Nephi's Introductory Paragraphs

I, NEPHI, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God,therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days. (1 Nephi 1:1)

For as long as I can recall having any thoughts about it, I have considered this verse to by mysterious. What is Nephi saying here? Why does he give these details? Why does he start his record in this manner?

This evening, I am seeing a little more clearly. The verse ends with the phrase “Therefore, I make a record of my proceedings in my days.” This phrase alludes to an assumed question, which Nephi has just answered. Nephi is justifying to the reader his qualification to write the record.

And the answer just provided by Nephi is that Nephi (1) has been taught in all the learning of his father, (2) has seen many afflictions, (3) has been highly favored of the Lord, and (4) has received great knowledge of the goodness and mysterious of God. These things both qualify Nephi and provide fuel for his desire to record his history. He has something to offer, after all. His children and their descendents can benefit from his experience, knowledge, and amazing testimony of Christ.

A related question that I have frequently pondered is, what does Nephi mean by the term “goodly parents?” And why is this relevant to his other assertions? Does the word goodly described the personal character of his parents? Or does it indicate that his parents had sufficient material means to educate their children? While the first is probably true, I believe that the second is the more important. Nephi is claiming to be an educated man.

Because he was born of goodly parents, Nephi asserts, he “was taught somewhat in all the learning of [his] father” (1 Nephi 1:1). And then later, “I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians” (1 Nephi 1: 2).

So, Nephi is bilingual and culturally diverse. He knows the culture, history and language of the Jews. He also knows the language of the Egyptians.

Finally, he gives his personal witness of the integrity and reliability of his record. “I know that the record which I make is true,” he says. Moreover, it is not a second hand record. I lived it, he says, and I am writing it with my own hand. “I make it with my own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.” (1 Nephi 1: 2-3)

I believe that Nephi’s record is true. I accept it wholeheartedly as the word of Christ. It is indeed some of the most spiritually powerful scripture available.

Profanity and Vulgarity

As defined by the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary the word “profane” means “To treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt.”

Also defined by the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the word “vulgar” means “Lacking in cultivation, perception, or taste; morally crude, undeveloped, or unregenerate.”

Our son, who is seven years old, recently began blurting out the word “damn.” I am sure he’s been hearing all kinds of language among his friends and classmates at school. We talked about it tonight again, reminding him that some words we choose not to use. Then my wife and I got into discussing the reasons we shun certain words.

As I see it, the worst kinds of swearing are words that profane the sacred. Taking the Lord’s name in vain, or using other sacred words in a profane way.

Other kinds of vulgarity are shunned not because they are an offense against God, but because of their impoliteness or offensiveness to other people--barn talk or words that draw attention to private and personal things in an indecorous way. These too are offensive to God, but maybe not for the same reason. Parents without reverence for or even a belief in God will teach their children to avoid these words in favor of more educated and refined expressions.

Profanity crosses the commandment given as:

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Exodus 20: 7)

Vulgarity is contrary to the righteous principles expressed in the Thirteenth Article of Faith:

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. (Pearl of Great Price, Articles of Faith 1:13)

Profanity is offensive to God first, and then offensive to others secondarily because of their respect for God. Vulgarity is offensive to others first and then offensive to God secondarily because vulgarity offends his children and because it is a symptom of ill discipline and disrespect for the standards of society.

As a Latter-day Saint, I respect the counsel of the prophets who have urged the saints to use respect in their language. As an example to my son, I am recommitted to keep my language clean. I have never been one to profane. I feel to exercise great respect in the way I use the name of God and otherwise talk about sacred things. I have not always given the same importance to avoiding non-profane vulgarity. But that changes today.

Faith and Knowledge

When I sat down this morning, I was planning to read Alma 32 and to think about the tree, about the need to consistently nourish the tender plant. But the following scripture, found earlier in the same chapter, caught my attention first.

Alma said, "And now as I said concerning faith--faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." (Alma 32: 21)

In my experience, I have observed that some people misunderstand the meaning of this verse, mistakenly believing that Alma's intention is to stifle the desire to go beyond faith to seek a perfect knowledge of things. Clearly, Alma is teaching that we should not seek a sign; that we should not withhold belief in the things of Christ because we have not seen with our natural eyes. Yet, a message integral to all scripture is that prophets of God have seen with their eyes, heard with the ears, touched with their hands, etc.

For example, Nephi gained a testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost that his father Lehi's words were true.

"I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers." (1 Nephi 4: 16)

Then having gained that testimony, he took it many steps forward.

“And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him….” (1 Nephi 10: 17)

As Nephi ponders on these things, he is caught up by the Spirit into a high mountain, from which he is shown a mighty vision, guided by an Angel who instructs him and answers his questions. The extent of Nephi’s vision and the knowledge he gained are beyond even the scope of the Book of Mormon. God forbade Nephi to record large portions of what he saw and experienced, although he was assured that other prophets had also been shown “all things” and that at least one had been ordained to write it all down. (See 1 Nephi 15: 26)

In my personal life, I am far from immediately desiring what Nephi desired. I have a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I have knowledge of some things, and faith in what the Lord or his prophets have said concerning the rest. Nevertheless, Nephi’s example is an invitation. I am sure of that. The same invitation is repeated often by the example and the direct instruction of other prophets throughout the ages.

First Entry

Making a written commentary about my scripture study helps me to internalize the words of the prophets. It helps me to ask questions and search the Spirit for answers. My goal is to use this site to workout my own questions and record my thoughts, and in doing that, seek inspiration from God to understand His words.

It's mostly a selfish endeavor, since I don't intend for my words to bear any weight with others who might stumble across them to read. That's not the point. And I reserve the right to change my mind over and over again as my understanding evolves and points of doctrine become clearer to me.

I have invited others to join in this with me. I do care what they think and hope this becomes a mutually beneficial endeavor.