1 Nephi 10

Messiah

Messiah — the Anointed One

Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world. 1 Nephi 10:4

Lehi foretells the exact time the Messiah would come: six hundred years after he left Jerusalem. He also calls Him a prophet raised up among the Jews and explains that 'Messiah' means the Savior of the world.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in 1 Nephi 19:8 — Nephi repeats the six-hundred-year timing for the coming of the Lord.
• fulfilled by 3 Nephi 1:1 — Six hundred years have passed when the sign of His birth is about to be given.
• alludes to Deuteronomy 18:15 — Moses foretold a Prophet the Lord God would raise up.

Savior

Savior — the one who rescues and delivers

Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world. 1 Nephi 10:4

Lehi gives the Messiah the title Savior of the world, meaning His saving work reaches every person, not only the Jews.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in 1 Nephi 13:40 — The angel declares the Lamb of God to be the Savior of the world.
• the same title in John 4:42 — The Samaritans confess Jesus as the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Redeemer

Redeemer — the one who buys back and frees

And he also spake concerning the prophets, how great a number had testified of these things, concerning this Messiah, of whom he had spoken, or this Redeemer of the world. 1 Nephi 10:5

Lehi teaches that a great number of prophets testified of the Messiah, whom he calls the Redeemer of the world. Every true prophet points to Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• the same title in Jacob 7:11 — Jacob says none of the prophets have written or prophesied save they have spoken concerning this Christ.
• the same title in Acts 10:43 — Peter: to Him give all the prophets witness.

Faith in Christ

Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer. 1 Nephi 10:6

Because of the Fall, everyone is lost unless they rely on the Redeemer. Lehi teaches that there is no other way out of our fallen state than trusting in Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 2 Nephi 31:19 — Nephi teaches relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
• alludes to 2 Nephi 2:8 — No flesh can dwell in the presence of God save through the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.

Forerunner prepares His way

And he spake also concerning a prophet who should come before the Messiah, to prepare the way of the Lord— 1 Nephi 10:7–8

Lehi foretells John the Baptist, who would prepare the way for the Messiah. 'The Lord' whose way is prepared and the mightier 'one among you' are both Jesus Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 40:3 — The voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the LORD.
• fulfilled by John 1:23 — John the Baptist identifies himself as that voice.
• fulfilled by John 1:26-27 — John says there standeth one among you whom ye know not, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
• fulfilled by 1 Nephi 11:27 — Nephi sees the prophet who prepares the way before the Redeemer.

Baptism of Christ

And my father said he should baptize in Bethabara, beyond Jordan; and he also said he should baptize with water; even that he should baptize the Messiah with water. 1 Nephi 10:9

Lehi even names the place where John would baptize, and foretells that John would baptize the Messiah Himself.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by John 1:28 — These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
• fulfilled by Matthew 3:13-17 — Jesus comes from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized of John.
• the same event in 2 Nephi 31:5-8 — Nephi explains why the Lamb of God, being holy, was baptized.

Lamb of God

Lamb of God — the sacrificial Lamb God provides

And after he had baptized the Messiah with water, he should behold and bear record that he had baptized the Lamb of God, who should take away the sins of the world. 1 Nephi 10:10

John would testify that the man he baptized is the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice takes away the sins of the world, just as the lambs of the law of Moses pointed to Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by John 1:29 — John: Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
• the same title in 1 Nephi 11:21 — The angel shows Nephi the child and says, Behold the Lamb of God.

Death of the Messiah

And it came to pass after my father had spoken these words he spake unto my brethren concerning the gospel which should be preached among the Jews, and also concerning the dwindling of the Jews in unbelief. And after they had slain the Messiah, who should come, and after he had been slain he should rise from the dead, and should make himself manifest, by the Holy Ghost, unto the Gentiles. 1 Nephi 10:11

Lehi prophesies that the Jews would reject and kill the Messiah.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in 1 Nephi 11:33 — Nephi sees Him lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world.
• the same event in 2 Nephi 10:3 — Jacob foretells that the Jews would crucify Christ.

Resurrection

And it came to pass after my father had spoken these words he spake unto my brethren concerning the gospel which should be preached among the Jews, and also concerning the dwindling of the Jews in unbelief. And after they had slain the Messiah, who should come, and after he had been slain he should rise from the dead, and should make himself manifest, by the Holy Ghost, unto the Gentiles. 1 Nephi 10:11

Lehi foretells that the slain Messiah would rise from the dead, and that He would make Himself known to the Gentiles through the Holy Ghost rather than in person.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in 2 Nephi 2:8 — The Holy Messiah lays down His life and takes it again, being the first that should rise.
• fulfilled by 3 Nephi 15:23 — Jesus says the Gentiles would not see Him but would be converted through the Holy Ghost.

Messiah

Messiah — the Anointed One

And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fulness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the olive tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer. 1 Nephi 10:14

The gathering of scattered Israel is described as coming to know the true Messiah, their Lord and Redeemer. Being 'grafted in' to the olive tree means coming back to Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in 1 Nephi 15:14 — Nephi explains that the remnant shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer.
• alludes to Jacob 5:3 — Zenos's allegory compares the house of Israel to a tame olive tree.

Son of God

Son of God — the literal Son of the Father

And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men. 1 Nephi 10:17

Nephi explains that his father received the Holy Ghost through faith in the Son of God, and he states plainly that the Son of God is the Messiah who was to come. He also speaks of the time He 'should manifest himself unto the children of men.'

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in 1 Nephi 11:6 — The Spirit blesses Nephi because he believes in the Son of the most high God.
• alludes to Moroni 10:4 — Asking in faith in Christ brings a witness by the power of the Holy Ghost.

The same yesterday, today, and forever

For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him. 1 Nephi 10:18

Continuing from the Son of God in verse 17, Nephi teaches that He never changes, and that His way of salvation was prepared from before the world was made for all who repent and come unto Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
• alludes to Mosiah 18:13 — Christ prepared from the foundation of the world.
• alludes to Moroni 10:19 — Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.