Book of Mormon Feast
God in 2 Nephi 1
God • He That Is Just • Holy One of Israel
a Just God • Lord • Lord God • Lord Your God
Redeemer • Spirit • Spirit of the Lord • True Messiah
2 Nephi 1:19
God’s ways are righteousness forever
The Book of Mormon teaches us to accept the will of God
O my sons, that these things might not come upon you,
but that ye might be a choice and a favored people of the Lord.
But behold, his will be done; for his ways are righteousness forever.
Again, Lehi expresses universal parental feelings: hope and wish for children to live righteously, but acceptance of the fact that His will is that people may exercise their own will. His way is agency and choice. As parents accept the agency of their children who have left the faith, their own faith and recognition of the completeness and righteousness of God’s plan must increase.
2 Nephi 1:20
Inasmuch as ye shall keep God’s commandments ye shall prosper
The Book of Mormon continually admonishes the reader
to keep the commandments of God
And he hath said that:
Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land;
but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments
ye shall be cut off from my presence.
We will see this phrase over 20 times in the Book of Mormon, reminding us throughout the record that it is a theme of the Promised Land, and is not limited in time. Like many principles, it was not revealed in full at the first, but line upon line.
Nephi first heard it in a personal application from the Lord during his first revelation from the Spirit. “Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper and shall be led to a land of promise . . . And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against me, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord” (1Nephi 2:20,21). He recalled those words to help motivate him to kill Laban according to the directions of the Spirit, and for the sake of obtaining the written commandments on the plates: “Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land of promise” (1 Nephi 4:14). Nephi also observed that the Gentiles “did prosper in the land,” and he associated that with their Book (1 Nephi 13:20).
Nephi has given us the principle piecemeal, one incident at a time. The prophet Lehi synthesized it into a great, overarching and memorable couplet.
This is God’s will and plan: that His children, of their own free will and choice, keep His commandments. Thus they demonstrate their loyalty to Him, and they develop to become like Him. His life is the happiest and most prosperous, whether in mortality or beyond the grave. Those who prefer to live some other way do not want to be like Him, so they have no part in His presence.
This is a principle with a promise. This is a principle that applies to individuals
as well as nations and other people-
2 Nephi 1:22
Do not incur the displeasure of a just God
The Book of Mormon teaches that people who reject God will reap destruction
[that ye may not come down into captivity;]
That ye may not be cursed with a sore cursing;
and also, that ye may not incur the displeasure of a just God upon you,
unto the destruction, yea, the eternal destruction of both soul and body.
Lehi could have a positive attitude, as shown in his wonderful words in verse 15. If only we could all seek the Lord’s way in order to receive those blessings!
In this verse, however, Lehi speaks rather of the terrible consequences that his sons can avoid by uniting in righteousness. He brings together in this verse and in the previous phrase the three results of disobedience and rebellion that he has already mentioned separately: captivity, cursing, and destruction, and asserts that these consequences come because of the pleasure of a just God. We may ask, in what way do these consequences manifest His justice?
Verse 13 describes the captivity as originating in chains of hell, and leading to the eternal gulf of misery and endless woe. This is the work of the devil, not of God. When people do not choose God and His way and reward, they choose Satan’s way and Satan’s captivity. As Joseph Smith put it, “the moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power.” [18. Quoted by William Clayton, reporting an undated discourse given by Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, Illinois; in L. John Nuttall, “Extracts from William Clayton’s Private Book,” p. 8, Journals of L. John Nuttall, 1857–1904, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah; copy in Church Archives.]
Verse 18 also links the cursing to the devil. As the mastermind behind all tyrants and repressive governments, he leads the accursed hordes with their swords as they seek dominion over others.
Verse 17 speaks of God’s wrath cutting off and destroying the wicked “forever,” and this verse says that the just God will visit them unto “eternal” destruction of both soul and body.
Elder Charles W. Penrose believed,
“Man is a compound being. Two natures are united in him – one born in the heavens and created after a celestial pattern, the other formed from the earth and made according to a terrestrial order. The elements of both are eternal. But the soul, spirit, or mind, being created according to celestial principles, is constituted to exist eternally, while the body, being formed according to terrestrial laws, is organized to endure only for a certain time.
“’That which is governed by law is also preserved by law’ [Doctrine & Covenants 88:34]. Therefore, if the spirit submits to the law of its organization, it will never die, for the ‘law’ will ‘preserve’ it; and if the body also submits to the law by which it was created, it will exist for the appointed time.
“The natural tendency of the spirit is to eternally progress; but if it does not fulfil the law of any order of being, it must retrograde; and if it continues to retrograde, dissolution must be the consequence, for the law will not then ‘preserve’ it.”
