“Armed with Righteousness and with the Power of God”

CFM: January 22–28

1 Nephi 11–15

Videos, Podcasts, & Weekly Lesson Material

Media	​Lesson Extension	​Additional Materials
Scripture Central	1 Nephi 11-15 Insights with Taylor Inights Revisited Nephi desires to see what Lehi saw The Tree of Life that Lehi and Nephi saw in Vision Covenants and The Covenant Path Believe - Word Study	Study Guide
Follow Him	1 Nephi 11-15 Part 1, Part 2	Transcripts
Line Upon Line	1 Nephi 11-15
Teaching with Power	1 Nephi 11-15	​Teaching Bundle for Book of Mormon, available on Etsy.
Don't Miss This	1 Nephi 11-15
Book of Mormon Matters with John W Welch and Lynne Hilton Wilson	1 Nephi 11-15	John W. Welch Notes
​Unshaken	1 Nephi 11-15 (Part 1, Part 2)
​The Interpreter Foundation	1 Nephi 11-15	​Commentary by John Claybaugh
​Teaching Helps with John Hilton	1 Nephi 11-15 The Book of Mormon, A Master Class
​Scripture Gems	1 Nephi 11-15
​Ponderfun	1 Nephi 11-15
​Talking Scripture	1 Nephi 11-15	Show Notes
Book of Mormon Minute, Brant A. Gardner Vol. 1	1 Nephi 10 1 Nephi 11 1 Nephi 12 1 Nephi 13 1 Nephi 14 1 Nephi 15
Saving Talents: Devotionals & FHE for Children	1Nephi 111-15 Come Follow Me 1/22/2024
​Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class, Book of Mormon	Lehi’s dream; Nephi₁’s apocalypse (1 Nephi 8, 10–15) Video: The Book of Mormon Lesson 3: 1 Nephi 1-7,9	Lesson 3: Notes, Slides arbm04_presentation .pdf Download PDF • 2.29MB

Resources and Insights for this Week's Lesson

The Book of Mormon and the Old Testament: A Cultural and Religious Dialogue

This week I have been out of town with work, I am currently working on a project about Jesus and the Holy Land. We have some hard deadlines, and have been on set all week, pulling 14-16 hour days with filming and such. Thus, I have not been able to get as much done for this week's lesson as I would have liked.

I intended to provide an extensive summary of the symbolism that Nephi explains regarding his vision, but sadly, there are not enough hours in the day. So, I will leave you with some advise as to how to explore these sections. In the overview below, I provided several Key Words and Phrases for 1 Nephi 11. I used the Scripture Notes program that I talked about in last week's lesson, and it helped to expedite and enhance the process. I would highly suggest going through and exploring the lexicon feature for these chapters, the process can be very enlightening and rewarding.

In previous lessons, we've delved into the visions of John, Lehi, and other prophets through the lens of Throne Theophany, noting several parallels as these prophets became special witnesses of Christ and received their divine commissions. This week's chapters focus on Nephi's experience as he is called to be a prophet and Seer. Pay particular attention to the frequent exhortations of the angel to "Look!" This instruction is part of a vision that guides Nephi on a heavenly ascent toward God's throne, beginning with showing Nephi the Condescension of God – the descent of Jesus from the heavenly realms to the depths to redeem humanity. This theme, which we examined in our lessons on Hebrews 1-6 and 7-13, is pivotal in understanding Nephi's enlightenment process. As you study this week's materials, look for these connecting themes and consider how Nephi's vision contributes to our understanding of this process.

Also, as a side note, the Web platform that I am using recently changed their mobile features, so smaller devices like phones are being problematic with the table features. I am trying to figure out how to remedy this situation, but in the meantime, using a computer or larger device would be preferable.

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Overview

1 Nephi 11: Nephi's vision provides a profound journey into the depths of Lehi's dream, enhancing his comprehension and revealing significant future events, including the coming of Jesus Christ. This outline acts as a detailed guide to unpacking Nephi's vision, showcasing techniques for analyzing and interpreting divine revelations. It highlights the depth of spiritual insights and the complex symbolism woven throughout the vision. Additionally, it outlines the ties to the life of Jesus Christ and examines how the vision's layered, symbolic prophetic traditions offer versatile applications, presenting a comprehensive method for interpreting scriptural revelations.

References and Cultural Contexts for Investigation, Contemplation, and Discussion: 

• Visionary Experiences in Ancient Cultures: Exploring the role and significance of visions in the Nephite and Jewish traditions.

