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

Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 4
1 Ne 4:51 And it came to pass that I said unto them, that it was a representation of things both temporal
and spiritual;
4:51 The question of Nephi's brothers was put in scriptural language. "Doth this thing mean the
torment of the body in the days of probation?" (50). Alma said, "This life became a probationary
state; a time to prepare to meet God” (A. 9:41; 16:228-233; Mos. 1:83-85, 127, 129; see also D.
and C. 28:12). Probation has the root meaning "to test or prove." Things temporal have to do with
time, or with this life, rather than with those of eternity where time shall be no more. Nephi
pointed out that we are not through with the things of earth life at death, but men are to be judged
by the work "done by the temporal body in their days of probation" (4:52). His language is clear
and impressive. "If their works have been filthiness ...they can not dwell in the kingdom of God"
(4:55, 56).
John saw that "the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books,
according to their works” (Rev. 20:12).
Joseph Smith, Jr., was shown that some of the disobedient could not come "where God and Christ
dwell ...worlds without end" (D. and C. 76:7). "They shall return again to their own place, to enjoy
that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they
might have received'. (D. and C. 85:6g).