Helaman 8

8:1-13 - The people are still gathered around Nephi by his tower and listening to him preach and call them to repentance and the people have varying reactions. First, there were judges, “who also belonged to the secret band of Gadianton,” and they weren’t taking Nephi’s words very well. They were afraid to take hold of him themselves and so they were trying to get the people upset with him so that they will do it. These judges accused Nephi of breaking the law, criticizing the law, which in a free democratic society, criticism of the government is allowed. This is part of the chart from yesterday that says that secret combinations wish to retain freedom for themselves but limited it for everyone else, these judges are allowing themselves to speak freely and according to their own desire, but they are trying to stop Nephi from what he was saying. But interestingly, the people didn’t allow themselves to get stirred up, they many actually said “Let his man alone, for he is a good man, and those things which he saith will surely come to pass except we repent.” Many people believed him, or at least agreed that the government was corrupt. I wonder how it must have felt to be these judges and to have someone know what they were up to because apparently, this was a relatively unknown phenomenon, that of secret organizations that would do anything for money and power. It must have been quite unnerving for them to know that all their business was being exposed, kind of like the wolf in sheep’s clothing being called out in front of the herd. But Nephi took courage in this change of events “therefore he began again to speak unto them, seeing that he had gained favor in the eyes of some, insomuch that the remainder of them did fear. Therefore he was constrained to speak more unto them.” Nephi has an interesting tactic to demonstrate his authority to tell them these things, reminding people that “God gave power unto one man, even Moses, to smite upon the waters of the Red Sea… And now behold, if God gave unto this man such power, then why should ye dispute among yourselves, and say that he hath given unto me no power whereby I may know concerning the judgments that shall come upon you except ye repent?” In essence, he’s saying “God called Moses, why couldn’t he also call me?” This is kind of one of those statements that say “if him, why not me?” It ascribes a well-known person’s attributes to one’s self, and Nephi sees that that statement isn’t enough to convince them of his authority, because he also says “But, behold, ye not only deny my words, but ye also deny all the words which have been spoken by our fathers, and also the words which were spoken by this man, Moses, who had such great power given unto him, yea, the words which he hath spoken concerning the Messiah.” Not only is Nephi testifying that what they are doing was wrong but all the prophets before him, and this great Moses. Interestingly, one of the messages that I’m getting out of this is the fact that universal truths, commandments, standards, expectations and responsibilities have been taught throughout the ages. Nephi says that the Nephites know that what they are doing is wrong not only because he’s telling them now, but because their fathers have also told them. He goes on to list many of the prophets who have testified of Christ and taught his gospel. We are given the information and then we are expected to work it into our lives. In a June 2014 Ensign article entitled “Agency and Answers,” Elder Richard G. Scott teaches “When He withholds an answer, it is to have us grow through faith in Him, obedience to His commandments, and a willingness to act on truth. We are expected to assume accountability by acting on a decision that is consistent with His teachings without prior confirmation. We are not to sit passively waiting or to murmur because the Lord has not spoken. We are to act.” Not directly related but still along the same lines as far as being consistently taught truths from God's appointed spokesmen and then having the opportunity to act. There also shows here that when it comes to Jesus' gospel, the teachings and expectations are universal and unchanging.

8:14- - Nephi now brings up the incident in ancient Israel when Moses "lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness." The IM teaches "As a witness against the wickedness and as a testimony of Christ, Nephi referred to an incident in the Old Testament when the children of Israel were being plagued by 'fiery flying serpents.' The prelude to the Israelites' trouble was speaking evil of God and His prophet, just as the corrupt judges of Nephi's day were doing. The lifting up of a brass serpent by Moses was a type (a symbolic representation) of the crucifixion of Christ. When the people looked upon the brass serpent, they were healed. Nephi's use of this story emphasizes that we 'should look upon the Son of God with faith' and live. Through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, the poisonous venom of Satan was overcome for all who would repent. He then reminded the people that all of the prophets had testified of Christ." I've heard this story many many times and I understand that it's significant, but sometimes, like now when I'm tired, it's hard for me to fully understand what it means and how we can apply it to our day. The IM continues by quoting Elder Neal A. Maxwell as teaching "Divinely deliberate and serious symbolism is involved. Without this needed elaboration, the Old Testament episode of the fiery serpents does not give us a fulness of spiritual insight that can clearly be 'for our profit and learning.'" Oh answers my question right there are then. "The symbolic emphasis in this episode is upon both the necessity and the simpleness of the way of the Lord Jesus. Ironically, in Moses' time many perished anyway... Thus, now we have verified and amplified analogy, thanks to the precious and plain things given to us in 'these last records.' The whole episode points toward the need to look upon Jesus Christ as our Lord, likewise, a simple but unwaivable requirement. how plain and precious in any age!" The necessity and simpleness of the way. This is such an interesting concept and I'm going to have to think about it quite a bit longer because I feel that it is important, but I need to give it more thought. In a March 2002 Ensign article entitled "Look and Live" Elder Glen O. Jensen taught that "Three Book of Mormon prophets used this story in their efforts to persuade their people to repent and believe in Christ... Like ancient Israel in the wilderness, we have experiences during our mortal lives that point us to the Lord as the only source for healing and salvation. Sometimes He 'straitens' us, hoping to soften our hearts. But in each difficult situation, He stands ready mercifully to heal us if we will but believe in Him. Elder Carlos E. Asay of the Seventy said, 'We, like Israel of old, must rivet our eyes and minds upon the cross of Christ if we hope to gain eternal life... Our looks must not be allowed to wander across the way or to become fixed upon the perishable things of the world. The eye, 'the light of the body,' must be trained to look upward. We must look to God and live!' We show our desire to be healed by remembering Him always and obeying His commandments. It was not the brazen serpent that brought healing; it was faith in Jehovah and obedience to His words." I think the main difference for me between the physical snake bites and impending death that was experienced by the ancient Israelites and the symbolic nature of our spiritual death by sin is that the snake bite is obvious, an even, there is pain and then sickness, you can't dispute that you've been bitten and that the snake bites are going to kill you no matter what. But the difficulty with us is that not everyone accepts the fact that they are spiritually dying and that they can be spiritually saved and happy by believing in a obeying Christ. I'm out of time but I'm going to think about this quite a bit more because I find it very intriguing.