We may reach a different understanding if we consider that God’s wrath is a key. We have previously seen that His wrath is functional; it is the expression of His decision that one group’s lease on part of His property has expired, due to their negligence of His terms, so He removes them and places another, more righteous group on the land. (See God in 1 Nephi 13:11) The Father has prepared many mansions for the faithful (John 14:2). Those who do not want to live His way have no place in His territory, and have to dwell somewhere else.
Jesus said, “He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (John 11:25,26) This talk of living and dying eternally must have to do with what has been defined as “eternal life,” or the kind of life that God lives. There may be existence and consciousness for those not living in God’s kingdoms, but it is not considered “life.” It is eternal destruction.
A third understanding may be found in Doctrine & Covenants 19:6-
Nevertheless it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment.
Again it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is more ezpress than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether for my name’s glory.
Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know even as mine apostles.
I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest.
For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore –
Eternal punishment is God’s punishment.
Endless punishment is God’s punishment.
Perhaps “eternal destruction” is God’s destruction, and Lehi surely was using that image that it might work upon the hearts of his rebellious sons.
Whatever might be the precise meaning of this reference to the still-
2 Nephi 1:24
An instrument in the hands of God
The Book of Mormon teaches
that we should follow those prophets whom God has chosen to lead his people
Rebel no more against your brother, whose views have been glorious,
and who hath kept the commandments from the time that we left Jerusalem;
and who hath been an instrument in the hands of God,
in bringing us forth into the land of promise;
for were it not for him, we must have perished with hunger in the wilderness; nevertheless, ye sought to take away his life;
yea, and he hath suffered much sorrow because of you.
Wow, Lehi has just encapsulated the whole of 1 Nephi into one verse! With this verse, Lehi turns his discourse directed toward Laman and Lemuel from impassioned exhortations and prophecies to a specific commendation of Nephi.
• Nephi’s views were glorious.
His view or vision of God’s love, represented by the tree of life, and played out in the future history of the world, was indeed glorious. Furthermore, Nephi’s attitude has always been positive, as in the contrast between his thankfulness for blessings in 1 Nephi 17:2,2 with Laman and Lemuel’s whining view of the same situation, in 1 Nephi 17:20. Nephi has kept his eyes fixed on the prize, whether it is the promised land that God will give them, or the reward in heaven which God has promised to the faithful.
• Nephi consistently kept the commandments.
This is, of course, a major theme of 1 Nephi, and Nephi has explained it to us in no unmistakable terms.
• Nephi has been an instrument in the hands of God.
Lehi, who received the Liahona, and instrument from God, describes his son as likewise and instrument of God. The Liahona guided the family, and Nephi, too, pointed them in the direction the Lord would have them go. Nephi himself went, as guided by the Spirit, and claimed the records that would enable the family to have and therefore keep the commandments of God.
• The family would have perished with hunger without Nephi.
Lehi is referring to the incident of the broken bow, in which he himself, as leader, failed in his trust of God, and Nephi stepped in and provided the necessary leadership in the moment.
The brothers wanted to kill Nephi.
Unfortunately, this happened several times:
1. The first record we have of violence against Nephi was on the brass-
2. On the return trip from Jerusalem with Ishmael’s family they “sought to take away my life” by leaving him tied up in the wilderness, to be devoured by wild beasts. (1 Nephi 7:16)
3. After the death of Ishmael, and goaded on by their grieving wives, Laman and
Lemuel said, “Let us slay our father, and also our brother Nephi, who has taken it
upon him to be our ruler and our teacher, who are his elder brethren.” (1 Nephi
16:35-
4. When the brothers didn’t want to build the ship to carry them to the promised land, and Nephi, needing every able hand, had to lecture them again, they “were desirous to throw me into the depths of the sea.” (1 Nephi 17:48)
5. The incident on the ship did not necessarily have murderous overtones, but it’s the only one where Nephi mentions physical suffering. Once again the brothers complain at Nephi correcting them, saying “We will not that our younger brother shall be a ruler over us.” (1 Nephi 18:10,11,15)
While Nephi’s mantra was “Let’s keep the commandments!” the brothers’ mantra was “Let’s kill Nephi!”
Nephi suffered much sorrow on account of his brothers.
It’s stressful living with people who want to kill you. It’s a good thing Nephi was large in stature – he needed it for the position the Lord put him in!
Lehi is talking about more than that personal sorrow and concern, however, if indeed there was any. Nephi himself has told us his personal feelings about his brothers, how he labored over, hoped for, and grieved over his brothers: “being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts” (1 Nephi 2:18), “being grieved for the hardness of their hearts” (1 Nephi 7:8), “I, Nephi, was grieved because of the hardness of their hearts” (1 Nephi 15:4), “I had joy and great hopes of them, that they would walk in the paths of righteousness” (1 Nephi 16:5), “I, Nephi, was exceedingly sorrowful because of the hardness of their hearts” (1 Nephi 17:19), “my soul is rent with anguish because of you, and my heart is pained” (1 Nephi 17:47).