  • Lehi’s Dream and Nephi’s Vision as Apocalyptic Literature

  • "Look! And I Looked"

  • Nephi's Literary Endeavor

  • The Covenant of Christ’s Gospel in the Book of Mormon

• Symbolism in Scriptural Narratives: Analyzing the symbols in Nephi's vision and their theological meanings.

  • What Nephi’s Vision Teaches about the Bible and the Book of Mormon

  • The Mysteries of God Revealed by the Power of the Holy Ghost

  • 'Zion' and 'Jerusalem' as Lady Wisdom in Moses 7 and Nephi's Tree of Life Vision

• The Life of Christ from a Prophetic Perspective: Discussing the depiction of Christ’s life in the context of Nephite prophecy and its parallels to biblical accounts.

  • Prophetic Perspectives and Prerogative: How Lehi and Nephi Applied the Lessons of Lehi’s Dream

  • Another Testament of Jesus Christ

  • The Doctrine of Christ in 2 Nephi 31–32 as an Approach to the Vision of the Tree of Life

  • A Comparison of Lehi's Dream and Nephi's Vision

• Summary of Key Themes: The quest for spiritual understanding, the central role of Jesus Christ in God’s plan, and the interconnection of prophetic visions.

  • The Centrality of Nephi's Vision

  • The Foundational Doctrines of 1 Nephi 11-14

  • Four Stages of the Nephite Prophetic View

• Application to Contemporary Life: Seeking personal revelation, understanding the importance of Christ's life and atonement, and recognizing the continuity of divine guidance through prophets.

  • Lehi’s Dream and Nephi’s Vision as Used by Church Leaders

  • How Do the Book of Moses and Book of Mormon Help Us Understand the Endowment?

Major Topics/ Themes	​Summary	​Cross-References, Videos & Resources
I. Nephi's Desire for Understanding and the Commencement of the Vision	1-6: Nephi's longing to know the meanings of his father's dream leads to a heavenly vision. Cultural Context: The significance of visions in ancient Jewish and Nephite cultures. Key Words & Phrases: desire/ want, know, see, seer (choze, ra'a), look, vision, Spirit (ru'ah, pneuma, believe, ponder, caught (2 Cor. 2), high mountain, behold, tree, tree of life, Hosanna, blessed Biblical Cross-Reference: Compare with Daniel's request for understanding in Daniel 2:18.	Nephi Sees a Vision of Future Events | 1 Nephi 10–15 How Do the Book of Moses and Book of Mormon Help Us Understand the Endowment? Why Can Nephi’s Vision Be Called an Apocalypse? Believe All the Words”: A Key to Spiritual Outpouring Lehi’s Dream and the Plan of Salvation Behold, I Have Dreamed a Dream' 'Thou Knowest That I Believe' Lehi’s Dream as a Template for Understanding Each Act of Nephi’s Vision The Book of Mormon as an Ancient Book
II. The Vision of the Tree of Life and the Birth of Christ	7-15: Nephi's vision of the tree of life and the interpretation revealing the birth of Jesus Christ. Theological Context: The tree as a multi-facited symbol of Jesus Christ and the love of God. Also used as a symbol for Mary and the condescention of God. Key Words & Phrases: sign (symbol, parable - sym or para+ ballo), fruit, taste, sweet as honey, descend, condescend, witness, bear record, Son of God, beauty, whiteness, driven snow, precious Biblical Cross-Reference: The prophecy of Christ's birth in Isaiah 9:6. "treasures of the snow" Job 38:22, Proverbs 31 - the personification of wisdom, she is a tree of life Proverbs 3:18	The Sacred Tree of the Ancient Maya Nephi, Wisdom, and the Deuteronomist Reform Why Were Lehi and Nephi Guided by Angelic Escorts in Their Visions? Nephi and His Asherah What Does the Virgin Mary Have to Do with the Tree of Life?
III. The Ministry and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ	16-28: Witnessing the life, ministry, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Historical Context: The life and times of Jesus Christ in the context of Jewish society. Biblical Cross-Reference: The Gospels' accounts of Jesus Christ’s ministry and crucifixion.	The Lamb of God" in Pre-Christian Texts Notes and Communications: Knowledge of Christ to Come Why Didn’t Nephi Mention Mary’s Name? How Are Rod and Sword Connected to the Word of God?
IV. The Vision of the Apostles and the Future of the Nephite and Gentile Nations	29-36: Nephi sees the twelve apostles of the Lamb and receives revelations about his descendants and the Gentiles. Prophetic Context: The role of apostles and the spread of the gospel. Biblical Cross-Reference: Revelation's depiction of the apostles and their mission.	Maya Harvest Festivals and the Book of Mormon: Annual FARMS Lecture

1 Nephi 12: Nephi continues the vision, focusing on the future of his descendants and the Nephite and Lamanite nations, leading up to their eventual downfall.

