Benjamin invited his people to take upon themselves the name of Christ after they had been spiritually reborn and had made a covenant with God. What more did they need to do? They needed to engage in the relationship. Relationships require effort. They are not static.
“He Is Risen”
Jesus prophesied that He would be killed and would rise again the third day. His disciples didn't understand, but angels later reminded them of this prophecy. Nephi wrote that Jesus would rise "with healing in his wings." He has power to heal each of us.
He Suffereth It
The word "suffer" can have 2 meanings in English: (1) endure pain, and (2) allow or permit. When Nephi tells us that Jesus suffered being smitten, scourged, and spat upon, he meant both. Jesus endured unfathomable pain for us, and He did it willingly.
Christmas, Easter, and the Book of Mormon
The birth of Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection are prominently featured in the Book of Mormon. Christmas is important because of Easter. President Nelson taught that Easter is the most important religious observance for followers of Christ.
Doctrine
Doctrine means something given by a "doctor," which is the Latin word for teacher. The doctrine of Christ includes everything Jesus taught and everything He has instructed us to do. We should study His words and incorporate them into our daily decisions.
“We Talk of Christ”
Nephi tells us that he consistently taught his children about Christ, because he wanted them to know where to turn to overcome their sins. Sometimes those words aren't well-received at first, but they may eventually become a lifeline in a time of need.
The Branch of the Lord
The "branch of the Lord" in 2 Nephi 14 could mean at least three things: 1. The blessings we receive as we turn our hearts to God. 2. Jesus Christ, who came from the Father 3. We become the branch of the Lord as we bind ourselves to Him
Like a Flint
Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would "set [his] face like a flint" and would endure untold suffering without retaliation. Jesus fulfilled that prophecy, willingly enduring humiliation and violence at the end of His life.
Q&A with Nephi
After experiencing a far-reaching vision, Nephi answered a series of questions from his brothers. In this post, I list those five questions, summarize his answers, and discuss the significance of each answer for us.
Jesus Is the Christ
The Greek word Christos means "the Anointed One." It is the equivalent of the Hebrew word Mashiach (Messiah). Lehi taught his children that the Messiah would be the Savior of the World. Nephi and Mormon testified that Jesus is the Christ.