1 AND now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had read these things which were engraven upon the plates of brass, my brethren came unto me and said unto me: What meaneth these things which ye have read? [ Or how do we liken these thing to ourselves or our lives? Us being this remnant of Israel. Hence this chapter is a commentary on Isa. 48 - 49. In Nephi's commentary he will reference his vision of the Tree of Life as well, in addition Nephi will reference things that he saw in his vision in context of Isaiah's prophecies. ] Behold, are they to be understood according to things which are spiritual, which shall come to pass according to the spirit and not the flesh?

2 And I, Nephi, said unto them: Behold they were manifest unto the prophet by the voice of the Spirit; [ They came about through revelation. ] for by the Spirit are all things made known unto the prophets, which shall come upon the children of men according to the flesh. [ The conditions and laws that govern in mortality. ]

3 Wherefore, the things of which I have read are things pertaining to things both temporal and spiritual; for it appears that the house of Israel, sooner or later, will be scattered upon all the face of the earth, and also among all nations.

4 And behold, there are many who are already lost [ Speaking of the ten tribes. ] from the knowledge of those who are at Jerusalem. Yea, the more part of all the tribes have been led away; and they [ This major group of the House of Israel. ] are scattered to and fro upon the isles of the sea; [ So with that language the earth is an isle of the sea so to speak, a place within all of the creations of God in the heavens. ] and whither they are none of us [ Or the largest body of the House of Israel - Ten of the tribes. ] knoweth, save that we know that they have been led away. [ So he testifies that it was God who led them away, it was done under the direction of God. ]

5  And since [ A reinforcement of the fact that it was done - that the ten tribes were led away. ] they have been led away, these things [ What is to follow here. Nephi is saying that because this has happened to them, the Lord has a plan and leading them away was only part of the plan. The rest of the plan we will see when they return. ] have been prophesied concerning them, and also concerning all those who shall [ Those who will be scattered in the future. ] hereafter be scattered and be confounded, [ Lehi's seed will later be scattered, The Jews themselves have been scattered as well. ] because of the Holy One of Israel; for against him will they harden their hearts; wherefore, they shall be scattered among all nations and shall be hated of all men.

6 Nevertheless, after they shall be nursed by the Gentiles, [ The softening of “the hearts of the Gentiles, that they shall be like unto a father to them,” refers to various attempts, public and private, to assist the Lamanites in the afflictions that followed their scattering. While much more could have been done for the Lamanites, many Gentiles have expressed fatherly concern toward them. ] and the Lord has lifted up his hand upon the Gentiles and set them up for a standard, and their children have been carried in their arms, and their daughters have been carried upon their shoulders, behold these things of which are spoken are temporal; for thus are the covenants of the Lord with our fathers; and it meaneth us in the days to come, and also all our brethren who are of the house of Israel. [ The mighty nation established among the Gentiles is the United States of America (see D&C 101:77, 80), whose early inhabitants scattered the Lamanites. Concerning their scattering, Jacob said: “Thus saith our God: I will afflict thy seed by the hand of the Gentiles; nevertheless, I will soften the hearts of the Gentiles, that they shall be like unto a father to them; wherefore, the Gentiles shall be blessed and numbered among the house of Israel. “Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, and them who shall be numbered among thy seed, forever, for the land of their inheritance; for it is a choice land, saith God unto me, above all other lands, wherefore I will have all men that dwell thereon that they shall worship me, saith God” (2 Ne. 10:18–19). ]

7 And it meaneth that the time cometh [ There will be a period in the future. ] that after all the house of Israel have been scattered and confounded, that the Lord God [ Hebrew - Yahweh ( or Jehovah which means "to become" or "to exist") translated as Lord; Elohim translated as God ("the Gods") which together the words mean "He will cause Gods to be". ] will raise up a mighty nation among the Gentiles, [ United States of America; might in the fact that it has the freedoms; amoung them the ability to practice religion. Prior to this most were required to practice the religion of the state. It is interesting to note that Joseph Smith was born Dec 1805, just 14 years after the ratification of the amendments to the Constitution. ] yea, even upon the face of this land; [ Where is Nephi? At this point he is in the promised land as they arrived here 1 Ne. 18:23. ] and by them shall our seed be scattered. [ Indians or laminites were scattered by the first settlers in America and this scattering continued through the time of the pioneers. ]

