1 Nephi 9-11

1 Nephi 9:
Nephi makes two sets of plates because “the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men: for behold he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words.: (during translation, Martin Harris get the only copy of the first forty pages to show his wife and then loses them. Heavenly Father refuses to allow those pages to be retranslated because of plots to discredit them so that same time period of Lehi’s journey is covered in the 2nd set of plates.

Application: We must trust in God’s guidance and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost even if it doesn’t make sense to us at the time the instruction is given.



1 Nephi 10:
Lehi prophesies concerning Jerusalem and the coming of Jesus and John the Baptist. He compares the house of Israel to an olive tree whose branches are broken off and scattered, but that they would one day be gathered. Nephi also wants to see the visions of his father, he reminds us that we all can have this knowledge through the gift of the Holy Ghost. “For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and all the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them”. for God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow-all men at all times can seek God.

Application: I am part of the House of Israel! I am also entitled to personal revelation through the gift of the Holy Ghost.

1 Nephi 11:
Nephi is carried away by the Spirit of the Lord unto an exceedingly high mountain. He expresses his desire to see his father’s vision. He is praised for believing in Jesus just from his father’s words. He will therefore be allowed to see Jesus’ birth and life in vision himself. So he can testify and bear record of Jesus as well. He is given an interpretation of the Tree of Life vision. The tree was more beautiful than he had imagined. The tree represents the love of God which spreadeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men: wherefore it is the most desirable above all things. And the angel states “and the most joyous to the soul”. The rod of iron was the word of God. The Large and Spacious building is the pride of the world;. Nephi sees the fall of the great and spacious building. “Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues and people who fight against the Lord or his apostles.

Application: Nephi first desired to know, and believed the Lord could show him and then Pondered in his heart the things he was seeking. Do I follow this pattern when seeking answers or do I glibly and thoughtlessly ask for knowledge? Do I recognize God’s love as THE MOST JOYOUS thing in my life?