The Sermon Out of the Ground

George Reynolds, Janne M. Sjodahl

Nephi, in these paragraphs, as in the following chapter, applies the prophecy of Isaiah 29 to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, giving us, probably, another illustration of the double application of a prophecy. (See notes on the prophetic language in the previous chapter). Also a hasty sketch of the history of his descendants in America—their dwindling in unbelief and their sufferings at the hands of gentiles, until they are brought down low into the dust (v. 15); yet, he says, their testimony will not be silenced; for the words of the righteous and the prayers of the faithful, on endurable records, will speak out of the ground. And although the voice will be weak, like a whisper from the grave, yet the Lord will give unto “him”—that is, unto the “righteous” (v. 15)—power to bring about a sudden change in the affairs of the children of men, by his testimony. (v. 16) The “book sealed up,” refers clearly to the Book of Mormon.

Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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