Second Nephi 25:25

For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.

Faith is a fundamental of life. Without faith the meaning and purpose of life are diminished. The most abundant life is a life with Christ. We come unto Christ by faith, therefore we come unto meaningful life in the same way -- by faith. My life is better, richer, fuller because of my faith in Christ.

Second Nephi 25:20

And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which he did raise up before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the rock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.

The whole purpose of the Book of Mormon is to make the gospel plain. Not only did the prophets speak and write plainly, but the translation was inspired and unencumbered by traditions. It passed through a single set of hands. No unscrupulous and designing men intervened between the original writing and the one true translation. It is pure, plain and precious. I revere the Bible and the unfathomable sacrifices that went into preserving it and producing it. I love the Book of Mormon for its purity, clarity and power. Together, they witness of Christ.

Second Nephi 25:11

And now this I speak because of the spirit which is in me. And notwithstanding they have been carried away they shall return again, and possess the land of Jerusalem; wherefore, they shall be restored again to the land of their inheritance.

An example of both a literal prophecy and a spiritual reality: Nephi learned from Isasiah that because of iniquity, the Jews will be held captive by the wicked world, but eventually when they are humbled, they will return to their land. This is an allegory for what happens to us when we sin. We find ourselves cut off from the Spirit, and perhaps even cut off from the church for a while. But when we repent, Christ restores our blessings and will welcome us into his kingdom, which is our eternal promised land.

Second Nephi 25:7-8

But behold, I proceed with mine own prophecy, according to my plainness; in the which I know that no man can err; nevertheless, in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass. Wherefore, they are of worth unto the children of men, and he that supposeth that they are not, unto them will I speak particularly, and confine the words unto mine own people; for I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them.

One can look for the fulfillment of many of Isaiah’s words in the events that are transpiring in our day and throughout this new dispensation of the gospel. Nephi knew that those who saw Isaiah’s prophecies come to pass could understand them (see, for example, Isaiah 29). If we do not read them, however, we cannot expect to understand them.

“The Book of Mormon is the world’s greatest commentary on the book of Isaiah” (McConkie, “Ten Keys to Understanding Isaiah,” p. 81). The Book of Mormon prophets loved the writings of Isaiah and quoted from them often. Large blocks of material are found in the Book of Mormon with inspired commentary and explanations. The Book of Mormon prophets obtained this material from the brass plates, which were written before 600  B.C. The Isaiah material in the Book of Mormon is, therefore, the oldest and most accurate available and provides commentary by prophets who, in some cases, had the same historical and cultural background as Isaiah had. The Lord Himself swore to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and, thus, to the truthfulness of Isaiah’s writings that are found therein (see D&C 17:6).

Second Nephi 25:4

Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy.

The “testimony of Jesus which comes by the power of the Holy Ghost is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). The spirit of prophecy, however, is far more than just a belief that Jesus lives. It includes an understanding that Jesus is the literal Son of God. It includes a correct knowledge of His purpose in coming into mortality and of the significance and nature of His mission. It includes an understanding of the gospel plan for His children, particularly those who spiritually become His sons and daughters through the covenant of baptism. All of this comes through the power of the Holy Ghost. The prophet Isaiah wrote under the influence of the spirit of prophecy. His writings must be interpreted under the influence of that same spirit. Those who desire to understand Isaiah should learn of Christ and seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost. The Book of Mormon teaches the way to obtain the spirit of prophecy. Righteous people who are serving the Lord and seeking to do His will can obtain the spirit of prophecy by searching the scriptures diligently and giving themselves “to much prayer, and fasting” (Alma 17:3). The Lord will give knowledge to those who prepare themselves and sincerely seek it.

Second Nephi Chapters 12-24

And now I write some of the words of Isaiah, that whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men. Now these are the words, and ye may liken them unto you and unto all men (2 Nephi 11:8).

Nephi copied selected writings from Isaiah into his own record so that he could be sure his descendants - and we - would have them. We are to lift up our hearts and rejoice when we read the words he wrote. Isaiah was the last prophet whose words were recorded on the brass plates, which Nephi's father Lehi brought with him into the wilderness and across the ocean to the Promised Land.

Chapters 12 through 24 of Second Nephi are nearly verbatim copies of chapters 2 through 14 of Isaiah in the Bible. Rather than comment on the individual verses of these chapters in this blog, I invite you to download my full commentary on the entire book of Isaiah. You can get a free copy of my ebook Searching Isaiah: Line Upon Line.

Second Nephi 11:5

And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.

The atonement of Christ is the central, enabling act of the plan of salvation. It embodies Christ's grace, justice, power and mercy. Because he atoned for us, Christ can deliver us from physical and spiritual death. Because of Christ, we have hope.

Second Nephi 11:4

Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.

