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2 NEPHI
CHAPTER SUMMARIES

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 1 & 2

Chapter 1

Under Construction

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI CHAPTERS
1 & 2

Chapter 1

In a large family gathering, Lehi spoke about four main ideas.

The Lord blessed Lehi and his company by helping them escape Jerusalem before it was destroyed.

Lehi had a vision showing Jerusalem was destroyed. Had they remained in Jerusalem, they would have perished.

History confirms Lehi’s vision. Babylon broke a three-year siege in Jerusalem and killed many. Numerous survivors were taken as slaves to Babylon.

Only those the Lord chooses may come to the Land of Promise.

Before Lehi’s company arrived, the Lord had already led the Jaredites (“Ether,” The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ,) to the Land of Promise; they ended their “civilization” by annihilating each other.

He also led a group we call “Mulekites” to the Land of Promise. (“Mosiah,” Ibid). There may have been others, but no one came to the land and settled—unless the Lord brought them.

During Book of Mormon times, no one, other than those the Lord led to the American continents, knew that the land existed. Centuries later other settlers would be allowed to know about the precious land.

“The land is consecrated so if they serve Him according to His commandments, it shall be a land of liberty and they shall never be brought down into captivity--only if they are iniquitous—then the land will be cursed; but to the righteous it shall be blessed forever.”

All groups brought to the Promised Land were under a sacred covenant. There are consequences for both those who do keep the covenant and those who do not.

The future of Lehi’s descendants would be based on their choices.

Lehi was promised that as long as his descendants obeyed the Lord’s commandments, the land would be theirs—and no one would molest them or drive them out. But then he saw in vision the future of his descendants. He saw them completely forgetting the Lord, Jesus Christ, and His teachings—and he saw what would happen to them because of other groups who would be led to the Promised Land.

Lehi did not have long to live, but he was close to the Lord and continued receiving visions—such as the destruction of Jerusalem. He prayed to the Lord and the Lord made promises to him and showed him some things that would happen in the future.

Often something happens that then causes something else to happen. This is cause and effect. The land of Lehi’s descendants was eventually taken over by settlers from other lands.

Lehi, hoping to avert the calamities, reminded his family members of their many blessings.

They had knowledge of the creation of the Earth [from the Brass Plates and from their own prophets].
They had knowledge of the marvelous works of the Lord [from the Brass Plates, from their own prophets, and also from their own experiences!]. Christ had actually appeared to them!
They had Power [Priesthood Power] given them to do all things by faith.
They had the commandments from the beginning.
They had been brought to the Promised Land.

In verse 10, 11, and 12, Lehi told his family what would happen if, having these special blessings, his descendants nonetheless chose to reject Jesus Christ.

The Lord always warns people to repent when they are wicked. As the people living in the Promised Land became evil and bloodthirsty, He sent “great visitations among them,” giving them every possible chance to change their wicked life-styles.

Lehi called his children to repentance.

Notice in verses 13 & 14 how Lehi used vivid metaphors. (You may want to check the Vocabulary Tips section to clarify these.)

Lehi personally had seen the Lord in all His glory, and the Lord had promised Lehi that he would be redeemed. But in spite of this great and glorious blessing, part of Lehi’s soul was in agony—knowing what would happen to his descendants. He wanted his family with him on the Lord’s side. He called out to them to repent!

Reminding his family that the Lord will prosper those who keep His commandments, and He will cut off from His Presence those who choose to not keep His commandments, Lehi used strong figurative comparisons (See verse 23 and Vocabulary Tips), attempting to stir his children to repentance.

Lehi told the rest of his sons—in no uncertain terms—they were to not rebel against Nephi. He shot down false arguments that Nephi tried to gain power and authority over them. He explained that Nephi only spoke sharply to them about their iniquities when filled with the Spirit of the Lord. It was the Spirit of God warning them to set their behaviors in order. Nephi was God’s mouthpiece.

Lehi admonished Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and the sons of Ishmael to listen to Nephi. If they listened to Nephi, they would receive Lehi’s first blessing along with Nephi—but if they did not, the first blessing would rest entirely on Nephi.

Zoram was acknowledged for being such a good friend to Nephi. He was told that his descendants would be blessed with Nephi’s descendants.

Chapter 2

Lehi administered his last blessings to his family. Close to God, he had seen visions and received revelation. Words are symbols of thoughts. Lehi’s words came to him from the Holy Spirit.

We can apply lessons from blessings Lehi gave his children and grandchildren to our lives. The Lord inspired Nephi to include these blessings on the Small Plates.

The Holy Ghost, a perfect Member of the Godhead, is Minister of the Godhead. He carries decisions of the Godhead, the Supreme Council, into effect. The Holy Ghost witnesses that Salvation is offered to everyone through the Savior, Jesus Christ. This holy message does not change. “…for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and Salvation is free” (verse 4).

Laman and Lemuel gave Lehi trouble at least from the time they first left Jerusalem. In the middle of this sorrow over their rebellious sons, the Lord blessed Lehi and Sariah with two sons, Jacob and Joseph. They were righteous spirits and remained righteous as mortals. Lehi and Sariah also had daughters, but we are not told whether the daughters were born before or after Lehi’s family left Jerusalem.

Jacob, the first son born in the wilderness, was a spiritual giant and he always stood by Nephi in righteousness. He suffered because of the “rudeness” of his older brothers, Laman and Lemuel, but he was also blessed. While he was still a child he saw Jesus Christ!

In his blessing to Jacob, Lehi explained points of the Plan of Salvation, stressing that Jesus Christ is central to the Plan—and we can do our part through the wonderful gift of agency:

The law is given so mankind knows good from evil.
We have agency to make choices.
We break the law when we sin, which cuts us off from God.
The Holy Messiah offered Himself as a Sacrifice for our sins.
Only through the grace of the Holy Messiah are we able to get back to the Presence of God.
Jesus Christ is the “first fruits unto God.” [He was the first born in the Spirit World; He is the heir of all things; He is filled with the brightness of our Heavenly Father’s glory—from Him emanates the great Light of Christ; He operates all things in perfect faith; He was the first to be resurrected, making it possible for all of us to be resurrected, and, if we follow His commandments, to get back to God our Father. “It pleased the Father,” said Paul,“that in Him [Jesus Christ] should all fullness dwell" (Colossians 1:19).

Without opposition in all things there would be no choice, so there would be no:
- Wickedness or holiness
- Good or bad
- Happiness or misery
- Sin or righteousness
- Corruption or incorruption
- Purpose in the end of creation
- God
- Earth
But there is opposition in all things!

Lehi bore his sure testimony: “…for there is a God, and He hath created all things, both the Heavens and the Earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon" (verse 14).

When Lucifer presented his plan for power, he struck at individual agency. For the power and glory he sought, he was willing to turn us all into robots in subject to him with no choice or any passions or emotions of our own.

This devil’s nefarious scheme was rejected. Yet he would not accept “no” for an answer. He gathered an army of others who also wanted power at the expense of the rest of us and of God. He fought against God—and he with his followers were eventually cast out of Heaven. Becoming miserable, it is his aim to continue to recruit converts to his cause and make everyone else miserable

(verses 17 & 18).

Lehi told his family the devil tempted our first parents to partake of the forbidden fruit. After they made the choice to eat the fruit, Adam and Eve were sent forth from the Garden of Eden to become parents to the human race.

In the Garden—although it was easy to live there—there was no misery, and there was also no joy. Adam and Eve could not choose to do good; they did not know the difference between good and evil. After they ate the fruit which changed their physical make-up, they brought mortality into the world.

Satan tried to throw obstacles at Heavenly Father’s Plan,but actually facilitated the Plan. Had Adam and Eve not chosen to leave the Garden, mankind would not have been born—and Adam and Eve could not have progressed beyond the Garden toward their own Eternal rewards. However, when they were sent forth from the Garden of Eden, they had corrupted bodies and would eventually die. They also had no way of returning back to God without a Redeemer.

God gave Adam and Eve and all people knowledge that the Messiah would be born to Sacrifice Himself for their sins that they might at last return to God. He also “prolonged” the days that men could live on Earth to give them a chance to repent.

Lehi spoke not only to Jacob but to all his family, saying they had the opportunity to choose. His two older sons had already made several bad choices. Purposely, as well as by example, they were teaching their posterity to make bad choices. Lehi now fervently exhorted all of them to make the right choices—liberty and Eternal Life through Christ rather than captivity and death through the devil.

The Holy Ghost appeals to our spirits; the devil appeals to the flesh. By subjecting our bodies to our spirits, rather than giving our bodies control of our spirits, we can choose Eternal Life instead of Satan’s captivity.

Lehi used many parallelisms (Notice verses 28 & 29.) He had “fought the good fight” in mortality and wanted his posterity to also have Eternal Life.

Lehi explained basic points of the Plan of Salvation:

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

God advocates for our agency.
Jesus Christ became a willing Sacrifice to atone for our sins—if we repent.
Jesus Christ shows the way [through His commandments and example] to Eternal Life instead of eternal death.
Jesus Christ will judge according to Truth and Holiness that is in Him.
The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus Christ.

Individual Agency

Existence depends on it.
Satan tried to destroy it.
Adam and Eve employed it to begin the human race.

Satan’s Evil Designs

Satan tried to destroy God’s Plan, including our agency.
Satan was cast out for rebellion and is miserable.
Satan aims to make everyone as miserable as he is.
Satan tries to destroy us as individuals.
Satan aims to be in control of our souls.

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 3 & 4

Chapter 3

Nephi’s youngest brother, Joseph was born in the wilderness when Lehi and Sariah were under severe mental anguish because of Laman and Lemuel.

Lehi: “In the wilderness of my afflictions; yea, in the days of my greatest sorrow did thy mother bear thee.” (verse 1). Having at least two strong spirit children born during this hard time helped compensate for Lehi and Sariah’s bitter disappointment in Laman and Lemuel.

Lehi discovered from the Brass Plates that he was a descendant of Joseph of Egypt, son of Jacob (Israel). Great admiration for this ancestor prompted Lehi and Sariah to name their young son “Joseph.”

As Lehi blessed Joseph, he referred to great visions written by this earlier prophet, Joseph of Egypt. Joseph of Egypt had actually seen Lehi’s day in vision. Verse 5 uses figurative language describing this vision:

Fruit of his loins means descendants

Rise up means cause to be born

Righteous branch unto the House of Israel means a group of Israelites.

Not the Messiah means Jesus would not be born to them.

Broken off means leave the main body of Israelites.

Messiah would be manifest unto them in the latter days means Jesus would be made known to them.

In the Spirit of Power means by the Power of God after He restores His Priesthood Power to Earth in the latter days.

God also gave Joseph of Egypt a revelation of a seer who would come forth in the latter days. This seer would be a great blessing to Joseph of Egypt’s descendants.

Think how this seer (Joseph Smith) felt as he translated The Book of Mormon. Joseph of Egypt saw Joseph Smith, prophet, seer, and revelator of the Restoration. “For Joseph (of Egypt) truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins” (verse 6).

Joseph Smith would not only do a great work for Joseph of Egypt’s descendants, he would actually be a descendant of Joseph of Egypt. God told Joseph of Egypt: “a choice seer will I raise up out of thy loins” (verse 7). Joseph of Egypt prophesied about 2,370 years before Joseph Smith was born. Meanwhile, in the Spirit World, Joseph Smith, one of Jehovah’s trusted leaders, was preparing for his mission on Earth as Prophet of the Restoration.

Joseph Smith’s great work was bringing The Book of Mormon, with the Gospel’s fullness, to descendants of Joseph of Egypt—including the Lamanites in the latter days.

Joseph of Egypt wrote on the Brass Plates that the Lord would raise up Moses and then later would raise up another prophet—who would bring forth holy writings to the Salvation of many.

The Lord (to Joseph of Egypt): But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give Power to bring forth my word [from The Book of Mormon] unto the seed of thy loins—and not the bringing forth my word only, but of the convincing them of my word, [from the Bible] which shall have already gone forth among them (verse 11).

Joseph of Egypt then revealed a glimpse of the mission of Joseph Smith:

He will only do the work of the Lord (verse 8).

He will be great in the eyes of the Lord (verse 8).

He shall be great like Moses will be great (verse 9).

He will bring forth the Lord’s word to Joseph of Egypt’s descendants (verse 11).

The new scripture will convince them of the Lord’s word (verse 11).

Children of Judah will write the Bible and together with The Book of Mormon it will (verse 12): confound false doctrines; lay down contentions;

establish peace among Joseph of Egypt’s descendants (the Lamanites); bring Joseph of Egypt’s descendants (the Lamanites) to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days; bring Joseph of Egypt’s descendant to a knowledge of the Lord’s covenants.

Out of weakness he [Joseph Smith] will be made strong (verse 13).

They who seek to destroy Joseph Smith will be confounded (verse 14).

His name [Joseph Smith] will be after me [Joseph of Egypt] (verse 15).

He will also be named after his father (verse 15).

The Lord will give him a spokesman to declare the word (verse 17).

Think of all the wonderful Lamanites and many other remnants of the literal House of Israel throughout the world—and those being adopted into the House of Israel—who now have The Book of Mormon and are convinced of the Lord’s word from The Book of Mormon and from the Bible.

The Lord (to Joseph of Egypt): I will raise up unto the fruit of thy loins; and I will make for him a spokesman [Oliver Cowdery]. And I, behold, I will give unto him that he shall write the writing of the fruit of thy loins [be a scribe to Joseph Smith], unto the fruit of thy loins [Lamanites]; and the spokesman of the fruit of thy loins shall declare it [Oliver would be a witness and missionary.].

And the words which he shall write [The Book of Mormon] shall be the words which are expedient in my wisdom [The things Joseph translated and Oliver wrote were necessary for Lamanites to hear—both the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the fact that they were of the House of Israel.] should go forth unto the fruit of thy loins [Lamanites]. And it shall be as if the fruit of thy loins [original writers of The Book of Mormon]had cried unto them from the dust; for I know their faith. [The messages of all Book of Mormon prophets, which had been buried in the “dust,” or hidden in the Earth, for centuries, would come forth, showing all the faith these prophets had when they wrote the words.] (verses 18 & 19)

Prophets in early Book of Mormon history prayed that souls born after them would read their words and come unto Christ; they exercised great faith in behalf of people in the latter days. Although hundreds of years would pass by the time The Book of Mormon would be brought forth, their words, written with the weakness of mankind, would be made strong by the Power of the Lord (verses 20 & 21).

Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration, was ordained to bring forth this mighty work. Like the earlier prophets, he exercised great faith and was blessed to “work mighty wonders” in bringing forth “much restoration unto the House of Israel” (verse 24).

What wonderful role models for young Joseph, Lehi’s son: a great prophet who lived centuries before him—and a great prophet who would live centuries in the future!

Lehi, knowing he would soon die and leave his young son, told him to listen to Nephi, and then he would be blessed. From the little we know of Joseph, he followed his father’s advice and emulated this brother.

Chapter 4

Nephi was impressed by the Joseph of Egypt’s prophecies. “And the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater” (verse 2). These prophecies, lost from the present day Bible, concerned Lehi’s generation—and generations who would live long after Lehi died. Nephi included glimpses of these prophecies on the Small Plates.

After Lehi finished speaking of Joseph’s prophecies, he called Laman’s children to him. Lehi had spent many years trying to save Laman from Satan’s clutches. He knew that because of Laman’s wickedness, his descendants would think his lies were truth and also grow up in wickedness; their descendants would be Lehi’s descendants also.

He said that the wickedness of his sons’ descendants would be their parents’ responsibility. He also reminded the whole group the Lord’s promise and warning: “Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my Presence.”

Verses 4-6 are examples of parents’ responsibilities to teach their children righteously. The children and the children’s children would have individual agency, but because their parents were their major influences, offending parents would be held responsible. The descendants would be taught false traditions, so they would be excused to the point that as a people, they would not ultimately be destroyed.

Lehi left the same blessing with Lemuel’s and Ishmael’s sons children (verses 6-10).

Lehi blessed Sam with Nephi—to inherit the land (verse 11). Sam had always supported this younger brother.

We do not know how long after the blessings that Lehi died. This chapter was written many years after Lehi’s death and Nephi summarized a great personal loss as well as a loss for the whole colony.

The Spirit of the Lord insisted Nephi continue admonishing the people to be worthy of their blessings. This only made Laman and Lemuel and Ishmael’s sons angry.

His thoughts toward the Lord and also admonitions he gives himself formulates a picture of this amazing servant of God. Becoming perfect did not come automatically, even for Nephi! Nephi reflected on what he really did love:

My soul delights in the scriptures, and my heart ponders them, and I write them for the learning and the profit of my children (verse 15).

My soul delights in the things of the Lord; and my heart ponders continually upon the things which I have seen and heard (verse 16).

Nephi acknowledged his weaknesses coming from the natural rather than spiritual side of himself:

Nevertheless…O wretched man that I am!

Yea, my heart sorrows because of my flesh.

My soul grieves because of mine iniquities (verse 17).

I am encompassed about because of the temptations and the sins which do beset me (verse 18).

When I desire to rejoice, my heart groans because of my sins.

Even when he gave in to temptations, Nephi testified of God and all the things God had done for him throughout his life:

Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted (verse 19).

My God hath been my support.

He hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness.

He hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep (verse 20).

He hath filled me with His love, even unto the consuming of my flesh [During Nephi’s overpowering visions, when he strongly felt the Lord’s love, his body became weakened.] (verse 21).

He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me (verse 22).

He hath heard my cry by day. He hath given me knowledge by visions in the nighttime (verse 23).

Angels came down and ministered unto me (verse 24).

Upon the wings of His Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceeding high mountains.

And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man (verse 25). [Nephi had to have his “spiritual” eyes opened by the Lord in order to behold the great things that the Lord’s Minister—the Holy Ghost—and the Lord’s angel showed him.]

Nephi was unhappy with himself when he felt sorry for himself or was angry:

Why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of my afflictions (verse 26)?

Why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Why should I give way to temptation, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul (verse 27)?

Why am I angry because of mine enemy (verse 27)?

Stephen Covey (The Divine Center, pp. 38-41) suggested Nephi had been allowing his wicked brothers, Laman and Lemuel, to set his agenda and intrude on his own thoughts and desires. Because he was so centered on these sinful men, for a time he began to lose his “Power base,” or his “joy in the Lord.” But he determined to become God-centered again.

Filling himself with resolve, Nephi asked God to help him overcome the great enemies—Satan and sin:

Do not anger again because of mine enemies (verse 29).

Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions (verse 29).

Lord, I will praise Thee forever (verse 30).

Yea, my soul will rejoice in Thee, my God, and the Rock of my Salvation (verse 30).

Lord, wilt Thou redeem my soul (verse 31)?

Only Jesus Christ, through His infinite and Eternal Atonement, has the Power to take upon Himself the burden of our pains, sins, and weaknesses. Nephi asked, that through His Atonement, the Lord take away his (Nephi’s) weaknesses.

Wilt Thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin (verse 31)? [Nephi wanted to shake off wicked influences he could feel at the appearance of sins he found within himself as well as shaking because of someone else’s sins. To overcome Satan’s influence, Nephi realized he must be humble before the Lord.]

May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite!

Lord, wilt Thou not [meaning, “please do not”] shut the gates of Thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road (from verse 32)!

Lord, wilt Thou encircle me around in the robe of Thy Righteousness (verse 33). [Righteousness can mean, “commandments of God.” When we keep them we are surrounded by His holy atmosphere or the Light of Christ. It can also mean, “Salvation” (2 Nephi 8:6 & 8).].

Wilt Thou not [or please do not] place a stumbling block in my way—but that Thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy (verse 33).

Nephi determined to put his trust and faith in God and to continually pray to Him:

Lord, I have trusted in Thee (verse 34).

And I will trust in Thee forever (verse 34).

I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh (verse 34).

I know that God will give liberally to him that asks (verse 35).

Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss (verse 35).

I will lift up my voice to Thee (verse 35).

Yea, I will cry unto Thee, my God, the Rock of my righteousness (verse 35).

Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto Thee [I will always pray], my Rock and mine Everlasting God (verse 35).

Amen (verse 35).

We are all told, “live your life to the fullest”; I am here to do just that. Second Witness serves as a vessel to project my passions, and clue in my loyal readers as to what inspires me in this crazy world. So, sit back, relax, and read on.

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2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Welcome

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 3 & 4

Chapter 3

Nephi’s youngest brother, Joseph was born in the wilderness when Lehi and Sariah were under severe mental anguish because of Laman and Lemuel.

Lehi discovered from the Brass Plates that he was a descendant of Joseph of Egypt, son of Jacob (Israel). Great admiration for this ancestor

prompted Lehi and Sariah to name their young son “Joseph.”

As Lehi blessed Joseph, he referred to great visions written by this earlier prophet, Joseph of Egypt. Joseph of Egypt had actually seen Lehi’s day in vision. Verse 5 uses figurative language

describing this vision:

Fruit of his loins means descendants
Rise up means cause to be born
Righteous branch unto the House of Israel means a group of Israelites.
Not the Messiah means Jesus would not be born to them.
Broken off means leave the main body of Israelites.
Messiah would be manifest unto them in the latter days means Jesus would be made known to them.
In the Spirit of Power means By the Power of God after He restores His Priesthood Power to Earth in the latter days.

God also gave Joseph of Egypt a revelation of a seer who would come forth in the latter days. This seer would be a great blessing to Joseph of Egypt’s descendants.

Think how this seer (Joseph Smith) felt as he translated The Book of Mormon. Joseph of Egypt saw Joseph Smith, prophet, seer, and revelator of the Restoration. “For Joseph (of Egypt)) truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer

unto the fruit of my loins” (verse 6).

Joseph Smith’s great work was bringing The Book of Mormon, with the Gospel’s fullness, to descendants of Joseph of Egypt—including the Lamanites in the latter days.

Joseph of Egypt wrote on the Brass Plates that the Lord would raise up Moses and then later would raise up another prophet—who would bring forth holy writings to the Salvation of many.

The Lord (to Joseph of Egypt): But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins;

and unto him will I give Power to bring forth my word [from The Book of Mormon] unto the seed of thy loins—and not the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but of the convincing them of my word, [from the Bible] which shall have already gone forth among them (verse 11).

Joseph of Egypt then revealed a glimpse of the mission of Joseph Smith:

He will only do the work of the Lord (verse 8).
He will be great in the eyes of the Lord (verse 8).
He shall be great like Moses will be great (verse 9).
He will bring forth the Lord’s word to Joseph of Egypt’s descendants (verse 11).
The new scripture will convince them of the Lord’s word (verse 11).
Children of Judah will write the Bible and together with The Book of Mormon it will
(verse 12):
- confound false doctrines
- lay down contentions
- establish peace among Joseph of Egypt’s descendants (the Lamanites)
- bring Joseph of Egypt’s descendants (the Lamanites) to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days
- bring Joseph of Egypt’s descendants to a knowledge of the Lord’s covenants

Out of weakness he [Joseph Smith] will be made strong (verse 13).
They who seek to destroy Joseph Smith will be confounded (verse 14).

His name [Joseph Smith] will be after me [Joseph of Egypt] (verse 15).
He will also be named after his father (verse 15).
The Lord will give him a spokesman to declare the word (verse 17).

[Oliver would be a witness

and missionary.].

by the Power of the Lord (verses 20 & 21).

What wonderful role models for young Joseph, Lehi’s son: a great prophet who lived centuries before him—and a great prophet who would live centuries in the future!

Lehi, knowing he would soon die and leave his young son, told him to listen to Nephi, and then he would be blessed. From the little we know of Joseph,

he followed his father’s advice and emulated this brother.

Chapter 4

Nephi included glimpses of these prophecies on the Small Plates.

After Lehi finished speaking of Joseph’s prophecies, he called Laman’s children to him. Lehi had spent many years trying to save Laman from Satan’s clutches.

Lehi knew that because of Laman’s wickedness, his descendants would think his lies were truth and also grow up in wickedness; their descendants would be Lehi’s descendants also.

Lehi blessed Sam with Nephi—to inherit the land (verse 11).

Sam had always supported this younger brother.

We do not know how long after the blessings that Lehi died. This chapter was written many years after Lehi’s death and Nephi summarized a great personal loss

as well as a loss for the whole colony.

The Spirit of the Lord insisted Nephi continue admonishing the people to be worthy of their blessings. This only made Laman and Lemuel and Ishmael’s sons angry.

The next part of Chapter 4 is very personal. Nephi wrote it for us to read, but it was so much part of what was in his heart, it reminds us that Nephi, although a great prophet who visited with God, struggled as we do dealing with Earthly afflictions. His thoughts toward the Lord and also admonitions he gives himself formulates a picture of this amazing servant of God. Becoming perfect did not come automatically, even for Nephi!

Nephi reflected on what he really did love:

My soul delights in the scriptures, and my heart ponders them, and I write them for the learning and the profit of my children (verse 15).

My soul delights in the things of the Lord; and my heart ponders continually upon the things which I have seen and heard (verse 16).

Nephi acknowledged his weaknesses coming from the natural rather than spiritual side of himself:

Nevertheless…O wretched man that I am!

Yea, my heart sorrows because of my flesh.

My soul grieves because of mine iniquities (verse 17).

I am encompassed about because of the temptations and the sins
which do beset me (verse 18).

When I desire to rejoice, my heart groans because of my sins.

Even when he gave in to temptations, Nephi testified of God and all the things God had done for him throughout his life:

Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted (verse 19).

