“Born of Goodly Parents”

This passage has evoked many discourses on the value of good parents, though it is not that to which Nephi was making reference. The use of this text for that purpose is nevertheless most appropriate. Few of life’s treasures are of greater value than righteous parents. What Nephi was explaining, however, was his ability to write, something not common in his day. That which enabled him to be taught in the “learning of his fathers” was the social station of his family. Lehi was a man of sufficient means so that his family could enjoy the blessings of education. The text is a testimonial for the spiritual blessings that flow from the proper use of this world’s wealth.

“Out of Captivity… out of Obscurity… out of Darkness”

Scattered Israel is to be freed from the captivity of ignorance and the bondage of false forms of worship. No longer are they to walk in darkness and worship gods of wood and stone or other supposed gods who have neither body, parts, nor passions. Their obscurity has ended, for now they know the true and living God who “is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.” Jeremiah prophetically described this day, saying: “O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit. Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods? Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The Lord.” (Jeremiah 16:19-21.)

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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