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1. learning of my father
2. highly favored of the Lord
2. knowledge
of the goodness
and the mysteries of God
1. learning of the Jews
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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.
Yea, 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 1:1-2)
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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)
Center of a Chiasmas Points to the Lord:
"Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the
words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for
behold, 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 some ‘learning of
the Jews’ to 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.
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 halakhah, or Jewish law, which is the authoritative guide for a Jew's life,
is mainly based on the Torah, so obviously study of the Torah as well as the
rest of the Bible is one of the prime religious duties." "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.)
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.. |