Humility | 2 Nephi 1:1-3

Lehi, as a loving father, is trying one last time to influence his rebellious sons to come back and stay on the strait and narrow path. He starts out by going over all of the tender mercies that they have received since leaving Jerusalem. Lehi knows that recognizing the Lord's hand in his life produces humility rather than pride.

Moroni teaches this same principle with the Book of Mormon promise (Moroni 10:3-5) when he talks about remembering the tender mercies that man has received from Adam down to now. This includes reading about these mercies in the scriptures, learning about them in the stories of my ancestors, and recognizing them in my own daily life.

Remembering and acknowledging the power of God produces humility; and humility coupled with prayer or asking produces sincere desire; and sincere desire along with other elements prepare me to receive answers to prayer.

Does this sound familiar? It did for me. It reminded me of the Pattern of Revelation that I discovered earlier in first Nephi (or the Revelation Equation as I termed it later on). This equation makes reference to sincere desire which Lehi and Moroni help me define what kind of desire and how I can build it up.

I can fill in a few more pieces of the puzzle by building on the previous equations. Remembrance (M) and gratitude (G) generates humility (H) so H=(M)(G). Humility and prayer (P) or asking generates sincere desire (D) so D=(H)(P). This adds to the original revelation equation, R=(HG)(B((M)(G)(P)+S)).

Moroni brings up another element to the equation, “if it be wisdom in God.” Mathematic equations become very difficult at this point because everything is described in terms of equalities and there is no room for variation or external forces. I could describe this force as R=(W)((HG)(F)) where W is the will of God and is either a 1 or a 0. However, this only describes the external forces on the top level of the equation. What about all of the sub elements. For example, the humility equation parts are not equal. It is forgetting about the transformation power of God. Humility comes as a gift from God as I turn to Him through remembrance and gratefulness. I can add this to the equation but it gets very messy very quickly. It is no longer the simple R=(HG)(F).

Maybe a scientific equation would be a better way of describing this because they are always having to give additional description about external forces that influence their equations. Better yet chemical reactions could be used. Chemistry assumes that there are external factors that facilitate the transformation when combining elements or chemicals. It may include temperature, climate, or incubation time. Rather than using = to show the relationship, it uses produces or → to show that there are external forces at play. Another thing that I like about using the chemical reaction analogy is that the reaction produces a small amount of molecules so a continuous production is necessary to produce a useful amount. In other words, one or two molecules of water is not going to satisfy my thirst just as one or two molecules of faith will not produce much revelation.

The revelation equation could then be described as several small concise reactions instead of one large and complicated equation.

M + G → H
H + P → D
B (D + S) → F
F → R

Just a few observation from these reactions. I can drop the HG because it becomes part of the external forces or the will, power and gift of God which is absolutely necessary for these transformation to happen. Also, the formula for humility is just one way of producing humility. Alma talks about the people being forced to be humble because of their circumstances. Just like a chemical reaction, the production depends on the quality or purity of the elements that are being used—the more pure the element or compound is the better the reaction. Another thing I observed is that in the process of describing how to receive revelation because it depends on faith in Christ that I am as describing how to produce faith.

Thinking about equations and reactions is a fun way for me to look at these important concepts. Others may focus more on the relationships or feelings of each of the elements. No matter how it is viewed, the important thing for me is breaking it down into digestible components that can be implemented in my daily life. However, these are just a few of the pieces to the puzzle and as I carefully look, I will find more as I continue along this journey of discovery.

Spirit and Flesh | 1 Nephi 22

Isaiah has shown the difference between the natural man and the spiritual minded man. He has taught me how to put off the natural man and subdue the flesh to become a child of Christ. Nephi continues this discussion by talking about the journey of becoming like Christ. He is telling me not to discount this temporal life and the importance of the daily temporal choices that are placed before me. Nephi shows how the scriptures pertain to things both spiritual and temporal, and how they go hand-in-hand.

