Nephi’s rebellious brothers are finally asking him questions about the words their father spake, and he is eagerly answering them. Anxious that his brothers finally see the truthfulness of the Gospel and repent, he has exhorted them with his whole soul.
26. And they said unto me: What meaneth the river of water which our father saw?
27. And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water.
I think it’s interesting that Nephi picked up on details in his vision that his father did not. Perhaps Nephi was more alert to the details because he remembered his father’s words and the things he saw were not a surprise to him, thereby creating room to notice details.
28. And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf, which separated the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God.
29. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell, which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked.
Nephi has just seen in vision the fate of his brothers, and he knows that they will end up in this awful gulf and eventually in the awful hell. However, if they allow their hearts to be changed, they could repent—this is his hope, and so he’s speaking to them from the depths of his heart.
30. And I said unto them that our father also saw that the justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous; and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire, which ascendeth up unto God forever and ever, and hath no end.
31. And they said unto me: Doth this thing mean the torment of the body in the days of probation, or doth it mean the final state of the soul after the death of the temporal body, or doth it speak of the things which are temporal?
32. And it came to pass that I said unto them that it was a representation of things both temporal and spiritual; for the day should come that they must be judged of their works, , yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation.
33. Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also.
34. But behold, I say unto you, the kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy.
Laman and Lemuel know that their actions and thoughts have not been in accordance with the desires of the Lord. As they ask Nephi for more information about that eternal torment of which he spoke, I can see them starting to feel some anxiety over the state of their own souls. Perhaps the Spirit was speaking to them. Perhaps they were hearing the voices of their own consciences. Whatever the cause, they were actively seeking gospel instruction from their brother, who had been listening to Lehi all along and was privy to knowledge and revelations himself. I imagine they were feeling a little uncomfortable with all this talk about punishment for the wicked.
Again, I remind you that this series is simply a collection of my thoughts as I read the scriptures. I encourage you to also record your thoughts as you read—it’s a wonderful way to help bring the scriptures to life in your mind.
Related Blogs:
A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit
Maintaining a Mighty Change of Heart