8 And after our seed is scattered the [ So Nephi is providing a reference for us. We need to look for a period of time when the seed of Lehi (the laminites ) when they are scattered then right after that the Lord will perform a marvelous work at the hand of the Gentiles. The reason why Nephi continues to talk about the scattering of his seed was because he saw that there was a direct relationship between the time of the scattering of his seed and the impending restoration of the house of Israel. This is the same thing that Christ taught the Nephites when he visited. (3 Ne. 21:1-2). ] Lord God [ Hebrew - Yahweh ( or Jehovah which means "to become" or "to exist") translated as Lord; Elohim translated as God ("the Gods") which together the words mean "He will cause Gods to be". ] will proceed to do a marvelous work [ This phrase "marvelous work" included the following definitions of what it means: 1) Events that God will use to sift the world( 1 Ne. 14:7); 2) Bare forth the arm of the Lord (1 Ne.22:8); 3)Two latter day Messiahs - One real and one fake( 2 Ne. 25:17-18); 4)The marvelous work will cause the wisdom of the world to perish (2 Ne. 27:26); 5)All of the records of Israel will testify of these things (2 Ne. 29:1,3,7,13,14); 6) Will bear record that Gos is the same yesterday, today, and forever(3 Ne.21:9); 7)The three Nephites and John The Beloved have a role to play in the marvelous work of the last days (3 Ne. 28:31,29,33) ] among the Gentiles, [ The gospel will be restored to the earth, and the keys of the priesthood restored so that the covenants of Abraham can be restored as well. See vs 9 ] which shall be of great worth unto our seed; [ Why is it of great worth to their seed? Because the restoration also brings forthe the Book Of Moromon is is about their lineage. ] wherefore, it is likened [ Or it will be like they. ] unto their being nourished by the Gentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders.

9 And it [ This marvelous work. ] shall also be of worth unto the Gentiles; and not only unto the Gentiles but unto all the house of Israel, [ All of the house of Israel includes the ten tribes. ] unto the making known of the covenants of the Father of heaven unto Abraham, [ "The entire story of the Restoration as it centers in the opening of the heavens to Joseph Smith is but the fulfilling of the promises God made to Abraham." (McConkie, His Name Shall Be Joseph, 197) Joseph Smith explained that the latter-day Zion "interested the people of God in every age," who have "sung and written and prophesied of this our day," but "we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the Latter-day glory... ; a work that is destined to bring about the destruction of the powers of darkness, the renovation of the earth, the glory of God, and the salvation of the human family." (Galbraith and Smith, Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 261-62) What was the covenant that they Lord made with Abraham? a covenant between the lord and abraham which included 1) promise of land 2) promise of prosperity 3) promise of priesthood blessings 4) promise of gospel blessings for all families. ] saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

10 And I would, my brethren, that ye should know that all the kindreds of the earth cannot be blessed [ Which is the fulfilling of the covenant that God made with Abraham. ] unless he shall make bare his arm in the eyes of the nations. [ Without him, without his restoration of the Lost Ten Tribes that he has lead away. At this point all of the house of Israel will be complete again, joined as one. Since God led them away he will need to be the one to restore them, when he does the event will be so magnificent that those in the know will recognize that it is through Gods hand. ]

11 Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to make bare his arm [ The arm is a symbol of power; So symbolically speaking it says that God will show his power to the world. He will roll back the heavens such that it will prove that the God of Israel is real and that he is indeed in charge. ] in the eyes of all the nations, [ He will do it in front of the entire world. For all the world to see. And what is this miracle that he will perform? See verse 12. ] in bringing about his covenants and his gospel unto those who are of the house of Israel. [ Meaning all of the house of Israel. The world has lost track of the ten tribes, some think that they are just scattered among the nations of the earth. However the 10th Article Of Faith suggests that "We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and the RESTORATION of the Ten Tribes." ]

