1 Nephi 10: 1 – 6
Lehi begins prophesying about the Jews. He tells of Jerusalem being destroyed – a thing which many considered to be impossible. These chosen people of the Lord had to be chastised when they got wicked. Any loving father chastens his children. Fathers do things that their children say “No fair, you can’t do that” to. Just like the father that He is, God also promises that the punishment will end when the lesson is learned.
Right after He warns of the impending punishment He follows with promises that supersede the problem at hand. Essentially that promise of a messiah is like a father promising that he has in mind and is working to make everything come for our good in the end. He can see our needs and he has set up a plan to meet those needs even when we can’t see them. All that is required of us is to cooperate. When we slip it is never too late to get back on track and begin working with him for our final salvation. He reminds us of all the other times we’ve been told and again explains hwo the plan works and why we need the plan that God has devised for our happiness and our salvation. The then begins to outline specifics of the plan.