A Study of the Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 2:5 & 6 I've combed through the cross references to verses 5 & 6 this morning, and found myself concluding that man is fallen, and would be always, unless he come to rely wholly upon Jesus Christ (see 1 Nephi 10:6 ). The absoluteness of this simple statement is impressed upon me again. As mortals we are given enough to understand that alone man is carnal, subject to the effects of a broken law, and hopelessly consigned to a fate of misery and death. Only by exercising faith in the merits of Christ can we leave that consignment. Christ is the sure road to salvation. And besides Him alone, there is no other way. This absolute dependence upon my Savior is somehow what I lack yet.

1 Nephi 19:18-24 Nephi, in his discussion on the purpose of record keeping, says that the main purpose for his keeping records is to persuade his people to come unto the Lord their Redeemer. He is grateful for the records from the brass plates and points specifically to the records of Isaiah, which he says is of particular worth unto them because of their ability to persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer. Verse 20 is the verse that the Lord is pointing me to this morning. This is an explanation of the workings of the Spirit and the benefit and blessing of these things in my own life. Perhaps it is even the protection and salvation that giving heed to the promptings of the Holy Spirit has afforded me.

1 Nephi 10:1-15 This is the first prophecy specifically about the coming of the Savior. Sequentially speaking, Nephi seems to now be adding additional insights from his father's vision. At the end of chapter 8, he says that his father also prophesied many things unto them and then ceased speaking (see 1 Nephi 8:38 ). Now having emphasized again the purpose for the record, he notes the details of these prophecies. This first prophecy of the Savior seems pivotal in establishing the tapestry of prophecies about the Savior that are woven throughout the Book of Mormon. It allows me as a reader to understand the global scope of the gospel of Christ. "Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer." ( vs. 6 ) As one of the first explanations which specifically outlines these core teachings, it is interesting to note the context in which it is given. The universality of this prophecy and the historical scope of th...