12 Wherefore, he [ God the one is is making his power know. ] will bring them [ The Ten Tribes. ] again [ He made his power open to the world once when he led the children of Israel when he led them out of Egypt. He preceeded that with fire from heaven, the Nile turning to blood, Plagues and scourges of epic proportions as he delivered the children of Israel and yet they will be as nothing when he makes bare his arm this time. ] out of captivity, [ Who are captive now? The Lost Ten Tribes. He will show how power by bring them back in a spectacle that all of the world will be amazed at, by restoring them to the earth. (2 Ne. 10:7 Jacob is specific here in how they will be restored - both in flesh and on this earth.) (Duet 30:4) ] [ All of the house of Israel will be restored. (Jeremiah 16:14-15) ] and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance; and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness; [ The darkness that is part of the life of those who do not have the light of the gospel in it. ] and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.

13 And the blood of that great and abominable church, which is the whore of all the earth, shall turn upon their own heads; [ The wicked will destroy the wicked. (Mormon 4:5) Why do they turn on each other? For the same reason they have done things all along, money, power and greed. But as things start to deteriorate and the secret combinations begin to break apart it is everyone for themselves or they go to smaller secret combinations to survive and maintain their control. It is if they eliminate the competition then they will rule. ] for they shall war among themselves, and the sword of their own hands shall fall upon their own heads, [ The antichrists fellowship of ten horns comes from within the whore of Babylon itself. This group was never counting on the return of the ten tribes and how that will change the balance of power for them. As they see that power start to be overtaken, they turn on themselves, they blame each other and the antichrist makes his move. ] and they shall be drunken with their own blood. [ Turning on each other killings among the Whore of Babylon within the ranks. ]

14 And every nation which shall war against thee, [ A covenant blessing. God will protect them. ] , O house of Israel, shall be turned one against another, [ Will fight each other. There are two great churches "the saints of the church of the Lamb" and the "great and abominable church" since we have identified in 1 Nephi 14: 7-15 who belongs to each of these two churches and in 1 Nephi 14:15 we see again that it is God who will let them have at each other. ] and they shall fall into the pit which they digged to ensnare the people of the Lord. [ What is the pit that they digged? It is pride, power and riches of the world. They are all so power hungry, so greedy that they cannot stop until they have it all and as we know it is impossible for each of these nations and powers to have it all. That only comes at the expense and destruction of another. ] And all [ Everyone, everything that does. ] that fight against Zion shall be destroyed, and that great whore, who hath perverted the right ways of the Lord, yea, that great and abominable church, shall tumble to the dust and great shall be the fall of it. [ A reference to the great and spacious building. It will fall and when it does great shall be the fall thereof. (1 Ne. 11:36) ]

15 For behold, saith the prophet, [ Zenos. ] the time cometh speedily that Satan shall have no more power over the hearts of the children of men; [ The Lord allowed this to happen for a time, to prove the saints he allowed them to be mocked and persecuted, but all of that will come to an end as the Lord returns to rein. How will this happen? The Lord is going to bind Satan before the Millennium can begin, and the Millennium will be ushered in by the power of God. Satan will be bound and become powerless by the power of God as well as by the righteousness of the righteousness of the members of the Church. ] for the day [ The second coming. (Malachi 4:1) Malachi could very easily be quoting the prophet Zenos here because this is almost word for word what Nephi wrote - one of the possible links between the two is Zenos, which bother Nephi and Malachi would have had acces to his records. ] soon cometh that all the proud and they who do wickedly shall be as stubble; [ It will have little value, the fruit from the tassels have been harvested. How can they not be of any value to the Lord, I thought he loved everyone? Well they are not nor will they ever produce good fruit. They have made their own decision and are bound to destruction, as a result they have no value left. ] and the day cometh that they must be burned. [ When something is burned it is changed - the proud will either have to change or they will be destroyed.

From an eternal perspective we might relate the burning to another word - yearning - or seeing what they could have had and been - that will cause ones heart to burn with envy or desire.

