1Ne Ch13

In this continuation of the vision that Nephi is having, he sees events in his future and in our history and present. It's really neat to see the truths in this chapter. He is also shown the importance of his records to the Gentiles.

So first the angel shows him "the formation of a great church...which is most abominable above all other churches" (v4-5). The devil is the founder of this church and his purpose is to slay God's saints and bring them down be temptation and praise of the world (v5-9). In v10, we can learn that this church was started away from the seed of Nephi's brothers where Gentiles were at the current time (England).

V12 is really cool because Nephi sees Columbus being impressed by the Spirit of God to travel to the promised land and find the seen of his brothers. Then many Gentiles followed Columbus to the promised land and inflicted the wrath of God to smite who we know to be the Native Americans which are the seed of Nephi'a brothers (v14). Nephi notices how the Gentiles are white like his people were, and not marked for their unrighteousness by God (v15). These Gentiles had the power of The Lord with them and their "mother Gentiles" (or England) battled them (revolutionary war) but couldn't prevail because God was protecting them (v16-18). In the end, they were delivered out of captivity (v19), and I know this was done to bring about the freedom of this country where religion can be respected and the true gospel of Christ could be restored. 

Ok we are now going to examine v20-29 because it all talks about a book that Nephi sees being carried amount the Gentiles. The angel explains that this book is the record of the Jews, containing many prophecies and are similar to the plates of brass. "They are of great worth unto the Gentiles," but the angel also says that they have been corrupted through the great and abominable church. Having taken out the plain and most precious part of the records for the purpose of perverting the right ways of The Lord, it leads men to be blind and harden their hearts. Because those things were taken out, "an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them." It is our greatest blessing to know the fullness of the truth by a pure record that was kept hidden from the church of the devil because we can now share it with those that may stumble (v32)

Not to be prideful but America is better than all other nations...it says it v30. Better because we give the freedom to people to worship God and live like Christ. It is also true that this land is the promised land and was promised to the seed of Lehi as their inheritance. Thus, the Gentiles didn't completely destroy them (v30-31).

In v33-34, we see that our Savior is a merciful God and brings much of His gospel back to us. Nephi learns that his record will contain the truths that the Gentiles will eventually learn from (v35-36). The Lord says, "blessed are they who seek to bring forth my Zion at that day," who will be part of that? Who will work to spread the gospel to those who have stumbled? They are they who "shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb" (v37).

Nephi gets to see how his records come forth in v39 and then is explained the importance in v40-41. The Book of Mormon is given to us to establish the truth of the bible and make known that which was taken away. It is also to make known to everyone the Savior of yhe world and to come to Him. He will come and manifest himself unto us (v42) and I believe that with all my heart. I look forward to the day when he comes.