16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Being unlearned isn't good. Not knowing the scriptures and understanding them has lead to much destruction. Ignorance of social and ethnic issues has lead to much destruction. Rwanda, Darfur, slavery in America...
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
It's insane to think about the people who know better and still follow the ignorance. I just had the image of Hitler in my head. I bet there were people who knew better who followed him.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Grow in Grace, that is a peaceful image.
1 Nephi 22
7 And it meaneth that the time cometh that after all the house of Israel have been scattered and confounded, that the Lord God will raise up a mighty nation among the Gentiles, yea, even upon the face of this land; and by them shall our seed be scattered.
8 And after our seed is scattered the Lord God will proceed to do a marvelous work among the Gentiles, which shall be of great worth unto our seed; wherefore, it is likened unto their being nourished by the Gentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders.
So we know that it is America and the Book of Mormon. What other parallel meanings are there, or are there any?
9 And it shall also be of worth unto the Gentiles; and not only unto the Gentiles but unto all the house of Israel, unto the making known of the covenants of the Father of heaven unto Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
10 And I would, my brethren, that ye should know that all the kindreds of the earth cannot be blessed unless he shall make bare his arm in the eyes of the nations.
Chris says that "make bare his arm" means for God or Christ to show his power. Show his power by bringing forth the Book of Mormon. I have no idea what it means. Any thoughts?
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I like that first verse from Peter. Nephi talks about that same thing a few times when talking about his older brothers and when talking about the last days.
The unlearned, in one sense to me, means unlearned in spiritual things. They fight over the meaning of words and makes it hard to get anything of worth from what is said. Look at how law can be twisted around to save the guilty and condemn the innocent.
But I also think it applies to people who don't try to learn. I guess what I'm saying is that people like some of the Native Americans were always learning and trying to understand, though they didn't have 'western knowledge' or the scriptures... the cruel aztecs, apaches, etc. on the other hand quickly were scattered. The hopis may not want to be corrupted with a lot of the nonsense of western religion and philosophy, but are still a very learned people when it comes to spiritual matters.
I guess there's one scripture that really puts it all together: 28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, suposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. 29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.
(2 Nephi 9)
30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. (2 Nephi 28)
Hmmm, come to think of the hopis and other such peaceful tribes, how the 'Gentiles' have treated them, we'd think they weren't nourished or carried. But perhaps the Gentiles have saved them from dying off to the other more cruel tribes, and perhaps the influence of the Gentiles has made them stronger in their own beliefs.
I'm not sure what "make bare his arm" means. I used to think it would mean God would let loose destruction on the wicked. The Jews expected something similar from the Messiah, so they were disappointed when Jesus didn't set them free from the Romans. I think we'll be surprised when God doesn't work according to our expectations.
What are your expectations? Or things you just think will happen?
wow! I wrote a lot last time!
what do I expect? it keeps changing as time goes on...
in general, from the basics of prophecies, wars and destruction all over, not just in remote places, so whatever is going to happen to bring war to our own societies... lots of things could trigger that state.
I think from a standpoint of God, he wants us to be in a state where we are much more willing to give up everything and turn to him. wars, earthquakes, floods, in essence a combination of natural and man-made disasters. (looking at accounts of WWII, people became very faithful or extremely wicked... "not luke-warm lest I spew thee out")
what I think making bare his arm means is making it clear that God is in control, such that we have no doubt it is God.
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