Why is Satan so Miserable?Because he is eternally left in the same state, he cannnot grow - he cannot have eternal increase.Think about it - How miserable, how bad would your heart burn if you were going to be in the same state forever?

When Joseph Smith had his first vision one of the words that he used to express what had happened was the use of the word fire. He later used the word glory to describe the presence of the Father and the son. Jospeh Smith said that he fully expected the leaves to be gone on all of the trees at the end of the first vision. That is how it appeared to him.

literal meaning: Joseph Fielding Smith Church History & Modern Revelation 1:238 - "It is not a figure of speech that is meaningless, or one not to be taken literally when the Lord speaks of the burning. All through the scriptures we have the word of the Lord that at his coming the wicked and the rebellious will be as stubble and will be consumed. Isaiah has so prophesied."

Christ is a glorified, celestial being, and the glory of such beings is comparable to that of the sun. The presence of Christ when he comes in His glory will be as a consuming fire. The mountains will flow down at hi presence, the elements will melt with fervent heat, and the waters will flow boil. Even the sun will hide its face in shame. see D&C 76:70; D&C 133:40-44; Hebrews 12:29]

16 For the time soon cometh that the fulness of the wrath of God shall be poured out upon all the children of men; for he [ God. ] will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous. [ He can't as he need the righteous to fulfill his purpose. However this also does not mean that they will not be tried sorely. Is there any connection here with wearing the garments? The children of Israel were told to paint their doors with blood so that the destroying angels would know where to pass over. Is there any correlation there for us? In Apr Conference 2024 there was a lot of talk about Covenants, The Temple, Garments and having the power of God. ]

17 Wherefore, he [ God. ] will preserve the righteous by his power, [ "that does not preclude that all saints will be spared and saved from the coming desolation. But we do say there is no promise of safety and no promise of security except for those who do love the Lord and who are seeking to do all that he commands" Bruce R McConkie Ensign May 1979 pg 93. Additionally; the preservation of the house of Israel in a coming day will take place by divine intervention. ] even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous [ "Those who love the Lord AND who are seeking to do all that he commands" - B.R. McConkie. ] be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; [ Either the fire will pass them over or they will be burnt in the fire but their judgement is secure in that they will live with God. ] for thus saith the prophet, [ (See Daniel 3:1-27) ] they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire. [ “Because the wicked will be destroyed by fire at the Second Coming, this verse might seem better worded if it said that the righteous are saved ‘from' the fire, rather than ‘by' the fire. Another verse of scriptures lends understanding to this idea. At the time of the flood, Noah and his family, in similar language are not saved ‘from' the water but ‘by' the water (see 1 Peter 3:20). At the time of both events the world was and will be completely cleansed of wickedness-once by water and once by fire. At the first cleansing the earth experienced a baptism of water and at the second cleansing a confirmation of spirit by fire” (Garner, Search These Things Diligently, 42). ] [ Here is a good point to review that Nephi is still answering the questions his brethren asked in the verse 1 as to which prophecies of Isaiah are literal and which ones are symbolic or spiritual. ]

18 Behold, my brethren, I say unto you, that these things must shortly come; [ Reference to the second coming. ] ; yea, even blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke must come; and it must needs be upon the face of this earth; [ God does not delight in destroying the wicked, they are his children too. However; he has no choice as he had no choice in the days of the flood. As the people become past feeling, they cannot and will not hear him under any circumstance. They will also destroy anyone who would make an attempt to hear him, so there is no choice as everyone that is and will be born will be in that environment, one without hope to find Christ, and without hope in Christ there is no hope for man. (Mormon 5:22-24) *Interesting statement about this earth. It appears that this earth is a redeeming earth and that the Great Atoning Savior of the world was sent to this earth so that redemption might take place for all who live upon her face and any and all others who look towards this Savior for redemption. The blood and fire and vapors of smoke that come upon the face of the earth purify and cleanse our Earth mother as a planet as much as they do the inhabitants who dwell upon her face. Our Earth Mother fulfills the measure of her creation and is extremely obedient to her creators. ] and it cometh unto men according to the flesh if it so be that they will harden their hearts against the Holy One of Israel.

