OPENING SCRIPTURAL UNDERSTANDING

(Book of Mormon – 2 Nephi – Chapters 9, 10, 11) 4

There is a revelatory process which seldom gets its proper amount of honor in the list of the constant ways in which the flow of information is given to Heavenly Father’s children through the Holy Spirit. This process requires that we are constantly searching, studying and pondering the Holy Scriptures. Sincere prayer before, during and after our searching the scripture increases the probability of our being taught by the Holy Spirit as we study and ponder the verses of Holy Writ. There is also little doubt that being able to accept the possibility that you have not yet come to a complete understanding of the Word is undoubtedly one of the keys to being susceptible to the Whisperings.

We continually hear people expressing how as they reread passages of scripture they become aware of concepts and principles of which they had not been aware during previous perusals. This revelatory process doesn’t just happen during a second reading, but continues to take place regardless of how many times we continue to search.

One of the reasons this familiar process is so seldom talked about as a revelatory gift might be that it has no name. Two I have thought might fit are: Opening Scriptural Understanding and Broadening Understanding Through Searching the Scriptures.

What ever title might have been assigned to this process there is little doubt in my mind that in the chapters we have been studying the last few weeks, the process of inspiration coming to one as they search the scriptures, I have attempted to clarify, was happening to Nephi. There is so much additional revealed truth in these chapters from the writings of Isaiah, that Nephi had to be being taught by the whisperings of the Holy Spirit as he searched them, because they do not become immediately apparent during the first and maybe even the tenth repetition of reading Isaiah’s words.

Nephi may have been hinting about our need to value and make use of this revelatory gift when he wrote the words in 2 Nephi 9: 42, 43.

And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them. But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints.

PROPHESIES ABOUT THE ATONING SACRIFICE OF THE SAVIOR, HIS MISSION IN THE AMERICAS AND THE PRESERVING OF THE AMERICAS AS A LAND OF FREEDOM.

The Son of God would come among the Jews and be crucified.

The stiff necked who were practicing priestcrafts and iniquities would be the perpetrators of the crucifixion.

He sees the dispersion and gathering of the House of Israel.

The hearts of the gentiles will be softened and their Kings and Queens will become nursing fathers and mothers unto the remnant of the House of Israel.

The King of Heaven will be a light unto the covenant people in the last days.

The Lord will destroy the works of darkness.

The land of Nephi will be consecrated by the Lord as a choice land for the seed of Nephi.

The promises of the Lord to all nations are revealed to Nephi.

Through the power of God all will be resurrected and salvation comes only through the grace of God.

Nephi bears his testimony that our very existence is only possible because of the existence of God and His Son Jesus the Christ.

THE LAW OF MOSES IS A TYPE FOR JESUS THE CHRIST

Although Nephi does not elaborate on this statement, the principle of the revelatory process of Opening Scriptural Understanding through the whisperings of the Holy Spirit have given rise to a multitude of writings about how the Old Testament Scriptures which speak of the ordinances and practices of the Law of Moses abundantly are a type to teach us of Jesus the Christ.

The next time you read the book of Matthew in the New Testament take note of the numerous times he refers to scriptural references from the Old Testament writers who foretold of the coming of the Messiah and that Jesus the Christ was a fulfillment of those references.

Upon finishing his revelatory pronouncements Nephi then reads the words which we find in the second though the fourteenth chapters of Isaiah and the twelfth through the twenty fourth chapters of 2 Nephi.

I am not going to write a Thought on any of these chapters because I feel that reading, studying, searching and pondering on them will be a tremendous exercise and springboard for the reader of this Thought to have an experience with Broadening Understanding Through Searching the Scriptures.

I pray that never again will any of us look with distain upon the great gift of revelation which can attend our scripture study.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY