth unto them, I beheld other books which came forth by the power
of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles, and the remnant of the
seed of my brethren, and also the Jews, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the
records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true.
1 Ne 3:192 And the angel spake unto me, saying, These last records which thou hast seen among the
Gentiles shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall
make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them;
3:191, 192 The Book of Mormon is introduced by a preface, written by Mormon, which explains
in part its purpose. It is to show "the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath
done for their fathers" and assures them "they are not cast off for ever; and also to the convincing
of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ."
The Doctrine and Covenants was doubtless one of the "other books" shown to Nephi. Its purpose
is revealed in the preface (1:5e) as giving "power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring
it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness." This book of latter-day revelations gives credit to
Christ as its spokesman through the power of the Holy Spirit. Men are to "ask the Father in my
name, in faith believing that you shall receive. ... Behold Jesus Christ is the name which is given
of the Father, and there is none other name given whereby man can be saved" (16:4c, f) .See also
II N. 12:64-70.
BLESSINGS PROMISED TO THE GENTILES, VER. 197-219
1 Ne 3:200 And the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.
3:200 Jesus said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. 15-23). After
his ascension and Pentecost, the apostles were commanded to go "and teach all nations" (Matt.
28:18).
When the Jews rejected Christ they lost their favored position (Matt. 21:43, 45; Acts 13:46;
28:28). However, when the times of the Gentiles come in (Luke 21: 23, 25) and the "blindness in
part" is removed from Israel, then it has been decreed that "all Israel shall be saved" (Rom. 11: 25,
26).
Thus the Jews who were destined to receive the gospel first will become the last.
1 Ne 3:202 Yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel;
3:202 The Gentiles who received the gospel became Israelites (the chosen people) by adoption
(Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 4:5-7; Eph. 1:4, 5). They may have a heritage on American soil forever. The