2 Nephi 26

[Original_Intent]

Not to disparage ANY of the Book of Mormon, but there are some parts that are more historical, they are "telling a story" as you follow the history and then there are other sections, such as Ether 8 which are pretty much speaking directly to us and giving warning, instruction etc. This morning I read 2 Nephi 26 and it just hit me particularly strongly as one of those sections where Nephi is speaking directly to us and it was very powerful.

Nothing in particular that I wanted to say about it, just encourage everyone to give it a read - there is some highly concentrated truth in that chapter. Again, of course it is ALL true, but sometimes things definitely make a stronger impression.

[tlove]

Powerful indeed. Bless you O.I.,
I for one really needed to hear/read
that today. Thank you.
tlove

[Original_Intent]

And thank you for the REPLY. I seriously re-read my post a couple of times and thought that it was one of the most useless posts ever written. I mean I didn't elaborate on anything, I didn't quote anything, I didn't really say anything.

I am very glad that it did you some good, because I was feeling a little embarrassed for having posted it.

I found verse 31 especially relevant to our discussion about us all wanting to do something together - some kind of co-operative endeavor.

But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion: for if they labor for money they shall perish.

There were many, many of the other verses that jumped out at me as being a klaxon for me personally and for our day.

[NoGreaterLove]

Thanks OI
I believe you did not post the quote because it will cause us to read from the Book of Mormon today.

I found these to be the warnings that pertain to our day:
(2 Nephi 26:21.)

21 And there are many churches built up which cause envyings, and strifes, and malice.

(2 Nephi 26:29.)

29 He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.

(2 Nephi 26:31.)

31 But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish.

(2 Nephi 26:32.)

32 And again, the Lord God hath commanded that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain; that they should not envy; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish


The rest was prophecy of the destruction of the Nephites and the calamities of the Lamanites.

[Rand]

OI and NGL, I thank you both for your posts. Intellectual yes, but over whlelmingly balanced with a sense of love and compassion I find exemplifying what I seek to become. Thanks.

Now a question. Does verse 31 define the "laborer in Zion" as one who works for zion? in other words if you want to know if you are a part of Zion, determine if you are laboring for her? Is that the only way to become a part of Her?

Thanks again.

[dennis]

I also read and reread chapter 26 and then continued to chapter 33 . Both Nephi and Maroni have the same basic messages and warnings to us today. Pride and priestcraft stand out and also their repeating of the Lords commandment to have charity which is Love. Then I did a search on the site for PRIDE and found 48 pages. I started reading with page 48 because they are posts from before I joined ...Hours latter I checked back and found several others had read Nephi also . I was searching Pride to see if Pres. Bensons conf. talk in 1989 on Pride had ever been posted on the forum. Does any one Know? I keep a copy in my scriptures and try to read it as often as possible. Then I try to apply the last 3 words Nephi wrote which are found at the end of 2 Nephi :I MUST OBEY. If someone ever did a thread on the greatest conference talks of all time : Beware of Pride would be High up on the list.

[Original_Intent]

OI and NGL, I thank you both for your posts. Intellectual yes, but over whlelmingly balanced with a sense of love and compassion I find exemplifying what I seek to become. Thanks.

Now a question. Does verse 31 define the "laborer in Zion" as one who works for zion? in other words if you want to know if you are a part of Zion, determine if you are laboring for her? Is that the only way to become a part of Her?

Thanks again.

I'll take a stab at it, but please take this with a grain of salt as it is just my belief.

I believe that the current order of things will completely collapse and we will be forced to rely on our own local production and that we will need to work together. I think we will be one of the few areas of the country that will be able to move beyond clinging to survival and actually thrive and prosper.

I like your thinking about evaluating if we are currently laboring for Zion - let me get back to that thought in a minute.

