1 Nephi 12 Nephi sees the future of his descendants and also those of his brothers. Some of the symbols in the vision of the tree of life, the mist of darkness, the great and spacious building, and the river of filthy water, foreshadowed the downfall of Nephi’s descendants.
Prior to the Savior's visit to the Americans, the Nephites, Nephi and Sam's descendants, and the Lamanites, Laman and Lemual's descendents, were constantly at war with each other. At the time of the crucifiction, terrible tempests and earthquakes changed the face of the land and destroyed its wicked inhabitants. Also the sun did not shine. 1 Nephi 12:1–6 These conditions mirror the conditions that will precede the Savior’s Second Coming Matthew 1:27–37. Following the Savior’s visit to the inhabitants of the Americans, the people had great faith and no contention for nearly 4 generations1 Nephi 12:11–12. This prophecy was fulfilled 4 Nephi 1:2–4. Righteousness and peace prevailed in the land because of the love of God, the true charity that filled the hearts of all (See 4 Nephi 1:15.)
Sadly, this utopian way of acting did not last. After nearly four generations of righteousness, the old jealousies between the brothers reared their ugly heads. The warring began again 1 Nephi 12:12–15. The Lord no longer protected the Nephites, because they were full of pride. In these battles, the descendants of Laman prevailed and destroyed the Nephites 1 Nephi 12:19–20.
That is the great lesson of this chapter. Pride and the temptations of the devil lead to
destruction, because they 'blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men, and leadeth them away into broad road.' 2400 years ago God inspired Nephi to write these things for our day. They were not meant for those of olden times but for us in these latter-days. When the hearts and affections of men wax cold, temptations of the adversary, pride, and vain imaginations puff men up. They are fooled into believing they don't need God anymore. That is the way of today. All over the earth, people fight against God. In political arenas, in schools, and in public places, the name and symbols of God are forbidden.
"But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward." Jeremiah 7:24
"The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." Psalm 10:4
So what will I do to guard against joining those in the pride and temptation arena? Can I hold to the iron rod, which is the word of God. Can I stay on the path, which leads to true joy and the love of God? Can I stand strong against worldly mocking and even dangerous political fights against God? Reading scriptures and praying to God, everyone on the earth can have Jesus in their lives to give them strength regardless of the obstacles.