Spiritual Preparation, Temporal Responsibility

The Lord prepares His people spiritually by providing them with eternal laws and statutes that will bring joy and happiness. He inspires His prophets to prophesy of temporal consequences through the Spirit.

“Behold they were manifest unto the prophet by the voice of the Spirit; 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 Lord is reminding me to take spiritual responsibility for my actions and that temporal consequences whether good or bad will be my reward. Nephi provides several examples from the context of Isaiah's prophecies. Here is an example where rigorous spiritual preparation leads to temporal safety:

“And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; 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. And now behold, I, Nephi, say unto you that all these things must come according to the flesh. 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.”

Elder Bednar, a modern day apostle, further develops this principle into an example of how it can be applied to everyday life:

“Meaningful morning prayer is an important element in the spiritual creation of each day—and precedes the temporal creation or the actual execution of the day. Just as the temporal creation was linked to and a continuation of the spiritual creation, so meaningful morning and evening prayers are linked to and are a continuation of each other.”  Elder Bednar, October 2008

Temporal Preparation, Eternal Justification

All temporal experiences prepare the souls of mankind for eternal life or eternal damnation. Mortality is a necessary stepping stone in the eternal progression of life, thus temporal symbolically creates spiritual. Nephi uses covenants as an example of this and specifically the Abrahamic covenant:

“Nevertheless, after they shall be nursed by the Gentiles, 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.”

Just as spiritual choices lead to temporal consequences so do temporal choices lead to eternal consequences. For instance, baptism is an ordinance or covenant that is performed in mortality, the Savior Himself came down so He could fulfil all righteousness by being baptized. It represents putting off the old self and being raised anew as a child of Christ. However, it does not just have implications for this life, it also represents the transformation to the next—temporal death being raised unto eternal life. In another example, marriage becomes more than a temporary contract or bond between husbands and wives but becomes of eternal duration with rewards of more than earthly lands of dominion but eternal power, dominion, and happiness.

Lehi explains how this eternal justification is possible:

"And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever. Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered."  2 Nephi 2:5-7

Conclusion

Will I use my agency to submit my flesh to the will of God or choose to allow the natural man to dictate my actions?

Nephi has taught me to be mindful of the flesh because if I focus too much on the eternal reward, I may miss out on the journey. I may come to a point in my life where I wonder how I have wander off the spiritual path. I have but to look back at my daily temporal choices to see how I have gotten there. On the other hand, if I have strayed spiritually, do I see difficult temporal circumstances which are a sign of a loving Savior inviting me to come back and to bring my burdens unto Him.

I have learned from this that when reading the scriptures that I need to apply them both spiritually and temporally by asking questions:

▪	What does it mean to my spirit, my eternal destiny, and my relationship with my Savior?
▪	What does it mean to me in the flesh, or in my temporal circumstances?
▪	How will my spiritual preparation affect my daily temporal choices?
▪	And, how will my daily temporal choices affect my eternal destiny?

As I look a little harder, I will begin to see the deeper spiritual and temporal meaning of even the most mundane mortal experiences.

The Lord's Pep Talk | 1 Nephi 21

“Great are the words of Isaiah.” In my opinion, this is one of the greatest chapters written by Isaiah. The righteous of Israel are desperately calling out in great anguish and doubt, and the Lord responds with these beautiful words of comfort which comprises most of the chapter. These words speak directly to my soul bringing powerful peace into my life—it is like a new friend that I can turn to over and over for consolation.

It is no accident that this chapter is one of the first chapters quoted in the Book of Mormon. I believe Nephi found incredible peace through the words of Isaiah amidst his trials, but I believe that this chapter in particular brought him an enormous amount of comfort regarding his people. I really learned what the Lord was teaching me about this chapter by reading it from Nephi's point of view.

Nephi was shown a vision of the destruction of his people. It must have been discouraging. He must have had doubts and frustrations wondering why he was doing this work when it seemed to be for naught.

“Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.”

“And now, saith the Lord [...] though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.”