I think what I get from this and other verses is the idea of trying to get into a position of benefitting from the labor of others, rather than performing your own labor, will fail. The mindset of being concerned that you are doing more than your share and not getting rewarded enough will fail. In the new setup, I think the focus will be that you are working to build Zion and that Zion will take care of you as you dedicate yourself to her. We all know the story of the lady who kept the cream while trying to live the law of consecration. I think there will need to be a major mind shift of leaving such concerns in God's hands, and only focusing on our own consecration and dedication. Every time I think of working together on a co-operative project the big concerns are the problems I see every day in my own job. Too much energy is spent on watching what others around us are doing, making sure we get enough credit, making sure that we are not being taken advantage of. I feel that all of that has to go, and anyone who cannot make that adjustment will not be able to "abide the day". And maybe I am getting that specific impression only because it is areas that I myself need to focus on, not everyone in general.

Back to your thought on are we laboring for Zion...I recently had a pretty big shift of perspective. I work for a large global company whose ideals often do not align with my own. I no longer consider that labor my "job". My job is to work towards building Zion - first in myself, then in my family, and then aiding others in the ward and neighborhood as my time and talents and the spirit allow. My occupation I see now as simply my method of FUNDING my actual job, which is to build Zion. This has made me a lot happier as I have been able to maintain that perspective, and has made me a lot less concerned about some of the areas I mentioned above. Even though I know I can never be a profitable servant, I do feel the appreciation for the effort I am making, and the source of that appreciation makes that more valuable than any other reward I could ask for.

[buffalo_girl]

This is indeed a very powerful chapter in the Book of Mormon.

I didn't see your post because I have been too busy 'laboring' for cucumbers, corn, potatoes, & peaches. Sorry!

When He speaks of 'Gentiles' in these chapters, I believe - as apparently does Elder Packer - that the Lord is speaking to us in our time, in the Church. That's a pretty scary thought considering the next couple of chapters which follow chapter 26.

In 1977 I was actually banished by the bishopric - after several years of successfully working with a most obnoxious age group - from teaching the 14 year old SS class on the Book of Mormon by quoting the following from 2 Nephi 26. Of course, the kids set me up, in a sense, and the adults never bothered to ask me what the lesson was or what point I was making. This particular class was composed of mostly youngest children from large Mormon families. They were 'spoiled' pure & simple. They considered themselves vastly superior to any adult they might encounter in their midst.

33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them ball to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

I was accused of teaching 'inter-racial marriage'! How that conclusion was arrived at, I can't say.

My 'Home Ward' in Portland, Oregon was working class and rather bigoted in its view of non-whites at the time. Since then, that same building houses a Vietnamese Ward along with three other 'mixed' Wards.

After my 'banishment' in June 1977, I left for Utah to attend BYU on scholarship. When I returned for summer break to visit family in Portland it was one year later, just a few days after President Kimball made his announcement regarding the Priesthood blessings being extended to "all worthy men of the Church"!

There were many shame faced members of the Ward that Sunday I visited my 'Home Ward'. The kids were all glad to see me though. Not sure why. They couldn't bring themselves to apologize for their bad manners. God love them, it was sweet to be able to 'wink' an eye in their direction.

We were told at a Stake Conference a few years back that there will be a 'schism' in the Church. I know we aren't supposed to share SC statements all around, but since that statement was made I have witnessed the fault line widen upon which the membership of the Church is separating. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Law to which we must conform our lives. Sadly, many of us want a religion that is more exclusive - more glamorous. We aren't comfortable with people who appear 'ignorant' or unsuccessful. At least that's the way it is in our Ward. As a Ward, we would rather put on grand 'service projects' for the general public than to visit young men who have strayed from the flock. Once we baptize investigators, interest in them is terminated.

2 Nephi 26
20 And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor.
21 And there are many churches built up which cause envyings, and strifes, and malice.

In 2 Nephi 28 we have confirmation of the condition of the body of the Church in our time. Mormon 8 spells it out pretty well, too.

[Rand]

OI and NGL, I thank you both for your posts. Intellectual yes, but over whlelmingly balanced with a sense of love and compassion I find exemplifying what I seek to become. Thanks.

Now a question. Does verse 31 define the "laborer in Zion" as one who works for zion? in other words if you want to know if you are a part of Zion, determine if you are laboring for her? Is that the only way to become a part of Her?

Thanks again.

I'll take a stab at it, but please take this with a grain of salt as it is just my belief.

I believe that the current order of things will completely collapse and we will be forced to rely on our own local production and that we will need to work together. I think we will be one of the few areas of the country that will be able to move beyond clinging to survival and actually thrive and prosper.

