1Ne Ch15

In this chapter, Nephi is explaining some things he saw and his fathers vision to his brothers who weren't smart enough to ask the Lord for help.

When Nephi came back from his visions his brothers were disputing one with another about the vision Lehi had (v2). Sometimes we all have different interpretations about scripture so it's understandable that Nephi's brothers didn't all believe the same. It is also a hard concept if we don't have guidance from the Lord, luckily we have Nephi's answers when he went asked of the Lord.

Nephi's brothers actually were so hardhearted they refused to look to the Lord and he was sad about this, especially after all that he seen and been shown (v3-4). Nephi is so grieved it takes him a while to be able to talk to his brothers and settle the disputing (v5-6). Some conversation that Nephi and his brothers have is in v7-9 then Nephi explains about the olive tree until v20.

Concerning the olive tree branch and the house of Israel everyone is a part of that (v12). Nephi explains that in the latter days the remnant of his and his brothers Seed will get the gospel from the Gentiles and learn that they are the covenant people and know of their forefathers (v13-14). Grafting them back into the tree is a representation of bringing that branch (Nephi's seed) back into the true fold of God (v15-16). He continues to talk about and teach the restoration of the Jews and words of Isaiah (v17-19). 

Nephi's words comforted and pacified his brothers and they began to humble himself before the Lord because of all his teachings (v20).

While his brothers are questioning him about the vision of the tree of life, he throws in several teachings and applications. 

Topic (verses asked;answered)

The tree (21;22)

Rod of iron (23;24-25)

River of water (26;27-29)

Clarification of v30 (31;32-36)

The tree and iron rod are explained pretty simply but when Nephi comes to the river, there is more explanation. The river represents the separation of the wicked and righteous. Nephi goes beyond what they can understand when he talks about the justice of God that also separateds the wicked and righteous. This is "a representation of things both temporal and spiritual" (v32). We will all be judged after the days of our probation and of we die in wickedness we will be cast off. If we are found to be wicked in the very end, we are filthy and we are kept away from God but there is a "place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy."

I want to be with my Heavenly Father forever so I will keep myself clean through my life. I am following the example of Nephi as he teaches his brothers by writing this blog. I don't profess to know much but what I do know I want to share and maybe someone can learn something they never realized before.