A Study of the Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 25:9-20 Nephi earlier in this chapter set out his intentions to be plain spoken and direct, and these verses are the evidence of his subsequent effort to do such. In very simple terms, Nephi explains why the Jews had been carried away into Babylon, and the cause of all their subsequent afflictions. Nephi states, "Behold, they will reject [Jesus Christ], because of their iniquities, and the hardness of their hearts, and the stiffness of their necks," ( vs. 12 ). It is a sobering thought that the answer is just that simple. Verse 16 talks about the elongation of this curse, "And after they have been scattered, and the Lord God hath scourged them by other nations for the space of many generations, yea, even down from generation to generation, until they shall be persuaded to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and the atonement which is infinite for all mankind--" Furthermore, there is a standard that Nephi describes in this same verse that must be met for the ...

2 Nephi 25:1-8 The thought impresses me that this chapter serves as plain-spoken guide to understanding the previous chapters of scripture written by Isaiah. Perhaps even as a starting point to understanding the prophecies of Isaiah, one would do good to review this chapter first. It is given by prophecy, so as to make its explanations more effective than any other sources. The writings of Isaiah are notorious for being hard to understand. Difficulty in understanding the scriptures is addressed in these verse. Nephi's people had a hard timing understanding the words of Isaiah. Nephi attributes this to their not being exposed to the ways of the Jews. Yet he explains that he has included these writings that we "may know the judgments of God, that they come upon all nations, according to the word which he hath spoken," ( vs. 3 ). Nephi also observes that those who are filled with a spirit of prophecy are able to understand the writing of Isaiah. (see vs. 4 ) Later, he adds ...

2 Nephi  24 Studying 2 Nephi 24, the thought impresses me that the one to whom Lucifer is telling the biggest lie is himself. For thou hast said in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. ( vs. 13-14 ) There are two sides only to the battle in heaven and on earth. On the one side are those that serve the Lord, and on the opposite side are those that serve themselves, and think that of themselves they are able to attain some greater degree of glory than what God has promised to those that follow Him. This chapter begins with this reminder: "For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel," ( vs. 1 ). This is a reminder of the Covenant that God made with Abraham and his sons. In the day that this will be brought to pass, it says that "the land of the Lord wi...

2 Nephi 23 Chapter 23 deals with the descruction of the wicked: Babylon. It is a descriptive explanation of the fate of the wicked. According to historical accounts, Babylon was one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. It was a center of commerce and prosperity, not unlike our world today. Consider Babylon and its utter destruction. After its mighty fall, there was nothing left -- not even one inhabitant to preserve it from generation to generation. (see vs. 20 )  It is gone forever.  As the chapter preface indicates the destruction of Babylon is given as a type for the destruction of the wicked at the seconding coming of our Lord. The destruction decreed upon wicked is not without reason. In verse 2, it reads, "For my anger is not upon them that rejoice in my highness." It is those that have forgotten the Lord and his greatness, that have assumed that is through their own power that they have been so richly blessed. They are fools and are destroyed because of their...