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.