References and Cultural Contexts for Investigation, Contemplation, and Discussion: 

• Historical Cycles in Ancient Civilizations: Examining the rise and fall of the Nephite and Lamanite nations in comparison to other ancient civilizations.

• Moral Choices and Societal Consequences: Discuss how collective moral decisions impact the fate of a society.

• Christ's Role in Restoration and Healing: Explore the significance of Christ's appearance in the Americas as a symbol of hope and renewal.

• Summary of Key Themes: Consider the future challenges of the Nephite and Lamanite nations, the impact of moral choices on a society, and the eventual restoration through Christ.

• Application to Contemporary Life: Reflect on the lessons from the rise and fall of civilizations and the continuous need for spiritual renewal and adherence to divine guidance. Why is this important to remember in light of modern events and trends.

Major Topics/ Themes	​Summary	​Cross-References, Videos & Resources
I. The Vision of the Nephite and Lamanite Nations	1-4: Nephi sees the future of his people, including wars and contentions between the Nephites and Lamanites. Historical Context: The cyclical nature of peace and conflict in ancient civilizations. Biblical Cross-Reference: Compare with the cyclical patterns of Israel's history in the Book of Judges.	Lehi’s Dream and the Plan of Salvation The Covenant of Christ’s Gospel in the Book of Mormon Where is the Land of Promise? Land of Promise, Choice Above All Other Lands Peace Through Christ: The Book of Mormon's Divine Perspective on War
II. The Degradation and Destruction of Nephi's People	5-12: Vision of the destruction of his people due to pride and wickedness. Theological Context: The consequences of turning away from God's teachings. Biblical Cross-Reference: The destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. as a parallel (2 Kings 25).	What Caused the Darkness and Destruction in the 34th Year? The Twelve: A Light unto This People Further Light on Enallage
III. The Vision of the Future Restoration	13-23: Nephi sees the eventual restoration of his people through the coming of Christ to the Americas. Prophetic Context: The role of Jesus Christ in the restoration and healing of divided nations. Biblical Cross-Reference: Isaiah’s prophecies of restoration and peace (Isaiah 60).	What Does an Ancient Book About Enoch Have to Do With Lehi’s Dream? Why Did Lehi and Jeremiah Find Themselves in a Dark and Dreary Wilderness? What is the Significance of the Great and Spacious Building? What was the Great and Terrible Gulf in Lehi’s Dream?
IV. Reflections on the Cycles of Righteousness and Wickedness	1-23: Contemplating the repetitive cycles of righteousness and wickedness in the history of Nephi's people. Cultural Context: Understanding these cycles in the context of Nephite and Lamanite cultures. Biblical Cross-Reference: The cycle of sin, punishment, repentance, and deliverance in the Old Testament.	Why Did the “Pride Cycle” Destroy the Nephite Nation? How Does Chiasmus Teach Us to Reverse the Pride Cycle?

Overview of 1 Nephi 13: Nephi’s vision continues, revealing the future events concerning the nations and peoples of the Gentiles, the discovery of America, the coming forth of the Bible, and the restoration of the gospel.

• A Land of Promise:

  • A Land of Promise, Choice Above All Other Lands

  • Delivered by the Power of God’: Nephi’s Vision of America’s Birth

• Historical Impact of the Gentile Nations: Examining the influence of Gentile nations on world history and their relation to Nephi's vision.

  • Early Christianity and 1 Nephi 13-14

• The Bible's Journey Through Time: Discussing the transmission and interpretation of the Bible across different ages.

  • Unto the Taking Away of Their Stumbling Blocks”: The Taking Away and Keeping Back of Plain and Precious Things and Their Restoration in 1 Nephi 13–15

  • Nephi’s Vision and the Loss and Restoration of Plain and Precious Truths

• Concepts of Apostasy and Restoration in Christianity: Exploring the themes of apostasy and restoration as foreseen by Nephi and their significance in Latter-day Saint theology.

  • The Covenant of Christ’s Gospel in the Book of Mormon

• Summary of Key Themes: The unfolding of future events as seen by Nephi, including the discovery of America, the coming forth of the Bible, the rise of a great church, and the eventual restoration of the gospel.

• Application to Contemporary Life: Understanding the impact of historical events on religious beliefs and the significance of the Book of Mormon in the context of Christian faith.

