2Ne 28-30

Nephi ends this section of prophecy by quoting from Isaiah 11, which we already saw back in 2 Nephi 21. These words easily fit a millennial era, a messianic age when violence and wickedness will end as the Abrahamic Covenant is fulfilled in its fulness. As you read through 2 Nephi 30:9-18, what is your favorite description of this time?

12 aAnd then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb; and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling, together; and a little child shall lead them.

Satan will "flatter away" some people by getting them to believe what about himself?

I am no devil, for there is none

People in the last days will rationalize that God "will justify in committing" what kind of sin?

a little sin

Nephi prophesies that some in the latter days will say, "We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!" (2 Nephi 28:29). Latter-day Saints tend to read this as a criticism of other Christians who reject revelation other than the Bible. But it surely also applies to Church members who accept prophetic counsel on subjects A, B, and C but wish the prophets would stop talking about X, Y, or Z. In his recent BYU devotional address, President Russell M. Nelson taught, "The arbiter of truth is God—not your favorite social media news feed, not Google, and certainly not those who are disaffected from the Church.... Sometimes we as leaders of the Church are criticized for holding firm to the laws of God, defending the Savior's doctrine, and resisting the social pressures of our day. But ... it is precisely because we do care deeply about all of God's children that we proclaim His truth. We may not always tell people what they want to hear. Prophets are rarely popular." Nephi offered this blunt assessment: "Wo unto all those who tremble, and are _____________ because of the truth of God!" (2 Nephi 28:28).

angry

Nephi teaches that "as many of the Gentiles as will repent" will become what? On the other hand, what will happen to Jews who "will not repent"?

are the covenant people of the Lord they shall be cast off

I hope that you still have Isaiah 49:22-23 floating around in the back of your brain. That passage said that God would "set up my standard to the people," which in context is talking about God using Israel's redemption in Babylon like a waving banner to attract the Gentiles' attention. Some Gentiles will see that banner (Israel's miraculous redemption from captivity) and will be convinced to seek after Israel's God and become part of the covenant. Now, notice that 2 Nephi 29 opens with Nephi quoting God, who likens Isaiah's "standard" to something new. What acts like a banner this time around?

book of mormon

As you read 2 Nephi 30:3, notice that Nephi is still being consistent in distinguishing between "the book" (the gold plates) and "the words [of the book]" (the translation of the Book of Mormon). Nephi prophesies that the Gentiles will carry "them" (the words of the translation) to what specific Israelite remnant? What "shall be declared among them"?

the remnant of Lehi's seed the gospel of Jesus Christ

Many Gentiles will resist the appearance of the Book of Mormon because "we have [already] got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible." What two main arguments does the Lord make against that claim? (See 2 Nephi 29:4-5 and 29:6-11.)

they obtained the bible from the jews, whom they have cursed they shouldn't assume they have all his words, for he has commanded men everywhere to write his words