The Lord is telling me that although things do not seem like they are going very well whether it be a wayward child, struggling friend, or overwhelming trials, He will make more of my life and bring more strength to me than I can ever imagine. For Nephi, not only would he be a light to his own people in spite of the final results but he would be a light and savior to millions of Gentiles.

“It is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth.”

Listen to some of the words of comfort that the Lord speaks:

“O isles of the sea, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee my servant for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages.”

“That thou mayest say to the prisoners: Go forth; to them that sit in darkness: Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.”

“They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.”

“And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.”

“Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; for the feet of those who are in the east shall be established; and break forth into singing, O mountains; for they shall be smitten no more; for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.”

“For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.”

“Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”

“Lift up thine eyes round about and behold; all these gather themselves together, and they shall come to thee. And as I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on even as a bride.”

One final thought in retrospect of these first two quotations of Isaiah. The first chapter speaks of Judah who had given into the natural man and this chapter speaks of scattered Israel who had been humbled and were trying to gather Israel. The allegory of the tame and wild olive trees (see Jacob 5) explains it best where the main olive tree (Judah) was decaying; whereas, the broken off branches (such as Lehi's descendants) which were grafted in other parts of the vineyard were giving good fruit for a season. The comparison between these two people show me the choice that I must make. Will I choose to be "called a transgressor from the womb" or that "the Lord hath called me from the womb?" Will I choose to be carnally minded or spiritually minded?

Overcoming the Natural Man | 1 Nephi 20:17-22

“And thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I have sent him, the Lord thy God who teacheth thee to profit, who leadeth thee by the way thou shouldst go, hath done it.”

Jesus Christ “has done it.” He has overcome the natural man. If I follow where He leads then I can too, but it is a process. It will not come all at once. Just like making a profit, it is a lifelong process that takes lots of hard work and patience.

Prerequisites

The Lord has a set of prerequisites that apply to all of His principles and laws. These actions will help prepare me to take on the additional responsibilities that are required to live His higher laws and principles:

• “Come ye near unto me.” (v16) I must come unto the Savior and turn my heart towards Him, even if it is but a desire, then the Lord can bless me with the strength and power to fulfill His requirements.
• “O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments.” (v18) This requirement means that I need to have an open mind and be willing to listen and obey. Obedience to His commandments will show Him that I am ready to receive more of His law and His promised blessings.

	HEARKEN, verb
	1.	To listen; to lend the ear; to attend to what is uttered, with eagerness or curiosity.
	2.	To attend; to regard; to give heed to what is uttered; to observe or obey.

Isaiah has taught me to recognize the natural man and to understand its importance and its role in the plan of salvation. Now, Isaiah gets into the specifics of the principle with a promise as he teaches me how to overcome the natural man. He then ends with a warning which comes with many of the Lord's principles.

Requirements

Isaiah lays out the specific requirements for this principle. Depending on my spiritual maturity and on the effort that I put into adhering to these requirements the promised blessings will increase in intensity. One thing I had to keep in mind while reading these requirements was that Isaiah was originally talking to the Jewish religious leadership and their responsibility to the people, so I had to tailor these through deduction to my own personal life. However, I am still under the same obligation to teach others because of the responsibilities that I have as a father, a priesthood holder, or simply from being a member of Christ's kingdom.

• Go forth from the world and flee from the natural man (v20). Two of my favorite stories that illustrates this are the Exodus and Lehi taking his family into the wilderness. It is only symbolic for me, but the concept is the same. One of the lessons that I learned from these stories is that the important point is a willingness to flee and the initial actions of going forth and fleeing. In both stories once they left, the Lord took over and led the way before them. “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light.” (Exodus 13:21) “And we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness.” (1 Nephi 16:16) The other thing that stood out to me was the use of the word “flee” which suggests an urgency and a need for haste.
• Have a personal witness that Jesus Christ has redeemed me (v20). This is not a one time witness but a continuous process of conversion and should be a joyful experience like a “voice of singing.” Once, I have felt this joyous redeeming light, I must declare this great gospel to all those around and teach them about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and redemption of all mankind.
• Trust God and that He will care for me (v21). I must have faith that God will provide for me when I turn away from the world and the natural man just as He did for the children of Israel. Not only did God provide the necessities for the children of Israel, but it said that the water gushed out of the rock and so will the blessings. Once I have built sufficient inner faith, I must teach others that God will care for His people and that He will provide water in the desert for His people.

