Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi, Chapter 7-8

chapter 7 summary

Jacob quotes Isaiah 50. He uses Isaiah's words to testify of Jesus Christ.

stand-out scriptures

7:1   Yea, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever? For thus saith the Lord: Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement? To whom have I put thee away, or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Yea, to whom have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away. 

When I read this verse I was reminded of the story in the New Testament in the book of Mark that is portrayed by the above picture. The sea raged while the Savior slept, and the apostles in their fear cried out in 4:38, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" The Savior awoke, calmed the seas and the winds and replied to the apostles in verse 40,"Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith" 

The Savior's answer in both these instances is the same: Of course I care. The Savior used the analogy of a bill of divorcement, which was the legal document used in the Law of Moses to divorce a husband and wife, to represent His relationship with the House of Israel. In essence, the Savior asks the House of Israel, "Have I divorced you?" It is clear He has not. He loves His people and will never give up on them.

Like with His apostles during the storm, the Savior would never leave them or forsake them. But He does require their faith. Our faith. Faith that our Savior loves us. That we will blessed according to our faith. What cause we have to rejoice that the Lord is on our side.

7:11   Behold all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand—ye shall lie down in sorrow.

Walking in our own light will only bring sorrow. By walking in the Savior's light we will have joy. The prophets have always counseled that if riches and education lead us to pride and self-reliance we will walk in sorrow. We must not rely in the arm of our flesh. Faith and trust in the Lord must be what we rely on. For example, the apostles relied on their strength and wisdom to battle the storm on the sea. They toiled in fear and pain to lead themselves to safety. If only they had relied on the Savior sooner and asked for His guidance and blessings, they could have avoided much personal anguish. We need only to ask, to turn to our Heavenly Father and Savior, to rely on them and recognize our weaknesses, to receive their blessings and walk in their light.

chapter 8 summary

Jacob quotes Isaiah 51 and Isaiah 52:1-2. The Lord promises great blessings to the House of Israel in the last days.

stand-out scripture

8:3   For the Lord shall comfort Zion, he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. 

A very sweet promise: "At the second coming of our Lord, 'the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory' (Articles of Faith 1:10). In other words, the earth will return to the beautiful and pure conditions that existed in the Garden of Eden, and there will be peace and righteousness" (see Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 303).

Joy and gladness! Thanksgiving and melody! What a comforting, precious promise. I think that may be my new theme for my home. A home full of joy and gladness, thanksgiving and melody. Peace and righteousness will once again reign in Israel.

Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi, Chapter 6

Isaiah prophesying and writing scripture of Jesus Christ.

chapter 6 summary

Jacob, Nephi's brother, quotes the words of Isaiah to their people the Nephites. Isaiah's words are precious for them all since he prophesies of the House of Israel. Jacob tells the Nephites they can liken Isaiah's words to themselves since they are of the House of Israel. 

stand-out scripture

6:13-15   Wherefore, they that fight against Zion and the covenant people of the Lord shall lick up the dust of their feet; and the people of the Lord shall not be ashamed. For the people of the Lord are they who wait for him; for they still wait for the coming of the Messiah.   14 And behold, according to the words of the prophet, the Messiah will set himself again the second time to recover them; wherefore, he will manifest himself unto them in power and great glory, unto the destruction of their enemies, when that day cometh when they shall believe in him; and none will he destroy that believe in him.   15 And they that believe not in him shall be destroyed, both by fire, and by tempest, and by earthquakes, and by bloodsheds, and by pestilence, and by famine. And they shall know that the Lord is God, the Holy One of Israel. 

The Nephites really relished in and treasured the brass plates, especially the words of Isaiah. Nephi has quoted him and now his brother Jacob does the same. I love verse 13. It gives me confidence as a Latter-day Saint to know that I am on God's side. But it also tells that there are many who fight against Zion. It exists today. Most recently with the moral issue of homosexuality and same-gender marriage. But though the church is persecuted over this issue, "the people of the Lord shall not be ashamed" (v. 13). But I think a lot of members begin to crack under the persecution and want to be seen as good guys, so they speak out against the church or apologize for the church to friends and family. They become ashamed of the gospel of Christ. It's sad.

