Book of Mormon Exam 2 (2 Nephi 1 - Words of Mormon)
Psalm of Nephi
"The verses found in 2 Nephi 4:15-35 are frequently referred to as the psalm of Nephi. The psalms of ancient Israel were hymns. They were collected and used very early in Israel's history, and some of them were recited quite often. Most of these were familiar to the Israelites. These psalms served to express the religious feeling of ancient Israel at its greatest depth and highest intensity. Nephi would be familiar with the psalm form as well as with many of the psalms in the Old Testament. It would be natural for him to "write the things of [his soul]" (v. 15) and the expressions of his joy and his sorrow in this highly beautiful, poetic form. An individual can experience more of what Nephi possibly intended by reading this passage aloud, trying to feel as Nephi must have felt as he wrote it, rather than trying to see whether or not the passage has the elements of good English poetry. But more important than the form of this passage is the content. Throughout this section of the Book of Mormon we have noted again and again Nephi's great righteousness, his faithfulness in tribulation, and his overpowering dedication to God. Yet, like all of us, Nephi keenly sensed his imperfections and weaknesses, and he was moved to exclaim: "O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me"" ****************************Answer input from quizlet auto fill hahahaha. Nephi's sin: getting angry at his brothers. He felt far from the Lord. But then he starts to count his blessings.
Final words of Nephi
"for thus hat the Lord commanded me, and I must obey" <-- classic Nephi (sums up all of his life)
Why Christ was baptized
1.) humble himself before the Father, 2.) obey the commandment, 3.) set the example (show the way)
Warnings of false doctrines and apostasy
2 Nephi 28 is about this. Here's the chapter heading "Many false churches will be built up in the last days—They will teach false, vain, and foolish doctrines—Apostasy will abound because of false teachers—The devil will rage in the hearts of men—He will teach all manner of false doctrines.
As set forth in 2 Nephi 2 and 2 Nephi 9, discuss the three fundamental doctrines of the gospel, the creation, the fall, and the atonement. Who gave these great doctrinal discourses? As to each principle, explain what happened, why it happened, and what would have resulted had it not occurred.
2 Nephi 2: Lehi speaking to Jacob - redemption through the Holy Messiah (his merits, mercy and grace) - Opposition in all things --> agency - Adam and Eve --> needed to learn good from evil and progress (children = joy) - Men are free to choose 2 Nephi 9: Jacob speaking - death fulfilled by the merciful plan (resurrection because of the fall (cut off from presence of the Lord)) - Without the atonement and resurrection (mortality), we would become devils (forever out of the presence of God) - We can escape the monster of "death" (spiritual and temporal) - Once resurrected, we will have perfect knowledge of our actions (clothed or naked) - Righteous will inherit the kingdom of God (joy) - Unrighteous --> everlasting fire and torment - All men must repent, be baptized, have faith, and endure to the end - Atonement satisfies demands of Justice - carnally-minded is death, spiritually-minded is eternal life
Final counsel of Lehi to his children; what he mentioned, to whom, and why
2 Nephi: 2:27-This is about agency. Choose Jesus not the devil! Laman and Lemuel: Rebel no more against Nephi, hearken to Nephi (if disobey, first blessing to Nephi) Grandchildren will not be cursed, curse will be placed on the head of their parents Jacob: spread the word of God and you'll be redeemed. Dwell safe with Nephi, redeemed with righteousness Joseph: Lord bless thee forever, seed not destroyed, descendant of Joseph of Egypt Sam: seed with Nephi's Zoram (not technically Lehi's son but this is Brother Merrill was talking about): Seed will be numbered with Nephi's
Prophecies regarding the coming forth of sacred scriptures
2nd Nephi 25: marvelous work and wonder - scriptures given for the purpose of convincing them (Jews and gentiles) of the true Messiah - All men will be judged by the words (testimony against you) Jews and Nephites will have the words of the lost tribes of Israel, their scriptures are the standard Stick of Judah (Isaiah's term)/ fruit of loins of Judah (Nephi's term)=Bible Fruit of loins of Joseph=BOM to confound false doctrine BOM and Bible complement each other, don't contradict
Why Nephi and Jacob quote the words of Isaiah
3rd witness of Jesus Christ Isaiah uses "prophetic dualism" Isaiah's words are simple to Nephi and Jacob. Talks about the past present and future, most renowned prophet on the brass plates
Prophecies of destruction and redemption
A few verses about this in 2 Nephi 25. I.e. verse 15 says, "15 Wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered among all nations; yea, and also Babylon shall be destroyed; wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered by other nations." There's more in this chapter too. After the death of Christ there is a lot of destruction, then about the Lord restoring His children, "17 And the Lord will set his hand again the second time to restore his people from their lost and fallen state. Wherefore, he will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men."