Promises

The Lord pronounces four beautiful blessings upon those who seek to throw off the natural man. What a wonderful message of joy and hope Isaiah has given me.

1.	Peace as a river (v18), continually flowing through the rough waters of life. The Lord's peace comes during times of whirlpools, waterfalls, and undertows as well as during times of calmness. This river of peace flows from the fountain of living waters as it follows a course to eternal life.
2.	Righteousness as the waves of the sea (v18), continuously moving and progressing towards eternal life. I love this analogy of righteousness to the waves of the sea. Righteousness is a progression or a process of hitting highs and lows with a constant forward motion never stagnating always moving and changing for the better. Another thing that became very clear to me after spending time in the water down in San Diego last summer is the strength and firmness of the waves. The Lord is promising me that I will be given strength and power in the gospel with a resolve to do the work He has given me to do.
3.	Seed as the sand and offspring as the gravel (v19), numerous descendants and children here and numberless posterity into the eternities. This blessing goes well beyond just my own children and descendants, the promise is that I will be part of the greatest family known to man, the seed of Abraham or the posterity of God.
4.	Thy seed shall not be cut off but shall continue in righteousness (v19). I can be a great influence for good in leading my posterity and others towards God by example, teaching, family history work, and temple work. Although, it is hard to see sometimes with my mind dimmed by the veil, this is the greatest work to be engaged in—it is the work of heaven and the work of the Father (Moses 1:39). It brings the greatest and most lasting joy and happiness that one will ever know.

Warning

Isaiah ends with a final warning:

“And notwithstanding he hath done all this, and greater also, there is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.”

This warning could have been inferred from the promises particularly the first one. However, the Lord is making special emphasis to the fact that following after the world will never bring peace. One will always be left wanting, full of pain, sorrow, fear, and loneliness. True peace can only come through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Understanding the Natural Man | 1 Nephi 20:8-17

Why am I like this? Why do I tend towards the things of the world? Why do I keep falling short? If Isaiah brings so much hope, why is he bringing up such a sore subject? The Lord helps me answer these questions by helping me understand the purpose of this mortal life and the role that the natural man plays. He does this by rehearsing to me the plan of salvation.

"[Thou] wast called a transgressor from the womb. Nevertheless, for my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain from thee, that I cut thee not off."

I was born into a mortal world of transgression and the Lord has given me a period of time, a probationary time, a time to prepare to meet God.

"For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, yea, for mine own sake will I do this, for I will not suffer my name to be polluted."

Mortality is not a holiday. It is a time of refinement through affliction. A test to see if I will turn to God no matter what and become the man he knows I can become. And, it is to see if I will accept the salvation and healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"I will not give my glory unto another."

A reference to the great council in heaven where Satan's plan was rejected. However, he was allowed, within limits, to test and try God's children and provide the opposition to God's will necessary to bring about free agency.

"I am the first, and I am also the last. Mine hand hath also laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens."

Christ's plan is accepted because of His submission to the will of the Father, and He promises to bring glory to the Father by creating a place that is carefully planned and prepared for the children of God. He plays the central role in this plan by bridging the gap between heaven and earth.

"I call unto them and they stand up together. All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; who among them hath declared these things unto them? The Lord hath loved him."

He carefully taught and prepared His noble and great ones. Those who would stand up and teach and prophesy to His people. I am not alone. He has placed noble and great men and women in my path to help me on my quest to overcome the natural man.

“Yea, and he will fulfil his word which he hath declared by them; and he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall come upon the Chaldeans.”

This is critical for me to understand that this is not a permanent situation. The natural man will not triumphant. The Lord is always in control. If I but follow the Savior, His word will be fulfil for me down to the last jot and tittle.

