In
1 Nephi 13 Nephi records another part of his vision, including
the formation of the great and abominable church
, the discovery and colonization of the Americas
, the Apostasy and the loss of many plain and precious parts of the
Bible, and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the Restoration of the gospel.
Nephi saw the formation of the great and abominable church, whose founder is the devil, among the nations of the Gentiles. 1 Nephi 13:4–5 and 1 Nephi 13:6 “The titles church of the devil and great and abominable church are used to identify all churches or organizations of whatever name or nature—whether political, philosophical, educational, economic, social, fraternal, civic, or religious—which are designed to take men on a course that leads away from God and his laws and thus from salvation in the kingdom of God” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 137–38). As we can see, the great and abominable church is a symbol of apostasy in all its forms, but not any specific church. We can identify the “great and abominable church” by looking for certain characteristics, including it weakens faith, desires worldly riches and sins, and seeks the praise of the world. The great and spacious building from the vision of the tree of life corresponds with the great and abominable church 1 Nephi 13:5–9 with 1 Nephi 11:35–36. Although we can see the works of the great and abominable church in removing many plain and precious parts of the Bible, we can also see it working to destroy the Saints today. Some of these ways are even more insidious: pornography, intoxication substances, social engineering in public school textbooks, the destruction of the family, feminism, humanism, atheism, and so forth. The only way we can ensure that we are not deceived by people or organizations that lead people away from God and His laws is to know God and His laws.
Christopher Columbus along with other early explorers and settlers of the Americas were the gentiles who “went forth … upon the many waters” (1 Nephi 13:12–13). Because the Spirit of the Lord was upon them, these explorers and settlers were successful in their endeavors 1 Nephi 13:14–19. These early explorers and settlers prepared the way for the founding of the United States of America, since a place of religious freedom was needed to allow the Restoration of the gospel. Heavenly Father inspired the writing of the Constitution of the United States, allowing a friendly political climate for the Book of Mormon to be brought forth and the gospel to be restored Doctrine and Covenants 101:77–80.
The book Nephi saw the Gentiles carrying was the Bible 1 Nephi 13:20–23. I love the Bible and think it sad that the great and abominable church removed plain and precious parts from it to purposely cause God's children to stumble 1 Nephi 13:24–26 and 1 Nephi 13:27. It is sad, because this confusion allows Satan to have power over good people 1 Nephi 13:29. God loves His children and knew that Satan, the head of the great and abominable church, would attempt to destroy the word of God in the Bible. That is why he sent Lehi's family to the promised land in the new world. God ensured that His words, the lost plain and precious words, would be preserved to come forth in the latter days 1 Nephi 13:35–36. This record that was kept by Nephi’s descendents was not kept for Nephi's family but for the inhabitants of the earth in the latter-days.
The Nephite records, the Book of Mormon, witness to the truthfulness of the Bible, restore the lost plain and precious truths, clearly outline the gospel of Jesus, and witness that Jesus is the Christ 1 Nephi 13:40–41, Mormon 7:8–9, and D&C 20:8–12. Some doctrines that are found in the Bible and clarified in the Book of Mormon are the Atonement, resurrection, and baptism Alma 11:42–45, 3 Nephi 11:21–26 and Moroni 8:11–12.
As a very young girl of 7 or 8, I began reading the Bible and have read it many times since. With the addition of the Book of Mormon at my conversion at age 12, I began to understand the Bible more fully. This increased understanding strengthened my testimony of the Bible and my love for Jesus Christ. So many people in the world fear trials, death, and so forth. My testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Bible has caused me to hunger for more. As I feast upon the scriptures, I gain more knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and am strengthened. My fears grow less and less. Although I do my best to live a good life, to follow the advise of Prophets ancient and modern, keep my body/temple in the best repair possible, and find joy in living upon the earth, I don't fear death. I know Jesus, who is full of love, grace, and truth will be waiting to advocate for me. He will say to the Father, she has fought the good fight and is a good and faithful servant. I have felt glimpses of this love here on earth. I have seen glimpses of heaven, too. To bask in this love forever and dwell in that lovely place, is worth every effort, every meager sacrifice I make to keep His commandments, live His gospel, and develop a relationship with Him.