This verse, and those following, must have been a particular treasure to Nephi. Lehi is officially recognizing all of Nephi’s devotion, which Nephi himself has described to us in his first book.
2 Nephi 1:25
He hath sought the glory of God
The Book of Mormon demonstrates that people can misinterpret the motives
of righteous leaders who encourage them to repent
And I exceedingly fear and tremble because of you, lest he shall suffer again;
for behold, ye have accused him that he sought power and authority over you;
but I know that he hath not sought for power nor authority over you,
but he hath sought the glory of God, and your own eternal welfare.
It’s becoming apparent that this is more than a casual conversation, and it’s presented rather strangely. It began in 1 Nephi 19, with Nephi teaching his brothers, then reading scriptures to them, (1 Nephi 20 & 21), and concluding by answering their questions and expounding on the scriptures that he read. Immediately after this Lehi begins to speak to his older sons, even though this meeting is split between two books. It has been postulated that 1 Nephi is a complete literary unit, even a chiasm. That’s the reason for the break. It seems strange to break up a single meeting, probably a Hebrew festival, and spread it out over two books. This may be because 1 Nephi was the record of Nephi’s life when he was operating and growing under the leadership of his father, and 2 Nephi begins with the transition.
Lehi frankly raises the power and authority issue, which Laman and Lemuel have been complaining about for years. Nephi was told by the Spirit of God that he would be a leader and a teacher over his brethren (1 Nephi 2:22). He has obviously been their teacher. Most of what we’ve read of his teaching has been reprimanding them in their mistakes. But at this meeting he is simply teaching them the scriptures, and they acknowledge his right and authority to do so.
Lehi does not declare that Nephi has the right to lead; he simply denies that Nephi covets that right (and responsibility). He did, however, tell the brothers not to rebel against Nephi, which may imply that he has the leadership.
On the other hand, Lehi may still be thinking that Laman will be worthy of his birthright leadership, and he is separating the powers, as in the American Constitution. Laman is to have the power and authority of leadership, and Nephi, who has not coveted anything else, is to be the teacher.
2 Nephi 1:26
The power of the Word of God
The Book of Mormon illustrates how unrepentant people
can confuse the power of God with sharpness, and truth with anger
And ye have murmured because he hath been plain unto you.
Ye say that he hath used sharpness; ye say that he hath been angry with you;
but behold, his sharpness was the sharpness of the power of the word of God, which was in him; and that which ye call anger was the truth,
according to that which is in God, which he could not restrain,
manifesting boldly concerning your iniquities.
Plainness:
Sharpness = the power of the word of God
Anger = the truth which is in God, manifesting iniquities
No wonder prophets, who must love the people they are trying to rescue, clothe their message in symbols. Those who are ready will understand it and repent, and those who are not will have no occasion to confuse sharpness and anger with truth and love.
2 Nephi 1:27
The Spirit of the Lord opened his mouth
The Book of Mormon discusses many incidents where God’s power is manifested
And it must needs be that the power of God must be with him,
even unto his commanding you that ye must obey.
But behold, it was not he, but it was the Spirit of the Lord which was in him, which opened his mouth to utterance that he could not shut it.
At this special convocation Lehi will essentially give the leadership role to Laman in the next verse, conditional upon his respecting Nephi’s teaching role. However, as he links God’s message with power, command, and obedience, he is implying that Nephi will actually end up in the leadership role as well. Again he asserts that Nephi did not ask for nor covet this responsibility – it was the power of God – it was the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Nephi 1:32
The Lord has consecrated the land for those who keep His commandments
The Book of Mormon encourages all readers
to keep the commandments of the Lord
Wherefore, if ye shall keep the commandments of the Lord,
the Lord hath consecrated this land for the security of thy seed
with the seed of my son.
Lehi is addressing these words specifically to Laban's ex-
Association and friendship with chosen people is good, but ultimately each person can become a chosen person by directly keeping the commandments of the Lord.
God in 2 Nephi 1 By the Numbers
32 verses
God is mentioned by name: 17 verses = 53%
God is mentioned by pronoun: 3 verses = 9%
God speaks: 1 verse = 3%
Verses about God: 20 verses = 62%
God: 7
He That Is Just: 1
Holy One of Israel: 1
A Just God: 1
Lord: 12
Lord God: 2
Lord your God: 1
Redeemer: 1
Spirit: 1
Spirit of the Lord: 1
True Messiah: 1