TEST QUESTION: allegory of the olive trees and wild branches bringing forth good fruit
After Christ died, gentiles converted wild branches = gentiles
Role of agency in God's plan
Agency is here so that man can make the choice to come unto christ or give into the temptations of the devil.
Important prophecies of Isaiah
Before the Second coming: - the prideful grind the faces of the poor - daughters of zion acting like prostitutes - men will go to war and die - 7 women to 1 man (so not enough men since they're all dead) - Destruction will be similar to destruction of Babylon - lots of pain Isaiah to King Ahaz - Destruction is imminent - wicked destroy wicked - "Don't worry about Assyria" Nebuchadnezzar would die (trodden under foot) Christ's Birth: - Savior of the world / Prince of Peace Second Coming - Ephraim and Judah will get along - gathering of Israel - Ensign for the nations - There will be a millennial day (rest)
Elements of the Doctrine of Christ and the importance of each
Faith Repentance Baptism Enduring to the end (persevere) = way to Eternal Life
Eternal reward or punishment for our choices
If you make the right choices you will receive the happiness of eternal life but if we make bad choices, we will be miserable "Eternal" is synonymous with "God," so eternal punishment=God's punishment, etc. Everyone is physically saved(through atonement everyone is resurrected) but need to follow commandments to be spiritually saved God doesn't owe you
Sermon given in 2 Nephi 6-10; who gave it and why is it included in our record
Jacob gave the sermon Its included in our record because an angel visited him? He talks about church history, what is to happen to Christ, scatter and gather, Isaiah, Jews will be gathered in lands of promise, scattered vows in America Jacob quotes Isaiah Why? Barrier for casual readeru7 Why they quote "Christ" used for the first time in the BOM Angel comes to Jacob and tells him about Christ The rest is Jacob quoting Isaiah Prophecies of wickedness and pride WARNING Isaiah knows all—past, present, future. And he writes for all Zion: All north and south America. Gentiles will be blessed upon the land I asked Merrill--Isaiah speaks in 7 and 8 but Jacob's words are 9 and 10! Isaiah is then in 2 Nephi 12-24
In chapters 25 to 30 of 2 Nephi, Nephi gives prophecies about the Jews, the Nephites and Lamanites, and the latter-day Gentiles. What is his essential message to and about each group? To which of the 3 groups does he direct the majority of his comments? Why?
Jews: - 12 verses - Jews captive in Babylon - they will reject Christ and crucify him - Christ will be resurrected and all those who believe will be saved - scriptures will be brought to the Jews to convince them of Christ in the last days - Christ will come 6 hundred years after Lehi left Jerusalem Nephites and Lamanites: - 21 verses - stiffnecked people, scriptures (nephi's words) will be a testimony against them if they don't believe in Christ - they will cast out and slay he prophets - destruction of the nephites - when the spirit leaves, destruction will come to the people Latter-day Gentiles: - 121 verses - Gentiles lifted up in pride (stumbled) - many churches, preach their own wisdom - flaxen cord (sin) to chains - priestcraft - Last days: gentile and jews = iniquity - Charles Anthon said Book of Mormon characters looked egyptian and real and then rejected he said that
Joseph of Egypt; why is he mentioned
Lehi is a descendant of Joseph of Egypt. He truly "saw our day" raise up a righteous branch into the house of Israel, Joseph of Egypt prophecies of Joseph Smith, a choice seer. Joseph received blessing back then to multiply and replenish, as long as they are righteous they're good Joseph Smith: 6 For Joseph(Joseph of Egypt) truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins (Joseph Smith).
