THE BOOK OF MORMON
CHAPTER 7
Mormon invites the Lamanites of the latter days to believe in Christ, accept his gospel, and be saved—All who believe the Bible will also believe the Book of Mormon. [ About A.D. 385. ]
[ The last words of Mormon - What appears to be some of the last thoughts that he had? Let's look at the four know ye's... What are your general impressions as you read this? ]
1 AND now, behold, I would speak somewhat unto the remnant of this people [ Who exactly is he speaking too? Since he knows that the records will shortly be hide up unto the Lord he begins this message to the descendants of Lehi. This is the first time that Mormon addresses those in the latter-days.] who are spared, [ It is interesting to note that he chooses to address the entire Lehite posterity. He does not blame the Lamanites for massacring the Nephites, he does not appear bitter or hateful. Rather he is concerned for all, and gives an address and stern warning to all who are still alive. It is a message of eternal worth, it is the way tak they can gain their salvation, which to him is still what matters. What kind of hearth did Mormon have to not be bitter and still try to save those who had wiped out his family and friends? ] if it so be that God may give unto them my words, [ if you are fortunite enough to receive them from the Lord. ] that they may know [ In Hebrew, the word for "know" is the word yada, which means not only learning about something or someone but experiencing something or someone. It is not a superficial experience of God but a profoundly intimate experience. In the Israelite worldview, The Old Testament is the foundation of this experience. ] of the things of their fathers; yea, I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel; and these are the words which I speak: [ This is my council to you. Notice the how Mormon outlines the points that he wantsd us to get "Know Ye" Looking for patterns]
2 Know ye that ye are of the house of Israel. [ so why is that important? They are entitled to the blessings given Abraham Abraham 2:8-11. ]
3 Know ye that ye must come unto repentance, or ye cannot be saved. [ So why is it important to repent? ]
4 Know ye that ye must lay down your weapons of war, and delight no more in the shedding of blood, [ How signifigant of a change would this be in their lives - to lay down their weapons of war? What would such a change constitute in their lives? Love others, Love the Lord and all of his children as his children. ] and take them not again, save it be that God shall command you.
5 Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, [ What fathers specifically is he talking about here? Lehi, Abraham... What knowledge is it that he is speaking of? The knowledge of the fathers goes back to Adam. Many times we think that we have evolved in so many ways to be better than our forefathers. We think of them as living in a primitive society. We have cars, tractors, planes, cell phones, commerce - so many more things to make our life better. Well that may have been the case with some things, but it was not with gospel knowledge. Adam was there he lived it. Adam taught his children first hand, so we need to be careful that we think that we know so much. This is the same knowledge that Abraham sought as well (see Abr 1). It is the things that Adam would have taught his children. That God had a plan for us and that the elements of that plan are 1) repentance - that we may enter the gate and receive the blessings of the atonement 2) that we can come to know that Jesus is the son of God, that he is a God, 3) he has the power of God the ultimate power of life for eternity - 4) power over death and sin, 5) And last but not the least we will be resurrected and 6) brought to stand before him to be judged of him. ] and 1) repent of all your sins and iniquities, and 2) believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the son of God, and that 3) he was slain by the Jews, and 4) by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and 5) also in him is the sting of death swallowed up Some critics of the Book of Mormon suggest that this is a mistake of Joseph Smith as he is quoting from Paul (1 Cor. 15:55) which was traditionally thought to be written around 55 AD. However; we find text such as this "And thereafter, in like manner, Esaias said: Did not I when I was alive on earth foretell unto you: the dead shall arise ... And again I said: O death, where is thy sting? O Hell, where is thy victory? When they heard that of Esaias(Isaiah), all the saints said unto Hell: Open thy gates." written in the Gospel of Nicodemus(5:1) declaring that it was actually Isaiah that recorded the phrase of "thy sting" and the "Victory over the grave". So it only stands then to reason that these words again were included in the plates of brass that Lehi obtained and were removed from the version of Isaiah that we have today in the old testament..
