LDS Scripture Journal: 2 Nephi
2Nephi 11:7 (scripture memorization)
For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time.
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Option 5: Points to Ponder
In what ways do the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement interrelate?
What can we learn about the tactics of Satan from the phrase “the sleep of hell?” (2 Nephi 1:13).
What is the relationship between the trials, adversity, and afflictions we encounter and what our Heavenly Father knows we can become? (see 2 Nephi 2:2).
The Creation; fall and Atonement are incredibly important events. The most important events ever. It is the culmination of all history for us, when they are woven together. The creation gave us the starting point for our agency. The fall solidified that it would be as was designed by God. The Atonement makes up the difference between what we can be and what we must be to be back in the presence of God the Father. They are all so interwoven and each is self-supporting of the other. They are reliant upon one another and were designed to be structured for one another.
We learn that Satan binds. He binds after freeing us, encouraging us to utilize our agency in a poor fashion, so he can bind us eternally and there will be no salvation for us. The sleep of Hell is perhaps the fog and misunderstanding of the truth of all things. It is what keeps us ignorant of the better things (the things of God). I believe that the sleep of Hell is what allows us to remain in ignorance and separated from the plan of God. We are all given agency, but when we exercise that agency to do things which seem natural and normal, we distance ourselves unknowingly from the plan of God. We push ourselves into the domain of Satan and allow ourselves to be controlled by his ways and suggestions.
I consider the relationship between trials and potential as the same between physical muscles and exercise. They are the resistance that creates our strength. They serve as a way to build our capacity. These trials and afflictions are the only way for us as individuals to increase in our abilities. I know that even though it is hard to understand as we go through specific events, they come as a result of our proving to our Heavenly Father that we can maintain our progress and desire more capacity. They then are given in ways we lack the most, so we have the opportunity to build upon those weaknesses. Whether it be honesty, chastity, faithfulness or whatever else, it is there because we need to continually be progressing forward towards perfection. AS Job, Abraham and others showed us, we need to be tested to our fullest to be able to move towards eternal salvation and beyond.
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2 Nephi 1:4
For, behold, said he, I have seen a vision, in which I know that Jerusalem is destroyed; and had we remained in Jerusalem we should also have perished.
God protects those who hearken unto His words. He protects those who love Him. He makes sure that those who will do what He asks, with Him as their motivation, will be able to accomplish the thing which He has commanded.
It’s shown here with the Righteous Lehi and Sariah; Nephi et al. Because they hearkened; went, accomplished, they were spared the fate that the people of Jerusalem suffered.
This is a broader concept to Us at large. It is not just an accounting for God’s love and protection to the family of Lehi, but instead (also) for us to understand. If we go and do as commanded, we will be spared the destruction. In all reality, it may not be a worldly destruction we are spared, but we will be given the benefit of life everlasting, if we are faithful to the will of God and adhere to His divine counsel and command. He will pave the way, if we will walk it.
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2 Nephi 1:13
O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound, which are the chains which bind the children of men, that they are carried away captive down to the eternal gulf of misery and woe.
We learn that Satan binds. He binds after freeing us, encouraging us to utilize our agency in a poor fashion, so he can bind us eternally and there will be no salvation for us. The sleep of Hell is perhaps the fog and misunderstanding of the truth of all things. It is what keeps us ignorant of the better things (the things of God). I believe that the sleep of Hell is what allows us to remain in ignorance and separated from the plan of God. We are all given agency, but when we exercise that agency to do things which seem natural and normal, we distance ourselves unknowingly from the plan of God. We push ourselves into the domain of Satan and allow ourselves to be controlled by his ways and suggestions.
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2 Nephi 2:2
Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.
Such a plain and powerful scripture. This is about how when someone is familiar with God and understands what He wants, then we will be able to position ourselves to benefit from trials and tribulations. We will have our afflictions consecrated for our benefit. But not when we are not in harmony with God’s plan for our progression. Tribulation and afflictions often seem to be so shortsided. With an eternal perspective, we can see how we will learn and understand, and expand our capacities for all emotions and capabilities. We need to understand the greatness of God, from two perspectives: 1. that God is Great and Wonderful; 2. that God is Great and all-powerful.
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2 Nephi 3:13
And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.
This is about weaknesses providing a potential for strength. Specifically that in individual weaknesses we WILL be made strong, if we are dedicated to the Lord’s work and engaged in the Lord’s work.