Nephi teaches us here to look to all things as evidence of Christ and the plan of salvation that he has worked out through his atonement. Christ is the Light, the Rock, the Living Water. We must develop the eyes to see. The signs are all around us if we learn to look.

Second Nephi 11:3

And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words.

Witnesses are proof. God does not leave us without evidence of his words and his existence. He does not expect us to believe without proof. Nevertheless, he requires our effort up front. Christ said we had to do his word before we would know it is from God. He expects us to try and experiment, as Alma taught. But his promise is that if we try, he will send assurances. We do not have to live forever with blind faith. He can open our eyes if we let him.

Second Nephi 11:3

And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words.

Isaiah, Lehi, Nephi, and Jacob were all prophetic witnesses of Christ. They paid the price of faithfulness to know him and stand in his presence. They are living proof that we are not irrevocably locked out of his presence. They testify of him, and their experience testifies that we can likewise come into his presence if we pay the same price.

Second Nephi 11:2

And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him.

A key to understanding the Isaiah chapters in the Book of Mormon is to remember that they brought delight to Nephi's soul. They gave him hope and encouragement when he applied them to the future of his people. They are not dreadful, they are delightful. We need to look for the aspects of Isaiah that brought such joy to another prophet. Nephi copied Isaiah's words into his record to make sure that his people and we in the latter day would have them. We can therefore assume these chapters are important. Rather than skip over them, we should study them carefully and deeply and with the same spirit of revelation that inspired Nephi to copy them in the first place.

Second Nephi 10:25

Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen.

God's two supernal powers are the resurrection and the atonement. If he lacked these two powers, all his other powers would be futile.  The power to create planets, stars and galaxies, to move mountains, to create life and to heal the sick would be meaningless if he did not have the ultimate power to save and exalt us. We don't need a god who can impress us.  We need a God who can make us like him. Thus of all his powers, God's greatest powers are to make us immortal and to give us eternal life.

Second Nephi 10:24

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.

To reconcile is to restore friendly relations between two parties. The natural man within each of us is an enemy to God. We reconcile with God when we accept his grace to enable us to overcome the natural man. Having established that personal agency is essential, our greatest gift to God and our greatest victory is to relinquish that agency to God's will. When we choose God and his will over our own, we have fulfilled the purpose of our agency. We have filled the measure of our creation. And in the end God returns our agency to us, enhanced and empowered to make choices we never thought would be within our sphere of opportunities.

Second Nephi 10:23

Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.

Agency is a key theme of the Book of Mormon. It is the key principle God's plan for saving his children. The war in heaven was waged to ensure that every child of God who came to this earth would have agency. A third of Father's children lost the chance for bodies and eternal progression because they refused to honor agency. But we who came to earth believed in agency. We wanted it. We fought for it. It is a priceless gift, a tremendous responsibility, and the very key to our salvation and exaltation. Without agency, God's plan would be null and void. Agency is risky business, but it is essential.

Second Nephi 10:23

Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.

To cheer up is a commandment repeated many times. It is not just a suggestion or an encouragement, it is a commandment. God wants us to be happy. Now, happy does not always mean comfortable or carefree. Thus, we are also commanded to be grateful "in all things." We may not be grateful for all things, but we should be grateful in all things. Regardless of our circumstances, we should look for blessings and tender mercies, even if it is just gratitude for another day to try again. When we can be grateful, we will be cheerful. The two work hand in hand. If we can keep the one commandment, we will keep the other. Further, we can find comfort in the knowledge that God never forgets us. (1 Nephi 21:15-16)

Second Nephi 10:20

And now, my beloved brethren, seeing that our merciful God has given us so great knowledge concerning these things, let us remember him, and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off; nevertheless, we have been driven out of the land of our inheritance; but we have been led to a better land, for the Lord has made the sea our path, and we are upon an isle of the sea.

What we perceive as affliction and misfortune in our finite view of life may actually be wonderful blessings when we get to the end of the experience. We have to always trust God and believe that his plan is in our best interest. If we truly believe he loves us and is doing everything to save and exalt us, we can be grateful in all things, even when they are hard things.

Second Nephi 10:16

Wherefore, he that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female, shall perish; for they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they who are not for me are against me, saith our God.

Fence-sitting is not on the agenda when it comes to agency and the Lord's program. Gray does not exist. We are black or white. If we are not in, we are out. If we are not for him, we are against him. We are either building the kingdom with our energy, or we are impeding it with our lethargy. We are either on the Lord's side, or by default we are on Satan's side. No-man's land does not exist. It is a lie from Satan to lull us into thinking we don't have to make up our minds right away. He knows the truth, and as long as he can distract us from the hard truth with comfortable lies, he has us squarely in his court.