"And thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I have sent him, the Lord thy God who teacheth thee to profit, who leadeth thee by the way thou shouldst go, hath done it."

This is the most important part of the plan of salvation. Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world, was sent to show me the way and to make it possible for me to overcome the natural man.

From this rehearsal, I learned that the natural man helps facilitate the opposition that allows me to use my free will to choose. It also drives a lot of the affliction and pain that I go through. However, it is not about the natural man, it is about how I react to it. This life is not like an earthly test where it tests the skill and ingenuity of the person performing the test; instead, the answers are already given, I must only turn my heart towards the source of all knowledge and He will provide the answers that I seek and the help that I need. Christ has the central role in Heavenly Father's plan, not me, so the test is not whether I through some superhuman strength can overcome the natural man, but whether I through the grace and mercy of a loving Savior will overcome the natural man.

Recognizing the Natural Man | 1 Nephi 20:1-8

Isaiah points out several worldly behaviors and attributes of the natural man that the Lord specifically wants me to recognize and overcome. I have tried to come up with a general one or two word description for each attribute to simplify the concepts, but each reader will want to tailor these attribute descriptions specifically to themselves.

Insincerity / Deceit:
This attribute is about what is written deep in the heart. The natural man tends to lock away the lusts of the flesh behind a carefully crafted facade of deceit, so the outer man may have an aura of faith and righteousness but the inner soul is cankered with darkness and filthiness.

“Swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, yet they swear not in truth nor in righteousness.”

	SWEAR, verb
	1.	To affirm or utter a solemn declaration, with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed.
	2.	To promise upon oath.
	3.	To give evidence an oath; as, to swear to the truth of a statement. He swore that the prisoner was not present at the riot.

Hypocrisy:
This attribute is very similar to the last attribute and may find its beginnings in the heart of the natural man, but it always blossoms into flowers that are readily apparent to all those around by their vivid colors of rebellion and their acrid smells of corruption. For example, Judah of the time who professed to be righteous, did not follow after the true and living God but instead, had turned their hearts to idolatry which lead to all out rebellion towards God, corruption of all of their sacred places of worship, and ultimately brought destruction and captivity upon the people.

“Call themselves of the holy city, but they do not stay themselves upon the God of Israel.”

Pride:
The natural man is particularly prone to pride, he does what he can to increase his ego and to lift himself above those around him. Pride contains a vast group of characteristics which are the main motivators behind all of the attributes of the natural man. The Lord mentions several characteristics such as stubbornness, being opinionated, stiffnecked, haughty, and contemptuous.

“Thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass.”

	OBSTINATE, adjective
	1.	Stubborn; pertinaciously adhering to an opinion or purpose; fixed firmly in resolution; not yielding to reason, arguments or other means.
	2.	Not yielding or not easily subdued or removed; as an obstinate fever; obstinate obstructions; an obstinate cough.

Ingratitude:
The carnal man is drawn to the worship of self and the creations of his own hands taking credit for the acts and will of a loving Heavenly Father. This is a very dangerous sin to be involved with as Brigham Young stated, “I do not know of any, excepting the unpardonable sin, that is greater than the sin of ingratitude.”

“I have even from the beginning declared to thee; before it came to pass I showed them thee; and I showed them for fear lest thou shouldst say—Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image hath commanded them.”

Unrighteous Dominion:
The mortal man can be obsessed with seeking after power and authority over others. He does this by coercion, subjection, or simply by holding back the truth.

“Thou hast seen and heard all this; and will ye not declare them?”

Know-it-all:
The worldly man trusts in the arm of flesh more than in God. He thinks that all knowledge is created from within the mind through observation of the physical world around him. He cannot comprehend that real knowledge and wisdom is gained by looking upward towards heaven.

“They were declared unto thee, lest thou shouldst say—Behold I knew them.”

Deaf / Blind:
The natural man does not want to be told what to do. He wants to turn to his own desires rather than listen to the desires of a perfect, all-knowing God. He stubbornly refuses to look and listen with his spiritual eyes and ears.

“Thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time thine ear was not opened.”

Faithless / Untrustworthy:
The earthbound man is naturally neglectful and cannot be trusted because he only looks out for himself and his own desires.

“I knew that thou wouldst deal very treacherously.”

	TREACHEROUSLY, adverb
	By violating allegiance or faith pledged; by betraying a trust; faithlessly; perfidiously; as, to surrender a fort to an enemy treacherously; to disclose a secret treacherously.

	FAITHLESS, adjective
	1.	Without belief in the revealed truths of religion; unbelieving.
	2.	Not believing; not giving credit to.
	3.	Not adhering to allegiance or duty; disloyal; perfidious; treacherous; as a faithless subject.
	4.	Not true to a master or employer; neglectful; as a faithless servant.
	5.	Not true to the marriage covenant; false; as a faithless husband or wife.
	6.	Not observant of promises.
	7.	Deceptive.

Sinful:
The natural born man is susceptible to all manner of sin. He follows not after the laws of God but seeks after pleasure for himself. This attribute is the catch all or the et cetera.

“[Thou] wast called a transgressor from the womb.”

The Natural Man | 1 Nephi 20

It has taken me quite some time to break this chapter down so that I can really learn what Isaiah is trying to teach me and then to put it into a nice organized logical concept. There is so much packed into this chapter, so I only want to focus on what impressed me the most and the overall principle that I learned from it. This will most likely be different for each reader because every one comes with different needs and experiences.

Looking at the chapter from a historical point of view, the Lord is talking to Judah who had turned away from Him and had become carnally minded and corrupted as predicted by Zenos in the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees. However, if I take this same concept and symbolically overlay it over my own life then I can see that the Lord is also talking about the natural man in me just as in the next chapter He is talking about the spiritual-minded man in me.

The title that I have chosen for this principle is overcoming the natural man. However, I have decided to split this concept into three blog posts in order to stick with one of my primary objectives of keeping my blog posts readable in a few minutes. Fortunately, the chapter naturally flows into three sections:

1. Recognizing the natural man (verses 1-8).
2. Understanding the purpose of the natural man (verses 8-17).
3. Overcoming the natural man, the principle with a promise (verses 17-22).

Navigating Isaiah

It may seem from a high-level view that Nephi is throwing the reader into the deep end. However, with careful study, I have found that Nephi is rigorously preparing me to handle and understand Isaiah by helping me navigate through the language of symbolism. And, through this preparation, I have gained a newfound respect for symbolic imagery and its incredible power upon the mind.

I have prepared a few examples to illustrate these early victories over this language barrier.

"Yea, even the very God of Israel do men trample under their feet; I say, trample under their feet but I would speak in other words—they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels." (1 Nephi 19:7)

Nephi uses symbolic language while he is explaining the importance of scriptures, and it is not too difficult for those of western civilization to understand. However, he still gives the direct interpretation of what he is talking about. He is teaching me that A = B and I can hear him say, "you can do this!"

"And are come forth out of the waters of Judah, or out of the waters of baptism." (1 Nephi 20:1)

This is another example where the interpretation is expressly given. Again, I think of Nephi's preparation for me as I found that the equivalent Isaiah verse in the Old Testament did not have the qualifier “or out of the waters of baptism.” It was no accident that this phrase was contained in the first verse of the first quoted chapter of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon. Although, this was originally addressed to the Jews, the Lord is teaching me that it applies to all baptized members of His church and has direct application to the everyday saint. Furthermore, it makes a great introduction for Isaiah's main audience for all of his writings. He is not speaking to the world but to the house of Israel or the members of Christ's church.

