(1.) KEY TO UNDERSTANDING: The young prophet Nephi gave us a substantial key to understanding the scriptures. Note how subtly he teaches us through a ‘chiasmas’ (an order of words listed in one direction to a center thought and then listed in the other direction in reverse order). (a) Learning of my father, (b) Highly favored of the Lord, (b) Knowledge of the goodness, and the mysteries of God, (a) Learning of the Jews. (1 Nephi 1:1-2)

(2.) FOCAL POINT: The center point of his instruction is the gift he acknowledges, the knowledge of mysteries. A synonym for mysteries is the "subtle understanding" of God’s word. This is available through the Gift of the Holy Ghost. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round." (1 Nephi 10:19)

(3.) CENTER OF A CHIASMAS POINTS TO THE LORD: "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ . . . the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." (2 Nephi 32:3) The center point is sandwiched by "learning of my father" and "learning of the Jews." This material suggests that the ‘learning of the Jews’ add insight to the study of the same religion and scriptures that Nephi brought from Israel. Other Jewish insights may simply help Latter-day Saints better understand Judah and thereby bring our two families closer together. It is necessary for the teacher and the student to relate and coordinate this information with the material provided in their respective lesson manuals.

(4.) THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS: The basis of Jewish learning is based on the "Torah," that is the first five books of the "Old Testament." That is called the Law." The writings of the Prophets is called in Hebrew the "Nevi’im." "The Bible is holy to Jews because it represents the Word of God. This is particularly true of the Torah which is, so to speak, God's direct statement." "The custom of reading the Torah publicly is very, very ancient --- originating with Ezra in the fifth-fourth centuries B.C.E. At some later date a reading from the Nevi'im was added; this corresponding passage from the Prophets is known as the Haftorah." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

(5.) THE LDS "HAFTORAH" TEACHES REPENTANCE: The Latter-day Saint’s use of the Book of Mormon is another part of LDS Haftorah. Literally, it is the reading of Nevi'im, the "Prophets," in another land – with their explanations and heavenly insights – based on their constant advice to "go back" to the learning of their Fathers. The first verse of the Book of Mormon reveals this key of understanding God’s will, "learning of the fathers." The Hebrew word for "going back" is the same as "repent." The Book of Mormon teaches Faith in the Lord as taught by true learning of the fathers. That leads us to Repent, make the true covenant of Baptism and rewards us with the blessing of the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

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Daniel Rona, born in Israel and living in Jerusalem has authored Old & New Testament and Book of Mormon Supplement Study Materials to be used in conjunction with the weekly LDS Gospel Doctrine Lesson study. NOTE: Three versions of the supplemental study materials are available FREE at www.HolyLandsRevealed.com. (Just click "LDS SUPPLEMENTS")

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