#BOMTC Day 9, April 15~1 Nephi 22-2 Nephi 1 or Pages 49-54: Isaiah for DUMMIES (Laman and Lemuel)

Click graphic to read 1 Ne 22-2 Ne 1

In today’s reading we get Nephi’s commentary on Isaiah 48 & 49. The great thing about reading Isaiah in the Book of Mormon is that you get prophetic commentary from those who saw what Isaiah saw and lived where Isaiah lived. The bad thing is that sometimes we may identify more with the rebellious Laman and Lemuel than with righteous Nephi when reading Isaiah. After Nephi reads these chapters from Isaiah, his brothers ask, “What meaneth these things [Isaiah 48-49] which ye have read?” (1 Nephi 22:1). How many times have you thought that same thing while reading Isaiah? Nephi is kind enough to elaborate on Isaiah’s writing which pertain “to things both temporal and spiritual” (1 Nephi 22:3). In this case Isaiah’s writing focus primarily on the scattering and gathering of Israel.
This happens today as people depart from the standards of the gospel in their personal life (spiritual scattering—self-inflicted apostasy). Soon they no longer wish to gather with the Saints and find themselves in a personal “Diaspora” (physical scattering—also self-inflicted).
The pattern for most of those who find themselves in this situation today parallels the general gathering of Israel outlined by Isaiah and explained by Nephi. They will usually experience a spiritual gathering through the help of loving family, friends, neighbors, etc (just as this occurs for Israel through the Gentiles generally, 1 Nephi 22:8). As they experience an increase of the Spirit of the Lord, their desire to gather physically with the Saints increases (1 Nephi 22:12).
This gathering leads to a unity in faith and heart with the Saints that hastens one’s personal millennial blessings. Nephi refers to the actual blessings of the Millennium in 1 Nephi 22:15-28 that are enjoyed by the righteous. As you read those verses you will readily recognize that you enjoy those same blessings every time that you live up to the standard of righteousness. Just as it is possible for each of us to experience personal scattering (Diaspora) and gathering, it is also possible to enjoy personal millennial blessings here and now. Isaiah enjoyed those blessings in his time; Nephi enjoyed them in his; and you can enjoy them now!
This is exactly what Lehi continues to explain to his sons, Laman and Lemuel in 2 Nephi 1. As he calls his sons to “be men” (verse 21) and repent and return (gather spiritually and physically with them), he paraphrases Isaiah as well (Compare Isaiah 52 with the verbs he admonishes them with in 2 Ne 1:12-24). Lehi’s Isaiah for Dummies (Laman and Lemuel) is an invitation for us also to claim our personal millennial blessings. As Isaiah teaches, Nephi explains, and Lehi confirms, you must first spiritually and physically gather with the Saints. Then you can begin to experience those personal millennial blessings in your life—HERE & NOW! (1 Ne 22:30-31; 2 Ne 1:28-32)