"I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass." (1 Nephi 20:4)

Here is a great example of symbolism where I have to step it up a level because there is no express interpretation given. However, Isaiah gives me a one word hint—obstinate. Between this hint and basic logic, it is not too difficult for me to see that the Lord is not talking to someone that literally has an iron sinew in his neck or a brow made of physical brass. Instinctively, I was able to begin to see what the Lord was telling me and with a little more word study, I was able to refine these concepts.  The phrase "thy neck is an iron sinew" brought to mind a stiff neck and the image of a horse trying be led on a halter. The neck representing my will and the halter representing God leading me. The phrase "thy brow brass" brings an image of sternness or arrogance. Brass brings to mind flashy as in haughty or prideful. Why not just say, "you are stubbornly holding to your own faulty will and opinions in the pride and haughtiness of your heart." Besides the beauty of Isaiah's language, the imagery used has a far more lasting effect than just the written word. These images become seared into my mind and I can begin to see the power of Isaiah's words.

"I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." (1 Nephi 20:10)
"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." (1 Nephi 21:16)

No explanation is given for these two phrases. However, they are intuitive. Besides learning them in Sunday school, they just make sense to me because I live with affliction every day of my life and I get that He will never forget me that I am always before Him even though I may not fully understand the Atonement.

"Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. Thy seed also had been as the sand; the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof." (1 Nephi 20:18-19)

These phrases may not come by intellectual enlightenment, but they can come through physical experience. Anyone who has sat or rested beside a slow moving river can feel the peace and calmness that it brings from its continuous flow. Anyone who has been on a beach can feel the strength of the waves and the constant movement and progression. Being on a single beach gives one an idea of the overwhelming number of grains of sand associated with the promise of offspring even though the mind cannot fully comprehend it.

"And they thirsted not; he led them through the deserts; he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them; he clave the rock also and the waters gushed out."
 (1 Nephi 20:21)

This is an example where Nephi knew I would have the necessary tools in my day to unlock the scriptural interpretation on my own. I have to step it up even more, but I can unlock the meaning of this phrase by turning to the Old Testament or the exodus of God's people from Egypt.

“And after our seed is scattered the Lord God will proceed to do a marvelous work among the Gentiles, which shall be of great worth unto our seed; wherefore, it is likened unto their being nourished by the Gentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders.

“And it shall also be of worth unto the Gentiles; and not only unto the Gentiles but unto all the house of Israel, unto the making known of the covenants of the Father of heaven unto Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.” (1 Nephi 22:8-9)

In this last example, Nephi is giving me the much needed help through personal commentary on the words of Isaiah. He gives some of his temporal and spiritual interpretations by focusing mostly on his people and the Gentiles in the last days. Nephi's commentary is a real blessing to me as I practice finding symbolism in the scriptures and as I look to the future to see God's word being fulfilled.

All of these hints that Nephi is giving me will help me on my journey to unlocking the personal revelation contained in Isaiah that I will need for everyday survival in this mortal life. I am so grateful to Nephi for his help in preparing me to navigate through the words of Isaiah.

Where Can I Turn For Peace?

After pondering over 1 Nephi 19-21 for quite some time, I have come to the conclusion that these chapters and their placement are no accident. From a quick-read point of view, they may seem out of place. Nephi is giving a narrative of his life and he pauses to talk about scriptures and especially Isaiah. He then throws out two random chapters of Isaiah and then moves on with his narrative. Obviously, there is more to it than this. It is true that at this point he is able to take time to make plates of ore and is commanded to do so by the Lord. However, I think there is more to it.

Nephi has been through one of the toughest trials of his life. He has endured months on the open sea. He has borne endless hours of pain and deprivation. He spent many days in mental and physical anguish tied before his brothers as they mocked him. He endured the anguish of his soul as they disrespected the very being who led them to a new land. He endured horrific storms and winds that brought them to the very brink of death. It brought sheer terror and hopelessness to the point of humbling his brothers who were completely passed feeling.

He made it! He made it to the promised land to safety. What is the first thing he does? He turns to Isaiah for comfort and hope. He was not done with trials and afflictions as his further narrative will show, but he has shown me where I can turn for peace when life gets dark and stormy. Isaiah's words when read by the Holy Ghost can bring incredible peace and comfort.

