Question
Gramps,
“Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.”(2 Nephi 1:6) Does this mean all that enter this land legally and illegally are brought by God??
Bruce
Answer
Hi Bruce.
This passage has nothing to do with the modern day. Near the end of this post, I’ll give you some information on how immigration was handled among the Nephites. But for the meaning of this prophecy, read on.
We first need to read the context in which these words were spoken. It is too common for us to inject modern societal and political discourse into religious conviction. And when we consider the socio-political events of another century or millennium, it is even more irrelevant.
Politics and religion are two separate things. We believe in our God and our faith first. Then we can consider politics to help keep this a land of liberty where we can feel secure in our worship according to the dictates of our own conscience.
The conditions are outlined throughout the chapter. So, it is important to not take a single verse out of context. Read the whole chapter. Consider how Lehi knew the world at the time.
First, the land was not just the United States as we know it. It was the “Isles of the Sea” (2 Ne 10:20-21) as the Old Worlders knew it. The land was all of North and South America.
Two entire continents don’t seem like “islands” to us. But as those in the Old World knew it at the time of Nephi, there was the mega-continent (Asia, Africa, & Europe). And there was “everything else” which they called the Isles of the Sea.
Second, you quoted verse 6. But did you take a look at verse 8?
And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations; for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance. (2 Nephi 1:8)
So, as long as the secrets of this land were kept, the only ones brought here were those brought by the Lord. This was to allow the worship of the Lord to be established first before any other worship.
How long did that last? When was this land kept from the knowledge of other nations?
There were minor explorers here and there. However, the knowledge of the Americas was mostly kept secret until Columbus. Even then, it took time to become common knowledge. Once it was known, then (as the Lord indicated) the many nations overran the land. From that point onward, the restriction no longer applied. The people came not only by the Lord’s guiding hand, but all people started coming to this land.
It seems, then, that the prohibition of “there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord” stopped being applied as of some time during that era (as a biased guess, I’ll say until the British colonies were established or, perhaps Revolutionary War). It would be quite a stretch to believe it applied to this century regardless of the legal/illegal status of any individual, or whether we’re talking about the US or North/South America.
Third: We are still supposed to be stewards of the Promised Land. The Lord warned us that we would only be able to keep this land from those who would destroy the work of the Lord under certain conditions. This land of inheritance for the seed of Israel was only a “promised land” as long as we serve the Lord. As such, it will be a place of protection where we can live in liberty and peace. As we go after other gods, we will not be protected. In other words:
And he hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence. (2 Nephi 1:20)
Considering how often this last quote was repeated throughout the Book of Mormon, this injunction (regarding the promise of freedom being based on righteousness) has never been lifted.
We can see one instance of immigration and how it was treated among the Nephites.
14 And they gathered together all their people, yea, all the people of the Lord, and did gather together all their flocks and herds, and departed out of the land, and came into the wilderness which divided the land of Nephi from the land of Zarahemla, and came over near the borders of the land.
15 And it came to pass that Ammon said unto them: Behold, I and my brethren will go forth into the land of Zarahemla, and ye shall remain here until we return; and we will try the hearts of our brethren, whether they will that ye shall come into their land.
…
21 And it came to pass that the chief judge sent a proclamation throughout all the land, desiring the voice of the people concerning the admitting their brethren, who were the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi.
22 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came, saying: Behold, we will give up the land of Jershon, which is on the east by the sea, which joins the land Bountiful, which is on the south of the land Bountiful; and this land Jershon is the land which we will give unto our brethren for an inheritance. (Alma 27:14-15, 21-22)
Here we see a process:
- The immigrants were told to wait for the government’s/people’s permission.
- They were allowed to enter the borders of the nation (which could be considered citizenship)
- They settled in an area that was not in present use so it wouldn’t interfere with current Nephite settlements.
- NOTE:
- Only after the process of immigration (which included having an advocate speak as to their character and intentions) did they gain that permission.
- Only after obtaining permission did the Ammonites enter the borders of the nation.
Depending on the country of the world, this example consists of similar principles that modern governments consider regarding immigration. The details and application will vary from country-to-country, and culture to culture.
Modern Legal and Illegal Immigration
Many individuals perceive their migration experiences through the lens of spiritual calling or divine intervention. The belief that God orchestrates life events can influence decisions to move to new lands, including instances of illegal entry. For some, the United States represents a land of opportunity and freedom where they believe God is guiding them to seek better lives for themselves and their families. This sense of divine purpose can provide emotional and psychological support amid the challenges of unauthorized immigration.
The belief that unauthorized immigrants are led by divine forces raises important ethical and societal questions. On one hand, recognizing the spiritual motivations behind migration can foster empathy and a more compassionate approach to immigration policies. It challenges policymakers and communities to consider the human stories and faith-driven aspirations that contribute to illegal entry.
One of the tenets of our faith is: “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” That would also mean legally entering a country.
So does the Book of Mormon apply to modern-day immigrants? The answer would be no. But it does provide good insight and counsel to immigration issues even back in the days of the Book of Mormon.
However, faith communities, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often play a crucial role in supporting immigrants, regardless of their legal status. By providing spiritual guidance, emotional support, and practical assistance, these communities can help individuals navigate the challenges of migration. Encouraging a supportive environment aligns with the church’s teachings on love, compassion, and service to others.
Gramps
