A Millennial Preview Among the Nephites

Devout Christians around the world look forward to the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ because of the the peace and beauty described by Isaiah and John.  The people of Nephi experienced a golden time that had many of those same millennial qualities. 

 

After Jesus ascended into heaven, with a promise that he would return, many people were converted unto the Church of Jesus Christ.  Missionary work spread throughout the land of the Nephites and Lamanites until all were converted and peace ruled the land.  These are some of the characteristics of that time as described in the Book of 4th Nephi:

• no contentions and disputations among them
• every man did deal justly one with another
• they had all things common among them
• there were not rich and poor, bond and free,
• all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift
• peace in the land.
• great and marvelous works wrought by the disciples of Jesus, insomuch that they did
• heal the sick
• raise the dead
• cause the lame to walk, and the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear . . . in the name of Jesus.
• there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.
• there were no
• envyings, nor
• strifes, nor
• tumults, nor
• whoredoms, nor
• lyings, nor
• murders, nor
• any manner of lasciviousness;
• no robbers, nor
• murderers,
• neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but
• they were in one, the children of Christ, and
• heirs to the kingdom of God. (4 Nephi 1: 2-5, 7, 15-17)

The Lord prospered them in the lands and they were able to rebuild many of their cities that had burned at the time of the crucifixion.  Nephi writes that surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.

 

And now, behold, it came to pass that the people of Nephi did wax strong, and did multiply exceedingly fast, and became an exceedingly fair and delightsome people . . .And . . . there was no contention among all the people, in all the land; but there were mighty miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesus . . .  yea, even an hundred years had passed away, and the disciples of Jesus, whom he had chosen, had all gone to the paradise of God, save it were the three who should tarry; and there were other disciples ordained in their stead . . . And how blessed were they! For the Lord did bless them in all their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered until an hundred and ten years had passed away; and the first generation from Christ had passed away, and there was no contention in all the land (4 Nephi 1: 10, 13, 14, 18)

The Nephites lived this millennial-type existence for almost 200 years.  It was truly a Golden Age.  Tomorrow, I will discuss some of the archaeological evidence of this wonderful time in Mesoamerican history.

 

Text copyright January 2014, Gebara Education

Pictures:

Lamb and lion from www.lds-images.com

Millennial plateau from www.lamblion.com