10 And he also saw atwelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament.
This verse has always prompted a question in my mind. I wonder if in vision what Lehi saw was the office or calling of the Apostleship or did he see the actual 12 called by the Savior. The reason for this thought goes to the Apostle Judas Iscariot. With Gods forknowledge of all things would he show this man, placing him in a position of honor?
There have been many 12 since the time of Jesus first Apostles. Are they not just as honored as the rest? We honor them for their lives of service, but mostly we honor them in their calling as special witnesses of Jesus.
Lehi’s description of this “brightness” is a bit quizzical, leaving me wondering why the choice of stars as the metaphor or description. Could it be that he was referring to the contrast between a bright star and the background of blackness. Recent Hubble deep space pictures show us that even the darkest spot in the heavens that we see actually are filled with the light of more distant stars and galaxies. Or, is it that Lehi understood that stars really are very bright and that our sun is not one of the brightest.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
1 Nephi 1:9
9 And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his aluster was above that of the sun at noon-day.
At the risk of stating the obvious, it appears that Lehi, thinking that he has just seen the Father (vs 8), now sees One descending out of heaven who must be the Son, our Savior. His description reminds us of Joseph Smith’s first vision; where the light is as bright as sun at noon day.
I am intrigued by the use of the word luster. Two of the most significant definitions of luster are quite different while still both applying perfectly to how we are led to believe the Savior would appear in vision. The first has to do with the appearance in a visual sense; glass, glaze or sheen. The second more with the impression, the impact of seeing; glory, radiance, distinction or splender.
The impact of seeing the Savior especially is vision, where the Holy Ghost can communicate in ways not limited by the senses of sight and hearing, must be over whelming and life changing to say the least.
At the risk of stating the obvious, it appears that Lehi, thinking that he has just seen the Father (vs 8), now sees One descending out of heaven who must be the Son, our Savior. His description reminds us of Joseph Smith’s first vision; where the light is as bright as sun at noon day.
I am intrigued by the use of the word luster. Two of the most significant definitions of luster are quite different while still both applying perfectly to how we are led to believe the Savior would appear in vision. The first has to do with the appearance in a visual sense; glass, glaze or sheen. The second more with the impression, the impact of seeing; glory, radiance, distinction or splender.
The impact of seeing the Savior especially is vision, where the Holy Ghost can communicate in ways not limited by the senses of sight and hearing, must be over whelming and life changing to say the least.
1 Nephi 1:8
8 And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a avision, even that he saw the bheavens open, and he thought he csaw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.
I find it interesting that what Lehi saw and heard during the “pillar of fire” on the rock experience, came in response to his earnest prayer. His experience starting in this verse, of a “vision” came from him “being thus overcome with the Spirit”. The character of the two experiences must have been quite different, both in the form of their presentation and the content of their message. Also it seems that the first was to confirm to Lehi that his faith in what the prophets were saying was justified; that Jerusalem would be destroyed if the people did not repent. The second, the vision seems more of a reward, blessing and a calling to the ministry.
What is implied by: “he was carried away”? Is there an actual out of body experience, a physical bodily “carried away” experience, a total release from the thoughts and concerns of this life, or something else that we cannot quite grasp without having that experience ourselves?
In the vision Lehi “saw the heavens open” but he only “thought he saw God”. Is there significance to this difference? What is the throne of God? Is it to represent his kingship and power? Is it used in vision so as to point out who God is?
A vision must be a remarkable way to receive information from God. More than eyes can perceive, the mind seems to be populated with data in parallel, thus communicating base information required to understand thing unfathomable without this base. These thoughts are raised by Lehi’s description of those singing and praising God.
A concourse is defined as an assembly, a gathering, a meeting in one place, a great crowd; a throng. It boggles the mind th think of what “numberless concourses” would be. And in fact, was he metaphorically saying they were “numberless” or were they in fact an infinite number? We must not put our finite thinking onto God!
I find it interesting that what Lehi saw and heard during the “pillar of fire” on the rock experience, came in response to his earnest prayer. His experience starting in this verse, of a “vision” came from him “being thus overcome with the Spirit”. The character of the two experiences must have been quite different, both in the form of their presentation and the content of their message. Also it seems that the first was to confirm to Lehi that his faith in what the prophets were saying was justified; that Jerusalem would be destroyed if the people did not repent. The second, the vision seems more of a reward, blessing and a calling to the ministry.
What is implied by: “he was carried away”? Is there an actual out of body experience, a physical bodily “carried away” experience, a total release from the thoughts and concerns of this life, or something else that we cannot quite grasp without having that experience ourselves?
In the vision Lehi “saw the heavens open” but he only “thought he saw God”. Is there significance to this difference? What is the throne of God? Is it to represent his kingship and power? Is it used in vision so as to point out who God is?
A vision must be a remarkable way to receive information from God. More than eyes can perceive, the mind seems to be populated with data in parallel, thus communicating base information required to understand thing unfathomable without this base. These thoughts are raised by Lehi’s description of those singing and praising God.
A concourse is defined as an assembly, a gathering, a meeting in one place, a great crowd; a throng. It boggles the mind th think of what “numberless concourses” would be. And in fact, was he metaphorically saying they were “numberless” or were they in fact an infinite number? We must not put our finite thinking onto God!
1 Nephi 1:7
7 And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being aovercome with the Spirit and the things which he had seen.
“it cam to pass” has appeared 4 time in the first 7 verses. I suppose this is like we might say, “then” or “it happened that”. Is the fact that it says “his own house” imply he had been at someone else’s house? It is often said that Lehi was a merchant and was probably on a trip buying or selling his merchandise. Could it have been that he had been inspired by one of the other prophets and had gone to this prophet’s home with him to receive more of the “word”? Verse 5 indicated (wherefore) that it was because of preaching of the prophets that Lehi prayed. Maybe when he “went forth”, it was from another prophets house. So much had the prophesying affected him that he prayed earnestly. Having received a miraculous answer to his prayer, Lehi goes home. The things he “saw and heard” are praying on his mind and the Spirit continues to work on him, until when he arrives at home he is “overcome with the Spirit” and is now given more, this time by means of a vision.
“it cam to pass” has appeared 4 time in the first 7 verses. I suppose this is like we might say, “then” or “it happened that”. Is the fact that it says “his own house” imply he had been at someone else’s house? It is often said that Lehi was a merchant and was probably on a trip buying or selling his merchandise. Could it have been that he had been inspired by one of the other prophets and had gone to this prophet’s home with him to receive more of the “word”? Verse 5 indicated (wherefore) that it was because of preaching of the prophets that Lehi prayed. Maybe when he “went forth”, it was from another prophets house. So much had the prophesying affected him that he prayed earnestly. Having received a miraculous answer to his prayer, Lehi goes home. The things he “saw and heard” are praying on his mind and the Spirit continues to work on him, until when he arrives at home he is “overcome with the Spirit” and is now given more, this time by means of a vision.
1 Nephi 1:6
6 And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a apillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did bquake and tremble exceedingly.
It was Lehi’s actions that brought about the response from the Lord.
What is a pillar of fire? The word dwelt seems to imply something more than rested, landed, was on, or describing its location. To dwell has implies elements of living, of existing and of state; as in to dwell in a stat of joy. Could this be one of the heavenly means by which God can communicate to man scenes of history and scenes in the future? Is this like a holographic projection? It does state that the rock it dwelt on was “before him” (in front of him). This definitely appears to be different than a vision, where the understanding of the receiver’s mind is opened to receive the information directly. Maybe this is a means used when the receiver is not yet prepared for the information by dream or vision.
We are led to understand that in vision, the length of time is not a fixed requirement to communicate a volume of information. Is the same true for this means or was this more like watching a movie? We are told that he saw and heard much. If this was a communication received by the physical senses (eyes and ears), maybe it was watched and listened to.
However it was received, it caused Lehi to quake and tremble a great deal. Reading this in the past I have always thought that it was the content of what he saw and heard that made him react this way. There may also have been a physical reaction to such an unusual occurrence. A pillar of fire on a rock would certainly unsettle me. Second and even more profound; the pillar must have required the power of the Holy Ghost to come upon Lehi to operate. This power (as explained by Joseph Smith) takes some getting used to. It must be physically draining and that probably added to Lehi’s overall condition. He may have seen his own part in crying repentance to the people. That would really be frightening.
It was Lehi’s actions that brought about the response from the Lord.
What is a pillar of fire? The word dwelt seems to imply something more than rested, landed, was on, or describing its location. To dwell has implies elements of living, of existing and of state; as in to dwell in a stat of joy. Could this be one of the heavenly means by which God can communicate to man scenes of history and scenes in the future? Is this like a holographic projection? It does state that the rock it dwelt on was “before him” (in front of him). This definitely appears to be different than a vision, where the understanding of the receiver’s mind is opened to receive the information directly. Maybe this is a means used when the receiver is not yet prepared for the information by dream or vision.
We are led to understand that in vision, the length of time is not a fixed requirement to communicate a volume of information. Is the same true for this means or was this more like watching a movie? We are told that he saw and heard much. If this was a communication received by the physical senses (eyes and ears), maybe it was watched and listened to.
However it was received, it caused Lehi to quake and tremble a great deal. Reading this in the past I have always thought that it was the content of what he saw and heard that made him react this way. There may also have been a physical reaction to such an unusual occurrence. A pillar of fire on a rock would certainly unsettle me. Second and even more profound; the pillar must have required the power of the Holy Ghost to come upon Lehi to operate. This power (as explained by Joseph Smith) takes some getting used to. It must be physically draining and that probably added to Lehi’s overall condition. He may have seen his own part in crying repentance to the people. That would really be frightening.
1 Nephi 1:5
5 Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his aheart, in behalf of his people.
I have wondered how the prophets mentioned in verse 4 came to be prophets. It is reasonable to assume that many came by the same means as Lehi himself came to be one. Lehi being honest in heart, was pricked by the words of other prophets and went seeking the Lord; his call, an out growth of his desire to save the people.
What does it take for us to pray with “all our (his) heart”? To bring one to pray with all his heart must take an extreme conviction, an earnest need and an imminent event, to draw from within us our full hearts desire. I believe that those three things in Lehi’s case were directly related to his faith in the Lord and a witness that what the prophets were saying was the truth.
I have wondered how the prophets mentioned in verse 4 came to be prophets. It is reasonable to assume that many came by the same means as Lehi himself came to be one. Lehi being honest in heart, was pricked by the words of other prophets and went seeking the Lord; his call, an out growth of his desire to save the people.
What does it take for us to pray with “all our (his) heart”? To bring one to pray with all his heart must take an extreme conviction, an earnest need and an imminent event, to draw from within us our full hearts desire. I believe that those three things in Lehi’s case were directly related to his faith in the Lord and a witness that what the prophets were saying was the truth.
1 Nephi 1:4
4 For it came to pass in the commencement of the afirst year of the reign of bZedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having dwelt at cJerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many dprophets, prophesying unto the people that they must erepent, or the great city fJerusalem must be destroyed.
Interesting that Nephi makes no negative comment about Zedekiah.
My father dwelt at (around about) Jerusalem. It must have been the land of his inheritance.
The prophets came to cry repentance in the same year that Zedekiah became king. Was he leading the people to do wickedly? To repent is to turn back; back to following the Lord and His ways.
Is there some significance to the fact that it was the city that was to be destroyed if the people did not repent? Is the prosperity of the people reflected in the growth and prominence of the city? Is it true that cities tend to encourage wickedness? Are materialism, immorality, the seeking for luxury and leisure, pride, and power-grabbing, all influences of living in a city?
Interesting that Nephi makes no negative comment about Zedekiah.
My father dwelt at (around about) Jerusalem. It must have been the land of his inheritance.
The prophets came to cry repentance in the same year that Zedekiah became king. Was he leading the people to do wickedly? To repent is to turn back; back to following the Lord and His ways.
Is there some significance to the fact that it was the city that was to be destroyed if the people did not repent? Is the prosperity of the people reflected in the growth and prominence of the city? Is it true that cities tend to encourage wickedness? Are materialism, immorality, the seeking for luxury and leisure, pride, and power-grabbing, all influences of living in a city?
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