An interesting literary turn of events occurs here. Nephi had been writing in the first person singular (“I”) and plural (“we”) up to this point. In this verse, however, he switches to third personal plural (“they”) in describing the celebration and sacrificial offerings at his father’s tent. Did he not participate in the thanksgiving ritual with his family? Or was this more of a ritual of repentance and atonement for his brothers and the family of Ishmael who had tried to kill him? Ultimately, we cannot repentant for another. We cannot change another's will or override their agency. We can teach and exhort, but each must "come to himself", as did the prodigal son. In the meantime, we pray, watch, and wait. Nephi had to let his brothers make their own burnt offerings. He could not do it for them.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
First Nephi 7:22
And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of our father. And after I and my brethren and all the house of Ishmael had come down unto the tent of my father, they did give thanks unto the Lord their God; and they did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto him.
An interesting literary turn of events occurs here. Nephi had been writing in the first person singular (“I”) and plural (“we”) up to this point. In this verse, however, he switches to third personal plural (“they”) in describing the celebration and sacrificial offerings at his father’s tent. Did he not participate in the thanksgiving ritual with his family? Or was this more of a ritual of repentance and atonement for his brothers and the family of Ishmael who had tried to kill him? Ultimately, we cannot repentant for another. We cannot change another's will or override their agency. We can teach and exhort, but each must "come to himself", as did the prodigal son. In the meantime, we pray, watch, and wait. Nephi had to let his brothers make their own burnt offerings. He could not do it for them.
An interesting literary turn of events occurs here. Nephi had been writing in the first person singular (“I”) and plural (“we”) up to this point. In this verse, however, he switches to third personal plural (“they”) in describing the celebration and sacrificial offerings at his father’s tent. Did he not participate in the thanksgiving ritual with his family? Or was this more of a ritual of repentance and atonement for his brothers and the family of Ishmael who had tried to kill him? Ultimately, we cannot repentant for another. We cannot change another's will or override their agency. We can teach and exhort, but each must "come to himself", as did the prodigal son. In the meantime, we pray, watch, and wait. Nephi had to let his brothers make their own burnt offerings. He could not do it for them.
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