26 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did consecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be priests and teachers over the land of my people. (2 Nephi 5:26) 18 For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephi. (Jacob 1:18) A... Continue Reading →
I…Did Cause My People to Be Industrious – 2 Nephi 5:15-17
15 And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance. 16 And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I... Continue Reading →
Lessons from Nephi’s Sermon on the Words of Isaiah
During the month of October, I studied 2 Nephi 11-33. This collection of chapters constitutes a sermon to Nephi's future readers on an extended text from Isaiah: In chapter 11, he explains his purpose: to convince his readers that we can be delivered by Christ. In chapters 12-24, he quotes Isaiah 2-14. In chapters 25-30,... Continue Reading →
Nephi’s Sermon on the Words of Isaiah – 2 Nephi 11-33
Setting After telling the story of his family's journey from Jerusalem to the promised land, sharing his father's final words to each of his sons, describing the rift between him and his older brothers after his father's death, and sharing a sermon by his brother, Jacob, Nephi turned his attention to his modern readers. His... Continue Reading →
I Esteem It as of Great Worth – 2 Nephi 33:2-3
2 But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught. 3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth,... Continue Reading →
All Things What Ye Should Do – 2 Nephi 32:5
5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32:5) In the prior chapter, Nephi gave us specific instructions about how to follow the example of Christ. He taught... Continue Reading →
According to Their Language – 2 Nephi 31:3
3 For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding. (2 Nephi 31:3) Even when two people appear to speak the same language,... Continue Reading →
Manifest in the Light – 2 Nephi 30:17-18
17 There is nothing which is secret save it shall be revealed; there is no work of darkness save it shall be made manifest in the light; and there is nothing which is sealed upon the earth save it shall be loosed. 18 Wherefore, all things which have been revealed unto the children of men... Continue Reading →
Reprove with Equity- 2 Nephi 30:8-10
8 And it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall commence his work among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, to bring about the restoration of his people upon the earth. 9 And with righteousness shall the Lord God judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth. And... Continue Reading →
My Word Also Shall Be Gathered in One – 2 Nephi 29:12-14
12 For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also... Continue Reading →