What ho, what ho, what ho!  Another day for us scripture nibs to gather round and chew the fat, or palaver if you prefer, all under the presiding auspices of Dan Peterson as our genial presiding deity. 

2 Nephi 2—ruthless optimism

2 Nephi 1—

Many chapters within 1 Nephi are more clearly distinct from each other than are the end of 1 Nephi and the beginning of 2 Nephi.

Is this not peculiar?  Odd?

How to explain it?

1 Nephi 22—

There are, of course, metaphors throughout the scriptures.  There are many similes and parables, and many things are to be taken symbolically.

 

But the fundamental events of scripture and of prophecy (such as the resurrection of the Savior and, according to Nephi and other prophets, the gathering and restoration of scattered Israel) are to be understood literally.  They are more than mere physical events, but they are, at least, physical events.  They have spiritual significance, but they’re not merely symbols.

1 Nephi 21—being scattered on the isles of the sea

1 Nephi 20–the prophet Isaiah eloquently contrasts the peace of the righteous to the turmoil of wickedness

1 Nephi 19 – two principles for interpreting scripture

1 Nephi 18 – Lehi’s sons’ names: northeastern Arabic, Egyptian, Hebrew