As Nephi explains the significance of the chapter from Isaiah that he has just paraphrased, he describes a future world of religious confusion. Churches contend with one another. People teach false doctrines like “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die,” or, “All is well in Zion.” Don’t be content with what you have, says Nephi. Keep seeking knowledge. God has so much more to give you, but it will come “line upon line, precept upon precept.”
Chapter Outline
- Many churches will contend with one another and deny the power of God (v. 1-6)
- Many will say, “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die” (v. 7-14)
- False teachers will fall (v. 15-20)
- Others will be complacent, saying, “All is well in Zion” (v. 21-25)
- God gives knowledge “line upon line, precept upon precept.” Don’t stop learning from Him! (v. 26-32).
My Takeaways
- Seek for the companionship of the Holy Ghost when you teach.
- Even seemingly small sins can lead us away from the joy and safety of the gospel.
- Challenges and frustrations can serve as a reminder that we need God’s help.
- Each moment is precious, and we ought to use it wisely.
- Knowledge comes gradually, step by step
Featured Blog Posts
❖ Many Churches Contend with One Another – 2 Nephi 28:1-6
They Shall Teach with Their Learning – 2 Nephi 28:4
4 And they shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance. (2 Nephi 28:4) When we rely on our own learning to teach, we miss out on the blessings that come from teaching by the…
How Can I Recognize the Hand of the Lord in My Life?
After warning the people of Jerusalem of their imminent destruction, Lehi was commanded by the Lord to take his family out of the city into the wilderness (1 Nephi 2:1-2). He had to defend this decision many times as the family undertook a difficult journey across the land and the sea to a promised land…
A God of Miracles
Nephi and Moroni taught that God is a God of miracles and that He is unchanging. President Nelson encouraged us to do things that require more faith, believing that God will work miracles to help us move the mountains in our lives.
❖ “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry” – 2 Nephi 28:7-14
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry – 2 Nephi 28:7-8
7 Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us. 8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little,…
What’s Wrong with “Costly Apparel?”
People are more important than things. We all know that. But at times we are all tempted to prioritize things over people. Why is that? Here’s one reason: We all want to be appreciated and respected. In our world, appearances matter. The things you own, including the clothes you wear, influence the way other people…
❖ False Teachers Will Fall – 2 Nephi 28:15-20
That Turn Aside the Just for a Thing of Naught – 2 Nephi 28:16-17
16 Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe…
The Kingdom of the Devil Must Shake – 2 Nephi 28:19
19 For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish; (2 Nephi 28:19) Why will we experience calamities before the Second Coming? Why must…
❖ “All Is Well” – 2 Nephi 28:21-25
What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Complacency?
The word “complacent” doesn’t appear in the Book of Mormon, but warnings against complacency are pervasive: “Arise from the Dust” Near the end of his life, Lehi pleads with his sons to “arise from the dust…and be men.” He tells them to “shake off [their] chains,” “put on the armor of righteousness,” and “come forth…
Others Will He Pacify – 2 Nephi 28:21-22
21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell;…
❖ “Line Upon Line” – 2 Nephi 28:26-32
Overcoming Resistance to Change – 2 Nephi 28 & 29
When you are confident that your worldview is complete, it can be easy to ignore or reject inconvenient facts which fail to conform to your theories. That’s human nature. We prefer for the data to fit neatly into our preconceived notions rather than to have to question those notions. But this resistance to change can…
All the Day Long – 2 Nephi 28:32
32 Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out…
Why Is It Important to Ask Questions?
During 2019, I’m going to organize my study around questions. Each day, I’m going to ask a question and see what I can learn from the Book of Mormon about that question. I have received a number of questions from readers, and I would love to have you submit more questions (anonymously) on my Questions submission…
Old Testament Foundations
Line upon Line
“Precept must be upon precept,” wrote the prophet Isaiah, “precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line” (Isaiah 28:10, 13). If this passage sounds repetitive in English, it is even more so in Hebrew. The words for precept (tsav – צַו) and line (qav – קַו) are not only monosyllabic but they rhyme with…
At Ease in Zion
Amos decried the complacency he saw among the inhabitants of Israel. Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came! Amos 6:1 He went on to describe them lying on beds of ivory, eating, drinking, and using expensive ointments, but not…
The Desire of All Nations
Speaking on behalf of the Lord, Haggai prophesied: Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. Haggai 2:6-7 In the King James…
New Testament Parallels
Lukewarmness
God said that He wants us to be hot or cold, not lukewarm. Nephi warned that we shouldn’t be “at ease in Zion.” When we choose to participate in an activity, and especially in the gospel, we need to fully commit. We need to be all-in.
Burying My Talent
Loss aversion is the tendency to prioritize what we already have over what we can achieve. The unwise servant in the Parable of the Talents fell into this trap, missing opportunities to expand his resources because he was unwilling to take risks.
Veritas Liberabit Vos
Truth makes us free for at least two reasons. First, when we don’t acknowledge our sins, we are unable to overcome them. Second, increased knowledge brings increased power. God wants to give us more knowledge, so that we can be more free.
