Lesson 22 FinalWordsOf Counsel 2 Nephi 1

Insert Video Messages from Heaven

2 Nephi 2- 4 Rebellion and Mercy Laman and Lemuel rebelled on the waters However : The Lord spared their lives The Lord had warned Lehi and his family of the destruction of Jerusalem Confirmed in a vision: Lehi knew he and his family would have perished

2 Nephi 5 Covenant of ‘this’ Land “A land which is choice above all other lands” “A land of inheritance of my seed” Forever “And to those led out of other countries by the hand of the lord.” The Covenants of the Lord are eternal and the promise that the meek shall inherit the earth is understood by the Latter-day Saints to be literal (D&C 88:17) “Different portions of the earth have been pointed by the Almighty, from time to time, to His Children, as their everlasting inheritance.” Orson Pratt

Led out by the Hand of the Lord Jaradites Mulekites Nephites The Lord chooses those who will be a covenant people Notwithstanding that some of the groups individuals were unworthy of this inheritance in the promised land for instance: Pilgrims Puritans 2 Nephi 6

If it so be… Prophecy Conditional prophecies: Prophetic assurances or warnings of what will or will not be, dependant upon the obedience or disobedience of those to whom the prophecy is given. Example: The promise of liberty to the inhabitants of the American continent Unconditional prophecies: Divine proclamations of that which will be irrespective of what men or nations do. Examples: The first and second comings of Christ, resurrection, and the day of judgment JS and RM

Desire Protection “Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations; and that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.” (D&C 115: 5-6) “Those desiring the protection of heaven must clothe themselves in the robes of righteousness. Where they are, the protection hand of the Lord will be also. JS and RM

This Land is Your Land “Had the knowledge of the Americas been made known even a century earlier, the religion transplanted to the Western World would have been that of the church of Europe at its lowest state of decadence. The period closing with the fifteenth century was that of the dense darkness that goes before the dawn.” “Columbus’s courageous discovery of America at the close of the 15 th century has compelled the generous and just admiration of the world. The reader of the Book of Mormon is aware that Columbus was directed in his enterprise by the Spirit of God (see Nephi 13:12), as he himself attested. As Columbus was destined in the providence of God to establish the union between the Old and the New worlds, others by that same providence were prohibited from doing so or from making known that they had done so. The heavens have their timetable and it is not for man to hurry the season of harvest.” JS and RM

Blessings or Withdrawal of Blessing Serve Him Keep commandments Iniquity Reject the Holy One 2 Nephi Actions Consequences Have Liberty Prosper in the land The land will be cursed “judgments of him that is just shall rest upon them” Never brought to captivity Land not take from them Dwell in Safety Take away the land and cause them to be scattered Bloodshed, and great visitations

2 Nephi The Lord blesses us when we keep His commandments, and He withholds blessings when we do not keep His commandments.

“It is also my firm conviction that His protective hand is still over the United States of America. I know, too, that if we will keep the commandments of God—live as He has directed and does now direct, through his prophets—we will continue to have His protecting hand over us. But we must be true to the eternal verities, the great Christian virtues that God has reveled. Then, only then, will we be safe as a nation and as individuals.” Ezra Taft Benson “We are free to choose, but we are not free to alter the consequences of those choices.”

2 Nephi “Awake from a Deep Sleep” “Shake off the awful chains” Satan rejoices in the spirit that sleeps, for the sleeping soul cannot march in the army of the Lord. Alma 12:10-12 Someone who needs to overcome bad habits, even the seemingly little habits that grow into strong ‘chains of hell’ Carlos E. Asay Metaphors “Arise from the Dust” Lehi exhorts his sons to repent and change their ways

2 Nephi 22 “Destruction does not mean annihilation. We know, because we are taught in the revelations of the Lord, that a soul cannot be destroyed. “Every soul born into this world shall receive the resurrection and immortality and shall endure forever. Destruction does not mean, then, annihilation. When the Lord says they shall be destroyed, he means that they shall be banished from his presence, that they shall be cut off from the presence of light and truth, and shall not have the privilege of gaining this exaltation; and that is destruction” Joseph Fielding Smith Eternal Destruction of Both Soul and Body

2 Nephi 23 Armor of Righteousness “Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust.” D&C 27: This imagery had been used by Isaiah and part of the brass plates Come out of obscurity— Lehi invited his wayward sons to abandon those places in which they sought to hide, as it were from the responsibilities of full citizenship in the church and kingdom of God.

2 Nephi A Leader What qualities did Lehi emphasize when he spoke of Nephi’s leadership? Why would you trust a leader with these qualities? When have you seen Church leaders exemplify these qualities? “…And if ye will hearken unto him (Nephi) I leave unto you a blessing, yea, even my first blessing” Hope for Zoram— … “I know that thou art a true friend unto my son, Nephi, forever.” “shall be blessed with his seed, that they dwell in prosperity long upon the face of this land…”

2 Nephi Spiritual Promises to All As we follow those whom God has called to lead us, we are blessed with spiritual prosperity and security. It takes the spirit to understand the things of the Spirit It takes revelation to understand revelation It takes scripture to understand scripture It takes godliness to understand God

What Have We Learned? Who is narrating this account? Who is speaking? Who is receiving the message? What is happening in this account? What has happened before this event? What is the message of this story? What did the writer intend for us to learn from this story? (Doctrine or Principle)

Sources: Orson Pratt Journal of Discourses 1: JS and RM Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet Doctrinal Commentary of the Book of Mormon pg Carlos E. Asay “Be Men” Ensign May 1992 Joseph Fielding Smith(Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 2:227–28).