My God hath been my support.

He hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness.

He hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep (verse 20).

He hath filled me with His love, even unto the consuming of my flesh [During Nephi’s overpowering visions, when he strongly felt the Lord’s love, his body became weakened.] (verse 21).

He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me (verse 22).

He hath heard my cry by day (verse 23).

He hath given me knowledge by visions in the nighttime (verse 23).

Angels came down and ministered unto me (verse 24).

Upon the wings of His Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceeding high mountains.

And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man (verse 25). [Nephi had to have his “spiritual” eyes opened by the Lord in order to behold the great things that the Lord’s Minister—the Holy Ghost—and the Lord’s angel showed him.]

Nephi was unhappy with himself when he felt sorry for himself or was angry:

Why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of my afflictions (verse 26)?

Why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Why should I give way to temptation, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul (verse 27)?

Why am I angry because of mine enemy (verse 27)?

Filling himself with resolve, Nephi asked God to help him overcome the great enemies—

Satan and sin:

Do not anger again because of mine enemies (verse 29).

Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions (verse 29).

Lord, I will praise Thee forever (verse 30).

Yea, my soul will rejoice in Thee, my God, and the Rock of my Salvation (verse 30).

Lord, wilt Thou redeem my soul (verse 31)?

Wilt Thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin (verse 31)? [Nephi wanted to shake off wicked influences he could feel at the appearance of sins he found within himself as well as shaking because of someone else’s sins. To overcome Satan’s influence, Nephi realized he must be humble before the Lord.]

May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite!

Lord, wilt Thou not [meaning, “please do not”] shut the gates of Thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road (from verse 32)!

Lord, wilt Thou encircle me around in the robe of Thy Righteousness (verse 33). [Righteousness can mean, “commandments of God.” When we keep them we are surrounded by His holy atmosphere or the Light of Christ. It can also mean, “Salvation” (2 Nephi 8:6 & 8).].

Wilt Thou not [or please do not] place a stumbling block in my way—but that Thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy (verse 33).

Nephi determined to put his trust and faith in God and to continually pray to Him:

Lord, I have trusted in Thee (verse 34).

And I will trust in Thee forever (verse 34).

I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh (verse 34).

I know that God will give liberally to him that asks (verse 35).

Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss (verse 35).

I will lift up my voice to Thee (verse 35).

Yea, I will cry unto Thee, my God, the Rock of my righteousness (verse 35).

Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto Thee [I will always pray], my Rock and mine Everlasting God (verse 35).

Amen (verse 35).

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI 5 & 6

Chapter 5

It was not Nephi’s idea to tell others what to do. The Holy Spirit constrained him to keep warning his older brothers. If they didn’t change, the Lamanite future would be terrible and blood-stained until the final days. God extended opportunity after opportunity for the progenitors to repent and save themselves and their descendants temporally and spiritually.

Nephi was the Lord’s prophet. The principal task of a prophet is to testify of Jesus Christ, and to give people-at-risk every chance to repent. Unfortunately, prophets’ Earthly rewards are sometimes hate and persecution.

Nephews break-away point came when Laman and Lemuel, still using the worn-out argument that Nephi was trying to rule over them, decided again to murder him. This decision nailed shut the prospects of their own immediate children and relatives who chose to listen to them—and the future of their descendants. The Lord warned Nephi to leave.

Many family members had believed Lehi and also believed that Nephi was God’s prophet. They chose to go with him. In addition to Nephi, Sam, and Zoram’s immediate families, Jacob and Joseph, at least two of Nephi and Sam’s sisters, and believers of some members of his rebellious brothers’ families and some members of families of the sons of Ishmael went with Nephi. Perhaps these righteous people had already formed a church group. We are not told. Nephi also took the Plates of Brass, the Liahona,

and the sword of Laban as a prototype to make swords to defend his colony.

The Lord somehow made it possible for those who did not believe Nephi to remain in ignorance of the move until his group left, or at least they were unable to restrain them from going.

The Lord led the group to a place in which to settle, and they called it “Nephi,” and called themselves “The People of Nephi.” They loved and trusted this chosen relative who was also a prophet of God. They built a new nation, keeping the judgments, statutes, and commandments of God according to the Law of Moses. Nephi, following God’s directions, taught them many things.

Nephi’s people were blessed with prosperity. They certainly learned that blessings came to those who worked in harmony with the Lord. Nephi taught them to work hard, “…We did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance. And we began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind...” and they were rewarded (verses 10 & 11).

But they were not only an agricultural society. Many of them became expert builders and craftsmen. The Lord once taught Nephi to build a great ocean-going ship. He undoubtedly taught Nephi a variety of skills during that occurrence and many other experiences. Nephi now taught more than survival skills to his people. He taught them how to build a civilization.

They built buildings.
They worked with wood, iron, copper, brass, steel, gold, silver and precious ores.
Wherever they settle, God’s people build beautiful places of worship. The crowning glory in Nephi’s land was the temple they built to the Lord, after the prototype of Solomon’s temple.

Nephi brings us up to about forty years after Lehi and his family left Jerusalem. As he wrote, many prophesies had been fulfilled.

A branch of Israel was broken off.
A Promised Land was discovered.
Nephi had become a teacher and ruler over his brothers [until they were about to take his life].
The two oldest brothers were cut off from the Presence of the Lord because they refused to obey His commandments.

Nephi wrote other prophesies concerning the Lamanite people that were now fulfilled. “The Lord God did cause a sin of blackness to come upon them.” A darkening of skin was merely an outward symbol of the Lamanite curse. Because the skin was not actually “black,” it is likely that the “blackness” Nephi noted included more than a physical pigment or color.

Another indication that the cursing went beyond change of skin color is the type of people the Lamanites became: idle, full of mischief and subtlety, and seeking prey in the wilderness.

The Lord told Nephi that the Lamanites would be a scourge to his people. Read verse 25 to see why the Lord knew the people of Nephi would need a “scourge.”

To help his people remain righteous, Nephi consecrated Jacob and Joseph as priests and teachers to lead and teach them.

It is good to know that in spite of the wars, contentions, and other troubles the people of Nephi had with the Lamanites, Nephite lives were generally “after the manner of happiness (verse 27).” Living righteously proved profitable!

Thirty years after the time Lehi’s family left Jerusalem, the Lord commanded Nephi to make the Small Plates

We read for different purposes. Sometimes reading entertains or relaxes us, sometimes it informs us, sometimes it persuades us, and sometimes it inspires us. Although the two groups of Plates on which Nephi wrote covered the same time period, the focus was different.

And I engraved that which is pleasing unto God.

And if my people are pleased with the things of God

they will be pleased with mine engravings

which are upon these Plates.

And if my people desire to know the more particular part—

of the history of my people—

they must search mine other Plates.

(verses 33 & 34)

Chapter 6

One of Jacob’s great sermons is recorded in Chapter 6. In Jacob’s introduction, we get an indication that the people regarded his brother, Nephi, as a king or protector. The little nation had prospered and grown since separating from the Lamanites.

More concerned for his people’s Eternal welfare than their temporal welfare, Nephi took the lead in both aspects. Jacob was also a natural leader. Jacob saw the Savior while he was still a child; he had been ordained to the holy Priesthood

and had been teaching and preaching for many years.

Jacob taught the people Lehi’s prophesies as well as scriptures from the Brass Plates. These scriptures were the lifeline to language and literacy as well as being their spiritual foundation.

Most important were the words of God spoken through the holy prophets, testifying of Jesus Christ. Nephi loved Isaiah’s words, and he particularly asked Jacob to speak from the teachings of Isaiah at this gathering.

Except for the oldest generation, Jerusalem was only somewhere the people heard and read about from their parents and grandparents; Jacob began his sermon by reminding the Nephites that they were part of the House of Israel. Isaiah’s teachings should be “likened” to them.

As Jacob talked about what was happening to the Jews who had remained in Jerusalem and the future of the Israelite people from the present until the final Gathering of Israel, he determined to present the scriptures as immediate and personal to this branch of Israel. (It may be helpful to review the meanings of parallelisms and figurative language from the Vocabulary Tips section,

(1 Nephi 22.)

As Jacob cited the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 49:22, 23), he gave an overview of the past and future. Isaiah prophesied the Jews would be captured [By Jacob’s time, this prophesy was fulfilled.], and then some of them would return to Jerusalem. There they would eventually reject the Lord. For many generations, they would be both scattered and smitten. Finally, Christ’s Church would be restored through Gentiles, and the Israelites would be gathered at the Last Day.

In subsequent chapters, Jacob uses Isaiah’s teachings to detail further the scattering and gathering of Israel, the Plan of Salvation, and the relationship of our Savior

to the House of Israel in the great Plan.

Jacob had seen a vision; an angel had explained to him: (verses 8-11)

The people of Jerusalem had been slain or taken captive.
But some would return.
When they returned, the Lord would eventually be born within their midst.
He would show Himself to them as the Son of God.
Then they would crucify Him.
They would reject Him and lose His holy protection.
Then they would be smitten and afflicted.
They would be driven “to and fro.”
But they would not all perish because of the prayers of the faithful.
When they finally come to the knowledge of their Redeemer, they would be completely gathered again.

Jacob explained some of the events of the gathering when the Lord comes a second time: (verses 12-18)

The Gentiles who do not join the devil’s organization will be blessed.
They that fight against Zion and the covenant people will end up “licking their feet”—a metaphor meaning, “they will be defeated by the righteous.”
The Messiah will come a second time to recover His people.
This time He will be covered in great glory.
He will not destroy any who believe in Him.
They who fight against Him will be destroyed:

By fire
By tempest
By earthquakes
By bloodsheds
By pestilence
By famine

The captive (both spiritual and temporal) will be delivered from the mighty. (The “mighty” will be weak compared to the Lord’s Power.)
The prey of the terrible shall be delivered. (The “terrible” will also fall before the Power of the Lord.)

But thus saith the Lord:

Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for the Mighty God shall deliver His covenant people. For thus saith the Lord: I will contend with them that contendeth with thee…(verse 17)

The wicked will end up “eating each other’s flesh and drinking each other’s blood”—or, in other words—will destroy each other in their violence.

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 7 & 8

Chapter 7

There is a strong tendency among some people to blame others for their own inadequacies. Isaiah (compare to Isaiah 50), said that Israel wondered why the Lord “deserted them.” The truth was, they had deserted the Lord.

The “marriage” metaphor, symbolizes Christ as the Bridegroom and Israel as the bride. It was Israelite law to give the wife a bill of divorcement if there was a divorce. But the Lord did not divorce Israel. “She” was untrue to Him.

In ancient Israel, a creditor had the right to sell a debtor’s children into slavery if the debtor did not pay his debt. Isaiah metaphorically said that the Lord did not sell the Children of Israel. They sold themselves with their iniquity. From the Lord’s vantage point, Isaiah wrote these scathing truths to the Israelites (verse 1).

Isaiah often wrote with multi-layered meanings—referring to more than one situation at a time and speaking both temporally and spiritually.

Speaking in the Lord’s vantage point—when He came to them, they did not receive Him. Did they think He had no Power? He reminded them He dried up the sea and can do more. He created the sea and Earth and all things in and on them. All elements of Earth obey the Voice of their Creator.

What the Lord did temporally in ancient Israel, He again would do temporally in the last days. In the last days spiritually, revelation would have dried up—because the world, populated with those of hardened hearts,

would not have accepted it.

Verse 3 suggests spiritual darkness on Earth for a long time because people would not listen to revelation through the Holy Ghost. The mention of sackcloth is perhaps because God mourns because the people are wicked and do not receive revelation when it is offered.

The great God Jehovah is Jesus Christ who volunteered to come to Earth in obedience to the calling of His and our Heavenly Father. At times, Isaiah takes Christ’s vantage point as Christ speaks of Himself as Servant of the Lord—even though He is also Lord. The “servant” in the verses also refers to all faithful servants of God—teaching us to follow Christ’s example—

as we all “stand together.”

Verses 4 through 9 are called the “servant song.” Christ “marked the path and led the way and every point defined,” (from “How Great the Wisdom and the Love,” by Eliza R. Snow) as He teaches us how the Lord blesses His servants.

In verses 4 & 5, it is clear that the servant must listen to God in order to know what to say. Sometimes in the scriptures the “learned” are condemned because they reject the teachings of God and are “learned” in a very narrow sense of the word. In verses 4 & 5, the servant is glad that the Lord God has given him “the tongue of the learned.” He teaches him to speak eloquently and wisely. The Lord gave him the blessing to hear and understand the truth.

Persecutions of which Isaiah wrote were very similar to those the Lord suffered. Prophets and other servants of God have often suffered persecution from the wicked, but no one has ever come close

to the infinite agony the Savior experienced.

The metaphor, “Light,” represents the Lord and His Truth. Light representing Truth, has been used for thousands of years. However, “Light” is more than a metaphor. The Light of Christ is a powerful force emanating from Christ and dispersed throughout the universe. In verses 8 through 11, Isaiah wrote that those who walk in the light of their own fires will lie down—die—in sorrow because they will not have followed the Lord.

The servant made clear that he was doing the Lord’s will and that the Lord will help him and justify what he says and does. Jesus as “servant” has always done Heavenly Father’s will. Other servants do Christ’s will and Heavenly Father’s will—which is the same.

God’s servant calls for people to choose—to stand with God or choose to be His adversary. There is a consequence to the choices we make. If people walk in their own light—instead of the Lord’s Light, they will “lie down in sorrow,” or die with no hope of Eternal Life. Conversely, “… [those] who walketh in darkness and hath no light” are those who are humble and accept the Lord’s Light rather than relying on their own (verse 10).

Isaiah used powerful figurative language as he described those who are caught up in their own wisdom—or kindle their own sparks—meaning those who will not follow the Light of the Lord; instead they are following the pathway to hell

(verse 11).

Chapter 8

Isaiah (compare with Isaiah, Chapter 51), used many effective literary elements. He used comparison/contrast with power! He also used figurative language and parallelisms, different points-of-view and vantage points. Much of what he wrote had multi-layered meanings. Recognizing these literary elements helps readers understand the great messages he delivered.

From the Lord’s vantage point, Isaiah called on Israelites to remember their heritage. They look to Abraham as their first patriarch “father,” and to Sarah as their first “mother” under the covenant (verses 1 & 2).

The righteous will experience great happiness at the final gathering (verse 3).

The Lord: Hearken unto Me, my people; and give ear unto Me, O my nation; for a law shall proceed from Me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a Light for the people. (verse 4)

“My people” and “my nation” are multi-layered meaning terms. They refer to the literal Children of Israel and to anyone who comes unto the Lord. We are judged by whatever law is given to us. The law given us is a message from God; it tells us how to return to Him. It is called a Light because:

It guides us.
It is steady and consistent.
It comes from Jesus Christ from which all Light emanates.

Isaiah foresaw the coming forth of the Gospel in its fullness in the latter-days (verse 5). He continued, using the Lord’s vantage point.

The vanishing of the Heavens and Earth and our own bodies in their corrupt form will be to our good—because the Lord will make it possible for the Heaven, the Earth, and us, if we are righteous, to live in a glorified state forever. As solid as Earth seems—and as immovable as the Heavens seem, in the last days they will pass away to become Celestialized (verse 6).

The Lord calls to all who want to be one with Him, saying to not be concerned about what “men” think—but to remember that God’s promise of Salvation is what will last forever.

The Lord: Hearken unto Me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law, fear not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool. But my Righteousness shall be forever and my Salvation from generation to generation (verses 7 & 8).

The Lord’s vantage point is used in the verses 7 & 8 then changes in verses 9 & 10 to represent Israel’s vantage point with the people calling to the Lord. Verse 11 represents their promised Redemption. This could come from the Lord or from His prophet, Isaiah. The people appeal to the Lord to “awaken” and be with them on a daily basis as with the generation of Israelites

who were delivered from Egypt.

They say the Lord “cut Rahab.” D. W. Parry et. al., pp.453-454 write “ ‘Rahab’ has several possible interpretations: Egypt, Satan, primordial chaos, or that Children of Israel understand God has Power over even His mightiest enemies…” They recognize the Lord “wounded the ‘dragon’ ”—which is a metaphor for Lucifer.

Israel’s appeal to the Lord and the prophecy of their Redemption is expressed in parallelisms as well as figurative language in verses 9,10, & 11.

Verses 12 & 13 are definitely from the Lord’s vantage point. He answers the Israelite nation. He reminds the people that He is the Lord who comforts [or ultimately takes care of] them. But they are concerned about Earthly enemies who will just die [whereas the Lord is Eternal], and then will be buried [like grass] and they do not think about Eternal blessings. Notice that “son of man” is in lower case letters and denotes mortals. It does not refer to Son of Man, another name for the Savior, the Only Begotten Son of the Man of Holiness, Heavenly Father.

The Lord points out how absurd to be afraid (continually—every day) of the fury of their oppressors, yet forget the Power of God who made people, the Heavens, and Earth, and all things in them. The captive Israelites waited to be freed for centuries, but they were more worried about Earthly “bread” than Eternal Life.”

The Lord did not desert Israel.

He said (verses 15 & 16), “I am the Lord thy God, whose waves roared…”

It was the Power of the Lord that caused the waves to “roar”
and covered the pursuing Egyptian army with the sea.
It was the Lord who told the prophets what to say.
It was the Lord who continually blessed
and protected the Children of Israel.

Conversely, Israel [as a nation] deserted and rejected their Lord. The Children of Israel who accept the Lord—either literal descendants or those covered by the Abrahamic covenant by righteousness—are always His people and

will forever be Zion (God’s people).

The Lord prophesied of the last days when Israel will recognize Him—and He delivers them from their enemies. Isaiah’s writings are multi-layered. The Lord will deliver the Children of Israel (in its narrow meaning and in its broad meaning) from Satan and from their Earthly enemies who are part of Satan’s army (verses15 & 16).

Although the nation called for the Lord to awaken (verse 9), He has never been asleep. In the last days, the Lord will call for the nation [which will have been asleep during centuries of wandering in spiritual and often Earthly darkness] to awaken (verse 17).

Since Israel rejected the Lord, none of her sons (literal descendants of Israel until the Restoration of the Gospel) could help her. They will have long since apostatized and lost the Priesthood Power they once had.

After the Jews have gathered and experienced a time of “desolation and destruction” by “famine and the sword,” the Lord will raise up two prophets to act in great Power in their behalf.

The prophets will be with them for over three years, preaching in terrifying Power.

John the Revelator wrote about these two great men—who will be both witnesses and prophets (Rev: 11:3-2).

John used two metaphors to represent the prophets: (1) olive trees (These may represent stalwartness—because olive trees can last thousands of years giving fruit; as the trees bear fruit, so will faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and righteous courage bear symbolic fruit); (2) candlesticks (because they will preach God’s Light and word to Israel and the world).

The messengers of God will be so great that “fire will come out of their mouth(s) to devour their enemies.” This figurative fire will be the same Power of the Holy Ghost which, when barely tapped by Nephi, shocked Laman and Lemuel—and could have withered them (1 Nephi 17:48 & 52-54). It is easily powerful enough to kill any enemies who will try to hurt the prophets.

The prophets will have a mission to perform, and the Lord will give them Power over the elements of Earth while they perform it.

Satan will throw all his forces against these righteous men, and when their testimony is finished, the Lord will allow Satan’s followers to kill them. Their dead bodies will lie in the street three and a half days;

Satan’s wicked hosts from all nations will not let them be buried (Rev. 11:7-9).

Satan and his followers will think they have won the great battle against the powerful prophets. They will rejoice and get drunk, in unholy revelry, sending congratulatory presents of to each other because of their supposed success.

Then the wicked will get a resounding shock and surprise when the two prophets come again to life! God will send a cloud in which they will ascend to Heaven while the wicked tremble as they watch (Rev. 11:11-12).

John tells of a great earthquake (Rev. 11:13) that will break forth and destroy a tenth of the city of Jerusalem. Even though seven thousand men will die, the rest will give glory to God.

By right of His atoning Sacrifice, Christ will plead their cause to Heavenly Father and claim Israel. As a people—they will have suffered for thousands of years; He will at last protect them from their enemies. Those who fight Israel will be vanquished (verses 21,22 & 23). As the Children of Israel return to Him, they will have to suffer no more. The ones who will suffer are Satan and his followers whose design is to destroy God’s Plan and His people.

In ancient days, it was the custom for a conquered people to lie down in the street—and the conquerors would walk over their bodies (verses 24 & 25). Satan, with his lust for power,

has attempted to walk over the souls of the people of God.

The Lord will call on Zion and Jerusalem—. “O captive daughter of Zion,” to arise from the dust of sin and put on “thy beautiful garments.” This metaphor represents the Gospel with all Priesthood Powers and covenants.

“Uncircumcised and unclean” are reminders of broken covenants. In multi-layered meaning, they represent sinful people. With Isaiah’s warning, God called for His people to loose the bands [of sin] from their necks.

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 9 & 10

Chapter 9

Jacob painted a general picture of the Earth’s existence and its people—from the beginning—to the final Gathering of Israel.

We often think of the Americas and of the land of Jerusalem as “the Lands of Promise”—and so they are. But in Jacob’s phrase (verse 2), “…in all their Lands of Promise,” assuming these two areas are the only Lands of Promise is far too narrow a conjecture. The Earth was created by God and it all will eventually be Celestialized; the whole Earth will someday be “a Land of Promise.”

Jacob said they should rejoice because future generations would be blessed. He knew the necessity of the “hearts of the fathers being turned to the heart(s) of the children” (Malachi 4:6; Luke 1:7; D&C 110:15).

Jacob was a very spiritual man; as a youth he had seen the Savior (2 Nephi 2:4).

After reading from Isaiah, Jacob spoke of the consequences of sin. The Lord had blessed the people with prosperity. They had built homes and farms and great buildings. They had been taught—and likely excelled—in the crafts.

Possibly because of their prosperity, the Nephites were forgetting the Lord. Maybe the new generation was too complacent. Nephi and Jacob knew they were slipping into sinful habits and needed to be reminded of the true purpose in life.

After reading Isaiah’s words, Jacob spoke from his own heart. “Flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God (verse 4).” Jacob reminded them of:

The “fall” of Adam and Eve
The necessity of an infinite Atonement
The miracle of Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection that saved mankind from temporal death of the grave and can save those who so choose from spiritual death—which is hell, or a separation from God
How the lives we choose to live will have consequences at the judgment of the Holy One of Israel

The “Fall” of Adam and Eve

The fall of Adam and Eve greatly changed human physiology—bodies were no longer incorruptible. But had Adam and Eve not transgressed that law and been sent forth from the Garden of Eden, none of us would be here! There would have been no Eternal progress.

The Necessity of an Infinite Atonement

It was prophesied the Lord would be born in the land of Jerusalem by Israelite heritage, His chosen people having the first opportunity to receive or reject Him.

So that our bodies and spirits could reunite after death, an infinite Sacrifice was needed, with only a God capable of making it. Because our Lord, Savior, and God, Jesus Christ, made this infinite Sacrifice, every mortal who was ever born or ever will be born will be resurrected.

Christ’s infinite Atonement included Him taking upon Himself all pains and sins that had ever or could ever exist. Then in unimaginable agony, suffering punishment for all sins, He paid the absolute price owed for our transgressions. Christ paid the penalty of the fall for everyone. But to take advantage of His willing infinite Atonement, we must repent of our sins and follow Him. This is our great opportunity to return to the Presence of our God.

Jacob interjected praise of thanksgiving to God; he told the fate of our spirits without the Resurrection—the fate of death and hell. Jesus Christ’s Power to complete the infinite Atonement and Resurrection took unconditional precedence over powers of death and hell.

The devil is the father of lies. He transforms himself almost into an angel of light. He stirs up people to combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness. Had there been no Resurrection this devil would have power over us. Our spirits would be “like unto him” and we would have had to spend the Eternities with him.

The miracle of Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection saved us

from temporal death of the grave

and can save us from spiritual death.

Our God and Savior, Jehovah (Jesus Christ), stayed true to His commitment to our Father in Heaven and to us. He subjected Himself to deepest agony and humility to buy our souls. Every born soul will be resurrected because of Christ’s Sacrifice.

“…the purposes of God, as they ever have been and ever shall be, are infinitely superior to the deepest designs of men or devils; and the Satanic machinations to make death inevitable, perpetual and supreme were provided against even before the first man had been created in the flesh.

“The Atonement…wrought by Jesus the Christ was ordained to overcome death and to provide a means of ransom from the power of Satan.”

(Talmage, Jesus the Christ p. 15)

The first Resurrection began when Jesus was resurrected. It will continue through the thousand year period when He reigns on Earth in its paradisiacal state. It includes righteous people who lived and will live from the time of Adam and Eve until and during the Millennium era. The righteous living during the Millennium will be resurrected—changed from mortality to immortality—in a “twinkling of an eye;” this is still part of the first Resurrection.

How the Lives We Choose to Live Will Have Consequences

at the Judgment of the Holy One of Israel

Spirits of the righteous are in Paradise, but spirits and bodies will be joined together and the souls (the whole person) will know in perfect clarity the way they lived their lives. After we die we will either be feeling guilty because of our sins or we will have joy because we strived to follow the laws and commandments of our Lord (verses 13 & 14).

Our Lord allowed Himself to be subject to men when He was on Earth. But Eternally, He only can give infallible judgment on what we ourselves choose.

When we die, our nature does not change. The Lord suffered for the sins of those who have the law and repent of their sins and for those who do not have the law. Those who can repent, yet choose not to will need to suffer for their own sins; for many it will take the whole Millennium.

The wicked will at last be resurrected. This will be the second Resurrection. The Lord has allowed the Resurrection of all who have been and who will yet be born into a body. The glory of individual Resurrections depends on one’s own choice.

Those who chose to be on Lucifer’s side and went with him as he fell from the Presence of God will have no part in the Resurrection because they have no bodies to reunite with their spirits.

Jacob praised God for His justice, His mercy, and His holiness.

Justice of God

Everything God says will happen—will happen. He assures us that the righteous will be rewarded “their joy will be full forever” (verse 18). What a powerful promise—to inherit the Kingdom of God and have full joy forever! Things could not be better than that!

Mercy of God

When we believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him, He delivers us from punishments of both temporal and spiritual death and the agony we would otherwise have to suffer for our own sins.

Holiness of God

Jacob explained God knows everything. Although He knew the terrible pain and torment He would suffer, He still chose to come into the world to save all those who would hearken to Him (verse 20).

The Lord, Jehovah (Jesus Christ) was a God even before He created this Earth. But because of His love He for His Father (who is also our Father), and the love He has for us, His spirit siblings, and the love He has for righteousness, He suffered His infinite Atonement—the most bitter of all cups. And because of His atoning Sacrifice, we will stand before Him—rather than be subjected to Satan—at the Day of Judgment.

Those who are not given the law do not have the same opportunity to obey as those who know what they are supposed to do. Everyone sins, yet some do not know about repentance, so the Lord covers the demands of justice for their sins with His Atonement. He also claims little children who die before the age of accountability as His own.

This Earth-life is a time of probation.

The Nephites had opportunity to study the scriptures, but Jacob strongly cautioned against getting caught up in one’s own learning. Satan appeals to people’s egos (verse 28), convincing the susceptible that they are wiser than God. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God (verse 29).

Education is not the problem. God expects us to learn and study. Consider the following counsel from President Brigham Young (JD 3:202-3 and JD 9167) concerning education:

“The object of this existence is to learn, which we can only do a little at a time…

We are only just approaching the shores of the vast ocean of information that pertains to this physical world, to say nothing of that which pertains to the Heavens, to angels, and Celestial beings, to the place of their habitation, to the manner of their life, and their progress to still higher degrees of perfection…

The extent of knowledge, incorporated within the Salvation extended to the children of men, will vastly exceed the researches of the human family, and when they have passed the veil, they will then understand that they have just commenced to learn…

We might ask, when shall we cease to learn? I will give you my opinion about it; never, never.”

Just as education—good when used righteously—can also be used as tools of the devil, so can prosperity. Prosperity itself is not wrong. God often rewards people with prosperity. But it is to be used for the good of mankind—not to distinguish among classes of people! After all, everything belongs to God!

Jacob listed problems creeping into the Nephite society.

Jacob: (verses 30-38), Wo to the:

Rich—if they despise the poor, persecute the meek, and have their treasure as their god,

Deaf who will not hear,
Blind that will not see,
Uncircumcised of heart,
Liars,
Murderers,
Those who commit whoredoms,
Those who worship idols,
Those who die in their sins.”

Choosing Satan rather than Christ is often choosing appetites of the body over the finer feelings of the spirit. The Lord God is the only Keeper to the gate of Heaven.

Jacob: …words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken (verse 40).

When people think of the “straight and narrow” way to Heaven, they often think of something confining. Rather than confining, following the “straight and narrow” is liberating. It opens up infinite possibilities of opportunities. Instead of crooked and devious paths and detours that will mislead us into quagmires of despair and misery, the straight and narrow course is straightforward and consistent; it has no hostile surprises! All of us can realize the folly of deviating from that course.

Jacob zeroed in on those conceited or puffed up, because of their “…learning, their wisdom, and their riches (verse 42).” These unfortunate individuals of all ages and eras are ridiculous—with sight so narrow it only focuses on this world. They want to be “big frogs in little ponds” when Eternity is the other consideration. Not only that, but they are “bully-frogs”—looking down their noses at those they consider their inferiors—who have not attained their supposed stature.

Imagine the things we all must learn to progress Eternally. Things we already know are miniscule compared with what we need to learn. Emphasizing this need for humility, Jacob assured everyone that Christ will gladly open the gate to those who admit where they are and seek to learn from Him—to come unto Him, figuratively “knocking at the gates of Eternal Life” (verses 42 & 43).

Jacob went through an ancient Israelite ritual (verse 44). He shook his garments, symbolizing that he was shaking their sins from himself. Basically, he said that he had “laid it on the line” to them. He told them plainly and sufficiently what they needed to do and that now it was up to them. However, he did not stop there. He asked them to also shake off their own sins and come unto God.

Jacob reviewed the reality of Judgment Day.

Jacob: How would you feel when, with perfect recall, you would remember your

sins and have to say: “Holy, holy are Thy judgments—O Lord God

Almighty—but I know my guilt; I transgressed Thy law, and my

transgressions are mine; and the devil hath obtained me, that I am a

prey to his awful misery.” (from verse 46)?

The Feast of the Holy One of Israel

Then Jacob reviewed the other side of what the future could be. In descriptive metaphor, he compared the reward of the faithful to drinking at wonderful waters and feasting at a great meal that would never corrupt. (Read his words from verses 50 & 51)

Closing thoughts for the day, Jacob asked the people to remember God’s words, to pray to Him by day and by night, and to let their hearts rejoice (verse 52). He promised to tell them about future generations the next day.

Chapter 10

The Nephites had so much to ponder—from Jacob’s straightforward personal admonitions to his soul-searching lessons of Isaiah.

An angel appeared to Jacob and gave him information he was to give the other Nephites. The major purpose of every prophet is to testify of Jesus Christ and to help bring others unto Him. Although we are accustomed to calling our Savior “Jesus Christ,” this is the first time in Book of Mormon scripture He was called by that name.

The next day they returned to hear Jacob prophesy of coming events in the world, including, most important, the coming of the Lord and the reaction of the Jews to Him.

Jesus Christ performed many miracles—including the miracle of bringing Lazarus back to life (John 11:43 & 44)! When Jesus cured people on the Sabbath, wicked Jewish leaders accused Him, the Lord of all the world, who was among other things, Lord of the Sabbath, of breaking the Sabbath (Luke 6:6-10)! This was the Great God, Jehovah, who gave the Sabbath commandment in its true intention (Matt: 12:8; Mark 2:23)!

It is incredible that the supposedly intelligent Jewish leaders were so gullible. Satan had them so completely on his side that all they could think of was protecting their frail Earthly authority. They plotted evil, refusing to recognize the blinding sunshine of Christ’s glory.

It was the only nation on Earth that would kill their God, and because of their iniquities, they would be scattered among all nations and would suffer destructions, famines, pestilences, and bloodshed.

After many centuries, the Children of Israel would be gathered. Read the Lord’s own words that Jacob quoted (verses 7 & 8).

Jacob told of the future of Gentiles—and how this would be connected to the Gathering of Israel, sharing his wonderful vision. The Gentiles would be favored of God and would help bring Israelites back to the land of their inheritance.

It was amazing to Nephites, who of Israelite heritage, had been taught that they were the chosen people of the Lord, to think that Gentiles would help them either spiritually or temporally. But centuries later, when the Gospel was taught to the remnant Israelites in America, the United States, where the Gospel was restored, was a Gentile nation—created mostly from nations of Gentile Europe. The Jewish nation finally reestablished itself as Israel—with the help of these Gentile nations.

The land where the Nephites lived would someday be a land for both Jews and Gentiles. Read as Jacob quotes the Lord’s words (verses 10-13).

During Book of Mormon history, there were many kings upon the Promised Land—but when the United States of America, essentially a Gentile nation, was founded, Jacob saw in vision a new type of government. He prophesied that when the Gentiles possessed the land, no kings would rule; God would be the Ruler and would “…be a Light unto them forever” (verse 14). The Lord would bless the land, and Zion would be established in the land.

The Earth is the Lord’s. The Promised Land of the Americas is God’s land as is every other thing on Earth and in the universe. The Lord has always brought people—at His will—to live where the Nephites dwelt at this time.

Satan, who instills evil into the hearts of his followers, will always fight Zion—the people of the land of Zion and the Zion people. But the Lord will prevail against all wickedness. “They who are not for Me are against Me,” saith our God (verse 16). It is up to us to choose whether or not we will be on the winning side—not merely because it is the winning side, but for the love of our Lord!

Read the Lord’s words (verses 15 & 16).

Jacob said that although some Gentiles would afflict descendants of Lehi, through other Gentiles the Gospel would come to Lehi’s descendants. More remarkable was the startling information that the Gentile’s hearts would be softened—and the “Gentiles will be numbered among the House of Israel (verse 18).”

Read the Lord’s words (verse 19):

Not only did the promises of the Restoration and the Gathering of Israel apply to people on the American continent, but it also applied to those “scattered” on isles of the sea throughout the world (verse 21).

Nephi said earlier, as he wrote Isaiah’s prophecies, that the words should be “likened” unto to his people, or pertain to them, just as the scriptures pertained to ancient Israel (1 Nephi 19:23).

God’s holy word is for all people. Jacob said that God would remember all those who had been led away through the ages from the main part of the House of Israel—and He “remembereth us also” (verse 22). This is a beautiful phrase that applies to all of God’s children (us included!) “He remembers us also.”

God always remembers His children, but His children too often forget Him! However, we always have the choice. Reviewing his message given the previous day, Jacob reminded the people that they could choose everlasting death or the “way” (path) of Eternal Life.

Because Jesus atoned for us, we do not need to suffer for our own sins if we but repent. It is through the grace, or gift of God, our Savior, that we may gain Eternal Life. Repentance is our part of the covenant. We do need to repent of our sins, forsake them, and obey Christ. This is using our agency to be reconciled to God. If we do not act upon these important steps, we are following Satan’s will.

Jacob then said from his heart: Wherefore,

may God raise you from death by the Power of the Resurrection,

and also from everlasting death by the Power of the Atonement,

that ye may be received into the Eternal Kingdom of God,

that ye may praise Him through grace Divine.

Amen.

(verses 24, & 25)

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

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2 NEPHI 11 & 12

Chapter 11

Nephi loved the teachings of Isaiah. He felt a bond with the early prophet. Isaiah had actually seen Jesus Christ. Nephi had actually seen Jesus Christ. Jacob had actually seen Jesus Christ “…by the words of three, God hath said,

I will establish my word” (verses 2 & 3).

One measure of a person’s character is what makes him or her happy. In this small chapter, Nephi wrote many of the things that made him happy or that, “delights his soul.”

“my soul delighteth in his [Isaiah’s] words” (verse 2).

Nephi said the Law of Moses, and all other laws from the beginning, were given to typify—or resemble—the future mission of Christ. The only way to inherit Eternal Life with God is through Jesus Christ, so all prophets before Christ was born foretold His life and mission and taught His commandments to people of their time. They recorded prophecies and commandments for every generation.

“my soul delighteth in proving to my people the truth of the coming of Christ” (verse 4).

“my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which He hath made to our fathers” (verse 5).

Nephi had a generous heart and thought “globally.” He was thankful for the blessing that would come to future generations—for the Lord’s promise that the descendants of Lehi would not entirely be destroyed and that

Israel would be gathered.

“my soul delighteth in His [the Savior’s] grace, and in His justice, and Power, and mercy in the great and Eternal Plan of deliverance from death” (verse 5).

Nephi never ceased to be amazed at the Savior’s wonderful love and His perfect characteristics.

“my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save [unless] Christ should come all men must perish” (verse 6).

Nephi’s missionary spirit constantly reached out to his people in reason, logic, and persuasion to bring them to Christ. Under the great umbrella of testimony of Jesus Christ, since all prophets testify of Him, Jackson (p. 134) suggested Isaiah’s messages could be classified within three major categories:

Trust in the saving Power of the Lord;
Covenant people have social and moral obligations;
God’s justice will prevail.

Nephi knew that if his people took Isaiah’s words into their hearts and paid heed to the messages, the principles taught would help them live righteously—although they lived centuries after Isaiah wrote them. Now, about 2500 years later than Nephi’s Earthly time, Isaiah’s words, if correctly interpreted them and the true Eternal principles found in his messages, yet relate to us!

Chapter 12

Isaiah, the son of Amoz, was likely cousin to Judah’s king. Although his messages were not welcome among the wicked leaders and the general population of Israel, that did not stop him from saying and writing them.

Chapter 12 is similar to Isaiah 2 in the Bible; Isaiah relates what he saw happening in the last dispensation (including our day).

A tremendous mountain would be exalted above the hills—it would be esteemed and honored greatly. People of all nations would come to it and receive temple blessings. In God’s holy house, He would teach “His ways”; His followers would walk in the covenant “paths.” Isaiah said also that “…out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (verse 3).

The law of the Lord is taught in the temple and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have built and are building many temples. A great temple was built in Jerusalem and will be again—as well as in the new Jerusalem. Wherever God’s people settle, they are commanded to build temples where they are taught the holy law and ordinances of the Lord and make sacred covenants with Him—

for themselves and for their dead.

Zion is synonymous with the true meaning of “Jerusalem.” It will be centered in two places in the last days—on the western continent in America and on the eastern continent in the ancient Holy Land. But because Zion is “the pure in heart—the people of God” and Zion is also “where the people of God dwell,” Zion is anywhere they do dwell.

Much of what Isaiah wrote is filled with multi-layered meanings. Parry et. al. (1998), p.27 suggest another meaning for the phrase, “out of Zion shall go forth the law,” quoted from the Improvement Era in 1945, p. 564, by Harold B. Lee, who would later be President of the Church:

“I have often wondered what the expression meant,

‘that out of Zion shall go forth the law.’

Years ago I went with the brethren to the Idaho Falls Temple,

and I heard in that inspired prayer of the First Presidency

a definition of the meaning of that term, ‘out of Zion shall go forth the law.’

Note what they said: ‘We thank Thee that Thou hast revealed to us

that those who gave us our constitutional form of government

were men wise in Thy sight

and that Thou didst raise them up for the very purpose

of putting forth that sacred document.

We pray that kings and rulers and people of all nations under Heaven

may be persuaded of the blessings

enjoyed by the people of this land by reason of their freedom,

and under Thy guidance be constrained to adopt similar governmental systems, thus to fulfill the ancient prophecy of Isaiah and Micah

that ‘out of Zion shall go forth the law

and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.’ ”

President Lee wrote this article during World War II, and he had heard the prayer given “years before.” Since that time, many nations have indeed adopted a form of government that is similar to the God-inspired constitutional government framed by early Americans.

When the Lord comes, He will establish universal peace. And the law will go forth from the “new Zion.” When He comes again, it will be openly as our God, to reign over the whole world. When He comes as Lord of lords, He will not put up with wickedness. “He shall judge among the nations—and shall rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plow-shares—and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation—

neither shall they learn war any more” (verse 4).

As he plainly pointed out their wicked state, Isaiah called for the House of Jacob to come back to the Lord. This call was important in Isaiah’s day, in Nephi’s day, and is still vitally important in our day.

Sometimes only the leaders of nations are chastised. But Isaiah made clear the people in general had “gone astray.” In verse 5, he addressed Israelites. In verses 6 through 9, he addressed the Lord, as though saying he understood that because of their wickedness, the people could no longer be blessed with the Spirit of God. Some of Israel’s false values are listed in these verses; think of how these values relate to our day.

Instead of listening to the words of their own God, the Children of Israel chose instead to listen to “strangers”—soothsayers like the Philistines patronized.

Neither the poor nor the rich were bowing themselves to the true God of Israel.

At the end of verse 9, Isaiah seemed to show his disgust for the actions and attitudes of the people as he appealed to the Lord. [Since he will not repent and worship Thee], forgive him not.

In verse 10, Isaiah again addressed the people, “O ye wicked ones…” warning them they will try to hide themselves when the Lord comes in great glory.

During the last days, the arrogant will be humbled because they will not humble themselves. “The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day,” (verse 11) as He shows Himself our only true Ruler.

Reminder

Isaiah said, “for the day of the Lord of Hosts soon cometh upon all nations, yea, upon every one.” Time is reckoned differently with God than with mortals. Since Isaiah wrote his message thousands of years ago, we could wonder about the word “soon.” Isaiah had seen the whole future of the world in vision. In an Eternal perspective, “soon” likely meant that it is bound to happen and when it does, time will mean nothing!

Isaiah repeated several times and in several different ways the idea of the “proud” being brought “low.” This pride is often referred to as “false pride.” Isaiah scorned the prideful man who thought he was too self-sufficient to bother about worshipping the true God—even though he was created by God and was allowed to live Eternally only because of God, Jesus Christ’s, Sacrifice.

Isaiah used “cedars of Lebanon” and “oaks of Bashan,” species of tall strong trees, as metaphors for the proud people.

[…And the Day of the Lord will come . . .]

upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills,

and upon all the nations which are lifted up, and upon every people;

And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall;

And upon all the ships of the sea, and upon all the ships of Tarshish,

and upon all pleasant pictures.

(from verse 14 & verses 15 & 16)

High towers and fences will not hold out against the Power of God

in the Last Day.

When wicked people of all nations behold the Lord in all His glory—and His wrath toward evil—and know that they cannot deny their own sins, they will try to hide themselves and cast away their false idols.

Isaiah saw these last days in vision. Through careful reading of verses 19-21, we can imagine what Isaiah saw and what will happen to the wicked

in the “Day of the Lord.”

No matter what great lengths they go to in order to hide their evil, these puny efforts will be absolutely useless. In graphic language, Isaiah called to them to stop putting their trust in man and trust God.

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

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2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 13 & 14

Chapter 13

Jacob continued to preach from Isaiah’s words (similar to Isaiah 3). Isaiah spoke from the vantage point of seeing both the history and future of mankind in vision. With marvelous God-revealed insight, he saw commonalities throughout thousands of years, multi-layered in a historical and spiritual sense. Beautiful command of language encompasses appropriate and vivid symbols to illustrate universal principles. (You may want to check Vocabulary Tips to clarify these.)

Isaiah, in vision, saw the social government broken apart; he saw citizens from all walks of life taken from their accustomed places (verses 2 & 3).

“Behold, mine house is a house of order,” saith the Lord God, “and not a house of confusion” (D & C 132:8). Wickedness in the House of Israel would bring about confusion and social upheaval. In the social upheaval, the House of Israel would not spiritually belong to the Lord. Isaiah saw children being disrespectful to parents and to older people;

rude people treated honorable people shamefully. Neighbor would be against neighbor.

A “brother of the house of his father,” in verse 6 probably meant an actual biological brother rather than a fellow citizen. “Thou hast clothing,” could easily have been another of Isaiah’s multi-layered expressions. Special clothing often indicated royalty or other types of authority, status, leadership, or simply the ability to take charge. It may refer to temple clothing—or it could have solely meant that the man “with clothing” was a righteous man—and that his brother,

recognizing the righteousness, appealed to him as Jared appealed to his brother

after languages of the Earth were confused (Ether 1:36).

However, the brother who was solicited, knowing wickedness caused the chaos, would not desire to rule over a ruined kingdom. When the brother said, “I will not be a healer”—and again, “In my house there is neither bread nor clothing,” he could have meant he could not heal Jerusalem;

the righteousness in his own house was not enough

to cover the sins of the rest of the nation and save it.

Or he could have referred to his nation as “his house,” recognizing that within Israel there was “no bread or clothing,” which could be symbols for righteousness. Judah was fallen because of words and actions against the Lord. He pointed out those words and actions

“provoked the eyes of His glory,”

meaning that God saw the wickedness and was greatly offended by it.

Sometimes one’s “countenance,” (verse 9) or facial expressions, hides his or her thoughts. But God can see through to the real person behind the face, for better or for worse. At times a countenance glows with goodness. If we look, and also listen, to our present day prophets, we often see this glow of goodness on their faces. Conversely, evil will eventually manifest itself—like a drunkard’s dissipation—or a criminal’s blank look that denies the Light of Christ initially given to all people.

“Wo unto their souls, for they have rewarded evil unto themselves” (verse 9) is a powerful expression of how our behavior choices reap consequences! In verses 10 & 11, Isaiah then drives the same point home in different words.

Children who obey the commandment, “Honor thy father and thy mother…” are the joy of parents. However, when children reject good teachings of their homes—or when children go astray because they do not have good teaching in their homes—sorrow comes upon both them and the community. Street gangs are part of myriads of social problems brought on by chaos

caused by unrighteousness.

The price of a virtuous woman is above rubies (Proverbs 31:10). In chastising the rulers, Isaiah possibly could have said, “lust for women rules over them.” Some women (such as Herodias and her daughter, Salome [Matt. 14:3-11], Jezebel [1 Kings 18:4, 13 &19], and Delilah [Judges 16]) as well as less-than-virtuous women in latter days) have been downfalls of governments and have had injurious influence on societies, because men in high political offices choose

to satisfy their own lusts and wickedly partake of lewd favors rather than do what is right.

Leaders often fail their civic duty in other ways. Rather than protecting rights of citizens they were meant to serve, they selfishly and unfairly use their offices and status. The parallelism in verse 13 represents bad rulers—unjust stewards of public trust. At the Day of Judgment, these rulers will be called to account for having hurt rather than helped people. The Lord will be the ultimate Judge.

Isaiah warned that the Lord was displeased with “daughters of Zion.” Using the vocabulary of his day, Isaiah expressed the vain and worldly dress and attitude of women (verse 16)—but the same cautions apply to attitudes of appropriate dress in our day. President Joseph Fielding Smith said it applies to men as well as to women. Men and women should dress and act modestly

and observe the law of chastity. (Answers to Gospel Questions 5:172-74).

“Stretched-forth necks” vividly conveys how conceited men and women check to make sure other people are watching them. Although these descriptions seem to apply to prostitutes, the expressions could apply to unchaste actions and attitudes of anyone

trying to show off his or her body.

Verses 18-23 tell how fragile the vanities of flesh are. The Lord has often given prosperity to righteous people—such as many riches and fine linen; these gifts should not be abused. The Lord likes us to dress in an attractive way—but not be totally self-absorbed in clothes or other worldly thoughts and actions. Because of the abuse of rich clothing and ornaments,

the Lord will take them away.

Sometimes we only notice outward beauty—even if actions and attitudes are inappropriate, lewd, or wicked, indicating ugliness of spirit. Isaiah used contrast and comparison and metaphors

to represent ugliness replacing false beauty when the ugly soul is revealed.

Although much of what Isaiah wrote could apply to men and women, in a multi-layered level it also applied to Jerusalem—or the Children of Israel. Jerusalem is sometimes described as “an unfaithful woman” (hypostatization).

“Her” and “she” are hypostatizations, referring to “Jerusalem.” It could mean

ancient Jerusalem and Jerusalem in the last days (verse 26).

Chapter 14

Nephi quoted Isaiah foretelling of a war that will erupt in the last days in which many Israelite men will be killed (similar to Isaiah 4). This will leave an uneven ratio in the number of men to women. One interpretation of verse 1 is because having children was so important for Israelite women, they would call it a “reproach of God” if they could not have them. They would be willing to support themselves if they could marry and have children;

they would be willing to share the husband with several women.

Another possibility is that the “seven women” represent “other nations” who will want to attach themselves to the political kingdom of the Lord following His return.

In Isaiah’s multi-layered way of writing, it could refer to both.

Throughout Israelite history, the metaphor for diverse Israelites scattered throughout the world, has been “branches” broken off. Isaiah wrote of a “branch” left in Jerusalem after the terrible war in the last days. This branch will represent survivors who embrace the Lord and His Gospel (verses 2 & 3). The symbol, “fruit,” is a metaphor, representing prosperity and good things of Earth for the “branch,” meaning righteous people. The Lord will make the environment beautiful

when He comes again.

The survivors of Zion will have their sins cleansed by the Power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

The term, “burning,” can mean destruction by fire; conversely it can also represent the sanctifying Power of the Holy Ghost. The fire of the Lord in the last days

will destroy the wicked and cleanse and purify the repentant.

Isaiah referred to cloud and smoke and fire in Zion in the last days (verse 5). The Children of Israel were led from their Egyptian bondage with a pillar of fire by night and with a cloud by day (Exodus 13:21). This was for their guidance and protection.

It is possible that there will actually be a cloud, smoke, and fire when Christ rules personally over Zion, or perhaps Isaiah symbolized the abstract concepts of “guidance” and “protection” with metaphors the Israelites would understand.

In any case, the Lord’s protection will be upon the place of “Zion.”

“For upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defense.”

This beautiful phrase concluding verse 5 could be read, “For upon all—the glory of Zion shall be a defense,” meaning the glory of the Lord in Zion will be a defense for everybody. Or it could mean, “For upon all the glory of Zion—shall be a defense,” meaning that there is a built-in defense inherent in the glory of Zion.

When the Children of Israel were delivered from Egypt, they had a mobile tabernacle that was used for shade as well as a place of worship. It was a refuge and a covert—or protective covering. In the final days, the wicked will have no covering. They will be swept from the Earth as though by storm and rain; the Lord’s people will be sheltered (verse 6).

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

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2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 15 & 16

Chapter 15

Separated by many centuries: 1.Isaiah wrote many of the Lord’s messages, 2. Nephi read the messages from the Brass Plates and quoted them on the Small Plates, 3.Joseph Smith translated them from the Small Plates—and finally, 4. we can read the messages, understand them with the help of the Holy Ghost, and live the principles therein!

