2 Nephi 15

2 Nephi 15

Again, Nephi rejoices in the Lord’s mercy and grace.  The words in this chapter must have sounded very familiar to Nephi, who, by this time had spent no less than 40 years trying to set a good example for his brethren.  “What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it?” asked Isaiah.  What comfort Nephi must have found in the answer to the question found in verse 25: “but [the Lord’s] hand is stretched out still.”  The Lord doesn't give up on wayward Israel.  Neither should Nephi.  Neither should we.  Nephi learned to continue his good example of the past 40 years and to keep “his hand extended” towards his brethren.  Hope pays off.  Charity never faileth!

2 Nephi 14

2 Nephi 14

In this chapter Nephi delights in the grace and mercy of the Lord.  Isaiah teaches here that after the Lord has purged Zion of her filthiness, particularly of the worldliness of its women, Zion will become a place of refuge.  Every home there, every chapel and temple will receive the presence of the Lord.  We, too, have to be clean (purged) to receive His presence.  Isaiah’s descriptions convince me it’s better for me to purge myself than to wait for the Lord to do it for me.  How wonderful that the Lord loves us so much that He will cleanse us rather than giving up on us!

2 Nephi 13

2 Nephi 13

This chapter describes world conditions that are frighteningly familiar, doesn’t it?  There is so much furor, so much confusion, and so much death in the world today.  Isaiah describes a tumultuous time in this chapter, a time when the Lord will judge his people.  How sweet to find verse ten embedded in this chaos: “Say unto the righteous that it is well with them; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.”  Moral of the chapter: It is a very good time to be living the gospel of Jesus Christ!

2 Nephi 12

2 Nephi 12

In verses 5 – 6 and beyond it is plain that if we reject the Lord, we turn ourselves from him.  He doesn't turn from us.  The only way He will forsake us, is if we turn from Him, but that is not the Lord’s wish.  “Come ye,” Isaiah invites, “and let us walk in the light of the Lord.”  The Lord always wants us, even when we don’t want him.

2 Nephi 11

2 Nephi 11

Nephi delights in the words of Isaiah.  This chapter gives us a glimpse into why that is.  I believe Nephi reiterated Isaiah’s prophesies to back up his own testimony of Jesus Christ.  Laman, Lemuel and those who followed them thought Lehi was ridiculous to have left Jerusalem, that Nephi did not see the Savior, and that he had no right to leadership of the family.  On the brass plates, Nephi learned that Isaiah had also seen the Savior and testified of his coming.  Nephi delights in Isaiah’s words his revered writings say exactly the same things Lehi and Nephi had prophesied.  It was validation of his own experiences.  Of all the writings on the brass plates, Nephi seemed to like Isaiah’s most.  Let us follow Nephi’s example and use our favorite scriptures to back-up our own testimonies of the Savior.

2 Nephi 10

2 Nephi 10

Verse 2 has direct reference to the separate branches of Lehi’s family; those that followed his teachings, the Nephites in this part of the record, and those who turned away, that is, the Lamanites for now.  We learn that in His mercy, God has prepared a way for those who would fall away to come back to the knowledge of their Redeemer.  The Book of Mormon is there – prepared to bring our wayward loved ones back to the knowledge of their Redeemer.  Trust Him.  He gave his life so that all of us wayward children might return to the Father.

2 Nephi 9

2 Nephi 9

“O the greatness of the mercy of our God!” (v. 19) He delivers the saints (that is, those who have believed in Him, who have endured the crosses of the world and who have despised the shame of the world, according to verse 18) from the devil, death and hell.  And He does it through the atonement, which satisfies the demands of justice to those who do not have law.   This is the kind of thinking that makes me believe the atonement is more far-reaching than I initially supposed.

To watch a short video about the atonement of Christ click here.