A Study of the Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 10:7-16 There is a trigger in these verses that has been put in place by way of covenant, or promise, to the children of men. In verse 7 , we learn that when the house of Israel is brought to believe in Jesus as the Christ, then will He fulfill the promises which He had made to their fathers. These divine promises are of such strength that in order for the Lord to bring them about, He must destroy the work of the wicked, or those that fight against Zion. In other words, as the righteous (like young plants) begin to grow, the Lord will go about clearing the way for their growth, so that they are not overpowered by the wicked. "...That my covenants may be fulfilled... I must needs destroy the secret works of darkness, and of murder, and of abominations," ( vs. 15 ). There are specific promises that are made to the believing among the Gentiles. The Lord has promised to bless them upon the promised land forever, so that they would never be subjected to kings. The Lord h...

2 Nephi 10:3 Jacob, discoursing on the Savior, calls him for the first time in this record Christ. Parenthetically, Jacob explains that an angel had revealed His name to him the night previous. There is a footnote on the word " angel ". Jacob was one who enjoyed communion with angels. He had had visions of the Savior as early as in is youth. He was also able to hear the voice of the Lord from time to time. Such communications were critical for Jacob, who bore the weight of their civilization's spiritual well being. It was Jacob who moved forward as prophet after his father, Lehi, and older brother, Nephi, were gone. These evidences of divine communion allow me to understand how prophets are truly servants of the most high God.

2 Nephi 10:1-2 Jacob, the day following his profound and insightful discourse in chapter 9 , again resumes the discussion of covenants that are extended to the children of the House of Israel. He is particularly interested in focusing on the righteous remnant that will proceed from their own lineage. In verse 2 , the driving point of this teaching is that these are the the promises that apply to "our children" in this life. These are not theoretical ideas or vague references of general application. "...God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer," ( vs. 2 ).

2 Nephi 9:50-54 Jacob concludes this lengthy discourse with symbolism of drinking and eating, applying it to one's acceptance of the Gospel of Christ. The wording is curious. In verse 50 , he invites his listeners to come and buy wine and milk, but to do so without money or without price. He's not saying that it is free. What he is saying is that it can be had without money, but that it still must be bought. How can I buy something without spending money? To buy something typically requires us to expend our resources in exchange for a good or service. If we are to buy without the resource of money, then we must use some other resource that we have available to us to make the purchase. Perhaps, what Jacob suggests here is that there is an investment of time required on our behalf before we can obtain what is otherwise has no monetary equivalent.

2 Nephi 9:44-49 These verses have been in my mind for the last several days. They've caused me to reflect upon my responsibilities before God and in the successful execution of my church callings and assignments. I appreciate that value that Jacob places on wanting to be clean and pure before God. To remain clean from the blood and sins of his day, he understood his obligation as a leader to his people to teach them the consequences of sin. Jacob concludes this grouping of verses with these words: "Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God," ( vs 49 ).

2 Nephi 9:40-43 I have been reprimanded and reminded this morning about seasons past that I had been closer to my God. The footnote for " come unto the Lord" in verse 41 lists a long line of scriptures found in the Book of Mormon alone, a powerful reminder of this testament's witness of Christ. These verses in this chapter also remind me that there is a standard in the Lord God that we are to be measured against. "Remember the words of your Maker," ( vs. 40 ). "Remember that his paths are righteousness," ( vs. 41 ). "Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him," ( vs. 41 ). "He cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name," ( vs. 41 ). What has impressed me about these verses is that Christ has come as an one knowing, who fulfilled his potential; which divine potential is also an inherent part of our immortal makeup. The standard that I am given the potential to rise up to is the example of...