Discuss the sins of pride, love of riches and unchastity as set forth in Jacob 2. Include specific reasons why each is considered abominable by the Lord. What does Jacob say about each in his day? What is the relevance of his teachings to our day?
Pride - begun to search for precious metals (gold/silver) - lift up heads in pride (stiff necks) --> think they are better than other people - Don't seek riches, seek the kingdom of God (hope in Christ) Unchastity - many wives and concubines - used scriptures to justify - wickedness and abominations of the husbands - only ok when God commands it.
Importance of Christ's Atonement in the context of the plan of salvation
Repentance would not be possible without the Atonement
Allegory of the tame and wild olive trees, including symbolism and commentary
Tame tree = House of Israel - fruit is wonderful (good actions / righteous) - starts to make young branches that are taken out and grafted into other trees (to be gathered at the last day) - Wild branches are grafted into the tree (gentiles convert) One tree yields half good, half bad - House of Lehi (Nephites and Lamanites) - the part of the tree that yielded good fruit dies
Sermon given in Jacob 2 and 3
The nephites have two problems Pride, love of riches → seek riches for the intent to do good. Adultery, (Plural Marriage)
Importance of Adam and Eve's experience in the garden of Eden
They had no conception of happiness or sadness. Because they took the fruit they unlocked feelings, agency, and punishment If Adam and Eve hadn't sinned, we would be in static state First death: Adam & Eve: spiritual death Second death: Physical/ temporal death Third Death: Our SINs--> Spiritual death 2
The role of the Messiah as the focal point to all people
To set an example for others, to humble Himself before God, keep God's commandments, to fulfill all righteousness
"Read this, I pray thee. And the learned shall say: Bring hither the book, and I will read them." (2 Nephi 27:15)
Who is speaking? About what? Purpose/Commentary:
"And my soul hungered and I kneeled down before my Maker and I cried in mighty prayer and supplication." (Enos 1:4)
Who is speaking? Enos About what? Purpose/Commentary:
"And I will tell you of a wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins." (Enos 1:2)
Who is speaking? Enos About what? Praying to God for forgiveness Purpose/Commentary:
"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer...." (2 Nephi 24:12)
Who is speaking? Isaiah About what? Lucifer at the millennial day Purpose/Commentary:
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." (2 Nephi 19:6)
Who is speaking? Isaiah About what? the birth of Christ Purpose/Commentary:
"The mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains." (2 Nephi 12:2)
Who is speaking? Isaiah About what? Purpose/Commentary:
"And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth..." (2 Nephi 15:26)
Who is speaking? Isaiah About what? Gathering of Israel Purpose/Commentary:
"Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem...." (2 Nephi 8:24)
Who is speaking? Israel About what? Purpose/Commentary:
"Wherefore, I,_____, gave unto them these words as I taught them in the temple, having first obtained mine errand from the Lord." (Jacob 1:17)
Who is speaking? Jacob About what? He is calling the Nephites to repentance Purpose/Commentary:
"O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell...." (2 Nephi 9:10)
Who is speaking? Jacob About what? Talks about the Jews and the atonement Purpose/Commentary:
"But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people... Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall...." (Jacob 4:14)
Who is speaking? Jacob About what? The Jews denied Christ Purpose/Commentary:
"O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel!...O how great the holiness of our God." (2 Nephi 9:19-20)
Who is speaking? Jacob About what? The atonement Purpose/Commentary:
"...the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away as it were unto us a dream, we being a lonesome and solemn people...." (Jacob 7:26)
Who is speaking? Jacob About what? The trials of his people, Purpose/Commentary: Jacob was very old and just had to deal with Sherem... he's tired
"...let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls! Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you." (Jacob 2:16-17)
Who is speaking? Jacob About what? being generous and giving to the poor Purpose/Commentary:
"...come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness." (2 Nephi 9:51)
Who is speaking? Jacob About what? feasting upon the words of Christ Purpose/Commentary:
"And the prophecies which he wrote there are not many greater." (2 Nephi 4:2)
Who is speaking? Lehi About what? Joseph of Egypt Purpose/Commentary:
"And they would have had no children, wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy for they knew no misery, do no good for they knew no sin." (2 Nephi 2:23)
Who is speaking? Lehi About what? Lehi describes the premortal existence and the Fall Purpose/Commentary: Explain our purpose on Earth
"Wherefore, I____ prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord." (2 Nephi 1:6)
Who is speaking? Lehi About what? Prophesying about the land Purpose/Commentary: Warning to his sons
"Adam fell that man might be and men are that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25)
Who is speaking? Lehi About what? The fall Purpose/Commentary:
"And it is many hundreds of years after the coming of Christ that I deliver these records into the hands of my son." (Words of Mormon 1:2)
Who is speaking? Mormon About what? Mormon abridged the large plates and leads into the beginning of Benjamin's Purpose/Commentary: Explain the purpose of the scriptures.
