1 Nephi 15:8 - 15:12
1 Nephi 15:8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?
Nephi asked if they have asked the Lord about it? Nephi had just had a glariest answer to his prayers about it and figured if he could anyone else could too.
1 Nephi 15:9 And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.
The brothers reply that they had not because “the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.” This response has always puzzled me. They had not receive any inspiration when they started questioning. They were probably talking about it among themselves but nothing as to the interpretation had come to their minds. They must have gotten some ideas, but the concept of asking the Lord for clarification was not an option they would even try.
The concept here, which Nephi had had personal experience with, was that questions about prophecy or doctrine can be taken to the Lord for interpretation or elaboration. The boys did not even think about doing this as Nephi had done. Because they had not, I'm guessing that this was further indication that they were almost a lost cause and that the visions that Nephi saw of the future of his descendants would surely come to pass. I'm sure that made him sick to think about. And in addition, he knew that his brothers would be the cause of it.
1 Nephi 15:10 Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts?
Nephi, with frustration I’m sure, asked his brothers why do they refuse to keep the commandments? The command I assume is that you have to asked to receive enlightenment. It does not come without going to the Lord to get it. He wants you to seek him and him only for help. Not that he likes the power over people, only that he is the true source of information in this universe. No one and I repeat one no has the complete truth of all things. So wanting us to have the whole truth, you have to come to Him. Again not that he can be in control, but that He’s the only one who has it.
1 Nephi 15:11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.
Nephi reminds them of this fact by quoting the commandment about asking in faith, believing that you can actually get answer, and keeping the commandments. If they would do these things, answers are guaranteed. I’m wondering if they might be thinking they would not get any answers because they knew they were doing as they should. I wonder if I am also living under this belief that not all that I asked to know or what is really possible for me. I wonder if I talked the talk but don’t really believe I can walk the walk?
1 Nephi 15:12 Behold, I say unto you, that the house of Israel was compared unto an olive tree, by the Spirit of the Lord which was in our father; and behold are we not broken off from the house of Israel, and are we not a branch of the house of Israel?
Nephi starts to explain their fathers words. Having a vision about this within hours ago, gives him some additional insights that he might not have had otherwise.
Anyway Nephi says that the house of Israel or the family of Israel consisting of the descendants of Jacobs twelve sons is like unto an olive tree. The breaking off of the branches is compared to parts of Jacob’s descendants being lead away to other parts of the world. And Nephi asked if the brothers can see that they are one of these broken off branches? That they will be lead away to some other land to see if they can exist as a righteous branch of their ancestors family.
