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Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 7
1 Ne 7:42 For the time surely must come, that all they who fight against Zion, shall be cut off.
7:42 The term "Zion" is often used to mean the righteous. Nephi had just recorded the assurance
that "the righteous need not fear" (37). And again "the righteous shall not perish" (41). One
definition for Zion is "the pure in heart" (D. and C. 94:5 c).
In the revelation given September 11, 1831, the elders were told, “Behold, the Lord requireth the
heart and a willing mind; ...and the rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and shall be
sent away" (D. and C. 64:7 a, b).
A PROPHET LIKE UNTO MOSES, VER. 43-70
1 Ne 7:45 And it shall come to pass that all those who will not hear that prophet, shall be cut off from
among the people.
7:45 This prophecy, as yet unfulfilled, probably has been repeated more than most other
prophecies. In the Old World it was spoken by Moses, then by Samuel, then by all the prophets
that followed after (Acts 3:22-24). Not only in Palestine was it spoken, but in ancient America,
both before and after the appearance of the resurrected Christ (see I N. 7:45 and III N. 9:61). In
1823, the angel referring to it, quoting from Acts 3:22, 23, told Joseph Smith the most interesting
fact that while it had not yet come to pass it was soon to be. Later, in November 1831, it was given
again, to become part of the preface of the Doctrine and Covenants (D. and C. 1:3c).
1 Ne 7:46 And now I, Nephi, declare unto you, that this prophet of whom Moses spake, was the Holy
One of Israel;
7:46 In latter-day revelation it is said that “the President of the office of the high priesthood is to
...preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses" (D. and C. 104:42a). This means that
he is the channel for the voice of God to latter-day Israel. This should not be confused with
Nephi's statement which refers to Christ. Christ alone is the lawgiver, "a leader and commander to
the people" (Isa. 55:4). Hence Nephi said, "Him shall ye hear in all things" (44)
1 Ne 7:49 But it is the kingdom of the devil which shall be built up among the children of men, which
kingdom is established among them which are in the flesh:
1 Ne 7:50 For the time speedily shall come, that all churches which are built up to get gain, and all
those who are built up to get power over the flesh, and those who are built up to become popular in the
eyes of the world, and those who seek the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world, and to do all
manner of iniquity;
1 Ne 7:51 Yea, in fine, all those who belong to the kingdom of the devil, are they who need fear, and
tremble, and quake;
7:49-51 The word "churches" here should be understood in the light of its use in I Nephi 3:221,
rather than its modern use. The following discussion of the word "church" should prove helpful.
What is a church? The Hebrews of old had a representative assembly, or congregation, which is
called "Kahal," a word translated "ecclesia" (church) by the Seventy (Septuagint]. This Kahal or
Hebrew church consisted of the elders and officers of the people, as is evident from Deuteronomy: