4 Nephi--To the Ideal and Back Again

After Jesus Christ's visit to the Nephites there comes a time when everyone in the land is converted.

"...the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them and every man did deal justly one with another.  And they had all things in common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift." (4 Nephi 1:2-3)

This is the ideal.  I think it is what people imagine when they think of world peace.  The hard thing about it is, it cannot come without first all people having that change of heart--that conversion wherein their faith and hope in Christ is their guiding light.  It is a conversion in which they nurture charity instead of judgement and selfishness.  The people remained in such a state for over 150 years because as 4 Nephi 1:15 says "...there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people."  4 Nephi 1:17 says, "There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God."

It does sound so very peaceful.  And then in verse 20 it mentions that there is still peace in the land except a small part of the people who had revolted from the church and taken upon themselves the name of Lamanites.  In the two hundred and first year from the coming of Christ things start to go south.  The main culprit mentioned is pride.  By 4 Nephi1:41 it says, "And they did still continue to build up churches unto themselves..."  So very sad.  By the end of 4th Nephi the people are wicked again.

Wouldn't it be lovely if only we could all realize the true way to the ideal and not fail to keep these things in our hearts?

3 Nephi 28:37--Made Manifest Unto Me

I love the examples in the scriptures that show us how the prophets learn through prayer.  I love it the most when they, in the process of writing come upon something they don't know, like in 3 Nephi 28:17 when Mormon says (speaking of the three Nephites):

"...whether they were mortal or immortal, from the day of their transfiguration, I know not..."

Then in verse 37 he writes:

"...since I wrote, I have inquired of the Lord and he hath made it manifest unto me that there must needs be a change wrought upon their bodies, or else it needs be that they must taste of death..."

He goes on to say that he was told that the three Nephites did have their bodies changed but not to the degree to which they will be changed at "the judgement day of Christ."  So in asking, he received an answer and I think it is so cool that we have a front row seat to how prophets learn as they go.  What a great example to us!  It is awesome to know that we too can employ prayer to gain knowledge and get our questions answered.  I don't know where I would be without my Father in Heaven's guidance.  Even when I read and listen to great apostles and prophets I don't really learn that much until I say a prayer that He will help me to understand and know how I can apply the true principles that they teach in my own life.  The wonderful thing is that Heavenly Father knows us so well that he can teach us in just the way that we need to really understand.  It is sooo exciting!