19 For behold, the righteous shall not perish; for the time surely must come that all they who fight against Zion shall be cut off. [ Moses gave this prophecy originally in Duet 18. One of the reasons for translation in the Latter-days is for those who are blessed with this gift to be able to pass through these events of blood and fire and vapor of smoke, and not be distracted by them. ]

20 And the Lord will surely prepare a way for his people, unto the fulfilling of the words of Moses, which he spake, saying: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, like unto me; [ According to McConkie and Millet, the phrase “a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, like unto me” (1 Nephi 22:20) may well be the most often-quoted messianic prophecy in scripture. It was first uttered by Moses to the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 18:15-19). Nephi quoted it to his people, Peter quoted it in his great discourse on the grounds of Herod’s temple (Acts 3:22-23), Christ quoted it to the nation of the Nephites (3 Nephi 21:11), Stephen quoted it while transfigured before the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:37), Moroni quoted it to Joseph Smith (Joseph Smith–History 1:40), and we find it referred to in the revelation given as a preface to the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 1:14) and in the revelation that was once known as its appendix (D&C 133:63).* Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1, p. 176 ... What is the significance of Moses's prophecy here that the Lord would raise up a prophet like unto him? “This may well be the most often-quoted messianic prophecy in scripture. It was first uttered by Moses to the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 18:15-19). Nephi quoted it to his people, Peter quoted it in his great discourse on the grounds of Herod's temple (Acts 3:22-23), Christ quoted it to the nation of the Nephites (3 Nephi 21:11), Stephen quoted it while transfigured before the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:37), Moroni quoted it to Joseph Smith (Joseph Smith-History 1:40), and we find it referred to in the revelation given as a preface to the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 1:14)” (McConkie and Millet, Doctrinal Commentary, 1:176). ... 1 Nephi 22:20 [Moses said] A Prophet Shall the Lord Your God Raise Up unto You, Like unto Me; According to Almon Fackrell, scattered throughout the Old Testament are prophesies made by the prophets of God, that there would be a Messiah, an Anointed One, a great Prophet who would come to earth someday to redeem man, and to be the Eternal King of Israel. The prophets foretold many of the details of His birth, lineage, power, mission and death; and most of these prophesies are used every week by the Christian clergy to show the divinity of Jesus . . . There is one prophecy, however, which describes the promised Messiah clearer than most any other one . . . This prophecy is found in Deuteronomy 18:15, and is also referred to in 1 Nephi 22:20-21: And the Lord will surely prepare a way for his people, unto the fulfilling of the words of Moses, which he spake, saying: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that all those who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people. And now I, Nephi, declare unto you, that this prophet of whom Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel; wherefore, he shall execute judgment in righteousness. ... Who was the “Prophet like unto Moses”? According to Nephi it was Jesus. (For the testimony of others, see John 1:45; John 6:14; John 7:40; Acts 3:22-24; Acts 7:37. For the testimony of Jesus himself, see John 4:25-26.) How was Jesus like Moses? Almon Fackrell gives 19 parallels between Moses and Jesus: 1. When Moses and Jesus were infants, male children were ordered to be killed by their governments. (See Exodus 1:8-22 and Matthew 2:1-18) 2. Moses and Jesus grew up with a step-parent. (See Exodus 2:9-10 and Matthew 1:18-21) 3. The stepmother of Moses was probably a virgin when he was born. The mother of Jesus was a virgin when he was born. (See Exodus 2:5-10 and Luke 1:26-35) 4. Moses and Jesus received their names from their step-parents. (See Exodus 2:10 and Matthew 1:24-25) 5. Neither Moses nor Jesus were Egyptians, but they both lived among Egyptians when they were infants, and their lives were spared by them. (See Exodus 2:1-10 and Matthew 2:13-15) 6. Both Moses and Jesus were royal princes, being the legal heirs to the thrones of Egypt and Israel. (See Josephus as quoted by Skousen pp. 198-199 and Talmage, James E., Jesus the Christ, pp. 85-87) 7. Moses and Jesus are the only two people recorded in the whole Bible as having come “out of the water” separately. (See Exodus 2:5-10 and Matthew 3:13-16) 8. Moses and Jesus were good shepherds. (See Exodus 3:1 and John 10:11-16) 9. Moses and Jesus were called by God to save their people. (See Exodus 6:2-7 and Matthew 1:21-23) 10. Moses turned water into blood, and Jesus turned water into wine, a symbol of blood. (See Exodus 7:19-21 and John 2:6-10) 11. The wind and the sea obeyed both Moses and Jesus. (See Exodus 14:21-28 and Mark 4:36-41) 12. Both Moses and Jesus came out of Egypt. (See Exodus 13:8-9 