By the time Joseph translated the Small Plates, the King James Version of the Bible had been long in use. In Companion to The Book of Mormon, pp. 141-142, Daniel H. Ludlow wrote an explanation of how 199 of the verses in The Book of Mormon quote Isaiah in the KJV word-for-word while 234 verses were changed or modified:

“…translation is frequently concerned with general ideas

rather than specific words;

even the best translators do not translate the same material

from one language into another word-for-word the same.

There appears to be only one answer to explain the word-for-word similarities between the verses of Isaiah in the Bible

and the same verses in The Book of Mormon.

When Joseph Smith translated the Isaiah references from the Small Plates of Nephi, he evidently opened his King James Version of the Bible

and compared the impression he had received in translating

with the words of the King James scholars.

If his translation was essentially the same as that of the King James Version,

he apparently quoted the verse from the Bible;

then his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, copied it down.

However, if Joseph Smith’s translation did not agree precisely

with that of the King James scholars,

he would dictate his own translation to the scribe.

This procedure in translation would account

for both the 234 verses of Isaiah

that were changed or modified by the Prophet Joseph

and the 199 verses that were translated word-for-word the same.

Although some critics might question this procedure of translation,

scholars today frequently use this same procedure

in translating the biblical manuscripts among the Dead Sea Scrolls.”

Chapter 15 compares with Isaiah 5—verse 1 setting the stage—singing to “my Well-Beloved”—representing the Lord—who in turn is represented by "the Lord of the vineyard.” The allegory uses a “vineyard” to represent the House of Israel; “His pleasant plant” represents inhabitants of the House of Israel, or Judah.

Continuing the allegory, Isaiah told how the Lord took care of the vineyard, building within it a wine-press and a tower, and planting it with the choicest vines. He expected it to bring forth good grapes. Instead it brought forth wild grapes. (Many of the Vocabulary Tips for this chapter refer particularly to the allegory in Chapter 15 rather than being universal definitions. Read the Vocabulary Tips to clarify the allegory.)

Speaking from the Lord’s vantage point in verse 3, Isaiah asked Israel to judge between the Lord and the House of Israel.

Even though the Lord did everything for the vineyard, it brought forth wild grapes. Literally, the Lord did everything possible for the Children of Israel, yet the majority chose to follow Satan.

Finally, the Lord withdrew protection. In verse 5, the metaphors “hedge” and “wall” symbolize the Lord’s protection.

“Pruned and digged” (verse 6) are metaphors representing ways God nourished the Children of Israel, giving them opportunities to develop spiritually. They literally included prophets and scriptures. The Lord also blessed them with prosperity and protection from enemies. Yet they became greedy, selfish, immoral, abusive, and followed after false gods.

They were a meager, ungrateful, and wicked “crop.”

“Joining house to house till there can be no place,” (verse 8) means that being selfishly exclusive, greedy wealthy landowners bought all available land or took others’ original inheritance in some way, leaving the poor nowhere to live. A time would come when the houses they built would be left empty. The land would be worthless; sowing 1/10 of a bushel of seed would then only yield about 11 bushels!

Isaiah berated the disgusting way people drank themselves into drunkenness, their wicked life-style filled with degenerate “parties.” They did not worship the Lord, respect His works,

or study His holy word.

In vision, Isaiah saw them go into captivity—bound by chains of wickedness of their own making. They did not study God’s word or live His commandments; instead, they chose to “eat, drink, and be merry [drunk].”

Therefore, my people are gone into captivity,

because they have no knowledge

and their honorable men are famished,

and their multitude dried up with thirst.

(from verse 13)

Isaiah used personification, comparing hell, a place devoid of any Light or goodness, to a large mouth that keeps opening wider and wider to accommodate all people who choose to go into it. He symbolized hell waiting to consume the wicked people, numbers “without measure.” The unrighteous, poor or rich, would be humbled by the righteous judgment of the Lord.

Jesus Christ has always been holy, but by strictly obeying all of Heavenly Father’s commandments (righteousness), He added to the glory of both Heavenly Father and Himself.

His obedience sanctified Him.

The Lord has always done everything possible for Israel—of Isaiah’s time, of Nephi’s time, of our time, of all time—giving His holy word (scriptures and prophets) for guidance for His people to live by since the time of Adam and Eve. On Earth Himself, He was the Model of a perfect life.

The Lord chose the Children of Israel, as His covenant people. They were given the Gospel—and were to share it with the rest of God’s children. They did not live true to their covenant. Eventually, the Gospel was restored to Earth in a Gentile nation; Gentiles who accept Christ

and live by His holy word become part of the “House of Israel.”

Isaiah saw this in his vision—as well as seeing those in his day and society—who claimed that they looked for the Holy One of Israel to come—but deliberately changed the holy writings and finally rejected their true God.

We can almost picture the wicked (verse 18), not willing to let go of their sins, drawing them along like a cart behind them. They do it with “cords of vanity.” They are puffed up in their own inadequate and self-styled knowledge and false wisdom, “blowing their own horns,” and will not use spiritual eyes to recognize the truth. They think they can decide for themselves

when and how the Messiah shall come.

They chose the master of deceit for their god, the chains of Satan for their reward;

“wo,” or “miserable indeed,” they will be!

Wo unto them that (from verses 20 to 23):

call evil good and good evil,
[call] darkness light and light darkness,
[call] bitter sweet and sweet bitter,
are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight,
are mighty to drink wine,
justify wicked for reward and take away the righteousness of the righteous. [They are corruptible and can be bribed to defend the wicked, yet they are unfair to the righteous who do not bribe them.]

Isaiah compared the “root” of the people to rottenness because they “cast away the Lord’s Law and “despised the word of the Holy One of Israel” and said their “blossoms” would turn to dust, as fire devours stubble, and the flame consumes chaff.

Because many Israelites deliberately fell away from what the Lord taught and expected of them, many may have to suffer for their own sins. The Lord suffered for those who repent and come unto Him. Although the Lord is angry at sin and will never “turn His anger away” from wickedness, He stretches forth His Hand to invite back all who will repent and embrace Him and His goodness. But His Hand is also stretched out against evil (verse 25).

To help Israel—and all of us—return to original covenants God made with Adam and Eve, then renewed with Abraham, He restored the Gospel to Earth. Isaiah saw this happening.

Isaiah saw when the Gospel was restored, it became a standard [or ensign], signaling all people throughout Earth. They would come (verse 26), traveling by day and by night. In a multi-layered fashion, Isaiah likely referred to both this present day, when many people are accepting the true Gospel, and to the Millennium, when good people throughout the Earth will travel to Zion(s).

Consider technology in Isaiah’s time compared to that in the “latter-days.” Elder LeGrand Richards in Israel! Do you know? p. 182, suggested Isaiah saw in vision swift airplanes carrying people from far (Isaiah 60:8, “Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as doves to their windows?”).

After thousands of years of similar transportation, when the Gospel was restored and the Church was organized in the nineteenth century, enlightenment multiplied in the world—travel as well as other technology advanced exponentially. People now can certainly travel long distances without sleeping or “loosing the girdle of their loins or undoing the latchet of their shoes (verse 27).” Verses 28 & 29 suggest modern weapons of war and transportation.

Since Isaiah often considered multi-layered meanings, these symbols could also have spiritual meanings.

The speed suggested could be the people of Earth who will join the Church and become part of Christ’s army of righteousness in tremendous numbers as the Millennium approaches.
“Bows and arrows” and “safely deliver” could both mean God’s protection of His people.

The roaring lions could represent the majesty and fierceness of God’s army.

In the last days there will be sorrow and darkness, or lack of spiritual truth on Earth generally; this will contrast with outpouring of Light and knowledge among the army of God in Zion who will “roar against” the darkness (verse 30).

Young lions could represent missionaries—the Youth Battalion as well as missionaries of any age “roaring” out God’s message like the “roaring of the sea.” They will bring Light (Christ’s true Light and knowledge) to a world in spiritual darkness and sorrow.

Chapter 16

Nephi (2 Nephi 11:2) wrote that Isaiah saw the Lord. “…verily he saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen Him.” Over a hundred years before Nephi was born, Isaiah wrote of the wonderful experience he had when he was called to be a prophet (Compare to Isaiah 6.).

Changes in the kingdom of Judah

During the reign of Uzziah, the kingdom of Israel had long been divided into the northern kingdom, Israel, and the southern kingdom, Judah. Judah’s capital was Jerusalem.

Living in the southern kingdom, Isaiah was a prophet for all Israelites. Both kingdoms were prosperous but spiritually degenerate. Uzziah started his reign righteously, but he became so arrogant he attempted to burn incense in the temple without authority; he was struck with leprosy. Many people in Israel and Judah worshipped pagan gods in immoral ceremonies and were politically and socially unjust and oppressive.

Uzziah died after living ten years with leprosy. During the year of Uzziah’s death (about 740 B.C.), Isaiah became absolutely committed to God’s service.

In vision or a transfigured out-of-body experience—Isaiah was transported to Heaven—to the temple in the Celestial Kingdom. There were seraphim (angels) with six wings each.

The seraphim’s wings Isaiah described (four wings covered their faces and feet and two were wings that flew) were symbols. They could be representations of humility, worship, and willingness to carry out the duties the Lord gave them. When Joseph Smith questioned the Lord about the meaning of symbols in Revelations, he was told that wings represent Power to move and to act given to angels (from D & C 77:4).

The seraphim told Isaiah that the Earth is the Lord’s; it was created by Him; it is destined to be ruled by Him Eternally. Often earthquakes and shaking accompany the great Power of the Lord. In Isaiah’s vision, the posts of the door shook when the seraphim testified of the Lord.

The smoke that filled the “house” likely symbolized the Lord’s great glory and Power. Moses and John the Revelator also testified of this same symbol (Rev. 15:8 & Exodus 19:18)

Witnessing this tremendous scene of Power and glory humbled Isaiah. He thought he was unworthy to be in the Presence of God and he felt he would be punished for seeing God while carrying the sins he had committed in his life and for having lived around sinful people. He said he had “unclean lips” and lived among a people of “unclean lips.” A seraphim took a live coal from the altar and laid it on his lips (verses 5, 6, & 7). Isaiah’s sins were then purged.

The symbolism in verses 5-7 powerfully testify of the Savior’s infinite atoning Sacrifice. The final altar of the Sacrifice of our Lord, Jesus Christ, contains the only “coal” which can purge, or atone, for our sins. The seraphim let Isaiah know that his sins were forgiven because of our Lord’s Sacrifice.

When Isaiah prophesied, he revealed that the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were about to be overrun by foreign powers. He warned that they could be saved from this fate only if the people began living righteously. The Lord always gives warnings before disasters and He offers chances for people and nations to repent, changing the way they live.

In verse 8, the Lord asked who would be willing to prophesy to the wicked Children of Israel. Isaiah, following the example of Christ our Savior, offered to commit himself to the call.

God wanted the Israelites to repent, but He knew that hearing the words of His holy prophets would just further harden the hearts of those so far gone in iniquity. Isaiah would witness that they had the opportunity to hear the warnings of the prophets and repent. And some few would listen and be converted.

Isaiah asked the Lord how long it would be before the Children of Israel listened to his prophecies. The Lord said it would not happen until they were desolated and scattered about the Earth. Yet the Lord would give them the chance to repent, His effort would have positive far-reaching influence—for later generations.

(Adapted from verse 9)

The Lord: (to Isaiah),

Go and tell this people [to repent and come back to the Lord].

Isaiah: (obeying the Lord, preaching to the people):

Hear ye indeed! See ye indeed!

But they [by their own choices] understood not; they [by their own choices] perceived not. They did not want to hear what Isaiah was saying.

Because of His foreknowledge, the Lord knew they would choose to hearken to Satan rather than His Holy Spirit. As prophets told them of their wickedness and called them to repent, they became more unresponsive and angry. However, God told Isaiah that they were to have the opportunity to listen and could come back to Him if they so chose.

(Adapted from verse 10)

The Lord (to Isaiah): [Even though they will not listen…]

Make the heart of this people fat

[If that is their choice]

And make their ears heavy and shut their eyes

[Lest they claim that ‘if they had known’…]

they would have seen with their eyes, and heard with their ears

and understood with their heart

and would have been converted and been healed.

The metaphor, hearts of the people would be “fat,” meant their receptiveness would be surrounded with a padded shield to guard against the Holy Spirit. That is sometimes called being hard-hearted. That their ears would be “heavy” was also a metaphor. It meant they would not want to hear what Isaiah had to say. Instead, they would metaphorically shut their eyes to the Lord’s Light and Truth, although the Truth would be right in front of them.

(Adapted from verses 11 & 12)

Isaiah: (to the Lord) How long will it take before they finally listen?

The Lord’s answer must have been discouraging for Isaiah. But then he would be shown the whole future of the world—and because of this vision, he witnessed the latter-days as part of a great pattern. Isaiah became accustomed to using the word “soon” when he referred to the Second Coming of the Lord—even though the Lord had not yet come the first time.

(Adapted from verses 12 & 13)

The Lord: Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant,

and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate;

And the Lord have removed men far away,

for there shall be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.

Thousands of citizens from the northern tribes, often referred to as the “lost tribes,” were taken into captivity about 721 B.C. as Isaiah prophesied. Then many from the southern tribes were taken into captivity (shortly after Lehi left Jerusalem about 595 B.C.). After about seventy-five years, a remnant of those from the southern kingdom returned to the land of Israel—although not as a sovereign nation. It was necessary for them to return so that the Lord could be born in the Jerusalem area and into the Israelite nation, fulfilling prophecy (verse 13).

The metaphor, “Holy Seed,” represents Jesus Christ. He is holy and He is the “Seed” or “Son” of Heavenly Father, the “Man of Holiness.” In Isaiah’s multi-layered practice of prophesying, this phrase could also refer to God’s holy covenant people, descendants of unbelieving Children of Israel who would, unlike their ancestors, become righteous followers of Christ and along with righteous Gentiles, be grafted into Abraham’s family tree.

When a few thousand Israelites returned to Palestine, they were not citizens of an independent nation (thus the metaphor, “they shall be eaten”). After being under Persian and then Greek rule, the Israelites had an uneasy independence for about 100 years—but they gave this up through inner-fighting and were under Roman rule when the Lord was born, in Bethlehem in the region of Jerusalem, as prophesied.

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI
CHAPTER 17

Chapter 17

Isaiah was called to preach among government leaders who considered politics—but did not consider God—part of their daily lives (Isaiah 7). About seven years after Isaiah was called into the Lord’s service, Pekah, king of the northern nation of Israel (called here Ephraim), conspired with Rezin, king of Syria, to march on Jerusalem to replace Ahaz , grandson of Uzziah, with a puppet-king, forming a three nation alliance against Assyria.

Ahaz had been asked to join the alliance against Assyria but had refused; Judah’s citizens were worried about rumors of an invasion by the northern nations of Israel and Syria.

(Read verse 2 and the Thought Questions.)

The Lord told Isaiah to take his son, Shearjashub, and meet with Ahaz near an aqueduct, where the king was possibly checking on the water supply to the city. Isaiah would tell Ahaz that the alliance of Israel and Syria (“the two tails of a smoking firebrand”) would fail

and Judah would be safe.

Furthermore, within sixty-five years, Ephraim (the kingdom of Israel) would be broken up. Isaiah said the Lord would even give Ahaz a sign to help him believe—any sign he asked for.

Ahaz refused to ask for a sign. He already had his mind made up to put his trust in Tilgath-pilezer II, ruler of Assyria. Ahaz only gave lip-service to the Israelite “traditional” religion and patronized Isaiah, who was his relative, considering him naïve. Ahaz rejected God’s generous offer

in falsely pious terms (verse 12).

Isaiah lost patience with his relative. Ahaz could have saved Judah as a sovereign nation, but chose to put his trust in Assyria, and Judah became a vassal state to Assyria. Ahaz also would embrace the Assyrian culture, including immoral idol worship.

Isaiah told Ahaz (whom he called “O house of David” because the king was of royal descent from that house) that it was bad enough to “weary” [or try the patience] of men, but he had stepped far over the line in trying the patience of God.

Even though Ahaz did not ask for or want a sign, Isaiah said he would give him one. Signs can be varieties of symbols. Isaiah gave Ahaz a prophecy of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the midst of Ahaz’s unbelief, Isaiah testified of the coming of the Lord, which was also a prophecy for all Israel to read. He said the Lord Immanuel would eat “butter and honey,” meaning the Lord would only accept righteousness to build His character as he grew.

Prophecies can be given within seemingly unrelated situations. But the Lord, who sees the world from the beginning until the end, has purposes for everything He does.

Centuries later, righteous men as well as the Savior Himself quoted prophecies from Old Testament sources (which also contained much of what was on the Brass Plates) to testify that Jesus Christ was the Lord—Jehovah of the Old Testament as well as the Savior, Redeemer, and Messiah of whom all prophets had testified.

Ahaz’s spirit was not in tune to receive testimony of the true God. He was more interested in “getting in favor” with the wicked and idolatrous nation of Assyria. He and his people embraced idolatry and other disgusting sins. Ahaz’s decision cost the nation its freedom.

A rattlesnake asked a boy to help him down the mountain

so he [the rattlesnake] wouldn’t freeze.

At first the boy was reluctant to touch the snake,

but the snake promised the boy it wouldn’t bite him.

Feeling sorry for the snake, the boy decided to take the chance.

He kept the snake sheltered and took it down the mountain where it was warm enough for the snake to live.

As the boy was ready to set the snake down, the snake bit him.

“You promised you wouldn’t bite me,” said the dying boy.

“You knew my nature when you picked me up,” the snake said, shrugging—

and then it slithered away.

Ahaz knew the nature of Assyria and its leader, yet he chose them over the Lord. Similar to the boy and the snake, the Assyrians eventually “poisoned” the southern kingdom of Judah and conquered the northern kingdom of Israel.

A child becomes accountable—having learned the difference of good and evil—by eight years-old. Isaiah prophesied that before that time, the northern kingdom and Syria, both which sought to destroy him—would each lose their kingdoms (verse 16).

Had he chosen righteousness over evil, the prophecy would have been a relief for Ahaz. Although Judah was presently prosperous, days would come like those they had not seen since the two kingdoms split apart soon after King Solomon died.

“Because Ahaz rejected Isaiah’s plan (actually God’s plan), the armies of Rezin and Pekah invaded Judah, killed some hundred twenty thousand warriors, and then carried off about two hundred thousand women and children” (Parry, et. al., Understanding Isaiah, p. 69).

In addition to being part of this terrible war, Judah’s alliance with Assyria lost the nation its freedom. Judah became a vassal state and was required to pay tribute; they also became an occupied territory, with the Assyrians bent on oppressing and humiliating them.

How much better it would have been for the Jews to give tribute to their God and honor their calling as covenant people and retain their freedom! The alliance with Assyria, in various ways, brought misery to all of Israel—not just the northern kingdom.

The war of good versus evil began in the Spirit World. It was going on in Isaiah’s time and it is still going on today. Evil practices and idolatry had made the Assyria, and Israel, and Judah part of the devil’s territory. The Lord used the evil country of Assyria to punish the wickedness in Israel. The fly and the bee are metaphors comparing these two insects to the armies of the Assyrians”

(verse 18).

The armies were a scourge to Judah.

Israel is the chosen and covenant people and the Promised Land. The Lord could not allow Israel to continue to grow in evil. Because of the unrighteous decisions of Ahaz and subsequent kings as well as the general populations, Jerusalem, similar to Samaria in the northern kingdom of Israel, would be destroyed and the people scattered.

This happened shortly after Lehi’s company left Jerusalem.

The devil likely thought the scattering of the Children of Israel and the desolation of the land was a victory for his side of the war. However, the Lord, by dispersing the Children of Israel and temporally cursing the land from prosperity that was making them degenerate, saved the House of Israel from total spiritual corruption.

The “razor” the Lord used to scatter the northern kingdom of Israel was Assyria (verse 20). It was the practice of conquering nations to humiliate captives, shaving them from the tops of their head to their feet.

Isaiah prophesied the Assyrian armies would come and the ten tribes would be “lost” to the world. Later (shortly after Lehi and his family left Jerusalem), Babylon’s Nebuchadnezzar captured thousands of remaining Israelites when they allied themselves against him—seeking them out wherever they tried to hide—and trampled down their cultivated lands and destroyed it.

When Isaiah met with Ahaz, Judah was prosperous. However, for the few that would be left in Israel after the invasions of enemy nations, instead of great herds and flocks, the survivors would have to scratch out a living with maybe, as Isaiah gave in example,

one cow and a couple of sheep.

Rather than meat and rich food and an abundance of milk, there would be such a scarcity of resources that all that would be available to eat would be butter—a milk product that would keep longest and (probably wild) honey.

There were thousands of rich bearing fruit vines as Isaiah talked to Ahaz. These would be gone and all that would be left would be thorns and briers (verse 23). Because the land would be full of thorns and briars, it could no longer be cultivated. It would be but a ranging place for cattle [sheep]. Without large herds, the people would try to hunt food with bows and arrows.

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI
CHAPTER 18

Chapter 18

Signs (such as Isaiah’s prophecy in Chapter 17) given to us by the Lord are sometimes not recognized as signs. Every biblical sign

points in some way to Jesus Christ, such as:

His position and role in the pre-mortal life as the firstborn Son and Heir of Heavenly Father chosen to be our God,
His coming into the world and His mortal life here on Earth,
His Second Coming,
His agonizing responsibility in His Atonement and His glorious Resurrection,
The Truth that He is the only way to Eternal Salvation,
The blessing that He, in absolute fairness, will be the final Judge for all mankind.

Isaiah (compare to Isaiah 8) wrote of signs that involved his sons. Isaiah’s oldest son’s was named Shear-jashub, meaning “a remnant will return.” Some Israelites (a remnant) would return from captivity so Jesus Christ could be eventually born in the land of Jerusalem. Many more will return when the Lord gathers Israel all during the latter-days until His Second Coming.

Another son would be born to Isaiah; before his son would be old enough to talk, Assyrians would overrun the northern kingdom of Israel and Syria.The birth of Maher-shalal-hash-baz was a sign. His name means to speed, spoil, hasten, and plunder. He represented the birth and mission of the Savior.

Maher-shalal-hash-baz was given his name by revelation, as was the name of Jesus Christ.
Maher-shalal-hash-baz was of Jewish royal lineage, as would be Jesus Christ.
Maher-shalal-hash-baz’s name was prophetic of destruction of the wicked, as Jesus Christ will destroy the wicked and save the righteous.

At the Lord’s instructions, Isaiah had Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah witness the written prophecy. When the kingdoms were destroyed the prophecy would be remembered because of this proof.

Isaiah’s wife was a prophetess. Her role as prophetess may have been to prophesy, or she may have been a prophetess because she bore Maher-shalal-hash-baz and likely Shear-jashub, fulfillments of prophecies of God—or both.

Isaiah said that the invasion of Assyria would include Judah in addition to Syria and the northern kingdom. Because Judah rejected the Lord, choosing instead to embrace evil, including idolatry, they would lose the Lord’s protection;

God does not protect evil.

Cause means a situation, condition, reason or behavior that makes certain effects, or consequences happen. Isaiah warned that Judah’s behavior in rejecting the Lord’s counsel and accepting the deceptive counsel of the Assyrian king would cause the downfall of Judah as a free and independent country.

Shiloah was anciently the main water supply for Jerusalem. “The waters of Shiloah that go softly” (verse 6) represents living waters of the Gospel. Gentle, life-giving water also represents baptism, a sign we have repented and committed ourselves to belief in our Lord and resolved to follow His commandments.

(“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters…” from Isaiah 55:1).

Rezin was king of Syria and Remaliah’s son was king of Israel. Both kings represented wickedness. Most people of Judah embraced that wicked lifestyle.

Contrasting the gentle waters of Shiloah, Isaiah’s metaphor, “waters of the river, strong and many,” could have meant the Euphrates River, which was treacherous, causing destruction and floods in its wildness. The metaphor, “and all his glory,” represented the strength of king of Assyria and his army.

Isaiah used the metaphors “come up over all his channels,” “go over all his banks,” “stretching out of his wings,” and “the neck” to represent how the Assyrian army would not respect borders between the kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah, but would spread its destruction throughout all of Israel

(verse 8).

The Lord decreed that because the Children of Israel’s chose to desecrate their sacred nations—they would be driven from the land and the land would cease to be productive. Although the Assyrian king was unaware of it, the Lord called to him to overrun northern Israel, and physically lay it to waste so that it would eventually be spiritually, as well as physically saved.

Isaiah warned Israelites of uselessness of trusting in foreign alliances (verses 9 & 10). Although foreign nations would try to form many alliances, none would last. They were (and are!) nothing compared to God’s Power.

At the end of verse 10, Isaiah said “God is with us.” This was a parallelism for the end of verse 8 (O Immanuel); it also reminded the people to trust God for temporal and spiritual security.

God was (is—and always will be!) the only One to decide which nations prevail. Eventually, in spite of horrible past decisions and disregarding foreign alliances, Isaiah prophesied that God would save His people.

The Lord is much more powerful than any nation or alliance on Earth (or anywhere!). It would make sense to fear God’s punishment if tempted to indulge in evil, rather than fear worldly people and nations (verse 13).

