Lehi's First Vision(1 Nephi 1:1-15)
Nephi Begins His Record
Many years ago, a man named Nephi decided to write down the important things that had happened in his life. Nephi had grown up in a good family. His parents loved him and made sure he was taught many things. His father especially helped him receive a good education. Nephi’s life would not always be easy. He would face troubles, dangers, and many difficult experiences. But when Nephi looked back on his life, he could see that the Lord had been very good to him. He had learned many important truths about God and had seen the Lord guide and bless him. Because these experiences mattered so much, Nephi decided to make a record of them with his own hand. Nephi wanted everyone who would someday read his record to know something from the very beginning: what he was writing was true.
Prophets Warn Jerusalem
Nephi’s family lived near the great city of Jerusalem. His father was a man named Lehi. At that time, a king named Zedekiah ruled over the kingdom of Judah. Jerusalem was an important city, but many of its people had stopped obeying God. So the Lord sent prophets to warn them. The prophets told the people to repent and turn back to God. They warned that if the people would not repent, Jerusalem would someday be destroyed. Lehi heard these warnings. He loved his people and was deeply concerned about them. Instead of ignoring what the prophets were saying, Lehi turned to the Lord. One day, as he went on his way, Lehi prayed with all his heart for the people of Jerusalem.
Lehi Sees a Pillar of Fire
While Lehi was praying, something astonishing happened. Before him, upon a rock, appeared a pillar of fire. The Lord showed and told Lehi many things. Nephi does not tell us everything his father saw and heard that day, but he tells us that the experience was so powerful that Lehi began to quake and tremble. When it was over, Lehi returned to his home in Jerusalem. He was overwhelmed by what the Lord had shown him. He lay down upon his bed, still filled with the Spirit and thinking about all that he had seen. But the Lord was not finished teaching him.
The Heavens Open
As Lehi lay upon his bed, another wonderful vision opened before him. It seemed as though the heavens themselves opened. Lehi saw God sitting upon His throne. Around Him were more angels than Lehi could count, and they were singing and praising God. Then Lehi saw One coming down from heaven. His light was brighter than the sun shining at midday. After Him came twelve others, whose brightness was greater than the stars. They went out across the earth. Then the first One came and stood before Lehi. He handed Lehi a book and told him to read it.
Lehi Reads the Book
Lehi began to read the book he had been given. As he read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord. The words contained a serious warning. Jerusalem had become very wicked, and if the people would not repent, the city would be destroyed. Some of the people would die, while others would be taken far from their homes as captives into the land of Babylon. This must have been painful for Lehi to hear. Jerusalem was his home, and its people were his people. Yet the Lord was warning them before the destruction came. They still had the opportunity to turn back to Him.
Lehi Praises God
After everything Lehi had seen and read, he began to praise the Lord. He had learned that God was mighty enough to rule over all the earth. But he had also learned that God was good and merciful. Even though Lehi had just seen that terrible things would happen to Jerusalem, his heart was filled with joy because he knew that the Lord cared about His children. Lehi praised God for His power, His goodness, and His mercy. He knew that those who truly came unto the Lord would not be forgotten. Lehi had learned an important truth that Nephi would remember throughout his life: God warns His children because He loves them, and He is merciful to those who come unto Him.
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