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2 Nephi 4:16
Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
Here, Nephi is showing us the layers of depth in scripture and in the words of the Lord. He explains the beauty he has gathered form what he has been shown, which is certainly more comprehensive than most/all of us have been. This is an indication of how comprehensively beautiful the totality of the Lord’s work and God’s creation is. We must also be like this great prophet and find happiness continually in God; find the depth of information and understanding in the words of God.
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2 Nephi 5:5
And it came to pass that the Lord did warn me, that I, Nephi, should depart from them and flee into the wilderness, and all those who would go with me.
We should not be afraid to run away from evil influence and spiritually unprofitable conditions. We should not look back as Lot’s wife, but rather separate ourselves from poor conditions that we might find ourselves in the wilderness. Wilderness is an interesting concept because here it seems to be something used as a direct link, rather than the historically symbolic use (wilderness meaning: confusion, crowd, mainstream).
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2 Nephi 9:4
For I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God.
This passage explains that because I have labored to understand the things of God, and searched the scriptures and the teachings of the Prophets, and performed with faith, those things necessary to have it confirmed to me, I know that we will all eventually be removed from this mortal body. But because I have this knowledge of Christ too, and of the power of the atonement, I also know that in that same body, later being made perfect and justified before God, I will see God.
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2 Nephi 10:23-24
Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.
I have the choice. Ultimately my salvation lies with me in my choices. Yes, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have secured for me an existence after death on this earth, unless I sin against the truth. But that existence, even though it is better than what I can attain on this earth, can be so much more. If I can resist the worldly temptations of the devil, and do my best to fall into the plan that God would have me do, then I can secure much more than just “better”. I can be like him in my existence, with Eternal life and with a chance for eternal increase.
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2 Nephi 11:2
2 And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him.
This is such a special scripture. It is basically one prophet supporting another. Nephi, one who we know to be exceptionally righteous and given to the Lord’s commands, is starstruck with the poetry and knowledge of Isaiah. It’s spectacular to see this righteous man so taken with the work of his predecessor. We should all seek to find what was found to be so delightsome to Nephi’s mind in Isaiah’s words.
We also see that he says he will make the words applicable to his own people. That speaks to the timelessness of the concepts played out in Isaiah. It also shows that both prophets Have walked and talked (as it were) with the Savior. The word Redeemer is used. It is a very interesting insight to the God of the Old testament via the connection between Jehovah and the Savior given by Nephi.
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2 Nephi 12:3-4
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and 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.
Such a beautiful and peaceful scripture this is. It talks about the peace brought about by the mere presence of Christ. His power and demeanor and leadership is abundant. It will rule all things when He is here among us. It is a special and wonderful and hopeful message. It speaks of the rule of the Savior on earth. It is the type of peace and long-lasting unity that we all long for, but have never been able to attain.
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2 Nephi 15:21
21 Wo unto the wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight!
Plain; simple and condemning.
This scripture explains the danger of being up to ONLY one’s own standard and not to God’s standard.
There is a lot of wisdom to be learned from this scripture.
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NOTE:
• Identify several doctrines and principles from the reading.
• Record several highlights and insights from the reading that had an impact on you.
• Formulate several analytical questions from the reading and seek to answer those questions as part of your journal entry.
• Set some goals for improvement based on the truths you have discovered from the reading.
Why does scripture always make the Lord’s journey on earth so plain and short? So specific, but such a small version of what actually happened?
Because the Lord needs only a few words to describe His needs and bring about His plan.
Why is Isaiah so poetic instead of so straightforward?
Because we are meant to seek out the meaning, rather than just assume based on straightforwardness.
Why is it always the simplest, plainest scriptures that have the biggest impact?
Because the simpleness makes things easy to comprehend once we have put in the work for the answer.
How can we use scripture that is so difficult to read, to help govern our life?
Because it helps us to focus on what we must do to get answers. Instead of going to the low-hanging fruit.
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2 Nephi 20:1
Wo unto them that decree unrighteousdecrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;
This is a great warning. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of pure hope and progress. Those who aren’t commissioned to declare on behalf of God will receive their just reward.
It is Christ’s privilege and the prophet’s responsibility to profess warnings and rebuke. This scripture makes it clear.
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18 Then shall the learned say: I cannot read it.
This is so perfect. It stages beautifully the divine mission of those who prepared the way for the Book of Mormon; those who wrote it and Joseph Smith, the man who translated it by the spirit and with the tools that God presented to him. The “religionists” could not compete with the truth. They could not decipher the everlasting principles and absolute truths within this book because it was more sacred, more complete; more appropriate for the disciples of God. I love this scripture.
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26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
Christ is our Focal point. The things we do need to be representative of His needs and our work. This is because Christ is the source of our salvation.
