1 NEPHI 13:26-28—PLAIN AND PRECIOUS
TRUTHS WOULD BE TAKEN FROM THE BIBLE
A careful reading of these verses teach
us what was lost first. The gospel—the basic principles of the gospel
was lost first: “they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb any parts
which are plain and most precious” (1 Nephi 13:26). And once a basic knowledge
of the Atonement of Christ and repentance was lost, what else consequently lost?
The plan of salvation.
Second, once knowledge of the plan of salvation
was lost, then “many covenants of the Lord” were lost (13:26). The covenantal
nature of baptism, the covenantal renewal in the sacrament, the covenant of
marriage and all other temple covenants were lost. With these covenants lost,
so too was the oath and covenant of the priesthood. It is not as if a few, small,
unimportant truths were lost. The very foundation of the gospel was taken away.
Third, with the foundation missing,
the remaining text and doctrine needed to be justified and explained. Because
of this, certain writings were seen as unnecessary or even as an embarrassment.
(John W. Welch, Inspiration and Insights from the Book of Mormon: A Come, Follow
Me Commentary [American Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications, Inc., 2023], 21)
