A Study of the Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 32 In plain terms, Nephi now explains the "now what?" part of discipleship. There is no law of Moses, no rules and regulations, no measured or calculated formula for success. Instead, Nephi says this: Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye shall do.  ...And receive the Holy Ghost, it will show you all things what ye shall do.  In other words, go to God himself for your instruction. Develop with Him a relationship of friendship and trust. He will lead us safely home, if we listen to His voice ( see "Let the Holy Spirit Guide", hymn no. 143 ).

2 Nephi 31 And now at the end of his record, Nephi takes opportunity to write just a few more concerning the doctrine of Christ. Specifically, Nephi is addressing baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Verse 12 is an interesting argument given by the Lord himself. It reads, "And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me ; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do." (italics added) In other words, what Christ is saying is that when we are baptized we are given the Holy Ghost, which is the same thing that happened to the Lord when he was baptized. Having the companionship of the Holy Ghost is the qualifier to being able to do the things which Christ was able to do. What strikes me is that following the influence of the Holy Ghost is the what enables us to be able to do what Christ did. These ramification are deep, for if God is willing to give us the very sam...

2 Nephi 30 Obedience and sin: these are the two principles upon which all men are measured equally. No amount of worldly wealth, no inheritance, no privileged station or social class can exclude us from the effects of sin or obedience. If a wealthy man sins, is it the same as if a poor man sins? This is not for me to decide. If a poor man is obedient, does he receive any greater reward than if a rich man is obedient? I can not say. These things are for God to decide, but the scriptures are clear that repentance and obedience, regardless of who you are in the eyes of the world, are the only way back into God's presence. Perhaps for some, poverty is their appointed and perfect test. Then for others, perhaps it is prosperity that will be the greatest proving ground for their souls. This chapter accomplishes two end for me this morning: 1) a reminder of the equality of Christ's doctrine (all that repent and believe in Christ shall be numbered among his people, and 2) all the righte...

2 Nephi 29 This is a particularly curious chapter that was given directly as a revelation of the Lord to Nephi in very strong an clear terms. It deals with the general rejection of the Book of Mormon as scripture in our time. Upon understanding the scope of the Lord's work, that it has extended and will continue unto all nations of the earth, the argument for additional scriptures becomes much more plausible. A broader view, and the possibility that Christianity was preached elsewhere besides Judea in antiquity, lead to the natural conclusion that there must have been records kept elsewhere. Verses 12 and 13 are of particularly curious note in that they state that there are yet other records which have been kept by nations other than the Jews and the Nephites that we have not yet received, but will at some future date and time.

Chapter 28 is completely dedicated to the subject of false teachings and apostasy as it shall abound in the last days, or in other words, our times. It is interesting that Nephi finds it appropriate to dedicate an entire chapter to this subject. Perhaps it is because of the broad acceptance of these teaching; perhaps it is to prepare true disciples to be capable of discernment. Then at the end of the chapter, Verse 30 is one of the more well-known verses of scripture from the Book of Mormon, and it stands in direct contrast to apostasy, apathy, and indifference. For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my  precepts, and lend an ear unto  my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.  It ...

2 Nephi 27 Verses one through five describe the apostate state of the world in the last days. What I find to be interesting is that these conditions are spoken of spiritually. Drunkenness, famine, thirst -- there is a void that is unable to be satisfied by wicked practices. One of the qualifiers that defines those that are drunken in iniquity is "all the nations that fight against Zion," ( vs. 3 ). Verses six through ten talk about the contents of the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon. In it there is a revelation or prophecy which spans from the beginning to the end of the world. Nephi goes on to say that it is a prophecy from God that reveals "all things from the foundation of the world to the end thereof," ( vs. 10 ). This is interesting to consider, that there is a prophecy that is being kept from us during this period of history because of wickedness. With that in mind, verse 11 looks forward to the day when that sealed portion of the book shall be read u...

2 Nephi 26:14-33 The footnotes to verse 20 are quite insightful as to where true power lies: in humility.  The Lord places stumbling blocks in our paths when we know the right way and turn from it. The work of the Lord is accomplished by the humble and weak things of the earth. The poor in Spirit are greater than the mighty ones for they have access to the grace and Spirit of God. Christ, the Lord, placed himself among the humble and poor things of the earth. "But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish,"( vs. 31 ). See also Doctrine and Covenants 38:39 which says, "but beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old." Coming back to this entry after having let it sit for a couple of days, I appreciate the title even more: "Concerning the Last Days."  At no other time in the history of the world, has the work of the Lord been so uninhibited. It is interesting to note that as part of this prophe...