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4 Wherefore, all those who are proud, and that do wickedly, the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, for they shall be as stubble.
Pride is a big concern for God. The Lord is going to remove the pride from the people, by burning it out of them. The proud are not part of God’s kingdom. It is interesting to see how much God despises Wicked Pride.
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21 And there are many churches built up which cause envyings, and strifes, and malice.
Perceptions will be built upon the false teachings of churches that are not close to God. This will be an abomination to God.
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29 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
There will be a day where the seemingly impossible will be made possible.
28:14 They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.
The people who claim to be the people of God are stubborn; prideful, and do not do what God would have them do. The reason is because of the years and years of compounded falsehoods taught in a way where the integrity of the words of Christ and the Spirit of God are ignored. Partially because of the pride of the “teachers” of these precepts and partially because of the unwillingness to do as God made clear He wanted done. Jesus gave the only example we need, but the “wise” generations of “vipers” have perverted that example and perverted the words of the Lord, such that they only speak with falsehoods made from falsehoods and they refuse to examine the veracity of their words because they are wicked, stubborn and prideful. There will be but a handful of truly penitent and worthy saints among vast oceans of those who espouse the teachings and “spirit” or the teaching of men, above the commandments and spirit of God.
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6 Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?
7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?
I love that this is so plain and smashes the ridiculous notion that men can understand the will and power of God in such simple ways as we profess to be well-articulated.
God does not look kindly on those who would seek to diminish His word.
God is telling us that we are trivial and too focused; not on His will, but instead on puffing ourselves up with the self-flattering ideas that we have come to a conclusion on. He reminds us that our ways are not as high as His ways. He reminds us that He values all the people of the earth. He acknowledges that the Jews suffered many afflictions to bring about the Bible, and by extension those who would secure the words in the Book of Mormon also suffered many things to bring this word forward that others might be saved through them .
God reminds us of our shortsightedness; if for no other reason, I love this scripture. We must always seek to understand His work and His Glory; we must also seek to understand His capabilities, and not forget how much He has done to secure our potential and secure our salvation.
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2 Nephi 30:12-15
12 And then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb; and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling, together; and a little child shall lead them.
13 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
14 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’s den.
15 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Poetry is the only thing that can do some justice to the Peace on Earth the Savior will institute through His Light in the days when we rules as King of Kings on this Earth.
This poetry is perfect wording for trying to understand the vastness of the layers of peace that will be here.
I have noticed that when I am truly in the spirit, I speak differently. I take on a quality of poetry and yet, with exactness and conciseness. I am able to flow with words as I speak or write. I imagine these Men who are responsible for scripture were in the most intense influence of the Spirit. Isaiah and Nephi, many others. These words are the spirit manifesting the absolute truth. You know this because these prophets say things like: “notwithstanding my weakness in writing” etc. and yet: their works are the most powerful in all of scripture.
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2 Nephi 31:5-7
5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!
6 And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?
7 Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding He being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.
Baptism, no matter how many times an unbeliever questions it, is God’s will. Jesus THE Christ knew this. It was His Father’s will. He honored that will. Even being the perfect man. This, if nothing else, speaks to the truth and eternal nature of Baptism.
He humbled Himself; even the Son of God, to be baptized to show the world the only true way.
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2 Nephi 32:9
9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.
The Testimony of Nephi. Perfect in its plainness. It is an eternal truth. As Joseph Fielding Smith said: prayer is for us more than it is for our Father in Heaven. This is true. God will consecrate those performances for His will and His desires when we ask Him to do so. We can only ask Him when we pray earnestly and continually. For if we are continually with a prayer in our hearts, we are most apt to be abiding by His will, and working towards His desires.
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2 Nephi 33:15
15 For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen.
This is the culmination of Nephi’s exhortations. It is such a powerful warning. A perfect goal to reach for. That we might all be able to withstand the judgment because we had obeyed the Lord’s commands. We would also, if we were to be prophets, have recognized our inability to atone for the people on this earth. Rather we would have begged them to repent. To seek knowledge of the truth. To obey the commands of God, such that we could also say we will see many spotless souls before the judgment seat of God. An extremely powerful ending to this Prophets written words.
How can I put myself into a position to feel as Nephi felt? I must serve. And love others. I must be ready to deny all unrighteousness and obey My God at all costs. I must be willing to do exactly as He commands. I must understand the commandments and live to my best potential. Doing ALL I can do, not just the BEST I can do. Then I can say the same things, with the same conviction as is said in these verses.
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