“A few words which I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ”—that’s how Nephi described the last three chapters of his second book. His deep desire, even urgency, to share these fundamental truths with us comes through loud and clear. With limited time and limited space on the plates, he prioritized carefully and focused on the principles that matter most. Here are the topics he included:
- Baptism: the gate to enter the strait and narrow path (2 Nephi 31:4-13)
- The importance of enduring to the end after entering the path (2 Nephi 31:14-21)
- Receiving the Holy Ghost (2 Nephi 32:1-7)
- Prayer (2 Nephi 32:8-9)
- Nephi’s final testimony (2 Nephi 33)
Blog Posts About Nephi’s Final Chapters
Baptism
Enduring to the End
- How Can I Follow the Savior with “Full Purpose of Heart?”
- What Does It Mean to Endure to the End?
- Press Forward – 2 Nephi 31:19-20
- How Can We Be Open to Change While Being “Steadfast and Immovable?”
The Holy Ghost
- All Things What Ye Should Do – 2 Nephi 32:5
- For the Welfare of Thy Soul – 2 Nephi 32:9
- How Can I Learn to Recognize the Holy Ghost?
Prayer
- I Pray Continually for Them – 2 Nephi 33:3
- The Lord God Will Consecrate My Prayers – 2 Nephi 33:4
- What Can We Learn About Prayer From Nephi?
Other Posts
- According to Their Language – 2 Nephi 31:3
- Why Is It Important for People to Hear the Gospel in Their Own Language?
- What Does It Mean to Consecrate Something?
- Mine Eyes Water My Pillow – 2 Nephi 33:2-3
- I Esteem It as of Great Worth – 2 Nephi 33:2-3
- What Is the Significance of the Name “Jesus?”
Blog Posts: March 3-8
Strait and Narrow
“Enter ye in at the strait gate,” said the Savior: For wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14,…
“Why Do Ye Ponder?” – 2 Nephi 32:1, 8
I would describe Nephi’s tone in 2 Nephi 32 as exasperation. He is writing to people who have entered the strait gate—repenting of their sins and being baptized—and who are now on the narrow path, and yet are wondering what they should do next. Nephi is dumbfounded. “Why do ye ponder these things in your hearts?”…
“Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ” – 2 Nephi 31:20
When Lehi and his family left Jerusalem and set up camp in a valley near the Red Sea, he named the valley after his son Lemuel, saying, “O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!” (1 Nephi 2:10). Lehi later shared with…
“From the Dust” – 2 Nephi 33:13
Nephi tells us that he “did liken all scriptures” to himself and to his family. Here’s an example of a passage from Isaiah which he identified with personally: And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall…
“When a Man Speaketh by the Power of the Holy Ghost” – 2 Nephi 33:1
Nephi opens his final chapter with some misgivings. He wishes that his written words could be as impactful as his spoken words were: Neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts…
“My Jesus” – 2 Nephi 33:6
In the last chapter of his writings, the prophet Nephi refers to the Savior in a striking way which appears no where else in the scriptures. He says: I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell. (2 Nephi 33:6, italics added) I…
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