Nephi’s Warning to Wake Up!

Posted on Jun 29, 2021Jul 22, 2021 by Dustin G

One of Nephi’s strongest desires was to make sure the latter-day people fully understood their dire situation. Seeing the world infested with the growing chains of bondage from the great and abominable church, Nephi’s last message was a warning to awake, arise and enter in at the gate. Now.

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“The Record of Nephi” – the Books of First and Second Nephi Should Be Considered as One Continuous Message

D&C 10:38-42 – God refers to these plates as “the record of Nephi.” It is one single message written by Nephi later in his life.

1 Neph 1 – fleeing from destruction of the Lord’s city Jerusalem

1 Nephi 8, 11-14 – Tree of Life vision and Nephi’s vision of the end of the world

1 Nephi 20-21, most of 2 Nephi – Nephi (and Jacob) quote and teach from and then interpret Isaiah – which is all about warning of the destruction of the Lord’s people both in his day and in the last days.

Themes on Sleep and the Need to Wake Up from Nephi and Jacob

2 Nephi 27:4-5 (Isa.29:9-10) also Isaiah Institute translation comparison – poured out the spirit of deep sleep; drunkenness (being “out of it”)

2 Nephi 1:13-15 – awake from the deep sleep of hell; carried away down to hell; Lehi mentions how the Gospel or Doctrine of Christ has redeemed him and brought him into the presence of the Lord to behold his glory.

2 Nephi 8:9, 17, 24 – Awake, awake!

2 Nephi 9:47 – awake to an awful reality

2 Nephi 28:21-22 – pacify -> pacifier; lull -> lullaby; lead them carefully down to hell; grasps them with chains

Jacob 3:11 – awake from the slumber of death

Nephi speaks to the congregations of the Lord’s people in the last days – aka the Latter Day Saints

2 Nephi 28:1-3 – Nephi is speaking to certain “churches,” but which churches is he speaking to? He’s talking about the churches that are supposed to be the Lord’s. It is very easy and very tempting to see all other churches as fitting this category but not our own – because ours is supposed to be the only true and living church, right? There’s that word “supposed to be” again.

D&C 101:63 – “churches” refers to congregations of the saints

Rev.3:6-22 – John writes to the 7 churches – here “churches” refers to congregations of the saints

Mosiah 25:21-23 – there were 7 churches, or bodies of believers, in Zarahemla

Alma 23:4 – Aaron and his brethren established “churches” among the Lamanites – again refers to congregations

The Priests/Leaders of these Churches (read: LDS congregations) are Called Out by Nephi

2 Nephi 28:3-5 – The term “PRIESTS” in ancient scriptural texts (i.e. Bible and Book of Mormon) is simple lingo for “religious leaders” or “church leaders.” Whose priests are being spoken of here? They deny the Holy Ghost and the power of God and tell people to hearken to their precept (remember for later!). Nephi even says that they claim that the Lord has given his power to them, placing themselves in the seat of God himself! That is what is meant by “The Lord hath done his work and hath given his power unto men.” People must go through men to be saved – that’s what God’s power is for – for saving us.

Malachi 2:1,7-9 – Malachi warns the priests (read: leaders) of the Lord’s people (both of his time and of the end times) and lays out how they are “out of the way” or out of the path and that they are leading others out of the path.

2 Nep 28:5-11 –

2Nep 26&27

2 Nep 28

–Jerimiah 23