CFM BOM with Sam week 4 - Nephi's vision

WOW!

Things happen to Nephi really quickly this week. What is interesting is that he sees a piece of the vision, then he sees a piece of the history of the world, then he goes back to the vision, then back to the world over and over again. It is like a hyper-converged vision with the symbols and the realities manifesting themselves almost synchronously with each other. And he leaves a lot out. Here are some of the highlights from my studies.

The Condescension of God

The angel focuses on something called the condescension of God. We'll talk about this more when we get to Abinadai. For now it may be good to hone in on why Nephi was taught about specifically that. There is (a little) more discussion of this on my sound recordings.

Nephi's vision of present day America

Nephi has a whole chapter on what happens after the gentiles come to America. He probably wasn't writing this for his people. He was probably writing about it specifically for us. he talks about God inspiring Columbus to find the Americas, about how the United States are helped to establish independence, and about the bible going forth.

The summum bonum of this is in vs 37. God promises that he will establish Zion and blessed are they who shall seek to bring froth my Zion at that day for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day... and whoso shall publish peace, yeah, tidings of great joy how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.

That last part is Isaiah. Something you begin to notice in hyper-converged visions is that everything begins to relate to everything else. more on that in chapter 15

Stumbling blocks

Nephi and the angel both begin to talk about stumbling blocks in the last days. I was really curious to know what they are because I don't want stumbling blocks. I want to be free. Nephi mentions that when the plain and precious truths are removed from the bible, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them. that is one stumbling block. nephi talks about it a lot more in chapter 14. He says that if the gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks!

That is what I want. I want my stumbling blocks taken away. That sounds really nice. Especially in the next verses when Nephi says that you can do this to avoid getting sucked into that great pit, and those that 'digged' it will fall to their own destruction instead.

Stumbling blocks is a recurring theme in Nephi. he really picks it up again in 2 Nephi 26. here a few more that he mentions throughout:

plain and precious truths missing (1 N 13)
Priestcrafts/set themselves up for a light unto the world (2 N 26)
Hard Heart (1 N 14, etc.)
Pride (2 N 26)
many churches (effect)(2 N 26)
Preach themselves, get gain, grind the poor (2 N 26)
set up secret combinations (2 N 26)
warn not their neighbor (2 N 20) (I have personally felt this one)
idols in heart (2 N 20)
unbelief, wickedness, ignorance, stiffneckedness (2 N 32)
not searching for knowledge, (2 N 32)
not understanding great knowledge (2 N 32)

Other prophets talk of stumbling blocks, or their signs and effects, as well. Here is a sample:
reject prophets (Mosaiah 7)
wickedness in church (Alma 4)
Holding prophets as a light thing (D&C 90)
Over-zealousness (for the Jews, Isa 8)

Let's overcome our stumbling blocks! Let's hearken and listen! 2 Nephi 30:6 says people in the last days will have scales of darkness begin to fall from their eyes. Let's make this happen!

What is the Greatest Lesson from the Tree of Life Vision?

There are so many lessons that we can have from these chapters. Here are my three biggest:

1. The Love of God. God came down among men to redeem his people, and as we seek Him, we can have the same love that he has and all the power that comes with it.
2. The promises of God. Sometimes this world feels very alone, but God has seen it end to end, and is as mindful of his children to day as in times past and in times future.
3. Anyone who earnestly desires to be closer to God can be filled with the spirit of understanding. Nephi begins his vision, and teaches his brothers first and foremost that we need to desire to know these things and make room for the Spirit, and we can have all the blessings that God has in store for us.