6 And 6) he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead, [ The resurrection is what brings a post-mortal spirit fully back into the presence of God, and therefore results in Judgement, cp. 6:21, 2 Ne. 9:15, Jacob 6:9, Mos. 16:10, Alma 33:22, Hela. 14:17. ] whereby 7) man must be raised to stand before his judgment-seat. [ Why is it so important that we understand those 7 things? basis for all of the gospel. first we are turned to Christ then he provides a way for us to receive the promised covenants to which we are then endowed with power from him. ]
7 And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, [ What does the word redemption mean? deliverence, rescue, atonement for guilt, repurchase of something, recovery by payment. How did the Lord bring about the redemption of the world? Thru the atonement. ] whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day [ The final point of Justification is at the time of Judgement. A person could repent of their sins, be forgiven of those sins, and then sin again. So that person could be forgiven and hence justified (which means "to be made righteous" in the theological sense of the word as pertaining to salvation), but after they return to sin they are no longer be justified. so, one might suggest that the ultimate point of Justification is at Judgement, with the son as our advocate with the Father. If then son accepts you because you have done His will, then you are Justified and receive eternal life. If you have not done his will then He rejects you before the Father and you receive eternal damnation. When a person is justified causes considerable confusion among those who espouse the "saved by grace" notion that all there is to salvation is justification, ignoring the sanctification process or repentance and the need to endure to the end. It is common for them to believe that they are justified when they accept Christ as their Savior. But, what happens when they fall into sin or apostasy? The typical response is the person wasn't really "saved" and still needs to be "saved". ] hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God [ The reward for being found without sin. What does it mean to dwell in his presence? We inherit all that he has Rom 8:17 We find the apostle John saying this: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. … “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 Jn. 3:1, 2.) D&C 84:24 - Those who become the sons and daughters of God - That we like the son will live in his presence and inherit all that he has As Paul says he is the heir and we are joint heirs. ] in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end. [ Think of all of the suffering of Mormon, imagine how good this message must have seemed to him. If you listen very carefully you can almost hear his voice as he pleads with us to meet him there. ]
8 Therefore repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only in this record [ The Book Of Mormon. We know the this here is the Book of Mormon since it comes from the plates which Mormon held in his hand at the time the he said "this record". ] but also in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews, which record shall come from the Gentiles unto you.
9 For behold, this is written [ The Book Of Mormon. Identified as the Book of Mormon in the previous verse. ] for the intent that ye may believe that; [ The Bible How does believeing in the Book Of Mormon help us believe the Bible? ] and if ye believe that ye will believe this also; [ That = "The Bible" What are examples from the bible that make you believe the Book of Mormon or vica versa? they go hand in hand you cannot believe that God would not keep his word, he said I am the same yesterday and today, other sheep I have... ] and if ye believe this [ The Book of Mormon, the record that will come forth from the plates that he current;ly is holding in his hand. ] ye will know concerning your fathers, and also the marvelous works which were wrought by the power of God among them.
10 And ye will also know that ye are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; therefore ye are numbered among the people of the first covenant; [ You are numbered among the children of Israel - entitled to all of those blessing. ] and if it so be that ye believe in Christ, and are baptized, first with water, [ To show that you are obedient and to make a covenant with God. ] then with fire [ The presence of deity. What does fire do to everything? It changes them from one state to another. ] and with the Holy Ghost, [ Because of tradition or opinion, we have had the tendency to teach that after the baptism of water comes the baptism of “fire and the Holy Ghost” as if they are the same thing, not two separate and distinct events. In all of the references in the Book of Mormon, the word “or” is never used to connect the two cleansings. It never says baptism of fire “or” the Holy Ghost; the word “and” is always used, indicating that they are separate and distinct. ] following the example of our Savior, according to that which he hath commanded us, it shall be well with you in the day of judgment. Amen.