Culture: In these two verses, Nephi explains that there is nothing specific that they must do comparable to the list of observances provided by the Mosaic law. Because modern Saints have repeatedly heard the importance of listening to the Spirit, we may overlook what a change this was from the performances, sacrifices, and obligations of the Mosaic law—for example, male circumcision and dietary laws. Modern Mormons understand that the baptismal covenant carries with it expectations and obligations of, for example, paying tithing, attending meetings, accepting callings, and observing the Word of Wisdom.
Nephi’s people would have no trouble with the physical ordinance of baptism; however, they would have wanted to know what observances would be expected of them as a result of the new covenant they had entered into with Yahweh. Why, given a new ordinance and a new covenant, are there are no new rules? Nephi instructs them that the Spirit will teach them what they should do.
At this point in Nephite history, perhaps thirty years (or more) into their new society, that society is a mixture of people from the Old and New Worlds. There would be a single city with a central ceremonial/public center surrounded by farms. It may not yet be large enough to have subservient villages in the surrounding area. They have integrated other people, but they have formed a new location with new families and therefore new allegiances. Typical of other such communities, they would have defined themselves in contrast to the others around them, thus increasing their dependence upon each other. The basis for the community is Nephi’s and Jacob’s religious structure. Thus, the social consciousness of being “Nephite” means also being followers of the Mosaic law.
In the Old World, Christian baptism (beginning with Paul) was not simply covenantal but also symbolic of entering a new community that increasingly established its internal/external identity in opposition to existing ideas and practices. Nephi’s people, while large enough to have a city, are still few enough to lack internal cultural diversity—a diversity that will become much more prominent after the Nephites’ relocation to Zarahemla (recounted in Omni 1:12–14). Baptism could not have been symbolic of entry into a separate society, because there was no separate society for those who lived in the city of Nephi. However, if there were conflicts revolving around the integration of the peoples who were already there, this rite could create a unifying force for the people, giving them the common bond of a common rite in which each person would participate individually.
Rhetoric: Nephi’s logic returns to the baptismal theme of chapter 31, but focuses on the Holy Ghost rather than baptism. He highlights the promise that they “could speak with the tongue of angels.” Angels are beings of the heavens, and Nephi’s reference would likely be to the hosts of heaven who are with God. (See1 Nephi, Part 1: Context, Chapter 1, “The Historical Setting of 1 Nephi.”) As beings from the presence of God, angels would speak God’s words. The Holy Ghost is a heavenly being and also speaks God’s words. Therefore, Nephi can now describe the inspiration of the Spirit as the “words of Christ (Yahweh).” The baptized member receives the Holy Ghost and, therefore, can “speak” through direct inspiration of the Holy Ghost. This connection to a person from the presence of God means that one may speak the words of angels (other beings from God’s presence), or the words of Christ himself (remembering that Christ is seen as Yahweh, the son of the Most High God). In other words, Nephi is encouraging his people to seek personal revelation to understand what they should do.
As modern Saints, we have scripture as a mode of receiving the words of Christ, not only to broaden, deepen, and unify our theological understandings, but also to raise questions and guide our thinking in directions that will lead to new inspiration and revelation. Nephi’s emphasis, for his people, who may not have been literate and who certainly did not have access to personal copies of the scriptures, is on the Spirit’s revelation of the Messiah. He and Jacob were both intimately familiar with this process and could testify about it.
Scripture: To modern Saints, the words of Christ are readily available through the printed scriptures and through the sermons of inspired leaders. In all of that, we must remember Nephi’s injunction to seek the “words of Christ” through the Spirit. We should be concerned to have our hearts right, not just our practices right. In this refinement of our souls, the Holy Spirit teaches us what to do. It teaches us to turn habits into principles. The practice of the Word of Wisdom may transcend a physical law and becomes one that polishes our spirit.