"Hear ye the words of the prophet, which were written unto all the house of Israel, and liken them unto yourselves, that ye may have hope as well as your brethren from whom ye have been broken off; for after this manner has the prophet written." (1 Nephi 19:24)

Why? I believe because Isaiah's words testify of this life and the difficulties faced here in mortality. His words are symbolic of man's eternal nature, his glorious potential and his ultimate destination. And, Isaiah's primary focus is always on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His loving mission of mercy. This is what brings the most hope to me by reading Isaiah. My mind may have a hard time wrapping around his words but my spirit instinctively feels the peace and hope that comes from his words.

Why did Nephi quote Isaiah 48 and 49 here? These two chapters are a great introduction to Isaiah especially when paired with the Book of Mormon and its divine purpose. The title page explains it by saying that the Book of Mormon was "written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile." These two chapters embody this statement completely. Chapter 48 focuses on Judah and 49 focuses on scattered Israel and the Gentiles.

In addition, I can see how Nephi is preparing me to navigate through the difficulty of Isaiah's words with some early victories and helpful commentary as he strives to keep the scriptures plain and precious.

Maintain A Holistic View

Break into manageable chunks while still maintaining a holistic view.

This is the last skill before I get into Isaiah—I promise. This is a culmination of all of the skills so far. Each of the skills are used in the following step process where I start with a broad perspective, zoom into the details, and then transition into a holistic view so I can gain greater knowledge from complex scripture:

Step #1:
	I read the complete chapter trying to get a general feel for the contents. I try to pick out overall themes or principles. This is my first pass over the chapter so I am not expecting myself to understand the concepts and symbolism behind the verses rather I am looking for the general flow of the chapter to help me keep focused as I zoom into the verses in the next several steps. It may require several passes of reading the chapter in order to keep this fresh in my mind throughout this whole process.
Step #2:
	I break the chapter into manageable sets of verses—usually verses that feel connected—but I try to keep in mind the direction and themes picked out in step #1.
Step #3:
	I read through one set of verses at a time looking for symbolism. I take notes along the way so that I can make the connections and knowledge that I gain more permanent.
Step #4:
	I ask myself the following questions while pondering and praying: ▪ What would these verses mean to the people when it was initially given? ▪ Do I understand the geographical, political, and cultural significance of the verses? ▪ Do I understand the words being used and how they were used at the time it was translated? If I answer no to any of these question, I look through my sources and commentaries and read only the pertinent background information.
Step #5:
	I ask myself the following questions while pondering and praying: ▪ How do these verses relate to the last days? ▪ Do I understand the significance of the events being talked about and the timing within the last days? If not, I skim through my sources and commentaries reading only pertinent information pertaining to the last days. In this step, the last days is just an example. I may choose any other parallel such as during Christ's time or during the time of the Nephites. This helps expand my mind to start seeing the hidden symbolism contained in these verses in preparation for the next step.
Step #6:
	I ask myself the following questions while pondering and praying: ▪ How do these verses relate to me and my everyday life? ▪ How do these significant places, events, people and principles symbolically relate to me? This is often the hardest part and most time consuming because it is deeply personal. However, through fervent prayer and purposeful pondering the answer will come and it will be well worth the effort put into it.
Step #7:
	Once I feel satisfied, I finalize my notes and move on to the next set of verses by repeating from step #3 until I have completed the chapter.
Step #8:
	I reread the chapter putting the learned concepts together searching for overall meaning. A single verse or verses can be very enlightening but by putting them all together, I can unlock the additional knowledge and the deeper meaning that the writer intended for me. In addition, I compare the chapter with previous chapters—often concepts were artificially broken up into chapters.
Step #9:
	I ask myself the following questions while pondering and praying: ▪ What are the principles, invitations, and promises associated with this chapter or set of chapters? ▪ How can I implement them in my daily life? ▪ How will they bless me and help me on the path back to my Heavenly Father?
Step #10:
	Now that I have gained my own personal revelation and direction in regards to the chapter or chapters I am studying, I will consult my sources—including other scriptural commentary—in depth to broaden and expand my personal knowledge.