BoM 9 2 Nephi 9-10 89—The Lord is my Light

“The Ninth chapter of 2 Nephi…should be carefully read by every person seeking salvation” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions 4:57)

A Correct Idea “Let us here observe, that three things are necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation. -First, the idea that he actually exists. -Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections and attributes. -Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to his will” (Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, Deseret Book, 1985, p. 38)

2 Nephi 9:5-26, 40-41; 10:3 Read these verses, looking for “a correct idea of God’s character, perfections and attributes” Make a list of one word nouns and adjectives that describe God and be ready to explain which verse(s) teach us that attribute. “God is…”

2 Nephi 9:5-26, 40-41 I Stand All Amazed Students write in journals about times they have experienced one of Christ’s attributes.

2 Nephi 9:8-9 Had Christ not interceded on our behalf, no person—great or small—would have qualified for a kingdom of glory. "No unclean thing can enter into" the kingdom of God; "therefore nothing entereth into his rest," declared the Savior to the Nephites, "save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end" (3 Nephi 27:19). In Paul's language "if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17). Elder Bruce R. McConkie has written: "Our spirits, stained with sin, unable to cleanse themselves, would be subject to the author of sin everlastingly; we would be followers of Satan; we would be sons of perdition" (New Witness, p. 130).(Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon 1:240).

Wo…Nellie! (2 Nephi 9:27-39) With a partner, go through the ‘wo’ list one ‘wo’ at a time, sharing insights as to what each ‘wo’ means. Some are very simple and straightforward; some merit more discussion.

To be Learned is Good… Joseph F. Smith said: "Among the Latter-day Saints, the preaching of false doctrines disguised as truths of the gospel, may be expected from people of two classes, and practically from these only; they are: First—The hopelessly ignorant, whose lack of intelligence is due to their indolence and sloth, who make but feeble effort, if indeed any at all, to better themselves by reading and study; those who are afflicted with a dread disease that may develop into an incurable malady—laziness. Second—The proud and self-vaunting ones, who read by the lamp of their own conceit; who interpret by rules of their own contriving; who have become a law unto themselves, and so pose as he/she judges of their own doings—more dangerously ignorant than the first." (Gospel Doctrine, p. 373.)

…if They Hearken unto the Counsels of God Elder Orson F. Whitney, "to take the theories of men, however scholarly, however learned, and set them up as a standard, and try to make the Gospel bow down to them; making of them an iron bedstead upon which God's truth, if not long enough, must be stretched out, or if too long, must be chopped off-anything to make it fit into the system of men's thoughts and theories. On the contrary, we should hold up the Gospel as the standard of truth, and measure thereby the theories and opinions of men. What God has revealed, what the prophets have spoken what the servants of the Lord proclaim when inspired by the Holy Ghost, can be depended upon, for these are the utterances of a spirit that cannot and that does not make mistakes; while the teachings of men are often based upon sophistry and founded upon false reasoning." (From CR, April 1915.)

2 Nephi 9:42-43 How are these things “hid” from those that are puffed up because of their own learning, wisdom and riches? Can you give me some examples of things that are ‘hid’?

Back to the Beginning “The Ninth chapter of 2 Nephi…should be carefully read by every person seeking salvation” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions 4:57)