Isaiah warned that if the inhabitants of Jerusalem did not turn to the Lord for protection, they would be captured and killed as animals are captured (in a gin and a snare) and killed—or carried as slaves from their land.

Again Isaiah spoke in multi-layered meaning. (Parry, et. al., p. 88) suggest that binding up the testimony (prophecy) and sealing the law (verse 16) are metaphors referring to saints of all time receiving their endowments in the temple and sealing their testimonies that warn the inhabitants of the world of the judgments of God to the wicked.

Isaiah proclaimed that he would not be among those who put their faith in worldly alliances. Although the Lord was too pure to be among the wicked Israelites, Isaiah said he would continue to look for the Lord’s coming, and the fulfillment of His mission. He testified his commitment in writing, implying that

all those who read the words needed to follow this example.

Isaiah reminded his fellow Israelites that both he and his sons were signs, proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ coming to Earth as well as His judgments against unrighteousness, and of the final gathering of His people.

In contrast to receiving God’s word in His sacred temples or from His prophets, people often go to “soothsayers or wizards to hear the future.”

Satan, not bound with the veil of forgetfulness, knows God’s Plan of Salvation and it is his most important goal to destroy it (and us with it). Satan is possessed by darkness rather than Light, but he has limited knowledge of the future and can give this to his followers.

When the Children of Israel returned from Egypt to possess the covenant land, many wicked pagan nations relied on Satan-inspired information.

Through Moses, the Lord cautioned the Children of Israel to not follow this dark example, but instead to get their information from the Lord and His holy prophets. Most important, as Moses long ago prophesied, “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me [Moses]; unto Him ye shall hearken”(Deut. 18:14-15). The Prophet of whom Moses spoke was Jesus Christ Himself. He would be born in the flesh to redeem the Children of Israel and all people in this and countless other worlds.

He is the Source of all Light.

Sometimes people are blessed with personal revelation to hear in dreams, visions, or voiced messages from those who have passed on—but this should always be through prayer through the Power of the Holy Ghost. When Satan appeals to people to consult mediums to hear advice and information from departed spirits—or the dead—he opens the way for them to hear deceitfully from him and spirits that followed him.

The Lord reminded the Israelites, through Isaiah, to seek the word of the Lord through prayers, worship, and scriptures; if “soothsayers” speak contrary to this holy word of God, the Light of Christ is not in them. “…whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil” (Alma 5:41).

Isaiah countered Satan’s argument by saying that people should go to the law and the testimony of their true God (verse 20)—or to the scriptures and the prophets and the information they would be given in the holy temple. There is no Light—no Spirit of Truth or influence of the Holy Ghost—in Satan’s spirits, so

there is no Light in those who follow Satan’s spirits.

Apostate Israelites would fret and trouble themselves about their situations. But they would not recognize that they brought the troubled circumstances upon themselves. They would curse their king who brought them to such a state and they would curse God, because He no longer protected them. They would look upward to Heaven, but they would not repent or truly be seeking God (verse 22).

Because they would reject God, the Israelites could not receive Light from Heaven. They would choose Earthly sources orchestrated by Satan, for guidance. They would discover that evil Earthly alliances are treacherous; they would become outcasts and wanderers, seeing only trouble and suffering darkness, sadness, sorrow, and anguish (verse 22).

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI

CHAPTER 19

Chapter 19

Isaiah’s prophecies are often multi-layered; the concepts may be temporal and spiritual—they may refer to fulfillments in different times and/or places or various circumstances. The end of Chapter 18 ended with the discouraging impact of how Israelites would be in darkness after the northern and southern kingdoms would be overrun, occupied, and left desolate. And then the Israelites eventually would be scattered throughout the world.

Isaiah prophesied that following the Babylon destruction of Jerusalem, and the killing and capturing of Jews, remnants of Israelites would yet be allowed to return to Jerusalem (It would be under Persian rule.). After returning, they would remain essentially in darkness until the Great Light,

our Lord and Savior, would be born in their midst.

Nephi quoted Isaiah’s message that referred back to an earlier time, when Moses was leading the Children of Israel (by the way of the Red Sea beyond Jordan) from Egypt. These early Israelites were afflicted because of their unbelief. (Compare with Isaiah 9.) In the meridian of time, when the Messiah was born, dimness was penetrated. Zebulun and Naphtali were places that these two tribes of Israel first settled after Joshua assigned places for all the tribes. The area later encompassed Capernaum—the town that Jesus made His headquarters during part of His ministry.

Isaiah prophesied that relief would be offered from the dimness and darkness of centuries when Christ came to Earth and established His Gospel (verse 2).

Verse 2, besides foretelling the birth of the Savior, refers to the Second Coming—when the Light of Christ will come upon the whole Earth. There are multi-layered meanings referring back to the Savior’s birth as Isaiah prophesies of events leading up to the Millennial reign (Check these Vocabulary Tips: Multiplied the nation Harvest, Spoil to clarify verse 3).

God promised Abraham…

And I will make of thee a great nation, and…bless thee above measure,

and make thy name great among all nations,

and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee,

that in their hands they shall bear this ministry

and Priesthood unto all nations.

And I will bless them through thy name;

for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name,

and shall be accounted thy seed,

and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father;

(Abraham 2:9 & 10)

True joy comes with encompassing the fullness of the Gospel. Isaiah compared the joy “they” [people embracing the Gospel] would have before “Thee” [God] to the joy of reaping a temporal harvest. Joy is increased as many more people experience joy when the Children of Israel are gathered into the Lord’s true fold.

In Isaiah’s time, victors in battle divided those things won from defeated enemies among themselves. Although the happiness in being one with the Lord is more glorious than any worldly joy, Isaiah used metaphoric examples, as he compared Heavenly joys to pleasures we enjoy on Earth—to start people imagining the ultimate joy of the Lord’s ultimate harvest.

When Christ comes again, He will lift the physical oppression of Israel. Even more important, as the Israelites accept Him as their Lord and embrace His holy Gospel, He will lift the spiritual oppression that they caused themselves for centuries because of their tragic choice to separate from God, breaking their covenant with Him. Isaiah used metaphors, referring to these oppressions as:

Yoke of his burden

Staff of his shoulder
Rod of his oppressor

War is bloody and chaotic (verse 5). Satan, perpetuator of the horrors of war, delights in chaos. After the purifying burning that will accompany events of the Second Coming, the Millennial reign of Christ will begin,

and there will be no more war.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given;

and the government shall be upon His shoulder;

and His name shall be called,

Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God,

The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of government and peace there is no end,

upon the throne of David,

and upon His Kingdom to order it, and to establish it with judgment

and with justice from henceforth, even forever.

The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.

(verses 6 & 7)

The glorious messages of these two verses summarize and extend the tidings of the angels who proclaimed the birth of the Lord more than 2,000 years ago.

Isaiah prophesied the results of Christ’s Millennial mission. Jesus was born on Earth, a direct descendant of David’s lineage. David was chosen as king by Jesus Christ Himself centuries earlier. As Isaiah spoke to the Israelites, they could relate to the golden years of king David. However, it is actually the Lord’s throne of which there will be no end.

Prophesying of Jesus Christ’s birth and Millennial reign, Isaiah outlined blessings the righteous will attain. In contrast, beginning with verse 8, Isaiah reminded the people that the Lord sent His prophets to warn all Israel of coming catastrophes if they refuse to repent

Jacob, Isaac’s son, who was the many times great-grandfather to Isaiah’s generation, received by revelation and special blessing the name, Israel. Since the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob [Israel], the Children of Israel have had God’s word in scripture.

“All…people,” [with] “Ephraim,” and “…inhabitants of Samaria” leaves no doubt that all of Israel—from whichever kingdom—will know the word of God [will be told and shown, through the prophets and the scriptures], even the arrogant ones who thought that they could rely on themselves to overcome any hardships that might come and spoke (in pride and stoutness [boldness] of heart) (verse 9).

In an attitude of superiority and egotism, the wicked in northern Israel refused to accept catastrophes as chastisements from God. They just figured they would build up whatever was knocked down.

The metaphors, “the bricks are fallen” and the “sycamores are cut down,” refer to the cities being destroyed. In actuality, it was Israelites who fell, which caused the Lord to allow their cities to be destroyed. This is cause and effect. Notice the similarity to early Israelites and the Nephites—

and to arrogant nations throughout history—in tragic cause and effect.

Isaiah prophesied that on the last phase of the Israelites’ steps to self-destruction, wickedness of the northern kingdom of Israel would cause God to allow them to be attacked and their nation destroyed (verses 10 & 11).

“His Hand is stretched out still” (verse 12) is a phrase that can have double meaning. Because of the wickedness of the people, the Lord’s Hand is stretched out against them. He is intolerant of evil in all its awful forms. However, because of loving patience for the people—He continually stretches out His Hand in invitation for them to repent and come back to Him.

In spite of their obvious impending downfall, the Israelites will refuse to take God’s invitational “outstretched Hand.”

Lines from the old poem, “It was a sheep, not a lamb that had gone astray, in the parable Jesus told. A grown up sheep who had lost its way from the ninety and nine in the fold…” and then explains that…“the lambs will follow the sheep, you know…” come to mind as we consider the grown-up “sheep” in Israel and Judah who led the rising generations astray.

The older generation and false prophets had for many years followed Satan, so the whole country became contaminated with evil. Even the orphans and widows are included in the edict. The Lord first would cut off the power of the leaders (verses 14-17).

In spite of the wickedness, and their stubborn bend to complete their own downfall, our Lord continued to call to them to come back to Him.

Like fire, wickedness burns up people’s spiritual connection to God; evil choices burns any goodness and destroys it.

For wickedness burneth as the fire; it shall devour the briers and thorns,

and shall kindle in the thickets of the forests,

and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.

(verse 18)

The Lord always gives people every chance, but then, as they continue to be evil and unrepentant, they bring about their destruction. Isaiah prophesied that they would be so wicked, that they would fight brother against brother. They would forage for food to eat but would not care about

saving their brothers or their neighbors (verses 19 & 29).

What a horrible fate these ancient Israelites would have because they listened to Satan. That awful devil delights to pit brother against brother and friend against friend in attempting to make evil the victor over good.

Even as Isaiah prophesied, the Israelites were far down deep in Satan’s evil swamp. They worshipped idols, ignored God, indulged in disgusting evil practices, condoned murder, thievery, and satisfied all manner of selfish lusts; there was no room for charity in their psyches; they were not fit for the Spirit of God to dwell within in them. But God’s Hand was still out-stretched, wanting them to repent and come back to Him.

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI

CHAPTER 20

Chapter 20

In multi-layered meaning, Isaiah prophesied the destiny of the kingdom of Israel in his time—and what would happen to the world at the Second Coming of the Savior (compare to Isaiah 10) (verses 1 & 2).

Unrighteous decrees are unfair laws prejudiced against a particular group, especially a group helpless to fight them. This judgment by the Lord, also condemns laws that do not protect against abuse. Many kingdoms have been founded and built on the others’ misery. Israel had degenerated to that condition.

Isaiah made it clear that corrupt courts of the northern kingdom of Israel would lose their power. These former oppressors would be hunted down and captured when Assyria invaded. They would have no one to turn to, since they had already turned from the Lord. Their illegal booty and bribes would do them no good (verse 3)!

Consider corrupt laws throughout the world throughout history

even to the present time:

Horrible laws instigated against Jews and other minority races and religious groups
Cruel and unfair laws oppressing women
Laws dictating prescribed religion
Laws forbidding citizens to leave boundaries of their countries
Laws limiting the right to have children
Laws curtailing rights to fair trials
Law makers taking bribes
Weak laws enabling corrupt judges to take kick-backs

Without the Lord the people would be taken prisoners. In this way His Hand was stretched out against the chosen evil practiced by the Israelites. The Lord is always angry at evil, but He also always stretches out His Hand, inviting people to repent and come to Him (verse 4).

The Lord used the wicked country of Assyria as a tool to punish wickedness rampant in Israel. Assyria had conquered several city-states and had ambitions to rule the world (which would be thwarted). O Assyrian… (Isaiah, from the Lord’s vantage point in verse 5, warned the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, that [he was a tool—a rod...of the Lord]…a staff [of the Lord]…causing Israel’s indignation [downfall], which actually resulted from their wickedness and pride.)

Assyria has become a symbol of all wicked nations. Nations may war against God’s people. God may use these nations to chastise His people for rejecting Him and scorning righteous teachings. However, these attacking nations will be at last consumed, because God is in charge of all the world’s armies (D&C 60:4).

Because of extreme wickedness in the kingdom of Israel, the Lord allowed the Assyrian king and his army to overrun Israel and kill or capture thousands of the people. The captured Israelites and their descendants are now known as the

“lost tribes.”

We rightly think of our Lord as a peaceful God, “One who loves peace.” But He has absolutely no tolerance for wickedness. He has tolerance for the sinner—and constantly tries to persuade sinners to repent and live righteously, but He does and always will relentlessly fight evil.

Isaiah recognized the Assyrian king would think, in his arrogance, that it was his own might and power that allowed him to capture and despoil the kingdom of Israel (verses 7-11) (Read Vocabulary Tips for Chapter 20).

Isaiah wrote that the king of Assyria

would be punished for his unwarranted pride.

The king of Assyria would not realize that the Lord was using him as an instrument of chastisement for the Israelites. After the king had conquered as much as God would allow,

he would be punished for his haughtiness, pride, and egotism.

Isaiah expressed in graphic simile the boastful attitude the king of Assyria would have when he overcame weaker nations and robbed them. The nest represented the weak nations; the eggs represented riches and resources of the lands. The wing, mouth, and the sound “peeped” meant they would be as helpless to keep their possessions as a hen is helpless to keep her eggs (verse 14).

Isaiah scoffed at how ridiculous it was for the Lord’s instrument to boast of its accomplishments. In verse 15, look for the metaphors “ax,” “saw,” “rod,” and “staff.” These tools represented the Assyrian king, the human instrument.

Although Isaiah wrote of the downfall of the king of Assyria, in multi-layered meanings, taking into consideration the whole vision of Earth time, he prophesied of the last days. The Lord will consume wicked people and wicked nations. Members of the House of Jacob who repent and gather

will be with the Lord in Zion.

Fatness (verse 16) indicates prosperity; leanness indicates deprivation. In Isaiah’s time, the northern kingdom of Israel at first was “fat,” but was overcome with “leanness” when the Assyrians overran it.

The metaphors, “thorns” and “briars,” refer to the king of Assyria in Isaiah’s day and to wicked kingdoms, leaders, and others throughout subsequent eras of the world, even including the last days. The Light of Israel, who is Jesus Christ, Jehovah, and our Lord and Savior, will consume all evil as easily as a fire would devour dried thorns and briars (verses 16 & 17).

The Lord consumed the Assyrians in ancient times. He will also consume wicked nations in the latter days when the Earth receives its final cleansing.

The “glory of his forest” (verse 18) refers to the best of the militaries of the wicked nations. There will be so few righteous people in these nations that a child would be able to count them and write the numbers.

Shearjashub was given his name as a sign, meaning, “They shall return.” Some Israelites would return to the holy land from Babylon (Although then it would be under Persian rule), but in multi-layered meaning, it also refers to the latter-day final gathering. Verses 19 through 22 refer to that gathering. There are repetitive phrases in these verses. How wonderful when the House of Israel will cling to (stay upon) the Holy Lord in Truth!

Although the evil on Earth will be consumed, true Israel—both blood and adopted—meaning those who have faith in and follow the Lord—will make up His army. The Lord’s righteous army will then flow over that consumption.

The Lord told His people to not fear the Assyrian. In a multi-layered meaning, the Lord referred to Assyria who tried to capture Jerusalem and to the symbol Assyria as the wicked nations in the last days. The wicked may seem to have power over the righteous for a little while (as the Egyptians did against the early Children of Israel)—but the Lord will at last come to the rescue and smite wicked nations

“in their destruction.”

“Zion” indicates Mt. Zion in Jerusalem, the American continent, Jackson County, Missouri, headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah, and anywhere God’s people, the “pure in heart” dwell. It is also a term used in connection with a temple-going and covenant-making people. Those who make and keep the Lord’s covenants certainly need not fear “the Assyrian.”

Egyptian rulers raised their staffs against Israel and made them slaves, but the Lord delivered them. Egyptian magicians cast down their staffs to become snakes, by Satan’s power, but the staff-serpent of the Lord’s prophet, Moses, swallowed the other snakes (Exodus 7:12). It is the Lord God who is powerful,

not the puny and arrogant nations.

Verses 28-31 tell of all the lands king Sennacherib of Assyria marched through, capturing, laying waste to, and slaughtering. Not yet saturated with their acquisitive greed and blood-lust, the Assyrians, close to the gates of Jerusalem, shook their fists at the holy temple, vowing to invade the city.

One hundred eighty-five thousand strong, they were dead the next day.

Often the Lord helps even those of questionable character to catch a glimpse of truth—perhaps giving them and others opportunity to grasp the whole truth. Such was the case with Lord Byron. Capturing the drama of this event, George Gordon (Lord Bryon) wrote “The Destruction of Sennacherib.” In rhyming couplets (two lines together rhyme at the end), he wrote in the spirit of tradition, describing the momentous event when king Sennacherib and his armies tried to enter Jerusalem. Notice the extensive use of similes!

The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold

And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold;

And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea,

When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee.

Like the leaves of the forest when summer is green,

That host with their banner at sunset were seen:

Like the leaves of the forest when autumn hath blown

That host on the morrow lay withered and strown.

The Assyrians had already spread carnage and fear as they moved toward Jerusalem. Close to their destination, Jerusalem, according to tradition and the Lord Byron poem, the army was seen with soldiers arrogantly waving their banners at sunset; then by morning they were all dead. Lord Bryon compared them first to shining leaves and then to leaves dried and withered. According to Jewish tradition, an angel of the Lord killed them as they lay sleeping.

For the angel of death spread his wings on the blast,

And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed;

And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill,

And their hearts but once heaved, and forever grew still!

And there lay the steed with his nostril all wide,

But through it there rolled not the breath of his pride;

And the foam of his gasping lay white on the turf,

And cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf.

The horses and soldiers all died, according to tradition. The foam from the gasping last breath of the steed lay cold on the turf.

And there lay the rider distorted and pale,

With the dew on his brow, and the rust on his mail:

And the tents were all silent, the banners alone,

The lances unlifted, the trumpet unblown.

Byron concluded that Assyrian women were left crying widows and the idols of Baal were broken, as the Lord thwarted the Assyrians’ attempt

to reach the holy city.

And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail,

And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal;

And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword,

Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord.

Bryon wrote truly when he proclaimed that even though up until that time, the Gentile (Sennacherib’s) strong and mighty army had not been beaten in combat, the Lord could stop it instantly.

Trees are metaphors often used in scripture to represent people (verses 33 & 34). Lebanon was famous for its magnificent cedars. In Isaiah’s day, the bough at the top of the trees was the king of Assyria. The “high ones of stature” are those high in the eyes of the world.

The Assyrian king did not think he could be beaten. Alexander the Great thought he conquered “the world.” The Roman Empire stretched as far as the British Isles. It was once said that the “sun never set on the British Empire” because it had control over so much of the world. Neither Napoleon nor Hitler thought they could be stopped. The communist-created Berlin wall was, for many years, considered impregnable.

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI
CHAPTER 21

Chapter 21 in The Book of Mormon is the same message as Isaiah 11 from the Bible, but it comes from Nephi, who read it from the Brass Plates. Likely Joseph, translating The Book of Mormon, used the Bible as a reference. However, he made many corrections. The Angel Moroni told Joseph Smith that Isaiah 11, in its correct form, prophesied of the Restoration of the Gospel in the latter-days. This is the gateway to the Second Coming of the Lord.

The prophet, Joseph Smith, in a question-answer session with the Lord, was given clarification to identities of metaphors from Chapter 21 (compare to Isaiah 11).

(D&C 113:1-6)

Joseph: Who is the Stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th

verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah?

The Lord: It is Christ.

Joseph: What is the rod spoken of in the first verse of the 11th chapter of Isaiah,

that should come of the Stem of Jesse?

The Lord: It is a servant in the Hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant

of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on

whom there is laid much Power.

Joseph: What is the root of Jesse spoken of in the 10th verse

of the 11thchapter?

The Lord: Behold, It is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto

whom rightly belongs the Priesthood, and the keys of the Kingdom,

for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days.

In that last day the Lord will come forth in all His mighty glory and the Children of Israel will be gathered to Him. Verses 2 through 5 refer to the Lord

and some of His characteristics.

Since verses 2, 3, & 4 describe the Lord Jehovah, Jesus Christ, the Stem of Jesse (Christ was born in this Royal line), it is significant that Isaiah says the Spirit of the Lord will rest upon Him. The Holy Ghost did descend upon Jesus

after His baptism.

We are told little of Christ’s early years, but Luke says He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Surely the loving Heavenly Father sent the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of wisdom, of understanding, of counsel, of might, and of knowledge to teach the young Christ

as He learned His mission on Earth.

In the last days, when the Holy Spirit again rests upon the Lord, perhaps it will be as a sacred symbolic ordination, confirmation, and testimony of Jesus Christ and His right to be King of kings and Lord of lords.

Jesus Christ was, is, and will ever be perfectly obedient to His Holy Father. He honors His Father and adds to His glory; His love and reverence for His Father is infinite. In this sense, everything Christ does

is in the righteous spirit of “fear of God.”

The description in verses 2-4 also brings to mind how the Godhead is One in purpose. The Holy Spirit will feel a great outpouring of happiness and love that the world is being cleansed of wickedness so He can abide with the people.

He shall have the Spirit of wisdom and understanding.
He shall have the Spirit of counsel and might.
He shall have the Spirit of knowledge.
He shall be of quick understanding.
He shall not judge after the sight of His eyes [He will see through to the heart.]
He shall not reprove [correct] after the hearing of His ears.

[He will know what people mean, not just what they say.]

With righteousness shall He judge the poor. [Remember how rulers in Israel, at the time of its destruction, were unjust to the poor.]
And reprove with equity [equality and fairness] for the meek of the Earth.
He shall smite the Earth with the rod of His mouth. [This is a metaphor, meaning that Christ will just need to say to the Earth that He wants it to change its desolate parts to be beautiful and flourishing and it will happen.]

With the breath of His lips [or by His words] He will slay the wicked.

When Isaiah, and indeed other prophets, write of “fear of God” being a desirable thing, it is important to know that God does not want us “afraid” of Him. “Fear God” is an expression meaning to love God, to reverence Him, to recognize His great Power, and to be obedient to Him

(which is for our ultimate good!).

The hypostatizations, righteousness and faithfulness describe the very core of the Lord’s being. He is “clothed” in righteousness and faithfulness (verse 5). He has ever obeyed Heavenly Father and has always been faithful

to Heavenly Father’s will.

Isaiah prophesied of that Blessed Day

the Lord later revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith.

The Lord: And in that day the enmity of man, and the enmity of beasts, yea,

the enmity of all flesh, shall cease from before my Face.

(D&C 101:26)

Writing of three ferocious carnivores and three herbivores, Isaiah said they would no longer be (literally) at each other’s throats (verses 6 & 7)!

The Garden of Eden was of terrestrial glory. That same glory will be on the Earth during the Millennium era. During the Millennium, people will be righteous, hearkening to Christ—and will pay no attention to Satan—which will bind his evil power. Isaiah depicted that peaceful time, representing it with a child’s ability to touch and play with a snake or serpent and not be harmed.

To demonstrate peaceful relationships between living creatures,

Isaiah illustrated in verse 8.

Note:

Lucifer (Satan), is often symbolized by a snake or serpent. Enmity was put between him and the seed of Eve. Jesus Christ was the seed of Eve when He was born a mortal man. He will crush the head of evil and it will have no power. We are also descendants of Eve. Satan has no power over us except what we allow him to have.

The metaphor, “mountain,” often refers to temples (verse 9). This could mean that the Earth will be in a temple-like condition, or it may refer to the main work of the thousand year period, which will be temple work. Or it might represent both of these. The simile comparing the knowledge of the Lord that will be on Earth with “water covering the sea” is awesome. Imagine waves of sacred knowledge flooding upon and within inhabitants of Earth.

The Lord: I came unto mine own [Jesus was born to His covenant people but

the leaders and most of the general population rejected Him.] and

mine own received Me not; but unto as many as received Me

gave I Power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God;

And even unto them that believed on my name gave I Power

to obtain Eternal Life.

And even so I have sent mine Everlasting covenant [the Gospel with

keys of the Kingdom] into the world, to be a Light to the world,

and to be a standard for my people, and for the Gentiles to seek

to it, and to be a messenger before my Face to prepare the way

before Me. (D & C 45:8-9)

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an

ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and his rest shall be

glorious (verse 10).

Most scholars of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe the “root of Jesse,” a servant of Christ, to be Joseph Smith. Joseph was the Prophet of the Restoration; he was also of Joseph of Egypt’s lineage.

Joseph Smith, under the direction of Christ, established Christ’s Church in these last days. The Lord’s beautiful words in D&C 45:8-9 give insight to this “ensign” of which the Gentiles seek. It is the Gospel, as taught by revelation within Christ’s Restored Church, to everyone who especially appreciates and seeks to partake of the covenants offered between Christ and His people.

Among keys given to Joseph were the keys of the Gathering of Israel; Joseph received these from Moses (D&.C 110:11)

Although Joseph Smith was murdered, his “rest,” as he sealed his testimony with his blood and returned to Christ, is glorious.

