Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 13:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 13:25-26

"Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God.

And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away."

This chapter continues the vision Nephi is shown about the promised land, which are the Americas he will come to. He is shown the history of his people and how they will eventually dwindle in unbelief. He is shown the coming of the Gentiles that will bring the records of the Jews, this is the bible. Then the restoration of the records from his people through the Gentiles. This is the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

As I thought about the parts of the bible that we are told were taken a way, the plain and precious things of the gospel, that make it  clear to understand, I wondered about where those records went. It made me think of the 116 pages of the Book of Mormon that were first translated and then taken by evil men. With the Book of Mormon we were blessed because the Lord inspired Nephi to write two separate records. Then Mormon after abridging all the records found the plates of Nephi and was inspired to include this second set. Both said this second set was for a wise purpose unto the Lord.

As I was pondering on the missing parts of the bible I realized that the Book of Mormon itself is like the 116 pages and the records of Nephi. That is what the Lord prepared to replace what was taken by evil men from the bible. It is the second witness of Jesus Christ. It restores what was lost. It is just marvelous how the Lord takes care and prepares the way. He foresaw what would happen to the bible way back when he revealed to Ezekiel that there would be a stick of Judah and a stick of Joseph and they would become one in our hands. This chapter goes on to reaffirm this message also. Yes, the Lord knows the end from the begin, his plans are the best.

Day 192 Tami Fitzgerald Harris