Building upon the rock -- Part 1

In yesterday's post, I argued that the rock symbolism in the Book of Mormon originates from the Old Testament and the culture that Lehi and Nephi brought with them. We looked at the rock in connection to salvation and living water. Another use of the rock symbolism in the Book of Mormon is the idea of a foundation on which to build. Many would say that this originates from the New Testament. At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus compares those who listen and obey with a man who built his house upon a rock. But we find this in the Book of Mormon before Christ and especially during Christ's visit to the Nephites (which I will get back to in part 2).

There is, however, one verse in the Old Testament that caught my attention. Isaiah 28:16

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

In 2 Nephi 26 and 27, Nephi is quoting and paraphrasing extensively from Isaiah 29 but also some from Isaiah 28. In 2 Nephi 28, Nephi is obviously still in Isaiah 28-29 mode as shown in the list below.

• 2 Nephi 28:9 - Paraphrasing Isaiah 29:15
• 2 Nephi 28:14 - Paraphrasing Isaiah 29:13
• 2 Nephi 28:16 - Paraphrasing Isaiah 29:21
• 2 Nephi 28:30 - Paraphrasing Isaiah 28:10

Then we read in 2 Nephi 28:28

And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.

The connection to Isaiah 28:16 is a bit vague since the wording is different. But since there are so many other connections to Isaiah 28-29 in this chapter, I'm pretty sure that Nephi has Isaiah 28:16 in mind when he talks about building upon the rock. At the same time Nephi includes the idea of a sandy foundation as opposed to building on the rock, an idea we later find in the Sermon on the Mount. Notice also how "the two ways" is showing up here too.

Then we read in Jacob 4:15-16

15 And now I, Jacob, am led on by the Spirit unto prophesying; for I perceive by the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that by the stumbling of the Jews they will reject the stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation.

16 But behold, according to the scriptures, this stone shall become the great, and the last, and the only sure foundation, upon which the Jews can build.

The question is, which scriptural passage is Jacob referring to? Isaiah 28:16 is definitely a candidate. Another one is Psalms 118:22

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

By mentioning "the builders" this idea of building on a rock also in the Old Testament somehow comes together. Still, I get the impression that Nephi and Jacob got some more information from the brass plates than we get from the Old Testament. The next time the Book of Mormon advises us to build on the rock is a well-known and beautiful verse in Helaman 12:5

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

More building on the rock in 3 Nephi to come in Part 2.