The Children of Israel, including those dispersed among nations of the world for centuries, and the lost tribes who descended from the kingdom of Israel, are even now being gathered (verses 11 &12).

All of the nations mentioned from which the Lord will gather the Children of Israel are countries which were around ancient Israel. They symbolize countries throughout the world. The “islands of the sea” refer to places that were not accessible by land from Asia and Africa.

The Gospel taught within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sets up an ensign, or standard, for all Children of Israel, whether they are of Israelite lineage or whether they are within the Abrahamic covenant by right of righteousness.

There will be no more hostility in Israel and all of Israel will be unified in the army of the Lord, and will be one in purpose in getting rid of the evil of the world (verse 13).

The Philistines, Edom, Moab, and Ammon as well as “the east” are examples of nations and people of wickedness living near ancient Israel. In multi-layered meaning that includes the last days, they are symbols for all wicked nations and people (verse 14).

In the last days the Lord’s army will defeat wicked nations and people. The Lord allowed Moses to part the waters of the Red Sea so the Children of Israel could escape the army of Pharaoh. In the last days, the Lord will remove obstructions, including forbidding waters, deserts, or other obstacles which would prevent the gathering and movement of His army (verses 15 & 16).

The remnant of Christ’s people are the righteous who accept Him as Lord of lords and obey His commandments. The highway may have a multi-layered meaning. It may mean both a temporal highway on which His army moves and a spiritual highway—the “straight and narrow path to Heaven.”

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 22 & 23

Chapter 22

In common with king David and unnamed others who wrote the psalms, Isaiah was a wonderful poet. We have studied one song he wrote of the Lord and His “vineyard,” in Chapter 15, which compares with the Biblical Isaiah 5. Isaiah began the song of the vineyard with, “And then will I sing to my Well Beloved…” In that song he beautifully articulated his deep feeling

for the beloved Son of Heavenly Father.

After experiencing the wonderful Millennial Day in vision, Isaiah wrote a heartfelt song of praise to our Lord (compare with Isaiah 12). The first three verses are future feelings expressed from the vantage point of the Children of Israel—when they repent and are forgiven and gathered unto the Lord.

In a multi-layered way, verse 1 includes not only the Children of Israel, but all repentant people. “...Thine anger is turned away and Thou comfortedst me.” (This means all of us who repent and come to the Lord.) Although the Lord is always angry at sin and evil, He will forgive the sinner who repents (verse 2). Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of Salvation (verse 3).

“That day” includes our time, from the Restoration of the Gospel through the Millennium. Those who come unto Jesus Christ and are baptized may receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, who is also called the Comforter. Parry et. al., (p. 127) suggest that the Comforter in this instance may refer to Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith taught us that Jesus Christ is the Second Comforter (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 149-151).

Those who are with Christ will undoubtedly enjoy the Presence and influence of the Holy Ghost and the Savior. What a blessing to be “comforted” by members of the Holy Godhead!

No wonder people will praise, call upon, declare, make mention, sing, cry out, and shout when the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, is in their midst—reigning finally as King of kings and Lord of lords!

i Chapter 23

Although Isaiah saw the beauty of the Millennium era, he also witnessed the destruction proceeding that time (compare to Isaiah 13). Isaiah was given a responsibility, or burden (verse 1), to prophesy of doom—to warn people to repent so they may escape the consequences that wicked behavior brings.

Babylon was the nation that conquered Assyria and Judah. Babylon, like Assyria, was a wicked nation. When Isaiah used the term, “the burden of Babylon,” he was speaking in multi-layered meaning. In the last days, Babylon represents all wicked nations and people; it is the devil’s kingdom. “…Go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon” (D & C 133:14).

In verse 2, Isaiah spoke from the Lord’s vantage point; He called to those who wanted to be with Christ to lift His banner and call to others who wanted to be saved to join them and come to the temple (High Mountain).

Centuries before Isaiah was born, the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron. He said to gather the people around their own family ensigns around the tabernacle. In the book of “Mosiah,” we will read that in the Promised Land in the western hemisphere, families followed the same custom. They gathered with their families around a temple and listened to righteous king Benjamin address the people (Mosiah 2:5).

In the last days, if we keep our part of the covenant we made with God in our pre-mortal lives, we will gather under the banner, standard, ensign, or heraldic device of Jesus Christ! We will be part of His family—His sons and daughters. We also will welcome others to come join us.

The “gates of the nobles” could represent the temple doors, or it could exhort others to follow noble representatives of Christ through the ages. In either case, it is always true that “the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel;”

(2 Nephi 9:41).

Those who recognize, respect, and worship the “highness,” or the authority, of Christ, will be sanctified (verse 3). Sanctified ones may refer to those who are worthy and faithful in temple attendance and in honoring their covenants. The Lord explained in the powerful section (D & C 88) that sanctified ones are those who will live the Celestial law of Christ. Those who are not sanctified

will inherit another kingdom.

These who are sanctified are “mighty” in faith. They are also made mighty because they are righteous warriors, part of the Lord’s army. The righteous will pour in and gather under the banner of God. The noise of this great group will be “tumultuous” (verse 4) as they come from all nations.

The Lord’s army will come from every country. With His great Heavenly Powers, (weapons of His indignation) He will bless His army with victory. Satan’s evil forces will be defeated. Isaiah described the surprised fear that will come to the wicked and the unprepared (verses 5-9). False prophets and all wicked beings will “howl” like wolves in distress because they will know they will be destroyed. The “howling” may also refer to Satan howling with frustration as he is stopped in his nefarious undertaking.

Describing Day the Lord comes as “cruel with wrath and anger” (verse 9), is an example of hypostatization (giving an abstract idea--the Day--a human characteristics). Literally, it will appear cruel to Satan and his forces because they will experience the results of the Lord’s anger at their evil. Christ will destroy sinners, laying desolate the land that had—until then—

protected the wicked from retribution.

The Lord’s Coming will bring great signs in the Heavens. In a multi-meaning example, Isaiah could have referred to the preview of this when it happened on the western continent following the Lord’s death (verse 10; 3 Nephi, Chapter 8).

We learn from the Doctrine & Covenants that the Light of Christ is in the sun and the moon and the stars. Perhaps Heavenly bodies will be darkened because the Light of Christ will be temporarily withdrawn from them.

King Solomon’s servants and shipmen in the navy brought him gold from Ophir because it was known for its excellent quality of gold. Although He would punish evil, the Lord said He would make man more precious than this gold. Proving this He suffered more than anyone ever could in His atoning Sacrifice for all mankind—to give all of us the opportunity of Eternal Life.

Because of the wickedness throughout Earth in the last days when the Lord comes again, Earth itself will experience some traumatic phenomena. It will be terrible for the wicked; they will have no protection from each other or the wrath of God (verses 13-15).

When ancient Assyria and Babylon were on the rampage and in some periods during Book of Mormon times, the Holy Ghost would no longer “strive with” or “dwell among” mankind, witnessing of the Savior, comforting people and encouraging them to do good. His withdrawal was because a horrible bloodlust and wickedness consumed the populace as they fought each other. Again in the last days, spurred on by Satan, people will do horrible things to one another.

Isaiah, in his multi-layered prophecy of doom, quoted the Lord, describing what would happen in ancient Babylon, as well as what will happen in the last days in Satan’s kingdom, which is spiritual Babylon (verses 16 &18):

Children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes
Their houses shall be spoiled
Their wives shall be ravished
Their bows shall also dash the young men to pieces
They shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb
Their eyes shall not spare children

The physical kingdom of ancient Babylon was in its glory when The Book of Mormon history began. In 605 B.C., only a few years after Lehi’s company left for the new world, the southern kingdom of Judah, including Jerusalem, fell to Babylon. Thousands of inhabitants were killed or taken captive. Then in 539 B.C., Media and Persia conquered Babylon for power and control

rather than for treasure.

Most scholars think that what was once Sodom and Gomorrah is now covered by the southern part of the Dead Sea. The land was destroyed, perhaps sunk into the sea, certainly with no ability to sustain life. Like these two wicked cities, Ancient Babylon, when it was destroyed, also became desolate,

uninhabited by civilization of any note (verses 17-19).

Spiritual Babylon (Satan’s kingdom) will be completely destroyed in the last days; the wicked will have no safe place (verses 20-22). In ancient Babylon there was no refuge. The very land was turned into desolation. In spiritual Babylon in the last days, there will be no refuge for the wicked. The devil and his followers will have no place in this Earth—it will be turned into a Terrestrial Paradise. They will also have no place on Earth following the Millennium—

because Earth will be Celestialized.

A fight between good and evil raged during our pre-mortal life. Lucifer persuaded one third part of the host (Heavenly Father’s own spirit children) of Heaven to forsake and fight against Christ—joining Lucifer (Rev. 12:4).These spirits were fired with the same evil thoughts, the same selfishness, the same greed, and the same lust for power as Lucifer possessed.

Increasing in evil and ugliness, Lucifer—Satan—has continued to wage his nefarious war since beginning it in the pre-mortal world.

He will never win the war,

but he has won many spirits to his side.

Our Savior, in direct contrast to Lucifer, seeks to raise us to great heights. He sacrificed Himself in this great good-versus-evil war, making sure our bodies will someday be incorruptible. He paid the price for sins He knew we would commit. He paid the price for everyone’s weaknesses. He experienced all possible pain and suffering that everyone has and will ever suffer—His Sacrifice was infinite. He will continue to fight the war against evil. And He will win! Wickedness will be vanquished and evil will be punished. Although Christ’s Hand is forever outstretched, welcoming us to rally beneath His holy banner, it is also stretched out to destroy evil. He will never “look upon sin with the least degree of allowance” (D & C 1:31).

Yes, the Lord will win. This dedicated prophet, Isaiah, encouraged and exhorted all mankind to join the true House of Israel, to be part of true to the Abrahamic covenant—to be with the Lord forever—on His noble victorious side.

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 24 & 25

Chapter 24

“Strangers” in verse 1 and “people” in verse 2 are non-Israelites—Gentiles—who would be a blessing to Israelites and would be adopted into the House of Israel. Gentiles would be a means of bringing the Israelites to the truth through the Restored Gospel. Temporally, Gentile nations would help Israelites settle in the Holy Land.

When, as Heavenly Father’s children, we accept and worship His beloved Son Jesus Christ and obey His commandments, it does not matter whether or not we are of literal blood of Israel; we become part of the House of Israel through the magnetic nucleus of righteousness.

Because the Earth is the Lord’s, it is our blessing to love the Lord and to be His “servants” and “handmaids” (verse 2) keeping His commandments. Eternally, it means that as we live His commandments we will eventually become joint heirs with Him in His Kingdom. All that we do in righteousness will be for our own Eternal blessings! The Lord will give the righteous rest from sorrow, fear, and hard bondage.

Verse 4, like most of Isaiah’s other prophecies, is multi-layered. In ancient times, Babylon was considered a “golden” nation. The king of Babylon ruled with cruel wrath. But the king was finally “laid low” and even the land eventually became desolate.

Isaiah saw the vision of the future of the Earth, including the last days. In multi-layered meaning, he wrote of ancient Babylon and of spiritual Babylon—the devil’s kingdom throughout the world’s history. From the proverb of the king of ancient Babylon, latter day spiritual Babylon could learn a lesson. Through its wickedness, it will also be “laid low.”

When the wicked are destroyed, the righteous will rejoice at the peace in the world. Earth will be in the same state that existed in the Garden of Eden. It will be beautiful and peaceful, with nature herself rejoicing (verse 7).

No way could goodness and evil exist side by side in peace. No way could there be peace with evil alone. True peace must come through righteousness. Everlasting peace is destruction of evil and triumph of Everlasting goodness. Those who will live in the Millennial era are compared to trees in Isaiah’s metaphors in verse 8. They will rejoice that the devil and kings who hearken to him (here referred to as “fellers, or woodcutters) are no longer in power.

Isaiah concisely put the big picture of “Earth life” and “after life” in perspective. When Isaiah gave the prophecy, Babylon had not yet come to the height of its power. But Isaiah saw not only its rise, but its fall.

In spirit prison, the other worldly kings would be waiting for the once “great” king of Babylon. Although the Babylonian king would have been powerful enough to overcome many kingdoms on Earth, his death would be the great leveler. Other kings in spirit prison would meet him, realizing that his pomp and luxury vanished with his death. He had no more strength than they in the spirit world. Worms could eat his dead body just as they could eat the bodies of anyone else (verses 9-11)!

A proverb is, “a general truth, lesson, or rule of conduct, often based on observation of common things.” Using the fall of Babylon’s king as a proverb, Isaiah compared the fall of the Earthly king to Lucifer’s fall from Heaven and also to his up-coming fall in the last days, nullifying his boast in the pre-mortal life (verse 12).

Lucifer’s evil desires, which have only grown as he has become more and more evil since his fall from Heaven, will eventually bring him down to the “pit” of hell forever. Isaiah wrote what would happen to Lucifer. Verses 15, 16, & 17, clearly show why Isaiah compared the king of Babylon and his death to Lucifer and his fall.

Jesus Christ opened the house of prisoners—spirit prison—after His Resurrection. Jesus Christ is a Creator; He made, and is making, countless worlds. Conversely, Satan is a destroyer. He wants to make and keep all of us prisoners of sin, chained to his unholy kingdom.

Satan will be exposed as a being of little power in comparison to God’s infinite Power; he will be less than the kings whom he had once controlled. Most kings were honored with graves because they had bodies to be buried. And all of them will be resurrected (verse 18 & 19).

Isaiah again used the king of Babylon and Satan in multi-layered meaning. The grave of Nebuchadnezzar was never discovered. Although he had a body and will be resurrected, he did not have a monument to honor him.

Nebuchadnezzar’s descendants were conquered. The children of Satan, or Satan’s followers, will be destroyed. Descendants of Nebuchadnezzar would never rise in the world because they were taught from their father to rule with wickedness. Satan and his angels will never rise in the Resurrection because they did not earn bodies.

The Lord cut off the power of ancient Babylon, including all the descendants of Nebuchadnezzar. Likewise, in the last days, God will cut off Satan’s power and the power of all his followers. Bittern and “pools of water” suggest murky swamp land. The ancient Babylon, once “darling of the Chaldeans,” became desolate and unusable. The metaphor, “besom of destruction,” is a commanding comparison to how the Lord will sweep evil from the Earth (verses 22 & 23).

The Lord is all-knowing—of things past, present, and future. Any prophesies by Him or by His prophets will come to pass. His plans will all come to pass; what He says—is—it will stand (verse 24)!

God controls the destiny of nations. His Eternal laws will always be in effect. The king of Assyria wanted to “stretch his [puny] hand out and conquer all nations” but he was not allowed to do so. The Lord’s [all-Powerful] Hand is “stretched out” in two important ways. It stretches out to welcome all mankind to repent—to come unto Him, to be baptized, and then obey His commandments and receive Eternal Life. It is also stretched out to condemn and destroy wickedness. Assyria was merely the Lord’s tool.

The Lord did not allow the arrogant Assyrian king to invade and destroy Jerusalem. That king unknowingly did the task the Lord had for him to do; the Lord lifted Judah’s Assyrian yoke a few years after Isaiah, from God’s vantage point, pronounced the prophecy in verse 25.

Because of Palestina’s wickedness, Isaiah warned them against rejoicing just because Assyria (the Lord’s rod) was broken. Palestina was still wicked, and Assyria regrouped and destroyed her. Isaiah used the metaphors: “serpent’s root, cockatrice, and fiery flying serpent,” describing conquering nations coming after the king of Assyria. These would be the Lord’s tools to eradicate evil kingdoms.

Many Israelites left alive and remaining in Israel after the Assyrian invasion eventually died by famine. In multi-layered meaning, in the last days, the poor and humble will flee to Zion, where there will be no poor, and where the Zion people will display caring and compassion.

The Lord was in charge in the days of Isaiah, and He is in charge today. And He will win. Zion—the Lord’s people—will live in peace and safety.

Chapter 25

Nephi was taught to speak, listen, read, and write in “the language of the Jews” and in Reformed Egyptian (1 Nephi 1:2). He learned the natural patterns, nuances, and idioms of both languages. He learned symbolic language and allegories, and he understood particular ways the Jewish poets spoke and wrote and how prophets spoke and wrote as they prophesied. (Isaiah was a poet and a prophet.)

Nephi taught his children and his followers about their Israelite heritage as well as judgments and prophecies from Jewish writings. He did not teach them the manners of Jewish literacy, although he knew them well.

The Jews had perverted many scriptures, social rules, and court proceedings through misuse of language. They attempted to hide their evil and worship false gods with deliberate misinterpretations of their language. Nephi did not want to pass any of these perversions onto his people.

Nephi, since leaving Jerusalem, constantly taught many things. He taught the Gospel with authority, having direct contact with God. Under God’s direction, he also taught his people how to live in the temporal world:

Literacy is a key to civilization, as well as being a connection with the past. But its greatest value is helping people understand God’s holy word. Nephi taught his people to read and write. Coming to the Promised Land, Nephi was concerned with straightforward plainness of speech and writing (verse 4). Yet, conversely, he had studied and learned from Isaiah and other holy prophets and also loved them.

Because the younger generations was taught a more simple form of literacy than Nephi was originally taught, his people had a difficult time understanding Isaiah’s writings. Nephi told them that he would write Isaiah’s message concerning God’s judgments of all nations plainly—so no one would have any doubt as to what was meant or have an excuse that they could not live the commandments because they did not understand the message.

Nephi said that the words of Isaiah are plain to those filled with the Spirit of prophecy which, according to John, is the testimony of Jesus Christ. Consider Isaiah’s prophecies—as they testified of the birth of Christ, the mission of Christ, His Atonement, including His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross, Christ’s glorious Resurrection, the Restoration of Christ’s Church, of Christ’s prophets, the Second Coming of Christ, the Judgment Day when Christ judges everyone, and finally of the Celestialization of Earth by the Power of Christ.

Isaiah’s message is among the most important for Christ’s people to read. When Christ appeared to Nephites on the western hemisphere, He told them to study Isaiah’s writings (3 Nephi 20:11-13). That same admonition applies to us. Since language has changed, and since what we now call the Hebrew way of writing is different from what we are used to reading, it takes careful study to understand this amazing prophet.

Fortunately, we have help! Many study guides are available—and with our conscientious effort to study, we have a Divine Coach. As we do our part to obey the Lord’s commandments, the Holy Ghost will help us. Among the many things the Holy Spirit does to ease our lives, He enlightens our souls and brings all things to our remembrance.

The testimony of Jesus Christ comes through the Holy Ghost. It is the Holy Ghost that reveals the truth to us.

Nephi said that he would give his people Isaiah’s prophecy in plain words, according to the Spirit of prophecy in him. Nephi had an unshakable testimony of Jesus Christ. He certainly had revelation given to him through the Holy Ghost. He was blessed with the Holy Ghost’s influence as a constant Companion and Comforter, and he had actually seen the Holy Ghost in the form of a man and had talked to Him (1 Nephi 11:11). Following this miraculous experience—and because of Nephi’s righteousness—the Holy Spirit’s influence continued to guide and comfort him throughout his life.

With Nephi's testimony of Jesus Christ, which testimony is the Spirit of prophecy, he was now willing to share it with his people in plain language. However, to benefit from borrowing Nephi’s testimony, the Nephites needed to have faith and have their hearts open to the Spirit of the Lord; then they could gain their own testimonies.

Nephi: …in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass (verse 7). The words of Isaiah are worthwhile to all people throughout the ages.

(Adapted from verses 8-10)

Nephi: I speak particularly to those who doubt this!

I am talking to my own people, but also for the good of those

who will live in the last days.

Generation after generation of Jews

have been destroyed because of their iniquities.

But with plenty of warning from prophets of God.

My father, Lehi, and other prophets

told of the destruction of Jerusalem

But the people would not listen.

Now, it has been revealed to me

that the destruction has happened.

Many Jews have been taken captive to Babylon,

and many of the rest have been killed.

Nephi took main ideas and supporting details from Isaiah and wrote them in his own words to help his people better grasp the concepts.

Main Idea

Listen to prophets of God.

Supporting Details

Generation after generation of Jews were destroyed because of their sins.
The Lord always sends prophets to warn sinners.
The Jews in Jerusalem in Nephi’s time were destroyed because they did not harken to Lehi or to the other prophets.

Main Idea

Some Israelites will return to Jerusalem where Christ will be born,

but they will reject Him because of their iniquities.

Supporting Details

Israelites will return to the land of Jerusalem.
Christ will be born but they will reject Him because of their iniquities, including hardness of hearts and stiffness of necks (verse 12).
They will crucify Christ.

Main Idea

Those who believe in Christ and His Church will be saved in God’s Kingdom; those who fight against Christ and His Church will be destroyed.

Supporting Details

After He is crucified, Christ will rise in three days with “healing in His wings” (verse 13).
Those who believe on Him will be saved in God’s Kingdom (verse 13).
Jerusalem will be destroyed (verse 14).

Main Idea

There will be another scattering of Israel.

Supporting Details

Babylon will be destroyed (verse 15).
The Jews will be scattered by other nations (verse 15).

Main Idea

When the Jews accept Jesus Christ as their Lord, they will be gathered back to Him.

After saying the Jews would be scattered, Nephi said the Lord would gather them back when they began to believe in Him. The supporting details in this instance are some steps necessary for the Gathering of Israel.

Supporting Details

They will have been scattered.
They will have been scourged by other nations for the space of many generations.
The Lord will set His Hand again.
The Lord will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder (Restore the Gospel).
They will be persuaded to believe in Christ.
They will believe in Christ’s infinite Atonement.
They will Worship the Father in Christ’s name.
They will have pure hearts and clean hands.
They will not look for another Messiah (there should not any come, save it

should be a false Messiah which should deceive the people) (verse 18).

Main Idea

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

will testify of Jesus Christ throughout the generations of the Earth.

Supporting Details

He shall bring forth His words unto them (The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ).
Words (scriptures) shall judge them at the Last Day.
They shall be given for the convincing of the true Messiah, who was rejected by them (There is save one Messiah spoken of by the prophets, and that Messiah is He who should be rejected of the Jews.) (verse 17).
The Small Plates will be preserved to fulfill the promise to Joseph of Egypt that his seed will not perish as they are brought to Christ (verse 21).

The Plates will go down through the generations according to the will and pleasure of God; the nations who possess them shall be judged of them according to the written words (verse 22).

Main Idea

The Law of Moses was given by God as a preparation for when He would come to Earth as Jesus Christ to fulfill the law. It was taught to Nephites so they could see its representation of Christ and His mission.

The Jews in Jerusalem and the Nephites accepted the Law of Moses, yet had a hard time realizing that this law was given by the great God Jehovah, who would come to Earth Himself as Jesus Christ. Every revelation given prior to the time of Christ was to point to His life and His lifesaving mission to mankind.

Supporting Details

The Lord God brought Israel out of Egypt. He gave Moses Power to heal the nations after they were bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the Serpent (symbol of Christ on the cross) which he did raise up before them (verse 20);
God gave Moses Power to smite the rock so water would come forth (verse 20).
According to the words of the prophets, and the word of the angel of God, His (God’s) name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God (verse 19).
There is none other name given under Heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved (verse 20).
According to the words of the prophets, the Messiah will come in six hundred years from the time Lehi left Jerusalem.

We keep the Law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law is fulfilled (verse 24).
The law (of Moses) was given to prepare us for Christ.
The law has become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments (verse 25).
We speak of the law so our children may know the deadness of the law; and they may look forward unto that life in Christ (verse 27).
If they know why the law was given (to prepare for Christ), after it is fulfilled by Him they need not harden their hearts against Him when the law is done away (verse 27).
It is expedient to keep the performances and ordinances of God (of the Law of Moses) until the law is fulfilled (verse 30).

Main Idea

Christ is the true Source of all Salvation.

We labor diligently to write, to persuade our children and our brethren, to believe in Christ (verse 23).
We can become reconciled to God through Christ (verse 23).
We are saved by Christ’s grace after all we can do (verse 23).

We talk of Christ.
We rejoice in Christ.
We preach of Christ.
We prophesy of Christ.
We write according to our prophecies, so everyone will know the Source of the remissions of our sins.
Believe in Christ; do not deny Him (verse 28).
Denying Christ is denying the prophets and law (verse 28).
Christ is the Holy One of Israel.
Bow down before Christ, and worship Him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul (verse 29).

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI
CHAPTER 26

Chapter 26

Nephi saw many of the same visions Isaiah saw. He recognized how Isaiah’s prophecies related to his own people.

Nephi loved the way Isaiah expressed his prophecies and testimony, but he knew it was hard for the rest of the Nephites to understand them. He explained to his people the main ideas from Isaiah’s writings on the Brass Plates—yet in plainer words. Those who would listen to and/or read Nephi’s words would have no excuse not to obey the commandments of the Lord and would have every opportunity to attain Eternal Life.

Nephi revealed some key aspects pertaining to their future as a people, including consequences of both good and evil choices.
Specifically, Nephi revealed evil societal conditions preceding the time Christ would visit the western hemisphere following His death and Resurrection.
Nephi told his people their individual consequences would depend on the choices they made.
He also told them what would eventually happen to the Nephites and to the Lamanites as nations. He showed that there is a natural cause and effect—related to one’s behavior and consequences for that behavior.
He prophesied of the writing of and later the bringing forth of The Book of Mormon.
He revealed the state Christianity would be in when the Gospel was finally restored in the latter days.
He contrasted what the devil and his organization have to offer with what the Savior offers.
He talked about the relationship of all Israelites to happenings in last days of Earth before the Millennium.