Church History Connections
“A Little Sin” – 2 Nephi 28:8
The prophet Nephi identified two common strategies the devil uses to tempt us: Strategy #1: Don’t worry about the future. Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us. 2 Nephi 28:7 (See also Isaiah 22:13, Luke 12:16-21.) It is…
“In Their Own Snare”
The Lord taught Joseph Smith that you can’t justify dishonesty by arguing that your victim is also dishonest. He said that the devil causes us “to catch [ourselves] in [our] own snare.” Those who attempt to deceive others only harm themselves in the end.
The Holy Ghost “Giveth Utterance”
When we rely on our own knowledge, the content of our communication is limited. If we’re willing to trust God guide us, the Holy Ghost will give us utterance and help us say what needs to be said.
Revelation Upon Revelation
When God answers your prayers with spiritual insight, don’t stop there—ask if there is more. Knowledge comes “line upon line,” and the Lord promises “revelation upon revelation” to those who seek it (D&C 42:61). We will receive greater light if we continue asking and listening, with confidence that God has more to teach us.
All Posts Referencing 2 Nephi 28
- “Get Thee Hence”: Learning from Moses About Overcoming Temptation (1/10/2026)
- Reason and Revelation (6/12/2025)
- Revelation Upon Revelation (4/30/2025)
- Trembling Nations and Shaking Heavens (4/12/2025)
- Endless (3/8/2025)
- The Holy Ghost “Giveth Utterance” (2/22/2025)
- “In Their Own Snare” (2/12/2025)
- A God of Miracles (3/15/2024)
- Nephi’s Vision and Nephi’s Prophecy (3/12/2024)
- The Title Page and Nephi (1/4/2024)
- Lukewarmness (12/6/2023)
- “They…Stopped Their Ears” (7/15/2023)
- “All Things” (6/8/2023)
- Burying My Talent (5/24/2023)
- Veritas Liberabit Vos (4/29/2023)
- The Mouths of Babes (4/19/2023)
- The Desire of All Nations (12/8/2022)
- At Ease in Zion (11/18/2022)
- Joseph, Daniel, and Nephi: Dream-Interpreters (11/3/2022)
- God Gave Them Knowledge (11/1/2022)
- Finding God in the Book of Esther (7/30/2022)
- Machpelah: Paying Full Price (2/18/2022)
- Line upon Line (12/11/2021)
- “Many Great and Important Things” (12/7/2021)
- Grace for Grace (8/25/2021)
- Brimstone (6/10/2021)
- The Perfect Day (5/11/2021)
- “A Little Sin” – 2 Nephi 28:8 (2/11/2021)
- How to “Come unto Christ” (12/22/2020)
- “Deny Not the Power of God” – Moroni 10:7 (12/19/2020)
- “He Hath Lied Unto Us” – Alma 10:28, Alma 12:3 (6/12/2020)
- “Revealed…Manifest…Loosed” – 2 Nephi 30:17 (3/1/2020)
- Overcoming Resistance to Change – 2 Nephi 28 & 29 (2/29/2020)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Refute? (12/29/2019)
- What Is Meekness? (12/22/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Be “Ripe in Iniquity?” (11/23/2019)
- What Is the “Great and Abominable Church?” (11/22/2019)
- How Can I Recognize the Hand of the Lord in My Life? (10/27/2019)
- What Does It Mean to “Cast Out Devils?” (10/24/2019)
- How Can I Make Better Decisions? (9/25/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Be “Puffed Up?” (9/6/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Education? (8/29/2019)
- How Can I Recognize the Temptations of the Devil? (8/18/2019)
- What Should I Do When I Feel Guilty? (6/24/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Complacency? (5/11/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Anger? (5/9/2019)
- What’s Wrong with “Costly Apparel?” (4/3/2019)
- How Does the Savior Invite Us to Come Unto Him? (2/12/2019)
- What Should I Do When There Are Questions I Can’t Answer? (1/6/2019)
- Why Is It Important to Ask Questions? (1/2/2019)
- Puffed Up – 2 Nephi 28:12-13 (10/25/2018)
- That Turn Aside the Just for a Thing of Naught – 2 Nephi 28:16-17 (10/23/2018)
- Stiff Necks and High Heads – 2 Nephi 28:14 (8/15/2017)
- Others Will He Pacify – 2 Nephi 28:21-22 (9/7/2016)
- Eat, Drink, and Be Merry – 2 Nephi 28:7-8 (9/4/2016)
- Line Upon Line – 2 Nephi 28:27, 30 (4/28/2016)
- All the Day Long – 2 Nephi 28:32 (3/20/2015)
- He That Is Built Upon the Rock – 2 Nephi 28:28 (3/19/2015)
- The Kingdom of the Devil Must Shake – 2 Nephi 28:19 (3/18/2015)
- They Shall Teach with Their Learning – 2 Nephi 28:4 (3/17/2015)