First Nephi Chapter
Seventeen

Another evidence that these parallels are intentional is chapter 17 of First Nephi. We have already drawn heavily from it in making both the temporal⁽¹⁾ and the spiritual⁽²⁾ comparisons. The period with which it deals is the "first gathering," both of the House of Israel and the individual.

This chapter can be subdivided into seven segments. (See Appendix A.) The first six segments are organized as follows.

(A) Lehi's group

(B) the children of Israel

(C) thesis statement

(C') thesis restatement

(B') the stiffnecked Jews

(A') Nephi's rebellious brethren

Many elements in A closely match elements in B. (See Appendix B.) These parallels were the ones we discussed when we looked at the similarities between the first gathering of the House of Israel and the first portion of Book of Mormon history. In addition to this, many elements of B' happen to be similar to elements of A'. (See Appendix C.) This correlation is particularly noteworthy, for it compares a nation (the Jews) with individuals (Nephi's rebellious brothers). Therefore, in this one chapter Nephi not only alludes to the existence of temporal parallels between nations but of spiritual similarities between nations and individuals.

The apparent thesis statement and restatement (C and C') of First Nephi 17 could be arranged as follows.

(1) "Behold, the Lord hath created the ^a.earth
that it should be ^b.inhabited;

(2) and he hath created his children
that they should ^c.possess it.

(3) And he ^d.raiseth up a ^e.righteous nation
and ^f.destroyeth the ^g.nations of the wicked.

(3') And he ^d.leadeth away the ^e.righteous into precious lands,
and the ^g.wicked he ^f.destroyeth,

and curseth the land unto them for their sakes.
(2') He ^c.ruleth high in the heavens,

(1') for it is his ^b.throne,
and this ^a.earth is his ^b.footstool." (1 Ne. 17:36-39)

 

This statement is the underlying theme of not only this chapter but of all scripture. (Jer. 1:10; Ether 2:7-12.) Segments A and B of this chapter speak of nations that were raised up by God. Segments B' and A' deal with a nation and individuals, respectively, who were headed for destruction.

One observation we make about the above thesis statement is that points 1 and 2 have to do with man, while points 2' and 1' deal with God. Could this possibly infer--in this context of leading the righteous into precious lands--that as God is, man may become: that we may become "an heir of God through Christ"? (Gal. 4:7.) Isn't this also the theme of the temporal and spiritual parallels of Book of Mormon history: inviting both nations and individuals to come unto Christ in the ultimate sense, that they may achieve the earnest of their inheritance? (Eph. 1:14.)

Thus we see that this concept of temporal and spiritual parallels underlying Book of Mormon history is supported by several other factors besides just the parallels themselves. First, the apparent objectives of the parallels and of the Book of Mormon in general, as stated in the title page, are essentially one and the same. Second, the prophet Isaiah has stated that the one of the Lord's teaching techniques is to use the past to foretell future events. Third, essential elements of the pattern of progression suggested by the parallels can be found in numerous other places. These include the Jaredite history, Alma 5, the vision of the tree of life, and Old Testament and modern temple rites. Fourth, a tremendous concentration of the temporal and spiritual parallels we draw is found in a single chapter, First Nephi 17. The apparent thesis of this chapter is not only indicative of the theme of the scriptures but of the parallels as well.

In addition to these witnesses, recall a few other evidences mentioned earlier. First, in April, 1987, our living Prophet, Ezra Taft Benson, devoted an entire General Conference address to the theme of parallels between events surrounding Christ's second coming and his coming to the Nephites anciently. Second, these parallels illustrate perhaps one of the most significant means (the history of God's chosen people) by which all things that come from the hand of God testify of Christ. Third, the summarizing sentence of the scriptures--"Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"--is powerfully manifested in and expounded by these temporal and spiritual parallels.

All of these evidences combined indicate that these parallels conform securely with God's purposes. They suggest that the Lord indeed shaped and the prophet-compilers recorded the events of the Lehite nation so that these temporal and spiritual lessons might be derived for our benefit.

Endnotes:

1. See the "Establishment of a Covenant Land and People" section in Chapter Five.

"Would God that ALL the Lord's People Were PROPHETS"

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