The future of the Nephites:

Nephi knew of the wars and the contentions Nephites would have with the Lamanites and among themselves (verse 2).Many would be destroyed prior to the Savior’s appearance in the western hemisphere following His death. They would hurt themselves and jeopardize their own Eternal Salvation and they would persecute the righteous—and even kill many saints and prophets.

Nephi warned of nefarious acts against God’s prophets and saints. When Nephi said, “the blood of the saints shall ascend up to God from the ground against them,” he meant that murderers, who usurp the right of God and cause death to the innocent, will be punished for their awful deeds.

Nephi saw terrible destruction, but he also saw that the wickedness of the people would cause it as they would let Satan completely take over their thoughts, their lives, and their actions.

Although—because he was compassionate—Nephi felt anguish at the devastation they brought on, he admitted the wicked got what they deserved (verse 7).

Nephi saw that there were some among his descendants who would believe the prophets and the scriptures and look forward to the coming of Christ. He said that the consequences for them, or the effects of their behavior, would be different from the consequences of the wicked because their behavior would be different.

Everyone has his or her agency, but choices in behavior lead to various consequences or effects. Some consequences, are Eternal.

Nephi saw the wicked in vision and saw the consequences they would bring on themselves at the coming of the Lord after His death, and also at Christ’s Second Coming and later at the Day of Judgment because of this behavior (verse 4).

When Nephi said in verse 4 that “the day…shall burn them up,” it was hypostatization, meaning that the day the Lord would come, those who are wicked could not abide Jesus Christ’s brilliant glorious Presence. But it also meant that, “literal fire would be part of God’s punishment for murderers.”

The Lord has many titles. Nephi used the title, “Lord of Hosts,” when describing consequences that will descend on Satan’s armies when Christ attacks wickedness.

The Lord loves the righteous and their works. He appreciates kindness, compassion, and faithfulness of “saints”—who are those who have chosen to be members of His flock rather than to be members of Satan’s collection of wicked beings.

Conversely, the Lord of Hosts will not tolerate evil. He always has His Hand “outstretched,” welcoming His spirit brothers and sisters to become His “sons” and “daughters” through righteous choices; however He has no compassion for evil itself.

Satan is the perpetrator of evil on Earth as he tries to frustrate God’s Plan of Salvation. He continues his own unholy plan he presented in the pre-mortal world, bringing souls under his subjection. All mortals rejected his recruitment in the pre-mortal world and attained bodies.

Satan did not give up! He was cast from Heaven for his sin against God and his horrible designs for all of us. Everyone who listens to his enticings in this estate may or may not be destroyed in this world, but they will certainly be cut off from living in glory with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the Eternities.

Nephi saw a vision of just before the Lord’s death (about A.D.30). The large majority of Lehi’s descendants were living horribly degenerate lives, enmeshed in Satanic practices. By their actions they would seal their own fates. The only alternative was to abolish them from the Promised Land before the Savior could appear.

For those few who believed in Christ and looked forward to His coming, living righteously, there would be an effect or consequence when He came to the western hemisphere. The consequence for those Nephites was wonderful! The beautiful title Nephi gives the Lord in verse 9 is Son of Righteousness. One of Heavenly Father’s name-titles is Righteousness and Christ is His Son.

Israelites were to obey the Law of Moses until Christ gave them His new law. Nephi said that when Christ came to the Promised Land following His death and Resurrection, He would give them His new and higher law.

The first, second, third and many of the fourth generation living after the Lord appeared on the western hemisphere would live and die in righteousness. Then, through growing evil behavior, Satan would gain power. The Nephites and Lamanites would have their agency, yet they would choose to serve the devil rather than serve the Lord. This is because they would become proud and foolish, and would enjoy the secret power and works of darkness Satan would offer.

The wicked people Nephi saw did not ask the Lord for judgment and discernment when the devil offered his false promises; they chose to reject the true offer of the Savior, judging Satan’s false and evil offers more valuable than those of the Lord.

The Spirit of the Lord is one name for the Holy Ghost. At the time which Nephi saw in his vision, the people were so horribly wicked that the Holy Ghost was withdrawn from their midst. The Holy Ghost is too pure to abide that awful wickedness; evil was so rampant among the people that they lost this precious gift.

The thing that most “grieved” Nephi’s soul was that the Spirit of the Lord no longer strived—or was present—among his people.

As the number of wicked people increased, there were righteous prophets preaching and writing what was happening for the benefit Lehi’s posterity and the rest of the world—recorded in what has been translated into The Book of Mormon and in other Plates not yet given to us. Nephi was told that the writings would be hidden so the wicked would not destroy them (verse 17).

Nephites would be destroyed—as a nation. But durig the centuries before this destruction, some Nephites, for various reasons, joined with the Lamanites. The lineage of all Lehi’s sons was preserved in the survivors left following the terrible war. These “remnants” would not have a true belief in or understanding of Christ. Because they would dwindle in unbelief, they would eventually be driven and smitten by Gentile settlers who would come to the Promised Land.

The writing and the bringing forth of The Book of Mormon:

Beginning with Lehi and Nephi, prophets selflessly wrote prophecies for their own people as well as for future generations. This was never an easy task. It often involved making metal Plates, choosing precious things the Lord commanded them to impart to the people, and then carefully etching them onto the Plates as effectively and efficiently as possible. There were no erasers or delete buttons. Messages written on the Plates were etched for all time.

Early prophets labored physically and mentally to fulfill the Lord’s commandments by conveying His holy word—but they experienced great spiritual and emotional trauma. They knew that most generations of Nephites would not bother to read or value these sacred scriptures. They prayed earnestly for people of their own time and for future generations—that those who received the Lord’s word would gain a testimony of Jesus Christ. These prophets and writers were the “righteous and the faithful” of whom Nephi wrote in verse 15: “The words of the righteous shall be written, and the prayers of the faithful shall be heard” (verse 15).

There would be many centuries of unbelief, but eventually the prophets’ words would be received gratefully. In the last days, Gentiles and the remnant of Lehi’s seed—along with others of the Children of Israel—would then learn God’s word, believe it, and be saved in God’s holy Kingdom.

Fulfillment of the first part of verse 15 is a shameful blot on the collective development of the countries of the western hemisphere. American Indians—also known as Native Americans—were “camped against,” “laid siege to,” and had “forts raised against” them. Thousands and thousands of Native Americans were killed or displaced, They were symbolically “brought low in the dust,” no longer with nations of their own.

Great hope was etched in the second part of the verse. As scriptures were written, often in dangerous and difficult conditions, the writers prayed that their words would be heard and received. They prayed that the great Lamanite people would know that their heritage included the Lord’s calling for them to be a “chosen people.”

Prophets told of Jesus Christ, the Lord, who would gather them back into His fold, so “all those who have dwindled in unbelief shall not be forgotten.”

What a blessing to the Book of Mormon writers (who would have long since died) and to those who have now received it when the sacred book was brought forth—because it is for all of God’s children.

The Book of Mormon is a gift to the remnants of Lehi—who for several centuries dwindled in unbelief. It is also a gift for the rest of the world—potential partakers of the covenant of Abraham—who learned only parts of the true Gospel because of unclear—and in some cases—perverted perceptions, since many “plain and precious things” were removed from the Bible (1 Nephi 13:26).

Nephi said words of [Book of Mormon] writers would be buried in the ground for centuries. With the Gospel’s Restoration, the Plates bearing these precious words would be taken from the ground and the sacred messages would live once more.

Their voice [words written on the Plates] would have a “familiar spirit” for more than one reason. One reason is that it would be similar to the Bible, and by then the Bible would already be familiar to people. Another reason is the Holy Ghost would whisper to earnest readers the truth of what we all knew in our pre-mortal state.

Condition of Christianity at the time of the Restoration:

In the early nineteenth century, when Joseph Smith and his family were investigating many different Christian churches in their region, there was an atmosphere of malice and strife among various religious factions. Nephi’s vision showed him, many centuries previously, this state of the churches.

A great stumbling block for the sincere seekers of truth was inadequate and incomplete scripture. Both ignorance and deliberate design had removed many of the plain and precious things from the Bible.

In place of these spiritual gaps, leaders of various churches invented their own interpretations. Their spiritual arrogance caused them to teach their own philosophies and discount the Power of God, assuming that the day of miracles had ceased.

Nephi saw people entering into cults with secret combinations. These secret combinations have been part of the devil’s organization since the time of the first murderer, Cain. Because many plain and precious things had been removed from the Bible, the great and abominable organization of the devil flourished.

Contrast of what the devil and his organization offer

with what the Savior offers:

A flaxen cord, like a piece of string, has some strength but is breakable. As it is accepted, another and another is added, until a weak cord is multiplied into a strong rope. This is the way the devil works. Little by little he leads people into his organization until he has bound them with a strong enough chain hold to lead them to hell where they are subject to him.

The Lord calls us to follow him; He does not lead us with cords around our necks. A complete freedom of agency is central to the Lord’s Plan. As God’s children, we may learn to do His holy will “line upon line, precept upon precept,” (Isaiah 28:10; D & C 98:12) but we have the gift to choose. The Lord works in Light and openness.

Although the Lord paid for our Eternal Salvation, suffering infinite agony and giving His own life, and does everything for our benefit—desiring for us to partake of His great gift of Eternal Life—He never forces us (verse 24).

The Lord calls all people unto Him. Look at the contrasts in verses 25 through 28 as Nephi makes clear the point that the Lord lovingly calls and persuades us to come to Him, denying no one.

The Lord commanded against priestcraft and said everyone should have charity, which is pure love. If all had true charity, no one would suffer.

"Wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love.

And except they should have charity they were nothing. Wherefore, if they should have charity they would not suffer [allow] the laborer in Zion to perish" (verse 30).

When mortals, rather than God, have been at the helm of a church or organization, that organization is often built on the backs of the poor, making them poorer, while the leaders become more rich and powerful. Christ teaches that loving one’s neighbor is the commandment second only to loving God. We are not laborers in Zion if we only consider our own riches and worldly honor.

In Verse 32, Nephi reminded his listeners the Lord commanded:

Men should not commit murder.
They should not lie.
They should not steal.
They should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain.
They should not envy.
They should not have malice.
They should not contend one with another.
They should not commit whoredoms.

Nephi reminded his people that no iniquities come from God. God is good and only does good. He invites all others to join Him in this labor of righteousness (verse 33).

Last Days

Nephi taught the descendants of Lehi, as well as Israelites throughout the entire world would experience trial and hardships for centuries. Then the Restoration would bring the beginning of the last days—and hope and enlightenment would come to both the Israelites and the Gentiles (verse 14).

In the last days the Jews and the Gentiles both will realize that Jesus Christ is God (verse 12).

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 29 & 30

Chapter 29

In verses 1 through 3, Nephi shared a sacred visitation with the people of his time and with us! Nephi saw that following thousands of years in exile from the truth, the House of Israel would begin to be gathered into God’s fold—after the Gospel was restored.

The marvelous work is the Restoration of the Gospel. This work began with Joseph Smith’s first vision and continued with The Book of Mormon’s translation and the reorganization of Christ’s Church. It also includes the recovery of sacred Priesthood keys and holy ordinances as well as missionary work, and continuing revelation—as the Lord unfolds His will to His prophets until His Second Coming.

As this marvelous Gospel work continues today more and more prophecies are being fulfilled.

The Lamanites are now being blessed with the Gospel, and verse 2 makes clear that the blood of the Nephites is mixed with the blood of the Lamanites. We do not know everyone who joined Nephi when he originally separated with his believers from the Lamanites; possibly some of his descendants remained with Laman and Lemuel’s group. Then later, at various times, we know that other Nephites joined with the Lamanites.

After the resurrected Christ came to the Promised Land, Nephites and Lamanites lived undistinguished from one another. As the Nephite nation drew to an end with the terrible war between Nephites and Lamanites, some Nephites deserted to the Lamanites. Many from the two nations intermarried throughout the centuries; the blood of all of Lehi’s sons was preserved when the Nephite nation fell.

The Lord reminded Nephi and all who read and believe in God’s holy words, that the Lord loves His children of all nations and sends Salvation, taught in scriptures, to all nations (…my words shall hiss forth unto the ends of the Earth). But many Gentiles arrogantly or ignorantly assumed that God could not, or did not need to, ever give any more revelations or scripture than the Bible (verse 3).

One might reasonably expect that if Gentiles thought so much of the Bible, they would appreciate Jews. The Lord Himself was born of Jewish descent.

Because of the devotion, labor, sacrifices, and travels of Jewish missionaries, the Gentiles received the Bible. These early missionaries recognized and testified of the divinity of the Savior, and they brought Christianity and scripture that would be incorporated into the Bible to the Gentiles so that they could partake of the Lord’s Salvation.

Ironically, in a brutal and twisted way, some wicked Gentiles have always cursed, persecuted, imprisoned, and killed Jews. As late as the 20th Century, Jews were killed in horrendous numbers by so-called superior Gentiles; throughout history, in many parts of the world, Jews have suffered, and still suffer, from bias and prejudice and persecution. Although many Gentiles arrogantly tyrannized them, the Lord made great promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and He has not forgotten that they are His covenant people. The Lord spoke of this prejudice through Nephi, but addressed those who perpetuated this awful practice.

The Lord went on to remind readers that He is the God over the whole Earth. It is ridiculous that only one people would receive His holy word (verse 6).

In addition to translating the Plates and bringing forth The Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith was God’s instrument in bringing forth the Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants, as well as restoring lost and misunderstood meanings from the Bible (JST), and teaching much other restored doctrine. There are also lost scriptures from all over the world yet to come (verse 7).

The Bible and The Book of Mormon complement one another. They are both witnesses, testifying that Jesus Christ is our God and the Savior of the world. We have these precious scriptures to help us come back to Him (verse 8).

How wonderful that Jesus Christ loves and cares for us so much that He want us with Him. How amazing that He goes to such lengths and has such infinite patience to continually reach out for us to come to Him! He certainly can speak as often as is His pleasure [His will]. How presumptuous for mere mortals to dictate how much God should be able to reveal to us! He will continue giving revelation “henceforth and forever” (verse 9).

Because Jesus Christ was ordained by Heavenly Father to be the God over the whole world, and because everyone will be judged from the books He has given them, He will cause prophets throughout the world to write His commandments in different books (verses 10 & 11).

The Jews wrote the scriptures which were later compiled into today’s Bible. Many scriptures that were written in the east were not included in the recognized Bible. Nephites continued to write on the Plates of Nephi; Nephi also saw the Lost Tribes writing scripture in his vision. The Lord said that nations, wherever in the world that He chose, would write scripture.

Eventually all scripture that is written will fit together and we will have witnesses of Jesus Christ from all nations.

With the Gathering of Israel, descendants of Israel, and those adopted into the House of Israel through their conversion to the Savior, will settle in Zion, and the scriptures will be all put together. Those who fight against the Lord’s word and the Lord’s people will be shown that the Lord remembers His covenant with Abraham.

The Lord: (from verses 12-14)

For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it;

I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it;

I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the House of Israel

which I have led away;

I shall also speak unto all nations of the Earth and they shall write it.

And it shall come to pass

that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites

and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews;

and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words

of the lost tribes of Israel;

and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words

of the Nephites and the Jews.

And it shall come to pass that my people,

which are of the House of Israel,

shall be gathered home

unto the lands of their possessions;

and my word also shall be gathered in one.

And I will show unto them

that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the House of Israel,

that I am God,

and that I covenanted with Abraham

that I would remember his seed forever.

Chapter 30

Continuing the theme that the Lord is God of the entire world, Nephi reminded his people that although they were Israelites by blood, they were no better than the Gentiles (verse 1).

Using the same reasoning, Nephi explained that neither were the Gentiles better than the Jews. Obeying God’s commandments—not a particular nationality—will bring Salvation. Everyone who repents and comes to the Holy One of Israel is a covenant person.

Nephi explained the relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles concerning The Book of Mormon and the Restoration of the Gospel. With the Restoration of the Gospel, The Book of Mormon came first to Gentiles. After the parts of the Plates the Lord chose to reveal were translated, the Plates were again “sealed up” or hidden.

Converts often read The Book of Mormon and receive a testimony of it through the Power of the Holy Ghost. Since the Restoration began, missionaries have taught, and many more will teach, descendants of Nephi (verse 3).

Nephi prophesied to his people and wrote his prophecies on the Small Plates which would become part of The Book of Mormon. He was inspired to say more about The Book of Mormon itself. He knew this great volume of scripture would give future believing Lamanites the knowledge of their origins; it would also restore to them knowledge of the Savior—which was known in early Old Testament history and during hundreds of years of Book of Mormon history (verses 4 & 5).

Evil spiritual darkness can extinguish the pure Light of Christ, as this sanctified Light permeates darkness. For generations, Israelites in the Promised Land and throughout the world might just as well have been wearing scales.

As sincere people learn the Gospel, scales of darkness will begin to fall away; when they accept Jesus Christ and follow Him, they will then become a white and delightsome people. This is true of everyone, regardless of skin color or nationality walking in spiritual darkness who then welcome, invite, and live the Gospel within the pure Light of Christ.

Nephi spoke specifically of “remnants” of Lehi’s descendants, but we can “liken” Lamanites receiving the Gospel to all Jews and Gentiles who gain a testimony of Jesus Christ.

After seeing wickedness of many of his descendants throughout the coming generations, imagine how happy Nephi must have been to know at last his people would come to know Jesus Christ and believe in Him (verse 7).

Nephi was permitted to look into the future to our time and witness the missionaries spreading the Gospel throughout the world. The Lord restored the Gospel with many Priesthood keys. He will also restore “His people” upon Earth! The Lord of Hosts is gathering His army. He offers a choice to all mankind. Those wanting to become part of the House of Israel and be under the Abrahamic covenant are invited to join. This does not depend on genetics—but on choices we make regarding righteousness.

Jesus Christ loves us. He stretches out His holy Arm and offers Salvation to all who will accept it. But He hates evil and wickedness and will absolutely destroy it. The powerful force of His righteousness will wipe out those who choose to join the evil army of the devil.

As the Lord’s great Millennial Day comes, He alone will judge who is worthy to be in His holy army. He will be just and fair. “With the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked” is a metaphor. It refers to the fact that all of God’s warnings will be fulfilled. His word is revealed by the Power of the Holy Ghost through messengers such as…scripture, holy prophets, missionaries, and angels.

We have the agency to choose to believe and obey Christ. We made the choice to follow Him when we lived in the pre-mortal world. If we do not continue, by striving to be righteous, to take advantage of the blessings of Salvation that the Lord offers, we will then suffer the consequences of making disastrous choices.

There is a difference in our time frame and Nephi’s description of time (for the time “speedily cometh”). Both Nephi and Isaiah had the perspective of seeing the world from its creation, and then the centuries that followed, including Christ’s Earth life and His Second Coming, and then the peaceful Millennial period, and finally the Last Judgment and the Celestialization of Earth.

When we read a book (or series) covering hundreds of years, it does not take us hundreds of years to read it. When the prophets saw thousands of years of Earth time, they saw the end coming “speedily,” and urged us to prepare for it.

Nephi used the literary power of symbolism and parallelism to describe righteousness that surrounds the Savior. The Lord is the perfect Example of perfect righteousness and perfect faithfulness. He perfectly performs all details of our Heavenly Father’s Plan. He keeps the faith with all covenants He made with the Father and with mankind as He fulfills the words of all His prophet (verse 11).

Verses 12-15 are the same verses Nephi quoted from Isaiah in 2 Nephi 21:6-9. He says [in the Millennial era]:

No enmity will exist between animals and animals; no enmity will exist between animals and people.
No one will hurt or destroy anyone.
The Earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.

From verses 16 & 17, we can imagine the wonderful blessings of knowledge we will receive. Scripture from all nations will come together as we earn the right to receive enlightenment of all of God’s mysteries that have been revealed. Lost and separated scriptures will be restored! Satan’s abominable secret combinations will no longer exist. There will be no darkness or furtive thoughts.

During the Millennium, people will be enlightened from God our Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost; Satan and his evil hosts will be bound and will have no influence over God’s children (verse 18).

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 27 & 28

Chapter 27

Nephi saw great wickedness in the world in the last days, in both Jewish and Gentile nations. (The last days began when Joseph Smith had his first vision. The translation of The Book of Mormon as well as revelations of other scriptures, the Restoration and organization of the Church all commenced with the “last dispensation.” These last days will continue until Christ comes again.) The graphic metaphor, “drunken with iniquity and all manner of abominations,” compares iniquity and abominations (evil, disgusting, and degrading sins) overcoming reason and goodness, to alcohol, which impairs the brain, “swallowing up” reason and goodness (verse 1).

Verse 2 tells of many natural disasters wicked behavior will bring upon the Earth.

Throughout all the centuries of the world, the devil has had free reign to tempt and entice those who will listen to him. He has always convinced his listeners they could prevail over the righteous, who are less numerous.

When the Lord comes again, those who think that they can fight against the Lord’s people and win are wrong as the similies and metaphors in verse 3 establish.

Nephi compared the behavior of the wicked to a drunkard’s behavior and reactions. A drunken person has disoriented and distorted perception. The

world, according to the drunkard, is not behaving in a normal way.

The “dark ages” are often called dark because of little learning or civilization advanced during that time period. It was also during the dark ages that many changes ensued in the scriptures. Changes were made both ignorantly and deceptively. The devil purposely encouraged loss of God’s messages, but in spite of his wicked intentions, wonderful and sacred scriptures were preserved in the Bible; other scriptural sources, in other places, were preserved in their entirety and purity.

Toward the end of the dark ages, God began readying the world for the last days. It took hundreds of years’ preparation for this final dispensation.

As the end of the dark ages neared, the printing press was invented so the scriptures could be made available to more than the clergy.
The spirit of enlightenment began to dawn at the beginning of the Renaissance period.
Many sincere religious reformers began to question orthodox views.
The Lord allowed the world in general to finally discover the “new” continents of America.
The United States was established with a constitution written by inspired men.

During the dark ages and then through the “preparation period,” the Plates of prophets long dead awaited, buried until the time was right for the Lord to bring them to light (verse 6).

In verses 8 & 9, Nephi prophesied the book would be delivered to a man, speaking of the Prophet of the Restoration, Joseph Smith.

Moroni delivered the Plates to Joseph Smith so that some of them could be translated, but the majority of these scriptures would remain sealed because of the wickedness of the world. Joseph, translating the characters from the Plates, read them by the gift and Power of God, and dictated them, or “delivered them to another,”—a scribe who wrote the words as Joseph translated [Oliver Cowdery] (verse 10).

What wonderful times we have ahead! Someday all scriptures will be revealed, showing things “from the foundations of the world” (verse 11)!

The Golden Plates were a sacred trust, given to prophets and their descendants. These Book of Mormon writers faithfully fulfilled God’s commandments by recording grand scriptures on them, often in times of great adversity. The writers prayed over what they wrote; many prayed that the things they wrote would be received joyfully by future generations. The Plates contain precious words of Salvation. No wonder God chose to keep these holy Plates hidden from the world, allowing only special witnesses to see them.

The Voice of God Himself told the three witnesses that the Plates from which The Book of Mormon was translated contained the truth. Then an angel “brought and laid before our eyes” the Plates (from the “Testimony of the Three Witnesses” at the beginning of every copy of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ). Angels and inspired mortals speak through the Holy Ghost, “by the Power of God,” testifying of Jesus Christ. The three witnesses were not only shown the Golden Plates from which Joseph Smith translated, but they were also shown other hallowed spiritual manifestations (Ibid.) (verse 14).

In addition to these three witnesses who saw the Golden Plates, heard the Voice of God, and saw and heard an angel, the Lord chose at least eight other witnesses. The eight additional witnesses, whose testimonies are also found at the beginning of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, were given the sacred opportunity to see and handle the Plates so they could describe and bear testimony to the existence of the Plates, but they did not witness accompanying Heavenly manifestations.

Martin Harris took examples of the ancient writings (copied on paper) along with their translations, to a “learned” professor of ancient languages, Charles Anton, to confirm the authenticity of the characters. Professor Anton gave Martin a certificate verifying their genuineness, and then he told Martin to bring him the Plates to be translated (verse 15).

According to Nephi’s prophecy, made centuries earlier, Professor Anton’s desire to translate the Plates was to build up his reputation—to be revered by the world and “get gain.” However he gave Martin Harris a certificate of the authenticity of the characters from the Plates. When Martin Harris told Professor Anton that part of the book was sealed and that the Plates came from an angel of God, the professor asked for the certificate back. He said, “I cannot read a sealed book.” And he tore up the certificate (verses 16 & 17).

The Lord did not need someone “learned,” in the world’s terms, to translate The Book of Mormon. The almighty God could do His own work, calling on anyone He chose to help Him; He chose Joseph Smith, an uneducated, but stalwart foreordained, prophet (verses 19 & 20).

Joseph Smith, although he was extremely intelligent, had hardly any formal education. Although untrained in the world’s eyes, he had a great and willing mind and heart, and he also had other qualifications that were necessary to become the great Prophet of the Restoration. He was humble before God; he was willing to fulfill his calling, with faith in the Lord; he had an active commitment to keep the covenants he made with God.