I like your thinking about evaluating if we are currently laboring for Zion - let me get back to that thought in a minute.

I think what I get from this and other verses is the idea of trying to get into a position of benefitting from the labor of others, rather than performing your own labor, will fail. The mindset of being concerned that you are doing more than your share and not getting rewarded enough will fail. In the new setup, I think the focus will be that you are working to build Zion and that Zion will take care of you as you dedicate yourself to her. We all know the story of the lady who kept the cream while trying to live the law of consecration. I think there will need to be a major mind shift of leaving such concerns in God's hands, and only focusing on our own consecration and dedication. Every time I think of working together on a co-operative project the big concerns are the problems I see every day in my own job. Too much energy is spent on watching what others around us are doing, making sure we get enough credit, making sure that we are not being taken advantage of. I feel that all of that has to go, and anyone who cannot make that adjustment will not be able to "abide the day". And maybe I am getting that specific impression only because it is areas that I myself need to focus on, not everyone in general.

Back to your thought on are we laboring for Zion...I recently had a pretty big shift of perspective. I work for a large global company whose ideals often do not align with my own. I no longer consider that labor my "job". My job is to work towards building Zion - first in myself, then in my family, and then aiding others in the ward and neighborhood as my time and talents and the spirit allow. My occupation I see now as simply my method of FUNDING my actual job, which is to build Zion. This has made me a lot happier as I have been able to maintain that perspective, and has made me a lot less concerned about some of the areas I mentioned above. Even though I know I can never be a profitable servant, I do feel the appreciation for the effort I am making, and the source of that appreciation makes that more valuable than any other reward I could ask for.

If you don't mind, I think this makes us Soul Brothers. Thanks for the thoughts.

This is the best part of this forum. I get to see where others are on their path. Sometimes this is inspiring, and sometimes a little painful. Overall, it is reaffirming. Life is an amazing journey.

[NoGreaterLove]

OI, BG, Dennis and Rand
I think we are all pretty well on the same page on this one. Although, I think Gentiles includes the LDS, I think it is referencing all of the gentile nations or the ten toes of the image seen in Nebuchadnezzar's dream.

[durangout]

Parallelism is such an important part of the literary aspect of the B of M that I'm not surprized that the first writer and the last writer in the book use many of the same themes. Their point in doing this is to get our attention. I ask myself: Am I listening?

[MercynGrace]

...I think there will need to be a major mind shift of leaving such concerns in God's hands, and only focusing on our own consecration and dedication. Every time I think of working together on a co-operative project the big concerns are the problems I see every day in my own job. Too much energy is spent on watching what others around us are doing, making sure we get enough credit, making sure that we are not being taken advantage of. I feel that all of that has to go, and anyone who cannot make that adjustment will not be able to "abide the day". And maybe I am getting that specific impression only because it is areas that I myself need to focus on, not everyone in general.

OI, I couldn't agree more with what you've written here! The biggest preparation we can do for Zion is within our own hearts. One of the foundational attributes of Zion is unity. Adam and Eve were one. They were at peace and unashamed in each other's presence. Satan came on scene and the first thing he did was divide them. Then he introduced enmity and made them feel fearful and ashamed. We have to stop being afraid of each other - afraid someone will take advantage of us, afraid someone else will get credit for our hard work, afraid someone will be shown undeserved kindness and that we might not. We have to be willing to lay down the baggage of this telestial world and see each other as brethren.

I love that Lehi, as he was going to his grave, chastized his sons by reminding them of the promise of the promised land: Societal prosperity depends on righteousness. Then he told them to man up! "...Arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity." We can only avoid captivity by refusing to let Satan divide and conquer. We must make all men our brethren and love with pure charity, acting as selflessly as Christ did or we will never see Zion.

[Epistemology]

Orig. Int. -

thanks for this post. I was thinking about some of the points you were making in your follow up posts just yesterday. Specifically, about the principle of working for others. I was reading a fiction book where one of the characters made a statement that basically said he teaches people that the most important thing in life is to meet as many people as you can and see what you can do for them. After reading this I spaced out for about 15 minutes thinking about this statement which led me from one thought to another.

Bottom line is, Christ was in the "people business".

We should be too