Major Topics/ Themes	​Summary	​Cross-References, Videos & Resources
I. The Vision of the Gentile Nations	1-9: Nephi observes the formation and interactions of various Gentile nations. Historical Context: The rise and influence of Gentile nations in the context of world history. Biblical Cross-Reference: Daniel's vision of future kingdoms (Daniel 7).	A Land of Promise, Choice Above All Other Lands Nephi’s “Great and Abominable Church Assyria and the “Great Church” of Nephi’s Vision
II. The Discovery of America and Its Consequences	10-19: Vision of the discovery of America by the Gentiles and its impact on the native inhabitants. Historical Context: The exploration and colonization of the Americas. Cultural Context: The effects of these events on indigenous populations.	Columbus: By Faith or Reason? Christ-Bearer Columbus, Christopher Christopher Columbus: A Latter-day Saint Perspective
III. The Coming Forth of the Bible and the Great and Abominable Church	20-29: The emergence of the Bible and the establishment of the 'great and abominable church'. Theological Context: The development and transmission of the Bible through history. Biblical Cross-Reference: Revelations about the apostasy (Revelation 17).	Why Is There a Need for the Testimony of Two Nations? Were Plain and Precious Doctrines Lost? The Plain and Precious Parts The Restoration of Plain and Precious Parts: The Book of Helaman
IV. The Restoration of the Gospel and the Book of Mormon	30-42: Prophecy of the restoration of the gospel and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Prophetic Context: The role of the Book of Mormon in the Latter-day Saint belief. Biblical Cross-Reference: Prophecies of restoration (Isaiah 29:14).	Witness of the Covenant Lehi and Nephi as Trained Manassite Scribes What Were the “Other Records” Nephi Saw in Vision? Establishing the Truth of the Bible

1 Nephi 14: Nephi's vision reaches its conclusion with prophetic insights into the destinies of the Gentile nations, the establishment of God's church, the crucial role of the Gentiles in disseminating the gospel, and the eventual stark division between the forces of good and evil. This exploration delves deeply into the final segment of Nephi’s vision, centering on the world's spiritual dichotomy, the critical involvement of the Gentiles, and the eschatological elements that form the apex of the vision, all while underscoring their significance and applicability to modern faith and comprehension.

References and Cultural Contexts for Investigation, Contemplation, and Discussion:

• Spiritual Warfare in Religious Texts: Exploring the concept of spiritual battles between good and evil in different religious traditions.

  • The Church of the Lamb of God

  • Nephi’s “Great and Abominable Church”

  • Warring against the Saints of God

• The Role of the Gentiles in Latter-day Saint Theology: Discussing the Gentiles' involvement in the latter-day fulfillment of prophecies.

  • “Unto the Taking Away of Their Stumbling Blocks”

  • Theological Apostasy and the Role of Canonical Scripture: A Thematic Analysis of 1 Nephi 13–14

• The Role of Learning:

  • Nephi: An Ideal Teacher of Less-Than-Ideal Students

  • The Covenant of Christ’s Gospel in the Book of Mormon

• Eschatology in the Book of Mormon and the Bible: Comparing end-times prophecies in Latter-day Saint scripture with those in the Bible.

• Summary of Key Themes: The ultimate division of the world into forces of good and evil, the critical role of the Gentiles and the Book of Mormon in the latter days, and the prophesied events leading to the final judgment.

• Application to Contemporary Life: Recognizing the ongoing spiritual battle, understanding the significance of the gathering of Israel, and the importance of personal testimony in the context of faith.

Major Topics/ Themes	​Summary	​Cross-References, Videos & Resources
I. The Division of the World into Two Great Churches	1-10: Nephi sees the division of the world into two great churches: the Church of the Lamb of God and the great and abominable church. Theological Context: The dichotomy between the forces of righteousness and wickedness in religious history. Biblical Cross-Reference: The concept of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:12.	Are There Really Only Two Churches?
II. The Role of the Gentiles and the Book of Mormon	11-14: The vision of the Gentiles' role in the latter days, including the spread of the gospel and the importance of the Book of Mormon. Prophetic Context: The future involvement of the Gentiles in God's plan. Biblical Cross-Reference: The role of Gentiles in Paul's missionary journeys in the New Testament.
III. The Gathering of Israel and the Final Battles	15-27: The gathering of Israel and the final battles between the forces of God and the forces of the adversary. Eschatological Context: The prophesied end-times events in Latter-day Saint theology. Biblical Cross-Reference: End-times prophecies in Revelation.
IV. The Angel's Exhortation to Nephi	28-30: The angel exhorts Nephi to testify of the events he has seen and their significance. Personal Application: The importance of bearing witness and testifying of spiritual truths. Biblical Cross-Reference: John's calling in Revelation to prophesy again.	The Word of the Lord as a Metonym for Christ

Overview of 1 Nephi 15: Nephi's return from his vision and his conversation with his brothers about the meanings of their father's dream and his own visions, focusing on the tree of life, the rod of iron, and other symbols. This outline for 1 Nephi 15 provides a detailed framework for studying Nephi's interactions with his brothers post-vision, focusing on the interpretation of the symbols in Lehi's dream and their relevance to spiritual understanding and guidance.

