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

Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 5
5:99 Frequently in the heat of a discussion people overstate their case and lose it. The claim that
the Jews were a righteous people contradicts the revelation to Lehi that Jerusalem was to be
destroyed because "of their wickedness and abominations" (I N. 1:18, 19; Jb. 2:32; II N. 7:7-9; III
N. 7:15-18). Laman and Lemuel tried to convince the group that the whole source of their trouble
was in the vain imaginings of Lehi, who "hath judged them" (in Jerusalem) falsely, and that Nephi
was like his father (101). It was true that many of the Jews were scrupulous in keeping the
ordinances and outward ceremonies. But Jesus condemned them soundly in his day. "Ye devour
widow's houses, and for a pretence make long prayers" (Matt. 23:11). "Now do you Pharisees
make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and
wickedness" (Luke 11:40).
"Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which
indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but are within full of the bones of the dead, and of all
uncleanness" (Matt. 23:24). History shows that Jerusalem and her people were not spared, but
were carried away to Babylon in 587 B.C., and they suffered even a more complete destruction in
A.D.70.
NEPHI'S EXHORTATION, VER. 103-152
1 Ne 5:107 Now ye know that Moses was commanded of the Lord to do that great work;
5:107 Nephi reminded his brethren that God had led their forefathers out of bondage and slave
labor in Egypt. However, this was possible only because they "hearkened unto the words of the
Lord" (103). Moses had acted on a divine command.
Nephi then calls attention to great things the Lord did to bring about their deliverance, such as
their miraculous escape through the Red Sea on dry ground, their being fed with manna, the
supply of water which came when Moses "smote the rock," their being led by a cloud by day and
by a light at night. Yet, after all these evidences of God's power in their behalf, "they hardened
their hearts, and blinded their minds, and reviled against Moses and against the true and living
God” (108-112).
1 Ne 5:113 And it came to pass that according to his word, he did destroy them;
5:113 It may be difficult to understand how the Israelites ever crossed the Jordan and entered the
Promised Land, since the Lord "did destroy them." The problem hinges on the antecedent of the
pronoun "them." All the men who were twenty years old and over died in the wilderness while
rebellious Israel wandered forty years to get into Canaan, save Caleb and Joshua (Num. 14:26 ff.;
26:65; 32:11-13). Thus it was quite a different group which left Egypt from those who crossed the
Jordan.
Nephi then called attention to those in Palestine beyond the Jordan River who were driven out by
the children of Israel. "Do ye suppose that they were righteous? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; ...the
Lord esteemeth all flesh in one" (118, 121). Then he comes to the crux of his reasoning, "He that
is righteous, is favored of God" (122).
1 Ne 5:131 And he loveth those who will have him to be their God.