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

Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 5
5:131 This does not say he has no love for the sinners, but he does respond for the best interest of
those who will acknowledge him to be their heavenly Father. Peter spoke under the power of the
Holy Spirit to Cornelius and his group, saying, "I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but
in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him" (Acts
10:34,35).
1 Ne 5:133 Wherefore, he did bring them out of the land of Egypt, and he did straighten them in the
wilderness with his rod, for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straightened them
because of their iniquity.
5:133 The key word here, straighten, means "to put in order, to disentangle, to put on the correct
road or course."
Nephi says that "they hardened their hearts, even as ye have." God permitted afflictions to come
upon them to teach them that "the way of transgressors is hard." Then Nephi reverts to conditions
in the Jerusalem which they had just left. The people after all that God had done to bring them to a
knowledge of his love and power "have become wicked, ...nearly unto ripeness; and I know not
but they are at this day about to be destroyed" (138,139).
1 Ne 5:134 He sent fiery-flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten, he prepared a way that
they might be healed;
1 Ne 5:135 And the labor which they had to perform was to look! and because of the simpleness of the
way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished.
5:134, 135 Fiery-flying serpents -See Num. 21:8, 9; II N. 11:38; A. 16: 191-195.
1 Ne 5:144 Ye are swift to do iniquity, but slow to remember the Lord your God.
5: 144 Laman and Lemuel were reminded that they had seen and heard an angel (1:93-95), who
"has spoken unto you like unto the voice of thunder, which did cause the earth to shake" (147).
Nephi was speaking strongly as he was “full of thee Spirit of God, insomuch that my frame has no
strength" (152). While exhorting them with intense earnestness, he had become exhausted. Daniel
testifies that he had a similar experience (Dan. 10:16-18).
OPPOSITION SILENCED, VER. 153-162
1 Ne 5:154 And as they came forth to lay their hands upon me, I spake unto them, saying, In the name
of the Almighty God, I command you that ye touch me not, for I am filled with the power of God, even
unto the consuming of my flesh;
5:154 As Nephi finished his exhortation, his brethren became angry and expressed their intentions
to throw him "into the depths of the sea" (153). But Nephi warned, “Whoso shall lay their hands
upon me, shall wither even as a dried reed” (155).