Book of Mormon Haiku - 2nd Nephi 15

Vineyard overrun

Good and evil upside down

His hand stretch'd out still

2 Nephi 15 - The Lord's vineyard (Israel) shall become desolate and his people shall be scattered—Woes shall come upon them in their apostate and scattered state—The Lord shall lift an ensign and gather Israel—Compare Isaiah 5. About 559–545 B.C.

We forego the rich blessings and protection of the Lord when we blindly pursue our interests and fail to recognize His tender mercies. A blinded world is called to look to the Lord's ensign. Who will hoist it?

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2nd Nephi 14

Sanctification

Cloud by day and flame by night

Refuge from the storm

2 Nephi 14 - Zion and her daughters shall be redeemed and cleansed in the millennial day—Compare Isaiah 4. About 559–545 B.C.

In Zion, every dwelling place will be a tabernacle of refuge where the protection and comfort of the Spirit abides day and night. "Home can be a heaven on earth..."

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2nd Nephi 13

Tongues against the Lord

Destruction and dispersion

Zion desolate

2 Nephi 13 - Judah and Jerusalem shall be punished for their disobedience—The Lord pleads for and judges his people—The daughters of Zion are cursed and tormented for their worldliness—Compare Isaiah 3. About 559–545 B.C.

To Lehi's family, this chapter was not abstract or distant. The elder brothers didn't realize it, but the family really had only two choices: 1) leave fallen Jerusalem and travel under the direction of the Liahona, or 2) leave fallen Jerusalem under the whip of the oppressor.

As Brother Davis of the Brimhall ward put it, "Keeping the commandments is not always easy. But life is always easier when we keep the commandments."

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2 Nephi 12

Lord's house exalted

Spears beat into pruning hooks

The haughty made low

2 Nephi 12 - Isaiah sees the Latter-day temple, gathering of Israel, and millennial judgment and peace—The proud and wicked shall be brought low at the Second Coming—Compare Isaiah 2. About 559–545 B.C

Moses learned that "man is nothing." Each of us must come to that same realization - early or late the cedar of Lebanon will know its place. Zion's homes and temples are the best places to learn this supernal truth.

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2nd Nephi 11

Three eye witnesses

Lift up your hearts and rejoice

Words of Isaiah

2 Nephi 11 -
Jacob saw his Redeemer—The law of Moses typifies Christ and proves he shall come. About 559–545 B.C.

Nephi, who saw the Lord, found in the words of Isaiah a beautiful expression in human language of the inexpressable power of the message of grace and love and joy that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Great are the words of Isaiah. Do you get it?

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2nd Nephi 10

Destroy'd and dispers'd

Great gathering from all lands

Sav'd by grace of God

2 Nephi 10 - Jews shall crucify their God—They shall be scattered until they begin to believe in him—America shall be a land of liberty where no king shall rule—Be reconciled to God and gain salvation through his grace. About 559–545 B.C.

Our bodies, like the tribes of Israel, shall be destroyed and dispersed in the flesh. But there will be a great gathering. By the grace of the Almighty God of Jacob the lost will be redeemed from death and from eternal death and every knee shall bend and the great family of God will be presented before His pleasing bar!

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2nd Nephi 9

Subject in the flesh

An infinite atonement

Delight in fatness

2 Nephi 9 - Jews shall be gathered in all their lands of promise—Atonement ransoms man from the fall—The bodies of the dead shall come forth from the grave, and their spirits from hell and from paradise—They shall be judged—Atonement saves from death, hell, the devil, and endless torment—The righteous to be saved in the kingdom of God—Penalties for sins set forth—The Holy One of Israel is the keeper of the gate. About 559–545 B.C.

This chapter has always been a favorite of mine. Trying to fathom the need, realization, and impact of an infinite atonement is a life-long effort and joy. Jacob points out that one result is that we can spend our monies, time, and energy enjoying the highest and best of what life has to offer; those things that bring a fulness of joy. (This entire chapter is commentary on Isaiah's exultant "put on thy beautiful garments.")

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2nd Nephi 8

Look unto the Rock

The Lord shall comfort Zion

Beautiful garments!

2 Nephi 8 - In the last days, the Lord shall comfort Zion and gather Israel—The redeemed shall come to Zion amid great joy—Compare Isaiah 51 and 52:1–2. About 559–545 B.C.

In days of darkness and trouble, Isaiah looked to the mighty Lord of Hosts and rejoiced with joy and gladness and the voice of melody. Temples dot the land!

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2 Nephi 7

Is my hand shorten'd?

Come, let us stand together

Morning by morning

2 Nephi 7 - Isaiah speaks Messianically; Messiah shall have the tongue of the learned; He shall give his back to the smiters; He shall not be confounded - Compare Isaiah 50.

In our blindness and pain, we sometimes wonder where God has gone. But He has not departed from us; we have sold ourselves for our iniquity (yes, the etymology is what you think it is). Morning by morning we can exercise our power of agency to return and stand with the Mighty God of Jacob.

Eyes Cast Down

Here is my newest song. He really is always there!

EyesCastDown.mp3

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2 Nephi 6

The Almighty God

The Mighty One of Jacob

Scourg'd and crucified

2 Nephi 6: Jacob recounts Jewish history: Their Babylonian captivity and return; the ministry and crucifixion of the Holy One of Israel; the help received from the gentiles; and their Latter-day restoration when they believe in the Messiah. About 559–545 B.C.

The Creator of Heaven and of Earth did suffer and descend below all things in order to set himself to redeem all who will exercise faith, repent and come unto him. Truly, He is mighty to save.

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2 Nephi 5

Keep the commandments

A temple like Solomon's

Way of happiness

2 Nephi 5 - The Nephites separate themselves from the Lamanites, keep the law of Moses, and build a temple; Because of their unbelief, the Lamanites are cursed, receive a skin of blackness, and become a scourge unto the Nephites.

A place of refuge and revelation in their midst; a sweet love, born of faith and obedience in their hearts; verily the way of happiness.

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2 Nephi 4

Broken and Contrite

Pondering continually

The low valley path

2 Nephi 4 - Lehi counsels and blesses his posterity; He dies and is buried; Nephi glories in the goodness of God to him; Nephi puts his trust in the Lord forever.

I have always loved the high road, the high seat, the high praise and the high pay. Nephi's prayer and great desire was to walk in the path of the low valley.  I think I may have something to learn about humility and the path to the highest kingdom.

Book of Mormon Haiku - 2 Nephi 3

Sorrow, affliction

Promises grown together

A choice seer rais'd up

2 Nephi 3 - Joseph in Egypt saw the Nephites in vision—He prophesied of Joseph Smith, the Latter-day seer; of Moses, who would deliver Israel; and of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. About 588–570 B.C.

Out of the wilderness of sorrow and affliction comes the promise of covenants made and honored, leading to the great restoration (through the seer from Joseph's line) that will grow until falsehood is confounded and peace is established.