The Lord blessed Joseph with the ability to translate the Plates, but He commanded him not to attempt to translate the sealed portion. When the Lord decides that mankind is ready and has enough faith, He will reveal the rest (verses 21, 22 & 23)! After Joseph finished translating the part of the Plates the Lord chose to be translated into The Book of Mormon, the witnesses were shown the Plates, and then Joseph returned them to Moroni so the sealed portion would be preserved.

Nephi revealed some of the words God would say to “him that shall read the words that shall be delivered to him” [Joseph Smith] in Joseph’s first vision.

Foreasmuch as this people draw near unto Me with their mouth,

and with their lips their hearts far from Me,

and their fear towards Me is taught by the precepts of men.

(verse 25)

Nephi saw the Restoration of Christ’s Church in the latter days and wrote of God’s wisdom in bringing about this “marvelous work,” notwithstanding “wisdom of men,” who claimed it was not true and would not survive.

Therefore, I will proceed to do

a marvelous work among this people,

yea, a marvelous work and a wonder,

for the wisdom of their wise and learned shall perish

and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid.

(verse 26)

Verse 27 is rich with logic, showing foolishness of wicked people who will not credit the greatness and Power of God. Some have hidden agendas to preach precepts of Satan or to get gain from their positions of leadership.

In a metaphor in verse 27, the wicked call the restored Gospel, “turning things upside down.” [They did not intend a compliment—but it was! Things were turned upside down with the Restoration—Light took the place of darkness!] Evil ones try to hide their works of darkness, but they cannot hide them from God. God created us and He knows everyone’s thoughts and deeds. Nephi used appropriate metaphors to describe evil people. He compared the sneaky—who try to hide deeds and thoughts from the Lord and to deny that the Lord made them—to a piece of work (like a house) being framed and denies the framer who made it and knows it.

Nephi quoted Isaiah’s prophecies of the Second Coming when Lord returns to Earth in the last days and the Earth is renewed.

Lebanon was part of the ancient Holy Land and will be renewed in the last days. It is used as a metaphor, representing all of Earth’s desolate places where the Gospel will eventually be established. The “forest” represents a land full of stalwart saints who will receive the Gospel. Then Lebanon, (all of the Earth’s desolate places), will at last be restored—when the Lord comes again and Earth will be clothed in its Paradisiacal glory.

Nephi used metaphors when he prophesied that The Book of Mormon would be a great missionary tool in bringing people to the Church. He knew that as The Book of Mormon came forth, more and more people would understand the scriptures and begin to worship the Lord and more and more people will humble themselves before the Lord (verses 29 & 30).

When the Lord comes again, the terrible one [the devil] will be brought to nothing, the scorner will be consumed, and all that look forward to evil will be cut off (verse 31).

Evil lawyers and judges have long abused their authority, sold their honor, reveled in their own power, and promoted injustice. This results in leniency for the wealthy and severity for the poor (verse 32).

In the last days, Israel will finally recognize (their) true God, Jesus Christ, who is the great God, Jehovah—who is the chosen (by Heavenly Father) God of this Earth. He is the same Jehovah who covenanted with Abraham concerning his descendants. They will know and worship the true Lord.

Chapter 28

Knowing he was speaking through inspiration of the Holy Spirit gave Nephi absolute assurance that the prophecies would be fulfilled (verse 1).

Writing on metal Plates was arduous. But knowing the holy words would bring many to Jesus Christ made the effort worthwhile (verse 2).

Nephi saw in vision churches that would be in existence in the last days. He saw them contend (fight), with one another, each saying, “Behold I am the Lord’s” (verse 3). But the purpose was not to build up the churches to truly seek for God and to worship Him. The agents of the various churches were arrogant. They would rather debate each other to show off their own learning than beseech the Holy Ghost’s Power to guide them. In fact, they would deny the Power of the Holy Ghost or that Jesus Christ Himself would continue to give revelation (verses 4 & 5).

Satan, the father of lies, tells people that (1) he himself does not exist; (2) evil does not exist; (3) we will not be held responsible for the sins we do commit. Those who enjoy evil like to hear these lies.

Continuing the destructive plan he began in the pre-mortal life, this awful devil leads people in works of darkness or sins. Satan is the “prince of darkness;” works of darkness are his works. It is good news to those who like to sin to believe that their evil deeds will not have any consequences for them. They gladly believe the devil when he says that they can keep their sins hidden from the world and also from God. Some of the horrible sins wicked people commit are abuse and murder. Sins certainly will not go unpunished (verses 9 & 10).

When the wicked ignore God, they listen to Satan. The “way” or the “path” they leave is the original Plan presented to all of us in the pre-mortal life--which is to follow Jesus Christ, do His holy works, and work out our own Salvation through Him and with His help and the help of the Holy Ghost. All who are born to this life chose then to follow Christ. If they leave our Savior here to join Satan, they are spiritually corrupted.

Some evil practices of spurious church leaders include robbing the poor, persecuting downtrodden, and teaching counterfeit doctrine. Read Nephi’s words of how making evil choices by following Satan’s whisperings, rather than living within the Light of Christ and listening to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, can cause disastrous effects (verse 12).

Nephi warned that Satan and his kingdom will fall with a terrible crash; those who choose to revile against good and do not to repent—choosing to to be evil like Satan—will fall with him (verses 16-19).

Nephi also warned of some of the devil’s strategies (verses 20 to 22) as he “rages in the hearts of men.”

Satan will:

Stir them up to anger against what is good
Pacify and lull them away into carnal security
Teach them to say, “All is well in Zion; yea Zion prospereth” (when people actually need to repent).
Cheat the souls of people as he leads them carefully down to hell
Flatter people
Say, “There is no hell.”
Say, “I am no devil for there is none.”
Grasp them with his awful chains

In a great lesson of cause and effect, Nephi told the consequences of listening to the devil and believing in no need for repentance. Satan continually harps on this lie because Jesus Christ’s Atonement allowed repentance to be the great blessing in progression toward God’s Kingdom. The devil does not want us to use this privilege and progress; he wants all of us to be as miserable as he is.

Obviously, none of us can live a life of perfection, so all of us would be lost without our Savior. Jesus Christ did live a perfect life. And then He suffered infinite agony when, as our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer, He met the demands of justice for all the sins we commit.

Although all of us will be resurrected as a “free gift,” or “grace,” of Christ, to enter God’s Holy Presence and progress Eternally, we must be “perfect.” On our own, this is an impossible task. But Jesus Christ’s atoning Sacrifice includes a “bridge to perfection.” We are responsible to repent of our sins and do all we can to keep God’s commandments—and our Lord’s suffering takes the place of the punishment we would otherwise have to suffer for our sins—and we can become “perfect in and through Christ.”

The fate of those who “hearken” to the devil (verse 23):

They are grasped with death and hell [They will be dead spiritually and will suffer pains of hell and know that, had they made different choices, they could have been with Christ and Heavenly Father.]
All those who have been seized [by Satan] must stand before the throne of God and be judged according to their works [of darkness].
Those beings who chose Satan in the pre-mortal life must go live forever in the place prepared for them, called “the deep.”
Those who choose this devil in this life and reject Christ’s Atonement, must suffer for their own sins, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is “endless” torment. [Remember that Endless means, “God”. Endless torment is, “God’s torment.” Christ suffered this torment for us so, if we repent and try to live worthy, we will not have to suffer it.] A "lake of fire and brimstone” is a metaphor for horrible mental and emotional and spiritual anguish, with the wicked knowing that they chose their own punishment by listening to and hearkening to the devil.

When Nephi warns, “wo to those who are at ease and cry, all is well” (verses, 24 & 25), he emphasizes, in effective parallelism, against being complacent, seeing no need for repentance. This attitude rejects our part of the bargain we made—and the blessings we were given in our pre-mortal life.

Nephi said the righteous (built on the “Rock”) will be glad, but (verses 26-29), “wo be unto those who":

Hearken to the precepts of men and deny the Holy Ghost!
Say “we have received, and we need no more!”
Tremble and are angry because of the truth of God.

The Lord gives us revelation as our spiritual strength grows. If we receive God’s holy word and live by it with joy, He will give us more.

The Lord: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon

precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who

hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel,

for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give

more;and from them that shall say, We have enough,

from them shall be taken away even that which they have

(verse 30).

The Lord makes clear to us that we are to follow His holy precepts,—not trust “man,” except those called and chosen people who tell us God’s commandments through the Power of the Holy Ghost (verse 31).

Jesus gives us the exact prescription we need to return to our Heavenly home. It is only logical that if we choose not to follow His commandments, or directions, but go by some other map, we will not end up at the destination that will bring us Eternal joy.

Our Prophets holds keys of the Spirit of revelation for the whole Church—given through the blessing of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost also blesses other righteous seekers of truth with the Spirit of revelation for their individual and personal lives. Through the gift of the Holy Ghost, we may all testify that Jesus Christ is the Son of God—the only way to Eternal Salvation—and then be sanctified to reach out to help others follow Christ’s holy path.

Up until this time, the admonitions given by Lehi and Nephi and Isaiah, were usually given to Israelites. Verse 32 focuses on Gentiles, both in warning and in blessings.

Jesus Christ said that even though Gentiles had the Bible, they would deny Christ and His Power. This false belief would cause them great misery. But Christ has infinite patience. He continues to keep His “Arm lengthened,” holding it out for all people to repent and come unto Him.

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 31 & 32

Chapter 31

Nephi and Jacob spoke and wrote many wonderful things that we read in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ but both of these prophets were given much more revelation than what they wrote (verse 1).

Nephi finished what has been divided into Chapters 31-33 of 2 Nephi by writing a “few things more of Christ’s doctrine,” and then by bearing his testimony to the truthfulness of God’s words. He wanted to be sure that what he wrote would be understood by the reader (verse 3).

Nephi referred to comments that John the Baptist would make when Jesus would come to him to be baptized. John, one of the great prophets, knew immediately of Jesus’s perfection. John would preach repentance and baptize to repentance and he hesitated to baptize the One who, according to John’s understanding, would have no need for baptism. Jesus, the Lamb of God, taught John (and us) the vital principle to obey God’s commandments, or to fulfill all righteousness (verse 4).

Nephi logically pointed out that if Jesus, who is absolutely perfect and holy is baptized to fulfill Heavenly Father’s commandments and to set an example for us would be baptized, we all (who are not holy) should certainly be baptized (verses 5,6 & 7)!

Jesus Christ does not make us guess what we are supposed to do to gain Eternal Life. He plainly tells us and shows us. A straight path and narrow gate represent straightforward directions instead of round-about confusing and conflicting instructions.

Jesus tells us to “follow Him” to gain our own Salvation. Heavenly Father loves His Son, Jehovah, who is also Jesus Christ, more than we can possibly imagine. Yet our Father also loves us so much that He let Jesus atone for us.

Nephi had a vision wherein Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father both spoke to Him!

(From verses 10-15)

Jesus:

Follow thou Me. [We follow Him by keeping

Heavenly Father’s commandments as He does.]

Heavenly Father:

Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized

in the name of my Beloved Son.

Jesus:

He that is baptized in my name,

to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost,

like unto Me;

wherefore follow Me,

and do the things which ye have seen Me do.

Jesus:

After ye have repented of your sins,

and witnessed unto the Father

that ye are willing to keep my commandments,

by the baptism of water,

and have received the baptism of fire

and of the Holy Ghost,

and can speak with a new tongue,

yea, even with the tongue of angels,

and after this should deny Me,

it would have been better for you

that ye had not known Me.

Then Nephi again heard Heavenly Father’s Voice:

Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful.

He that endureth to the end,

the same shall be saved.

It is not only a need to be baptized. It is a great blessing that will bring more blessings! As we are baptized, we are allowed to perform the same act that the Savior performed. And like Him, we can be blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost. How worthwhile on Earth and hereafter to repent and be worthy of the wonderful baptism experience!

The decision to repent and be baptized, taking Christ’s holy name upon ourselves must never be taken lightly. It is the necessary gateway to Eternal Life—but it is only the beginning of this glorious—but not easy—journey. Once we witness and make this holy covenant, it is crucial not to waffle! How comforting to remember always the blessed commitments!

In choosing to turn back, one chooses to follow the path of the devil instead of Christ. After repenting, being baptized, and receiving the great gift of the Holy Ghost to help with one’s journey through life, it is essential to remain true—to continue to follow the example of Jesus Christ.

By being baptized, Jesus Christ witnessed to the Father that He would obey all of Father’s commandments. Nephi told his listeners (and latter-day readers!) that in being baptized, one witnesses to the Father the willingness to take on the name of Jesus Christ, striving to follow His example in obeying Heavenly Father’s commandments.

When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Ghost “descend(ed) like a dove, and light(ed) upon Him” (Matthew 3:16). In repenting and being baptized by authority in the holy name of Jesus Christ, all (like unto the Holy Ghost descending on Christ) will receive this same precious gift (baptism by fire) from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and can “speak with the tongues of angels,” praising and serving God.

Parley P. Pratt, an original Apostle of the Restoration, explained in beautiful detail many blessings that are incorporated within the gift of the Holy Ghost (from Key to the Science of Theology, pp. 100-101)

It quickens all intellectual faculties.
It increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all natural passions and affections.
It includes the gift of wisdom as it adapts natural passions and affections to their lawful use.
It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures:

Sympathies

Joys

Tastes

Kindred feelings

Affections

It inspires:

Virtue

Kindness

Goodness

Tenderness

Gentleness

Charity

It develops:

Beauty of form and feature.

It tends, [or cares for]

Health

Vigor

Animation

Social feelings

It invigorates:

All physical and intellectual faculties.

The Holy Ghost gives Marrow to the bone; Joy to the heart; Light to the eyes; Music to the ears; Life to the whole being.

God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost use their efforts in helping us come back to them.

We begin the path to Eternal Life when we repent and then are baptized. After baptism we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide us and support us on this sacred journey of following Christ (verse 20). We have encouragement and love of Heavenly Father to help us; we have the love and word of Christ (verse 19) to show us the way, and we have the knowledge that if we do our part, what Christ did for us with His Atoning Sacrifice will take care of the rest; then we can joyfully:

Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ.

If we are pressing forward, we are not “stagnant.” We keep moving to gain “line up on line and precept upon precept.”

(2 Nephi 28:30 & Isaiah 28:10)

Have a perfect brightness of hope.

Hope is “what we desire”—life with God and with our families.

Faith includes having a perfect brightness of that hope because it is acting on the hope without tangible evidence.

Have a love for God and mankind.

Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost show a perfect love for us. In following the Savior, we show a love for them and for the rest of mankind in our thoughts and in our actions.

Feast upon the words of Christ.

The map to Eternal Life is given to us through our scriptures. To “feast” means to diligently study them (as opposed to “nibbling” at them). Again, the Holy Ghost will help us understand them if we do our part to truly try to study them ourselves.

Endure to the end.

Then we will have earned, through fulfilling our part of the covenant, that most precious goal—Eternal Life with God.

Chapter 32

The past is sometimes easier to reflect on than the future (verse 1). When we repent, we have sure knowledge of past experiences and actions and attitudes. When we make a commitment to follow Christ, we are baptized. Baptism is our witness and promise of willingness that we have been “born again” symbolically.” It is obeying a commandment of God. As we are baptized, we enter the gate that leads to Eternal Life.

At this point we have (1) exercised faith in the Lord; (2) done what was possible for us to do to make up for past sins; (3) shown physically, by our baptism, that we are willing from that time forward to commit our lives to living Heavenly Father’s commandments. As Nephi put it, we have “entered in by the way.”

What next? Do we then ponder (or think and wonder), “How and where to go from here? Now that we have entered the gate leading to Eternal Life, how do we stay on the path”(verse 1)?

The fourth principle of the Gospel gives us the key of what to do next: “Receive the Holy Ghost!”

The first four principles of the Gospel, are namely,

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
Repentance
Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins
Receiving the Holy Ghost.

These are not only first in sequence; they are first because they are first in importance. We do not just check off a list saying, “I’ve done that, I’ve done that, I’ve done that, I’ve done that!” These great principles are on-going and interconnected.

We must continue to have faith in Christ throughout our lives.
We must continue to reflect on our attitudes and actions from then on and to repent constantly.
We must continue to witness to Jesus Christ, and to renew our commitment to obeying our Heavenly Father’s commandments; when we take the sacrament and remember Christ’s atoning Sacrifice, we symbolically refresh and strengthen all our promises and our witness.

By continually doing the first three things, we are able to do the fourth—receive the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will help us know what to do next! The Holy Ghost, as we studied in Chapter 31, is the great Gift our Father gives us to help daily guide our lives. This Gift is the beacon of enlightenment that will help us follow the Savior.

The Power of the Holy Ghost, as He, a member of the Godhood, works through the Power of the Priesthood, which far transcends this Earth in infinite time and space. Angels themselves bear witness of Jesus Christ through the Gift of the Holy Ghost (verses 2 & 3).

Jesus Christ has shown us and told us what to do. These are the “words of Christ.” Through Christ’s perfect exemplary life, as well as His words, we are given a Divine pattern of how to shape our lives. The Holy Ghost bears record to us that these words are true—but we must, as Nephi has admonished, feast upon them (verse 3).

Imagine a special dinner, such as a Thanksgiving feast, loaded with wonderful delicious food. You are hungry; you eagerly and enthusiastically come to the table and feast. Feasting on the dinner assuages your temporal appetite.

Nephi tells us to have that same enthusiasm and eagerness when studying the scriptures. The metaphor, “feast,” is potent, describing the great blessings we can all receive when we diligently study Christ’s words. When we “feast” on His words we will know what steps to take along the pathway to Heaven.

If we go to someone’s home and want to get in, the first thing we do is knock at the door.

If we want to enter the Lord’s domain forever, we also “knock.” We do this with sincere prayer. Nephi said that if we do not understand the scriptures, we have not asked—or “knocked” (verse 4).

What down-to-Earth metaphors Nephi used. The door does not open unless we knock. The Holy Ghost directs us if we feast on Christ’s words; Christ’s words tell us what to do.

Understanding what to do lights us on our pathway. We need to ask Heavenly Father for help or we will perish in the dark—we will die without understanding.

Nephi was very logical and “plain” in his direction.

We must have faith in Christ.
We must repent.
We must be baptized.
We must receive the Holy Ghost.
We must feast on the words of Christ in the scriptures.
We must ask, or pray, to God for guidance and understanding.

Nephi’s used “plain” talk. Through the Power of the Holy Ghost, we can understand Nephi’s words of Christ if we ask, or “knock.” We knock when we invite Christ into our lives and ask God to help us understand His words. If we do not bother to ask (fervently—not casually; this often entails fasting.), we will remain in the dark instead of coming into the Light.

The Israelites in Nephi’s time were still living the Law of Moses. This was a law given by Jehovah Himself to prepare the people to receive him as Jesus Christ when He would be born among them. Nephi knew that when Jesus Christ lived as a mortal, He would give them more doctrine (verse 6).

The earlier Israelite prophets spoke in language couched in much figurative language and allegories and moved rapidly back and forth over multiple time periods. But even with Nephi’s “plain talk,” most of his people were unwilling to ask God for understanding.

The Holy Ghost stopped Nephi from telling them any more doctrine at that time. Since the Nephites did not completely accept what Nephi told them in spite of his admonitions, and many of them continued to live wickedly and would not search the scriptures and would not pray to understand the commandments they already had been given, there was no use telling them more (verse 7).

Nephi saw his people were thinking and wondering about what he told them, but they would not listen to the Holy Ghost’s promptings and pray for their answers. Nephi knew that if they were not listening to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, they were listening to Satan. He tried to encourage them to listen to the Holy Spirit and to pray always (verses 8 & 9).

Nephi said that every time we do something for the Lord (such as teach a lesson, pay our tithing, go to Church, help a ward member or a non-member, or perform any service to God or our fellowman), we should pray that what we do will be consecrated (verse 9).

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHI
CHAPTER 33

Chapter 33

Nephi was humble about his writing ability. This characteristic was especially remarkable considering the tremendous amount of work he expended etching thousands of characters on the Large and Small Plates. He said his speaking power was strengthened because the Power of the Holy Ghost carried his words directly to the hearts of his listeners, but that he was not “mighty in writing” (verse 1).

This humble statement sends a message to teachers, speakers, and missionaries that if they speak by the Power of the Holy Ghost, the Gospel’s true message will be carried into the hearts of listeners. The listeners also have a responsibility to open their hearts to the Spirit.

Many have been inspired and converted because of the sacred things Nephi wrote on the Small Plates. Those who accept God’s words, written by Nephi, willingly open their hearts to the Holy Ghost. If their hearts are “hardened” against this Holy Spirit, they will instead think Nephi’s words are worthless (verse 2).

The metaphor, “hardened,” suggests a shield. The devil delights when we put up a shield against the Holy Spirit. He knows the Holy Spirit who bears witness of Christ and the truthfulness of His Gospel, and that this Spirit (the Holy Ghost) will let our hearts know, although our memory may have forgotten, that we rejoiced and agreed to the Plan of Salvation before we were born (Job 38:7).

God told Nephi that it was important that he write on the Plates; therefore Nephi knew they were of great worth—regardless of his own ability as a writer (verse 3).

Even though he was sometimes discouraged because most of the Nephites did not actively pursue righteousness, Nephi loved his people very much. He prayed continually for them to come unto God and His Kingdom—and he had faith that the Lord would answer his prayers.

At the end of Chapter 32, Nephi told his listeners to pray over all the things that they did for the Lord, and that the things they did would then be consecrated unto the welfare of their souls.

Nephi prayed over the words he wrote, and he was assured that they would be consecrated for the gain of his people. He wrote that, although he had weakness in writing, the Lord made the words strong. Only those listening to the devil would take offense at the words that Nephi wrote (verses 4 & 5).

Glory in verse 6 means, “honor, praise, and admire, and give thanks for.”

Nephi: I glory in plainness; I glory in truth;I glory in my Jesus, for He hath

redeemed my soul from hell (verse 6).

Nephi “walked his talk.” He taught people to follow Christ and he himself followed Christ.

Nephi: I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet

many souls spotless at His judgment-seat. I have charity for the Jew—

I say Jew, because I mean them from whence I came. I also have charity

for the Gentiles (verses 7, 8 & 9).

But Nephi knew his own pure love for people, just as Christ’s love for the people, could not give them Eternal Life if they would not do their part—namely, repent and commit their lives and loyalty to the Savior (verse 9).

Nephi showed the relationship between belief in the words that testify of Christ and belief in Christ; you cannot have one without the other. Nephi addressed his testimony to the entire world, witnessing that Christ gave him the words to say and write and that Christ’s words teach all people to do good (verse 10).

It is essential for our Eternal Life to strive for a testimony of the holy words of Christ now, because everyone will know the truth of them at the Last Day—but by then it will be too late. When we see with our eyes, facing Christ across His final judgment bar, we will then have sure knowledge. But it will not fulfill the commandment we are given now to live by faith.

Nephi: And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—

for Christ will show unto you, with Power and great glory,

that they are His words, at the Last Day;

and you and I shall stand face to face before His bar;

and ye shall know that I have been commanded of Him

to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness (verse 11).

As he looked forward to that Last Day of Christ’s final judgment, Nephi expressed his desire that many (if not all) would be saved in the Lord’s Kingdom.

Then Nephi said good-bye, realizing that some of us in our day, would know him “as one crying from the dust” (that after his writings were buried for centuries, they would come forth—testifying of Jesus Christ). And then we will all meet at God’s judgment seat.

Will it not be wonderful to meet great people such as Nephi in person at that Last Day? (We may have already known him in the pre-mortal life; he is our spirit brother.)

As a final reminder, Nephi warned us that the words of the Jews [the Bible] and the words of Nephi [The Book of Mormon] and future scriptures from the Savior will either save us or condemn us, depending on what we do with them (verse 14).

2 Nephi Lesson Summaries: Text

2 NEPHICHAPTER SUMMARIES

2 NEPHICHAPTERS 1 & 2

2 NEPHI CHAPTERS1 & 2

2 NEPHI CHAPTERS 3 & 4

2 NEPHICHAPTERS 3 & 4

2 NEPHI 5 & 6

2 NEPHICHAPTERS 7 & 8

2 NEPHICHAPTERS 9 & 10

2 NEPHI 11 & 12

2 NEPHICHAPTERS 13 & 14

2 NEPHICHAPTERS 15 & 16

2 NEPHICHAPTER 17

2 NEPHICHAPTER 18

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2 NEPHI

CHAPTER 19

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2 NEPHI

CHAPTER 20

2 NEPHICHAPTER 21

2 NEPHICHAPTERS 22 & 23

2 NEPHICHAPTERS 24 & 25

2 NEPHICHAPTER 26

2 NEPHICHAPTERS 29 & 30

2 NEPHICHAPTERS 27 & 28

2 NEPHICHAPTERS 31 & 32

2 NEPHICHAPTER 33

2 NEPHI
CHAPTER SUMMARIES

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 1 & 2

2 NEPHI CHAPTERS
1 & 2

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 3 & 4

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 3 & 4

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 7 & 8

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 9 & 10

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 13 & 14

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 15 & 16

2 NEPHI
CHAPTER 17

2 NEPHI
CHAPTER 18

2 NEPHI
CHAPTER 21

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 22 & 23

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 24 & 25

2 NEPHI
CHAPTER 26

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 29 & 30

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 27 & 28

2 NEPHI
CHAPTERS 31 & 32

2 NEPHI
CHAPTER 33