Lehi has related his dream of the tree of life to his family, and Nephi has taken a moment to explain that these plates are those upon which he is enscribing the more spiritual things and that the other plates he is keeping will be for the more political things of his people.
1. And now I, Nephi, proceed to give an account upon these plates of my proceedings, and my reign and ministry; wherefore, to proceed with mine account, I must speak somewhat of the things of my father, and also of my brethren.
2. For behold, it came to pass after my father had made an end of speaking the words of his dream, and also of exhorting them to all diligence, he spake unto them concerning the Jews—
3. That after they should be destroyed, even that great city Jerusalem, and many be carried away captive into Babylon, according to the own due time of the Lord, they should return again, yea, even be brought back out of captivity; and after they should be brought back out of captivity they should possess again the land of their inheritance.
4. Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world.
I am forever in awe of how the spirit of prophecy works. Indeed, everything that Lehi foretold did come to pass. I found a wonderful article on it here, if you’d like to read it.
5. And he also spake concerning the prophets, how great a number had testified of these things, concerning this Messiah, of whom he had spoken, or this Redeemer of the world.
6. Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer.
I can’t help but wonder if this doctrine isn’t a part of what makes Laman and Lemuel so uncomfortable. They are used to being their own masters –I wonder if the concept of turning their will over to the Redeemer is hard for them to swallow.
7. And he spake also concerning a prophet who should come before the Messiah, to prepare the way of the Lord—
8. Yea, even he should go forth and cry in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for there standeth one among you whom ye know not; and he is mightier than I, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. And much spake my father concerning this thing.
9. And my father said he should baptize in Bethabara, beyond Jordan; and he also said he should baptize with water; even that he should baptize the Messiah with water.
10. And after he had baptized the Messiah with water, he should behold and bear record that he had baptized the Lamb of God, who should take away the sins of the world.
I have always loved the comparison of Christ to a lamb. In contrast to the image we sometimes have of a vengeful God, the image of a lamb is soft, loving, and warm. When we come unto Christ with a sincere heart and with desire to change and to know Him, He receives us with loving warmth. I’ve often felt His love showered upon me in just such a way.
As I read this last verse, I think of the joy this revelation must have brought Lehi. We know he received many other revelations, but this is one of the first that is recorded in the Book of Mormon, the need for the flight into the wilderness being the first, and the dream of the tree of life being the second. We do not know what the other revelations were about. But this one is filled with so much joy and hope! The coming of a Messiah, to redeem all mankind. It’s truly hard to comprehend.
From today’s reading: What are some experiences you’ve had with the warm, comforting love of the Savior?
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