I am not ashamed of the gospel. I am not ashamed of our leaders or doctrine or the commandments given us by the Lord. I know this church is true and that Christ is the head of His church.

Verses 14 and 15 speak of the Jews and how they will begin to believe:

“Not many of the Jews, I take it from my reading of the scriptures, will believe in Christ before he comes. The Book of Mormon tells us that they shall begin to believe in him [see 2Nephi 30:7 ]. They are now beginning to believe in him.

“But in the main they will gather to Jerusalem in their unbelief; the gospel will be preached to them; some of them will believe. Not all of the Gentiles have believed when the gospel has been proclaimed to them, but the great body of the Jews who are there assembled will not receive Christ as their Redeemer until he comes himself and makes himself manifest unto them” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3:9). 

“Zechariah is another prophet who has plainly spoken of these great events. According to his predictions the nations will gather and lay siege to Jerusalem. Part of the city will fall, with dire consequences to its inhabitants, when a great earthquake will come, the Mount of Olives will cleave in twain, and the persecuted people will flee into this valley for safety. At that particular time will the Savior come as their Deliverer and show them his hands and his feet. They will look upon him and ask him where he received his wounds, and he will tell them they were received in the house of his friends—he is Jesus Christ, their Redeemer. Then will they fall to the ground and mourn, every family apart, because their ancestors persecuted their King and the children have followed in the footsteps of the fathers.
“At that time shall come the redemption of the Jews. Jerusalem shall then be rebuilt and the promises that it shall become a holy city will be fulfilled. The punishment which shall come upon those who lay siege to this land will be their destruction. The prophets have portrayed this in much detail with all its horrors” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3:47).

What an amazing day that will be! What a sorrowful and joyful day for those who persecuted their King but then to find that they are promised all blessings if they will repent and believe. The House of Israel is the Lord's chosen people. He loves them, as he does all of God's children. 

Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi, Chapter 5

chapter 5 summary

Laman and Lemuel and others continue to rebel against Nephi and the righteous part of the family, so much so, that they seek to kill their brother Nephi. The Lord warns Nephi and tells him to flee into the wilderness with all who would go. They do: Nephi and his family, Zoram and his family, Sam and his family, Jacob and Joseph, Nephi's sisters, and all others who would go. They journey into the wilderness until they find their new home. The people of Nephi are now called Nephites, and the people of Laman and Lemuel, Lamanites. The Nephites are blessed because they keep the commandments and build a temple. The Lamanites are cursed with dark skin to literally be a symbol that they have rebelled against their God. Nephi continues to keep record on the plates. It has now been 30 years since the time they left Jerusalem.

stand-out scriptures

5:16  And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon’s temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine.

The above picture is an illustration of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem. It was standing when Lehi and his family had left. Now they knew through revelation of the Lord that it had been destroyed by the Babylonians. And so Nephi builds a temple for the Lord. I think it's interesting that in this verse, Nephi doesn't say the Lord commanded him to build a temple. He just knew that a temple was of vital importance and so he built it quickly but exactly.

This instance is another testimony to me of the importance of the brass plates. The Lord wanted them to have them to refer to, to remember their ancestors and lineage, to remember the prophets and their words, to remember the promises of God, and to use as a template in their new life on the American continent. Even, to help them build a temple and know the measurements and manner in which to do so (1 Kings 6). I can only imagine how greatly treasured those brass plates were.

I don't know if there are any references in the Book of Mormon of giving sacrifice to the Lord at the temple. But they surely did, since at the coming of Christ in 3 Nephi, He commands them to stop sacrifice by the shedding of blood. Thus, another testimony of the brass plates: they were needed to remember and follow the Mosaic Law.