and Matthew 2:14-15) 13. Moses and Jesus set some captives free. (See Exodus 3:16-17; 14:30-31 and Luke 4:18-21; 1 Peter 3:18-21; 1 Peter 4:6) 14. Moses and Jesus are the only individuals named in the whole Bible as being “meek.” 15. Moses and Jesus chose the glory of God and rejected the glory of the world. (See Hebrews 11:24-27 and Matthew 4:8-11) 16. Moses and Jesus provided their people with bread from heaven. (Exodus 16:4-15 and John 6:31-56) 17. Both Moses and Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights. (See Exodus 24:17-18; Deuteronomy 9:9 and Matthew 4:1-4) 18. While Moses and Jesus were in the wilderness, they were ministered to by angels, and [tempted]. (See Exodus 17:2,7 and Matthew 4:8-11) 19. As witnesses watched, both Moses and Jesus were taken away in a cloud. (See Deuteronomy 34:6 & Skousen, pp. 465-466 and Acts 1:9-11)*Almon Fackrell, Parallels of Moses, Jesus and Joseph Smith, pp. 31-34, 153-174. For more parallels, see the commentary and illustration on 2 Nephi 3:9 ... Did both Moses and Jesus make a visit to the sacred mountain of Horeb or Mt. Sinai? And was the location of Mt. Sinai at or near the present site of Mt. Lawz in that part of Arabia which was part of the ancient land of Midian, the land of Jethro? If so, then this might explain 2 Nephi 19:1 in which the phrase “by way of the Red Sea” replaces “by way of the sea” in Isaiah 9:1. *Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes (see illustration)1 Nephi 22:20 [Moses said] A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, like unto me: Parallels Between Moses and Jesus. (Almon Fackrell, Parallels of Moses, Jesus and Joseph Smith, pp. 153-174) Gospel scholars have described many similarities between the mission of Moses and the mortal mission of Christ. However, the principle which prompted Nephi's use of Deut. 18:15 was not Christ's mortal ministry. It was his Second Coming. Furthermore, when the Deuteronomy passage is quoted elsewhere, it is always in reference to his Second Coming (3 Ne 20:22-23; Acts 3:22-23; JS-Hist. 1:40). Therefore, we should assume that most of the similarities between Moses and Christ refer not to Christ's mortal reign but to his Millenial reign. Did not Moses save Israel from the most powerful military force on the earth? Will not Christ save Israel from an army assembled from all nations? Was not Moses the lawgiver for Israel? Will not Christ dispense the word of the Lord from Jerusalem and the law of the Lord from Zion? Did not Moses offer the children of Israel a land of promise, flowing with milk and honey? Will not Christ establish Israel in their land of promise and supply pools of living water and the bread of life? Did not Moses live with his people, judge them, and lead them in person? Will not Christ become the Great Judge and dwell with his people? While we don't think about Moses delivery of the children of Israel in apocalyptic terms, we should. Moses' delivery of the children of Israel is a type of Christ's delivery of Israel from a besieging army. Even the destructions which were brought upon Egypt are but a foreshadowing of the way in which his enemies will be destroyed. Indeed, the destruction of Egypt at the hand of Moses shows us how the Lord will destroy Babylon in the last days. Fortunately, he will not need his saints to fight, for he has promised 'I will fight your battles' (DC 105:14) just as he fought their battles in Moses' day (Ex. 14:14). (see illustration): Plagues of Egypt Apocalyptic Destruction of Wicked Waters of Egypt turned to blood. (Ex. 7:20) The rivers and fountains of waters...became blood. (Rev. 16:4) Frogs covered the land of Egypt. (Ex. 8:6) Three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon. (Rev 16:13) Plagues of lice and flies. (Ex. 8:17,24) God will send forth flies and maggots. (DC 29:18) All the cattle of Egypt died. (Ex. 9:6) Desolation upon the cattle and sheep. (Joel 1:15-20) Plague of boils upon man and beast. (Ex. 9:10) There fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast. (Rev. 16:2) Plague of hail and fire (Ex. 9:23) Men scorched with fire and a plague of great hailstones. (Rev. 16:8,21) Locusts covered the face of the whole earth. (Ex. 10:14-15) There came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth. (Rev. 9:3-10) A thick darkness in all the land for three days. (Ex. 10:22) The sun became black as sackcloth. (Rev. 6:12) The firstborn males are killed. (Ex. 12:29-30) The third part of men are killed by fire, smoke, and brimstone. (Rev. 9:18) Pharaoh's army destroyed by water. (Ex. 14:28) Saint's enemies destroyed by fire. (1 Ne. 22:17) After the plagues of Egypt are repeated upon the wicked of the last days, the saints will clearly see the connection. Then it will seem most natural to 'sing the song of Moses, the servant of God' in conjunction with 'the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.' (Rev. 15:3) Then will the saints understand in fullness that the prophet whom the Lord should raise up like unto Moses would be like him in so many ways. For 'it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.' (Acts 3:23) ] him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that all those who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people.

