Lessons on the Book of Mormon 2020
Lesson No. Four
History’s Most Important Events From the Lord’s Perspective – 1 Nephi 11 – 14
Nephi’s Vision – Sometimes people are asked to tell what they believe to be the most important events in all of history. If we want to know what the Lord believes to be the most the most important events in the last 2,000 years of world history we will study 1 Nephi 11-14.
The vision starts by Nephi being shown the most important event in all history, which is the birth, ministry, atonement, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It concludes with a vision of the end of the world which Nephi was not permitted to write about. But he was commanded to record the following events because they are most important to those of us who live in the latter days. (References, for example, to 1 Nephi 11:6-7 will be given as (11:6-7))
Important events concerning the personal ministry of Jesus Christ and His Apostles – 1 Nephi 11
1. The condescension of God the Father – Jesus was the Son of God and the Son of Mary (11:13-21).
2. The condescension of God the Son – Jesus was baptized and the heavens were opened (11:26-27); He ministered “in power and great glory” (11:28, 31); “He was lifted upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world” (11:32-33)
3. The ministry of the twelve apostles anciently and in the latter days – “The multitudes of the earth were gathered together to fight against the apostles of the Lamb” (11:34-35). The ministry of the ancient apostles was limited to small area of the earth, but the ministry of the latter day apostles is worldwide. Nephi saw that many people would fight against both ancient and modern apostles, and those who do will “fall and the fall thereof shall be exceedingly great” (11:35-36).
Important events in ancient America that prepare us for the Second Coming – 1 Nephi 12
4. At the crucifixion of Christ, the wicked were swept away, and a thick vapor of darkness prevailed over the land for three days. (12:4-5)
5. Jesus descended out of heaven – “He came down and showed himself” to the survivors. (12:6)
6. The Lord’s church is established – Nephite apostles minister in great power. (12:7-10)
7. Righteousness prevails for three generations – Wickedness then increases until the Nephites are completely destroyed, and Lamanites degenerate and become a loathsome people. (12:11-23)
Important events that took place in preparation for the restoration of the gospel – 1 Nephi 13:1-19
8. The devil and his followers fought against God for centuries during a worldwide apostacy. (13:1-9)
9. The Lord prepared the earth for the restoration of the gospel – Columbus, the pilgrims, and multitudes of immigrants are brought to America by the Spirit of God; they prosper and “humble themselves before the Lord; and the power of the Lord was with them” (13:12-16). The power of God was with the colonists in the Revolutionary War, and they “were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations” (13:12-19). These verses warns us against slandering Columbus and the Founders and the massive current conspiracy to rewrite our history.
Important events about the Bible, why it was altered and how it will be restored – 1 Nephi 13:20-42
10. The colonists and founders knew and relied on the Bible (13:20). The Bible was written in purity, and it “contained the fulness of the gospel of the Lord” (13:23-25). But “that great and abominable church” (which is a combination of many evil influences worldwide) intentionally altered the Bible and took away many teachings and covenants which were plain and most precious. Because of this many people in the latter days stumble, and Satan has great power over them (13:26-29).
11. The Lord will restore “the plain and most precious parts of the gospel” which were lost (13:30-42). These verses refer to living prophets, the Book of Mormon, and other latter day scripture.
Important events concerning the restoration of gospel in the latter days – 1 Nephi 14:7
12. In the latter days the Lord “will work a great and marvelous work.” The great and marvelous work refers to the restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The restoration of the gospel includes a restored Church, living apostles and prophets, additional scripture, and priesthood authority. Many people accept the Bible and its teachings, and if they accept the restoration of the gospel when they are taught about it, this will lead them to peace and eternal life. If they reject it their hearts will be hardened and their minds blinded. The restoration of the gospel is a great sieve that sifts the people living in the latter days. (14:7)
13. In the latter days “there are save two churches only” – There are two great forces in the world; one entices people to the restored Church of Jesus Christ, and the other entices people to the world. Worldly influences determine the behavior of great multitudes throughout the earth. “The saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominion…were small” in comparison to the world, And the world did “fight against the Lamb of God” (14:10-13).
14. Temples of God are found throughout the earth where “the covenant people of the Lord” are “armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory” (14:14).
Testimony – In our day there is much confusion and misinformation. I believe that it is essential to study and gain a personal testimony of the reality and importance of the events described in 1 Nephi 11-14. These chapters give the Lord’s answer to many issues our modern world struggles with.
We should then use the Book of Mormon to teach and testify to our children and grandchildren about the importance of these events described in 1 Nephi 11-14 and help them gain a personal testimony of them. This is the most important thing we can do to insure their success in this life and their happiness in the life to come.