Tomorrow is Ward Temple Day and I am so excited. The temple is the house of God and the spirit there sings to your soul and speaks peace to your heart. How grateful I am to have the Orlando Temple so close that I may receive light and wisdom by the spirit. How the Nephites must have rejoiced to have a temple in their midst after 30 years! Like the early Latter-day saint women who crushed their precious china into the mortar for the Salt Lake temple so it would shine, the Nephites too must have labored with love to erect a beautiful temple of exceedingly fine workmanship. Such faith.

5:20-23   Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled which he spake unto me, saying that: Inasmuch as they [the Lamanites] will not hearken unto thy words they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And behold, they were cut off from his presence.   21 And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.   22 And thus saith the Lord God: I will cause that they shall be loathsome unto thy people, save they shall repent of their iniquities.   23 And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their seed; for they shall be cursed even with the same cursing. And the Lord spake it, and it was done.

Everything in the gospel was very literal before the death of Christ. They followed the Mosaic Law, which was painstakingly literal, like being allowed only a certain number of steps on the Sabbath. But it was neccesary to prepare the people, to teach them literally so then they could receive the Higher Law which was more symbolic. Instead of animal sacrifice, for example, the Higher Law taught to practice a broken heart and a contrite spirit. It is no surprise that the same literal law is applied here.

Because the Lamanites rebelled they were cursed with a literal curse: cut off from the presence of God. The skin of blackness was that tangible and physical reminder to the Nephites that God fulfills his promises. The Lamanites were cut off from the presence of the Lord, literally, when Nephi, the prophet, left because of their wickedness. It is all very literal.

But the dark skin did not make them any less Heavenly Father's children. It did not make them unequal to the Nephites. Lehi in the chapter just before this one promised Laman and Lemuel's children, "Wherefore, if ye are cursed, behold, I leave my blessing upon you, that the cursing may be taken from you and be answered upon the heads of your parents" (2 Nephi 4:6). In 2 Nephi 26:33 Nephi writes, "[For the Lord] doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile."

Today, if we too are disobedient and do not keep the commandments, we are cut off from the presence of the Lord. But there are no physical representations of it (most of the time.) We live a higher law and are held more accountable, and so it is our spirits and minds and hearts that are hardened when we choose not to follow Christ.

5:27   And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.

So sweet and simple. If we keep the commandments and are industrious in building the kingdom of God we are happy. Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. He loves us. Though trials persist, if we are living righteously we are happy!

Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi, Chapter 4 "The Psalm of Nephi"

 

chapter 4 summary
Lehi gives a father's blessing to all of his grandchildren and to his posterity collectively. He blesses them to keep the commandments so they may inherit the land and be blessed. Lehi dies. A few days later, Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael begin to murmur and are angry with Nephi because of his words on behalf of the Lord. Nephi writes the things of his soul upon the plates, which we now refer to as the Psalm of Nephi.

stand-out scripture

4:20-25    20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.  21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.  22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.  23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.  24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.  25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

Simply beautiful. The whole psalm is so heartfelt and dedicated. "Nephi would have been familiar with the psalm form as well as with many of the psalms in the Old Testament. It would be natural for him to 'write the things of [his soul]' (v.15) and the expressions of his joy and his sorrow in this highly beautiful, poetic form (Book of Mormon Student Manual, p.25). Don't I do the same thing today? When my heart is overflowing with gratitude for my Savior and my blessings, or if I need comfort, support, or answers, I pray to my Heavenly Father and write my feelings in my journal. It is so natural.

I have to realize and recognize what Nephi was going through. He had just lost his father. His brothers were rebelling again. He was now the leader of his people both spiritually and physically. Soo much must have been pressing on his mind. What a weight to carry, what sorrow for his brethren. What fear for his life and safety and the safety of his extended family who were righteous. Is it any wonder that Nephi would pour out his soul to his Savior?

4:27-28   And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?   28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

Nephi also sorrows during his psalm because of his flesh. I related to this passage personally just yesterday. I am told in my Patriarchal Blessing to remember and practice patience, kindness and understanding with my family, and especially with my children. While I know I am not cruel, I know I do have tendencies to snap and expect things done right away in my way when I say. I am quick to judge, quick to lose my temper and quick to snap. And I hate it. I pray almost daily for guidance in changing these bad habits and characteristics. I pray sincerely to change them into praiseworthy attributes. But I often fall short.

