1 Nephi 10:15 - 10:19

1 Nephi 10:15 And after this manner of language did my father prophesy and speak unto my brethren, and also many more things which I do not write in this book; for I have written as many of them as were expedient for me in mine other book.

These were just a few of the things Lehi told the group. There were a lot more items covered, but Nephi will not included them in this writing. The important stuff was included in the other plates, probably the lost 116 pages.

1 Nephi 10:16 And all these things, of which I have spoken, were done as my father dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuel.

All these prophecies and interpretations were given while they were camped in the valley of Lemuel before they strike out for the promise land. All the time they are all living in tents like the Bedouins do today. No permanent town here.

1 Nephi 10:17 And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.

Nephi is so uplifted by the prophecies of his father that he wanted to see and hear of these things himself. The visions came by the Holy Ghost which is hardly mentioned at all in the Old Testament. One would think the Holy Ghost did not begin his mission until after Jesus came into the world.

Anyway Nephi reminds us that it was through the power of the Holy Ghost that Lehi experienced these dreams and visions and that if one wants to receive the same you have to appeal to the same power.

And this power is a gift. We must be reminded that the power of the Holy Ghost is a gift not a right. We have a right to receive it but not a right to have it. That is the way it has always worked in the past and it will work in the same way in the future when the Messiah comes. What is apparent is that this gift comes only by faith on the Messiah. It is not independent of its own accord. If you have no faith no gift. Now we must remember there is a difference between having the Holy Ghost influence you from time to time and the gift which the right to have it ALL the time.

In addition the knowledge Nephi seeks for only comes by continues desire and thirst to know of the things of God. You have to show that you really want to know and not just a casual curiosity or maybe a half hearted attempt to try and find out. This is the way the Holy Ghost worked in the past and he has not changed his M.O.

1 Nephi 10:18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.

Nephi reminds us that these regulations have been in place from since the world was first contemplated. Jehovah has regulated the affairs of men in this manner from the start of time or when men started keeping track of events. He will continue to do so in the same manner in the future.

This is a very powerful argument to use to say that the ideas of repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, Temple, continuous scriptures and prophets have always been in place and will always be in place. The idea that many gospel concepts ceased with the death of the apostles at the end of the first century only point out that an apostasy did in fact happened. As Moroni says that when there are no gifts of the Spirit, it is because of the unbelief of men not that God has changed his method of operation.

1 Nephi 10:19 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.

So if man will seek for the things of God he will find them. The workings of the spirit and the goals of God for his children and how they will be accomplish will be revealed to him so that he might be able to help with the program. These things were known in all ages of this world. They will continue in place in the future. The Lord only uses one program and it never changes.