21 And now I, Nephi, declare unto you, that this prophet of whom Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel; [ Here we have the answer to the question posed in verse 20. ] wherefore, he [ Jesus Christ. ] shall execute judgment in righteousness.

22 And the righteous need not fear, for they are those who shall not be confounded. [ Drawing a comparison that the righteous need not fear because they will not be confounded but it is the kingdom of the devil that needs to fear. Do you see a reason why the Prophet - President Nelson has said we need to "Hear Him" ] But it is the kingdom of the devil, which shall be built up among the children of men, which kingdom is established among them which are in the flesh—

23 For the time speedily shall come that all churches which are built up to get gain, [ The goals of the Church of the Devil, and those who belong to Babylon these are: 1)to get gain or there is another reason why they do it - there is something in it for them. ] and all those who are built up to get power over the flesh, [ 2) to get power(control) over the flesh - or man. ] and those who are built up to become popular in the eyes of the world, [ To become popular - or to teach a message that is what the world wants to hear. It is not the message that God has for them. ] and those who seek the lusts of the flesh [ Excessive desires for physical pleasures, especially those that are not aligned with God's will or are pursued to the detriment of spiritual growth. The wanting to gratify our body's desires at the cost of morality and what's good for our soul - the laws that God has instructed us as being the kind of laws that he abides. Satan would teach that you should be able to have whatever you want and that is good. There is no law, no right and wrong just do as YOU PLEASE. Money, power, popularity, and the lusts of the flesh are repeated a number of times in the Book of Mormon. For examples, see: 2 Nephi 26:20, 26:29; Alma 1:3, Alma 39:9; Helaman 7:5, 7:21; 4 Nephi 1:26; Mormon 8:33, 8:40, 9:28; Ether 8:22-23. ] and the things of the world, and to do all manner of iniquity; yea, in fine, all those who belong to the kingdom of the devil [ Nephi gives four signs of those practicing priestcraft: they seek 1) to get gain; 2) to gain power over others; 3) to become popular; or 4) the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world ] are they who need fear, and tremble, and quake; they are those who must be brought low in the dust; they are those who must be consumed as stubble; and this is according to the words of the prophet.

24 And the time cometh speedily that the righteous must be led up as calves of the stall, ["without sin or the temptations which are so prevalent today" President Joseph Fielding Smith - The Way to Perfection pg 299 Contemplate the difference between a calf that is raised out on the range or in the mountains and one that is raised in a barn. The calf on the range is subject to all the forces of nature: inclement weather, predatory animals, and occasional scarcity of food and water. On the other hand, the calf raised in the barn or in a stall is protected from poor weather and predatory animals. Likewise, food and water are regularly provided. Nephi taught that “the time cometh speedily that the righteous must be led up as calves of the stall” (1 Nephi 22:24). One commentator said: “Those who are left after the judgment of the Second Coming will be able to raise up their children as calves are raised in a stall. The calf is protected from the elements, and his environment is controlled (Malachi 4:2; 1 Nephi 22:24). The children in the Millennium will similarly ‘grow up without sin unto salvation’ (D&C 45:58). The telestial element will be removed, and with Satan being bound (Revelation 20:1–3; 1 Nephi 22:26; D&C 101:28), the environment will be more controlled” (Monte S. Nyman and Farres H. Nyman, The Words of the Twelve Prophets: Messages to the Latter-day Saints [1990], 145).] and the Holy One of Israel must reign in dominion, and might, and power, and great glory.

25 And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; [ Same as the message that Christ delivers in 3 Ne. 15. ] and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture.

26 And because of the righteousness [ This is how satan is bound - through righteousness. ] of his people, Satan has no power; [ And how will Satan be bound ? Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote the following explanation concerning this important verse: “What does it mean to bind Satan? How is he bound? Our revelation says: ‘And in that day Satan shall not have power to tempt any man.’ (D&C 101:28.) Does this mean that power is withdrawn from Satan so that he can no longer entice men to do evil? Or does it mean that men no longer succumb to his enticements because their hearts are so set on righteousness that they refuse to forsake that which is good to follow him who is evil? Clearly it means the latter. Satan was not bound in heaven, in the very presence of God, in the sense that he was denied the right and power to preach false doctrine and to invite men to walk away from that God whose children they were; nay, in this sense, he could not have been bound in heaven, for even he must have his agency. “How, then, will Satan be bound during the Millennium? It will be by the righteousness of the people” (The Millennial Messiah [1982], 668). ] wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth.

27 And now behold, I, Nephi, say unto you that all these things must come according to the flesh. [ The conditions and laws that govern in mortality. ]

28 But, behold, all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people shall dwell safely in the Holy One of Israel if it so be that they will repent.

29 And now I, Nephi, make an end; for I durst not speak further as yet concerning these things. [ "as yet" or there is more to come on this topic. Remember Nephi saw everything that is to happen before the end of the world, but he was told that it was John who would be the one to write these things. What is it that is so incredible about the restoration of the house of Israel that Nephi has to stop? So here we have Nephi who has seen our day. He knows what is going to happen and he wants to give us some clues to help us. But he knows that is reserved for others to tell - so he quickly says I will shut up for now because I was told not to say any more about it. See Nephi: 14:20-21, 25, 27 Have you ever wondered why Nephi quotes Isaiah so much. It was because ehe was allowed to quote what Isaiah had said but not to tell what he saw in his own words. He try's again see 2 Nephi 32:7 which says I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit STOPPETH MINE UTTERANCE. Why do you think that the Lord told him that he could not talk about it? Is it because these things that are going to happen in the last days are so incredible that we would almost not believe them, especially if they were written in the plainness in which Nephi writes. Or if Nephi wrote them you would think that he was crazy, that he had lost his mine, so great will be the things that will happen. The Lord does not want to give them to just everyone either, but he says that he will to those who ask. ]

30 Wherefore, my brethren, I would that ye should consider that the things which have been written upon the plates of brass are true; and they testify that a man must be obedient to the commandments of God.

31 Wherefore, ye need not suppose that I [ Nephi. ] and my father [ Lehi. ] are the only ones that have testified, and also taught them. [ These are the same things that Isaiah saw(and that a great many others saw as well) - this is the reason that Nephi is quoting them as he has been told he cannot write what he saw. Verse 29. ] Wherefore, if ye shall be obedient to the commandments, and endure to the end, ye shall be saved at the last day. And thus it is. Amen.