I cried and cried yesterday because I did what I had prayed and promised I wouldn't do. I lost patience, I lost my temper, I snapped at my husband. It is frustrating, for both my husband and me. Probably more so for him since he is on the end of my remarks.

Like Nephi, I was so frustrated with my flesh: my tendencies to sin and err. I related to his exclamation: "O wretched man that I am!" (v. 17). Why do we allow ourselves to give in and stray from what we know is right? I have a choice. I choose the way I act. So why am I choosing to snap at my husband? I don't mean to. But I do it. So then I feel guilty for being human. For sinning. For breaking a promise I made only hours ago. And then for breaking that promise constantly.

But I know that my Heavenly Father loves me. He does not expect me to perfect. But He does expect me to try. To work daily to grow closer to Him, to repent and try, try again. Enduring to the end. So each morning I have to say, "Awake my soul!" And put mind over matter. We can control our tendencies if we put full faith in our Savior and do all we can to strive for perfection.

And though the flesh is weak, I am so grateful for my body and my life here on this earth. To have trials and experience mortality to become like my Heavenly Parents. For now, I have three goals: Patience, Kindness, Understanding.

"The nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at that point of faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker and is caught up to dwell with Him."  --Prophet Joseph Smith

Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi, Chapters 1-3

chapter 1 summary

Lehi speaks to his family, reminding of them of the serious sins they committed on the boat and the blessings they received from God when they repented. Their lives had been spared, they had been forgiven and inherited the Promised Land. Lehi has received from God the promise: "Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence" (1:20). Lehi knows he will soon die and so reminds his sons and family of this promise. He worries about them, especially Laman and Lemuel. He counsels all his sons and the sons of Ishmael and Zoram to follow Nephi and heed his teachings for he speaks for God.

stand-out scripture

1:21-23    21 And now that my soul might have joy in you, and that my heart might leave this world with gladness because of you, that I might not be brought down with grief and sorrow to the grave, arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity;  22 That ye may not be cursed with a sore cursing; and also, that ye may not incur the displeasure of a just God upon you, unto the destruction, yea, the eternal destruction of both soul and body.   23 Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust.

This has always been a favorite passage of mine. When I was in high school I read a book called The Warrior Within. It was excellent. With the book came a round piece of leather with the words, "Arise from the dust, my sons, and be men" printed on it. I would rub that little piece of leather as I read and became a little token of comfort and remembrance to arise from the dust and stand for truth. I still have that little piece of leather and keep it in my black patent leather keepsake box that my grandma gave to me one Christmas. It will always be dear to me.

All of Lehi's children were dear to him. He loved each one of them no matter their dispositions or past wrongs. I can only imagine the fear and worry he had for them, knowing he would soon be gone. When I read this chapter, I imagined Lehi pleading with his sons to follow their brother Nephi and realize that he had been called by God to lead them. How Lehi must have feared for Nephi's safety.  How Lehi must have feared for the future of his posterity if they did not keep the commandments. And so he counseled them to arise from the dust, love and cherish one another, and be united and righteous in all things. They are the tender and sincere pleadings of a father and patriarch.

chapter 2 summary

Lehi counsels and blesses his son Jacob. He speaks of the Savior and how He has prepared they way for us to have eternal life.

stand-out scripture

2:4   And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free.

Jacob saw the Savior. What a wonderful gift! He must have been a person of great faith and righteousness. Jacob was the fifth son born to Lehi and Sariah. He was the first born in the wilderness and so suffered much trial, but Lehi promises him he will be blessed and safe with Nephi. I love that this whole chapter is basically a father's blessing/patriarchal blessing from Lehi to Jacob. So sweet and tender and filled with counsel.

2:13   And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.