"...I shall take these plates... and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me... And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me." (Words of Mormon 1:6-7)
Who is speaking? Mormon About what? Reason for adding the small plates Purpose/Commentary:
"All is well in Zion. Yea, Zion prospereth, all is well." (2 Nephi 28:21)
Who is speaking? Nephi About what? Purpose/Commentary:
"Ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ... feasting upon the word of Christ... and endure to the end." (2 Nephi 31:20)
Who is speaking? Nephi About what? How we can gain eternal life Purpose/Commentary:
"And it came to pass that the Lord did warn me, that I____, should depart from them and flee into the wilderness...." (2 Nephi 5:5)
Who is speaking? Nephi About what? Nephi must flee fro his brothers for his safety Purpose/Commentary: He takes his family and friends with him, the Nephites and Lamanites are created
"O wretched man that I am." (2 Nephi 4:17)
Who is speaking? Nephi About what? Nephi sinned because he got angry at his brothers Purpose/Commentary: Asking for forgiveness, He felt far from the lord
"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ...." (2 Nephi 25:26)
Who is speaking? Nephi About what? Reasons for writing the scriptures Purpose/Commentary: Explain purpose of the scriptures
"I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell." (2 Nephi 33:6)
Who is speaking? Nephi About what? Testifying of Christ Purpose/Commentary: Nephi's last words -> wants people to believe
"...and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." (2 Nephi 26:33)
Who is speaking? Nephi About what? The last days, follow the commandments, Good things come from God Purpose/Commentary: Expand on Israel's prophesies
"It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (2 Nephi 25:23)
Who is speaking? Nephi About what? The role of the atonement in our lives Purpose/Commentary:
"For those who shall be destroyed shall speak unto them out of the ground, and their speech shall be low out of the dust, and their voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit." (2 Nephi 26:16)
Who is speaking? Nephi About what? The scriptures will be brought to their descendants Purpose/Commentary: Scriptures will be important to the descendants of those who wrote them.
"Brother Jacob, I have sought much opportunity that I might speak unto you..." (Jacob 7:6)
Who is speaking? Sherem About what? He wants to contend with Jacob because Jacob believes in the gospel of Christ Purpose/Commentary:
"Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes." (2 Nephi 13:16)
Who is speaking? The Lord, from the book of Isaiah About what? the daughters of Zion are being described as prostitutes Purpose/Commentary:
"...the servants did go forth and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them...." (Jacob 5:72)
Who is speaking? Zenos About what? Missionary work before the second coming Purpose/Commentary: Explain the plan
TEST QUESTION: Which of the following statements about the book of 2nd Nephi are true? a. contains more prophesy than any other book b. translated from the large plates of Nephi c. very little historical information d. all of the above e. a and c
e. a and c
Review the make-up of the various plates mentioned in or used to compile the Book of Mormon
large plates : Benjamin --> Mosiah 2 --> Alma the younger --> Helaman --> Shiblon --> Helaman --> Nephi --> Nephi --> Nephi --> Ammaron --> Mormon --> Moroni small plates : Nephi ---> Jacob --> Enos --> Jarom --> Omni --> Amaleki
