2 Nephi Flashcards
Who said, “My soul delighteth in the things of The Lord?”
Nephi
2 Nephi 4:16
When Lehi is about to die, he gives his family and the rest of the group counsel. What did he say? How can we use his words to help us follow the Lords commandments and the counsel of church leaders?
- He reminded them of the great blessings of The Lord in bringing them out of Jerusalem before it was destroyed and in guiding them to the promised land. Also, the mercies of The Lord in sparing their lives when some were rebellious. It is always good to remember past blessings in times of difficulty and trial.
- He prophecied that if they would obey the commandments of God, they would be free, blessed, and prosper in the promised land. Also, that they would be safe and there would be none to take away their inheritance.
- He warned them about their hardened hearts and was worried that a curse may come upon them. He counseled them to be a choice and favored people of God by being righteous.
- He counseled them to follow Nephi’s prophetic leadership.
When we follow the prophet and other church leaders we are following God. Obedience to inspired counsel blesses us with spiritual prosperity and security. President Wilford Woodruff said, “I hope we may all pursue the course laid down for us by the servants of The Lord, for if we do this I know that we shall be safe in this world, and secure happiness and exaltation in the world to come…If we are faithful they will lead us in the way in life, and in as much as we have faith to believe in their instructions, in the teachings of the Holy Spirit through them, we are always in the safe path, and shall be sure of our reward.”
[BofM study guide for seminary students, p. 45]
In 2 Nephi 1:7, Lehi makes a wonderful promise to all those who live in the Americas. What does he say?
7 Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.
In 2 Nephi 1, Lehi gives the reason(s) that other nations came to the Americas and scattered Lehi’s seed. What were they?
10 But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord–having a knowledge of the creation of the earth, and all men, knowing the great and marvelous works of the Lord from the creation of the world; having power given them to do all things by faith; having all the commandments from the beginning, and having been brought by his infinite goodness into this precious land of promise–behold, I say, if the day shall come that they will reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Redeemer and their God, behold, the judgments of him that is just shall rest upon them.
In 2 Nephi 1:25-27, Lehi is about to die and is counseling his family and the others in the group. He is pointing out how some in the group misjudged Nephi. How does this show that the perspectives of the wicked often differ sharply from the truth and the facts?
Some in the group had accused Nephi of seeking power and authority over them. This was not the case as Lehi pointed out. Nephi was only following Gods counsel, and was concerned about their eternal welfare. In fact, without Nephi, they would have all perished in the wilderness and on the boat.
They also said that Nephi had used sharpness and that he was angry with them. Lehi tells them that it was the truth and that Nephi was manifesting boldly about their iniquities. Lehi continues to tell them that this was the Spirit of The Lord, which had opened Nephi’s mouth and was commanding them to obey.
It is important to realize that wicked people do not think how righteous people do. In my own opinion, they can often misconstrue the truth and facts to fit the narrative that they wish to create. They will tell half truths, or even total falsehoods to make themselves look like the victim.
[BofM made easier, part # 1, p. 161]
Lehi explains to his son, Jacob (his oldest son born in the wilderness) why Heavenly Father placed His children in a world where afflictions, sorrow, sin, and death exist. What are the reasons that Lehi gives for this? Where in the Book of Mormon is this located?
5 And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil.
11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.
16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.
2 Nephi 2
Lehi explains to Jacob that he suffered many afflictions and sorrow during his childhood because of the rudeness of his brothers. What promise does Lehi give to Jacob?
Because Jacob knows the greatness of God, Lehi promises that God will consecrate his afflictions for his gain.
2 Nephi 2:1-2
1 And now, Jacob, I speak unto you: Thou art my firstborn in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren.
2 Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.
Who said, “And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil?” Where is this scripture located?
Lehi
2 Nephi 2: 5
Who said, “For it needs be, that there is an opposition in all things?” Where is this scripture located?
Lehi
2 Nephi 2:11
Who said, “Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself?” Where is this scripture located?
Lehi
2 Nephi 2:27
Who said, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy?” Where is this scripture located?
Lehi
2 Nephi 2: 25
In 2 Nephi 2:29, Lehi says that the will of the flesh is evil…
29 And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom.
How can we rise above or overcome this will of the flesh?
2 Nephi 2:28
28 And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;
Who is older, Jacob or Joseph?
Jacob
2 Nephi 2
Who made the promise that even through great afflictions and sorrow, God would consecrate our afflictions for our gain?
Lehi made the promise to his son, Jacob.
1 And now, Jacob, I speak unto you: Thou art my firstborn in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren.
2 Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.
2 Nephi 2:1-2
In 2 Nephi 2:26, it states that because of the redemption of Christ, the children of men are free forever, “knowing good from evil, to act for themselves and not be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day”
Why is it that many or even most who choose wickedly will not get their punishment until the last day?
Their days are prolonged in order to give them plenty of time to repent and exercise their agency wisely.
[BofM made easier, part # 1, p. 172]
Genesis 3:16 states
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
How does this reconcile with 2 Nephi 2: 25 which states
25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
Rather than being a punishment to Adam and Eve for partaking of the forbidden fruit, President Spencer W. Kimball taught that “sorrow” means distress, difficulty, toil, labor, etc., which is associated with mortal life. And as Lehi taught his son, Joseph, in 2 Nephi 2:2, such difficult times are for our growth and good.
[BofM made easier, part # 1, p. 173]
Knowing good from evil and being free to choose can give us happiness. In 2 Nephi 2 :11 Lehi states
11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
We must have the difficult times in order to appreciate the good times. We have to experience the bitter and the sweet. This will give us knowledge and as the serpent said to Eve, “your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3: 5)
Satan only told one lie to Adam and Eve in the garden if Eden. What was it?
Satan said that they would not die if they partook of the fruit. This shows how Satan is a master at mixing enough truth into his temptations that make them seem okay.
[BofM made easier, part # 1, p. 170]
Genesis 3
2 Nephi 2:18
Where are the verses known as the “psalm of Nephi” (“O wretched man that I am”) located and what do they say?
2 Nephi 4:15-35
In these verses, Nephi both rejoices in the scriptures and the things of The Lord, while at the same time expressing concern for his mortal frailties and shortcomings.
15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.
16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.
22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.
23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.
24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.
25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.
26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?
27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.
30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?
32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!
33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way–but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.
34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.
35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.