Agency. Choice. Freedom. Opposition. This was one of the main themes at General Conference this past weekend. We all have agency, to choose good or evil. But we are counseled that "wickedness never was happiness." That phrase was mentioned multiple times by many of the Apostles at General Conference. We live in a day where we are told that right is wrong and wrong is right. This is one of Satan's greatest tools to manipulate and trick us. Because if we are told that there is no right and wrong, then we can do whatever we want because there will be no consequences. Nothing could be farther from the truth. There are always consequences for actions. Here are a few things I learned from Conference, based on the Apostles' words, on this subject:

• "Eternity is at stake--use agency wisely."  -Robert D. Hales
• "Men must be free to choose for themselves."  -Boyd K. Packer
• "Our agency can never be taken away."  -Boyd K. Packer
• "You are free to disobey/ignore commandments--but wo unto you for there are consequences of your choices."  -Boyd K. Packer
• "Some say they are born with certain tendencies and cannot help the way they are--not so. Our Father in Heaven would never create us in contrast to His commandments. You choose your actions."  -Boyd K. Packer
• "Moral standards cannot be changed by battle or ballot."  -Boyd K. Packer
• "Youth--particularly young men--you live in a world where your associates have not been raised with traditional values and morals. Stand strong."  -L. Tom Perry
• "Media is all around you and often suggests impure things. Recognize that they are wrong."  -L. Tom Perry
• "Sin has many faces. Small choices can bring great consequences."  -Jairo Mazzagardi
• "Be alert not to let sin grow around you."  -Jairo Mazzagardi
• "Commandments are a protection to keep us safe and bless our lives."  -Mervyn B. Arnold
• "Lucifer is like a fly fisherman--he knows our hungers/weaknesses and will set up artificial traps to ensnare us."  -M. Russell Ballard
• "Lucifer uses his cunning intelligence to convince us that right is wrong and wrong is right. The battle over agency continues today."  -M. Russell Ballard
• "He uses addiction--in all forms--to steal away our agency."  -M. Russell Ballard

The talks were simply amazing and I can't wait to read them again. Though the battle over agency continues and if man may sin,our Savior has provided the way where we can repent and come unto Him. It is a long road filled with consequences. Our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ love us. They give us commandments to protect us so we can avoid the pain of sin. I am so grateful for modern-day prophets and their counsel.

chapter 3 summary

Lehi counsels and blesses his son Joseph. He speaks of two other important and righteous men named Joseph: Joseph of Egypt and Joseph Smith Jr. who would restore the church to the earth.

stand-out scripture

3:15  And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.

Lehi is speaking of Joseph Smith Jr. the Prophet of the Restoration. I love the Prophet Joseph. What a marvelous man, called of God to establish His church on the earth once more. As Latter-day Saints we are deeply indebted to him for his work and sacrifices.

This scripture reveals that the ancients are indebted to him as well. Because he will restore the church once more, he will be the means of bringing the gospel to Lehi's seed and posterity in the last days. Wow. It only clarifies how great a man Joseph Smith was. How the ancients looked forward to his time on earth. How he was called and chosen for this sacred calling by God.

Doctrine and Covenants 135:3 states:

Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.

The Book of Mormon Student Manual:

“It was decreed in the counsels of eternity, long before the foundations of the earth were laid, that he, Joseph Smith, should be the man, in the last dispensation of this world, to bring forth the word of God to the people, and receive the fulness of the keys and power of the Priesthood of the Son of God. The Lord had his eyes upon him, and upon his father, and upon his father’s father, and upon their progenitors clear back to Abraham, and from Abraham to the flood, from the flood to Enoch, and from Enoch to Adam. He has watched that family and that blood as it has circulated from its fountain to the birth of that man. He was fore-ordained in eternity to preside over this last dispensation” (Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 108).

What a wonderful reminder for Joseph, Lehi's son, to know for whom he was named. Joseph of Lehi was a descendant of Joseph of Egypt through Manasseh. Joseph Smith Jr would come through their line as well. Thus they were all related. Joseph, son of Lehi, was the sixth son of Lehi and Sariah and the second son born in the wilderness.

Lehi not only counseled his family collectively, but individually as well. A great example of a loving parent, courageous and sincere in counseling his children.