300 Lehi Prophesying to the People of Jerusalem

1 Nephi 1:420
Behold he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard. 1 Nephi 1:18

Many prophets told the people living in Jerusalem that they must repent or the city would be destroyed. The prophet Lehi lived in Jerusalem and was concerned about his people. He prayed for them with all his heart. (See 1 Nephi 1:45.)

As Lehi prayed, a pillar of fire appeared on a rock in front of him. He saw and heard many things that made him shake and tremble. Overcome by the Spirit, Lehi returned home and lay on his bed. Then Jesus Christ appeared to him in a vision. Jesus gave Lehi a book that told what would happen to the Jews if they did not repent. As Lehi read the book, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord. He learned that many people would be killed and others would be taken captive when Jerusalem was destroyed. He also read about many great and marvelous events that would happen. Lehi praised the Lord for the goodness and mercy He shows to those who repent. (See 1 Nephi 1:615.)

After this vision Lehi went among the people of Jerusalem to prophesy and declare what he had seen and heard. He told them of the Messiah, who would come to redeem the world. The people mocked Lehi as he told them of their wickedness and the things he had read in the book. They became angry and tried to kill Lehi, but the Lord protected him. (See 1 Nephi 1:1820.)

Summary

The prophet Lehi lived in Jerusalem about 600 years before the time of Christ. Many prophets were telling the people to repent or the city would be destroyed. Lehi received a vision in which he learned that many people would be killed or taken captive when Jerusalem was destroyed. Lehi prophesied to the people and told them about the things he had seen and heard, and he warned them about their wickedness. He also told them about the coming of a Messiah, or Savior. When the Jews heard these things, they were angry and tried to kill Lehi, but the Lord protected him.

Artist, Del Parson

© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA