2 Nephi 1:1 - 1:5
2 Nephi 1:1 And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of teaching my brethren, our father, Lehi, also spake many things unto them, and rehearsed unto them, how great things the Lord had done for them in bringing them out of the land of Jerusalem.
Nephi ends his preaching's and Lehi takes over. He reminds them of all the events that surrounded their escape from Jerusalem and their arrival safely in the promised land.
2 Nephi 1:2 And he spake unto them concerning their rebellions upon the waters, and the mercies of God in sparing their lives, that they were not swallowed up in the sea.
He points out that this all happened in spite of their actions on the voyage that almost cost them all their lives.
2 Nephi 1:3 And he also spake unto them concerning the land of promise, which they had obtained—how merciful the Lord had been in warning us that we should flee out of the land of Jerusalem.
Lehi reminds them of the fact that they were warned to leave Jerusalem before it was destroyed. Also that they had been lead to a land of promise. That they had in fact been treated as the children of Israel had been when they were lead by the Lord from Egypt to Palestine. How favored must have Lehi’s family been to receive this great blessing. Many were killed in Jerusalem in the assault of the Babylonians or lead away into slavery
2 Nephi 1:4 For, behold, said he, I have seen a vision, in which I know that Jerusalem is destroyed; and had we remained in Jerusalem we should also have perished.
Lehi reports that he has now seen in vision that Jerusalem has indeed been destroyed. If they had remain there they would have suffered the same fate
2 Nephi 1:5 But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord.
It has not been easy to get to the land of promise. They have suffered much in the 10,000 mile journey. But Lehi has been promised that this land is his and his posterity forever. It shall also be a promised land to anyone else who is lead to it.
That I feel includes everyone who is here. Peoples from all nations. Peoples from British Isles, Europe, Far East, Africa and anywhere else. So that would include my immigrant ancestors. It would also include my grandson from Kenya as well who was brought here by his parents who adopted him as a baby.
I should feel just a blessed as did Lehi in having my ancestors coming to this land of promised. I should likewise know that it is my land and that of my descendents forever. I am just a blessed by being here as did Lehi and his family. We were all lead here regardless on how we got here or by what motivation was used by us or on us to get here.
