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

Book of Mormon Commentary
2 Nephi Chapter 1
An account of the death of Lehi. Nephi's brethren rebelleth against him. The Lord warns Nephi to depart
into the wilderness. His journeyings in the wilderness, &c.
LEHI’S LAST TESTIMONY, VER. 1-29
2 Ne 1:4 For, behold, said he, I have seen a vision, in which I know that Jerusalem is destroyed;
1:4 Realizing that he did not have long to live, Lehi talked to his sons about God’s guidance and
mercy. He was grateful for the warning to leave Jerusalem at the time they did. It had been
revealed to him in a vision that the city had been destroyed. By this same enlightenment Lehi
testified that had they remained in Jerusalem they "should also have perished" (5).
2 Ne 1:6 But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land
which is choice above all other lands;
1:6 Time and circumstance have verified this statement. Lehi went on to remind his sons of God's
covenant to lead them “to a land of promise" (1 N. 1:54). A promise also had been given that when
they reached this choice Land it should be made known that Jerusalem had fallen (I N. 5:80-82).
Ezekiel was given similar enlightenment while he was in Babylonian captivity (Ezek. 24:2 ff.).
The siege lasted a year and a half, which indicates it was a war of attrition with much suffering.
2 Ne 1:10 Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that
there shall none come into this land, save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.
1:10 For many centuries this part of the earth, called the Western world, was not peopled by those
from the Eastern continent. When the right time came for this land to be open for European
settlement, God's Spirit moved upon men according to the divine purpose (1 N. 3:147-149). The
prophet of latter days supported the idea that God's hand was shaping the destiny of this land (D.
and C. 98:10h).
2 Ne 1:16 And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other
nations;
1:16 The history of the fifteenth century and afterwards shows that the inheritance of Lehi's seed
(17) was not respected. The land which the Lamanites claimed was overrun. But this was centuries
after they had dwindled in unbelief and spiritual darkness. While they were faithful to God, they
prospered on the land ( see vs. 22, 23) .
2 Ne 1:24 Yea, he will bring other nations unto them, and he will give unto them power, and he will
take away from them the lands of their possessions, and he will cause them to be scattered and smitten.
1:24 He will bring other nations unto them and take away from them the lands of their
possessions. This calamity was to come upon them because they rejected the Holy One of Israel
(23). Lehi then appealed to his sons directly to "awake from a deep sleep" (27), and hear the
words of a trembling parent" (28). He reminded them of his impending death-"a few more days,
and I go the way of all the earth."