References and Cultural Contexts for Investigation, Contemplation, and Discussion:

• Scriptural Symbolism and Interpretation: Exploring how symbols are used and interpreted in scriptural narratives.

• Challenges on the Spiritual Path: Discussing the obstacles represented by the great and spacious building and their modern equivalents.

• The Role of Divine Guidance in Understanding Scriptures: Analyzing the need for personal revelation in comprehending scriptural teachings.

• Summary of Key Themes: The importance of seeking divine guidance for understanding, the meanings of the symbols in Lehi’s dream, and the application of these teachings in personal spiritual life.

• Application to Contemporary Life: Emphasizing the need for continual guidance from the scriptures, understanding the dangers of pride and worldly distractions, and the pursuit of spiritual truth.

Major Topics/ Themes	​Summary	​Cross-References, Videos & Resources
I. Nephi's Explanation of Lehi's Dream	1-11: Nephi discusses his father Lehi's dream with his brothers, emphasizing the importance of revelation for understanding. Personal Application: The role of prayer and revelation in gaining understanding. Biblical Cross-Reference: James 1:5 on seeking wisdom from God.	How Did God Call His Prophets in Ancient Times?
II. The Interpretation of the Tree of Life	12-20: Nephi explains the symbolism of the tree of life as the love of God. Symbolic Context: The significance of the tree of life in scriptural imagery. Theological Context: The representation of God's love in various religious texts.	Nephite Uses and Interpretations of Zenos Personal Applications of Olive Symbolism
III. The Meaning of the Rod of Iron and the Strait and Narrow Path	21-30: Nephi clarifies the meaning of the rod of iron as the word of God and the strait and narrow path leading to eternal life. Theological Context: The role of scripture and guidance in spiritual journeys. Biblical Cross-Reference: Psalm 119:105 on God's word as a lamp to the feet.	Lehi and Nephi as Trained Manassite Scribes What Meaneth the Rod of Iron’? Metals in the Book of Mormon What are the “Fiery Darts of the Adversary” Spoken of by Nephi? Withstanding Satan's Siege through Christ's Iron Rod: The Vision of Tree of Life in Context of Ancient Siege Warfare The “Fiery Darts of the Adversary” in 1 Nephi 15:24 The Word of the Lord as a Metonym for Christ
IV. The Interpretation of the Great and Spacious Building	31-36: The great and spacious building is explained as the pride and vain imaginations of the world. Cultural Context: The influence of societal pride and materialism. Biblical Cross-Reference: The Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 as a symbol of human pride.

Church Videos & Resources

• Nephi Sees a Vision of Future Events | 1 Nephi 10–15

Scripture Central

• Study Guide

Video Commentary

• Scripture Insights: Episode 2 - 1 Nephi 1-5

• Insights by Taylor & Tyler 2020 (Insights into 1 Nephi 1–7, Jan 6 - 12)

• Insights by Taylor & Tyler 2020 (Insights into 1 Nephi 1–7, Jan 6 - 12)

• Nephi Writes to show God's Goodness

• Beginning the Book of Nephi

• Covenants

• Search, Ponder, Pray

Know Why's

Evidences

Written Commentary

Reading Plan

Maps & Charts

Images

Bibliography & Additional Resources

BYU’s RSC

• Early Christianity and 1 Nephi 13–14

• Lehi’s Dream and Nephi’s Vision as Apocalyptic Literature

Additional Videos, Articles, & Insights

• Components of Lehi’s Vision of the Tree of Life

• Lehi’s Vision of the Tree of Life: Understanding the Dream as Visionary Literature

• Nephi and His Asherah

• A man among the gentiles’: Questioning our assumptions

• Nephi’s ‘Great and Abominable Church

• 1 Nephi 12–14: Nephi’s Grand Vision

Books

• The Book of Mormon Made Easier Set, With Included Chronological Map (Gospel Study)

• The Annotated Book of Mormon

• Beholding the Tree of Life: A Rabbinic Approach to the Book of Mormon

• Gathered in One: How the Book of Mormon Counters Anti-Semitism in the New Testament

• Feasts and Festivals of the Messiah (Preparing for and Worshipping in the Latter-day Saint Temple: Understanding Symbolism, Promises, Learnings & Covenants)