Second Nephi 10:15

Wherefore, for this cause, that my covenants may be fulfilled which I have made unto the children of men, that I will do unto them while they are in the flesh, I must needs destroy the secret works of darkness, and of murders, and of abominations.

The secret works of darkness, which are the secret combinations, are designed by Satan to thwart the Lord's purposes in keeping his covenants with his children. What are those covenants? To save us and exalt us based on repentance, faith in Christ, partaking of the ordinances of salvation, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. If Satan can get us to turn our backs on the Lord, stop repenting, give up on Christ, ignore or refuse the ordinances, harden our hearts against the Spirit, and stop trying, he has blocked God's power and grace in our lives. He wins when God loses. Secret combinations promote all of these sins and bind the adherents to Satan by oaths. An important part of God's work among men is to destroy the secret combinations before they destroy his children.

Second Nephi 10:2

For behold, the promises which we have obtained are promises unto us according to the flesh; wherefore, as it has been shown unto me that many of our children shall perish in the flesh because of unbelief, nevertheless, God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer.

The scattering and gathering of Israel is both literal for the house of Israel and metaphorical in our individual lives. We all fall short and find ourselves separated from God and scattered to isles of isolation. Nevertheless, Christ promises to gather up the broken pieces of our lives, reconstruct us in his image, heal us, and make us whole. The land of our inheritance to which we will be restored is the kingdom of God, even the celestial kingdom. It is where we came from and where we will ultimately return through repentance and the mercy of the atonement. Elder Boyd K. Packer taught: “The discouraging idea that a mistake (or even a series of them) makes it everlastingly too late, does not come from the Lord. He has said that if we will repent, not only will He forgive us our transgressions, but He will forget them and remember our sins no more (see Isaiah 43:25 Hebrews 8:12 10:17 Alma 36:19 D&C 58:42)” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 72 or Ensign, May 1989, 59).

Second Nephi 9:53

And behold how great the covenants of the Lord, and how great his condescensions unto the children of men; and because of his greatness, and his grace and mercy, he has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that he would preserve them; and in future generations they shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel.

The covenants God offers us represent his condescensions. They express his willingness to let us participate with him in working out our salvation. When we make and keep sacred covenants, he condescends, meaning he descends to be with us. He comes down to our level to lift us up to his level. Covenants and ordinances are the means by which he does this.

Second Nephi 9:52

Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.

We are to have a prayer in our hearts at all times, seeking constantly during our day of labor and service for guidance and direction and divine assistance in all we do.

The message of the gospel is one of perfect joy. We have to rejoice even when times are hard and we wonder if we will survive. With a right perspective, we can rejoice in every circumstance. For God gives only good gifts. Sometimes his gifts are not comfortable or pleasurable, but they are always good, for they are designed to save us and bring us back to him.

Second Nephi 9:51

Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and 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.

The gospel is rich, nutritious, and nourishing to the soul. It builds and enlivens our spirit. The truth is satisfying, even exhilarating.  It makes us happy and brings great joy. We can take great pleasure in the gospel, for it is good news on which we can rely to always be true.

Second Nephi 9:50

Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

A reminder that we cannot earn salvation. It is Christ's gift to us. In fact no amount of good works or money can buy what Christ offers us for free. I find that fact extremely comforting. If it were truly up to me, I'd be a goner. I thank God it is not entirely up to me.

Second Nephi 9:49

Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God.

To abhor sin is to hate it and to be disgusted by it. We may abhor sin and still commit sin. The natural man sometimes wins out despite our best intentions. We cannot get discouraged by our weakness. God gives all people weakness that we may be humble. Our spirit may be willing, but the flesh is often weak. It is not an excuse, just a fact, and one that God accounted for in his great plan when he appointed a Savior for us in the beginning. God judges the intent of the heart as well as the acts we perform.

Second Nephi 9:46

Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall be administered unto the righteous, even the day of judgment, that ye may not shrink with awful fear; that ye may not remember your awful guilt in perfectness, and be constrained to exclaim: Holy, holy are thy judgments, O Lord God Almighty—but I know my guilt; I transgressed thy law, and my transgressions are mine; and the devil hath obtained me, that I am a prey to his awful misery.

Though we may be constrained to remember our sins in mortality, Christ, by the atonement, can remove the memory of them from our minds in the day of judgment if we have fully repented. Just as the Lord promises to remember our sins no more, we will not have to be haunted by them either. We need the memories in mortality so we learn lessons and can teach others. But when those memories have served their purpose, the savior will remove them from us. It is one of the tender mercies of the atonement.

Second Nephi 9:42

And whoso knocketh, to him will he open.

What a marvelous promise, which is repeated many times in the scriptures. It does not say we have to beat the door down. It doesn't, on the other hand, say how long we have to knock. But the promise is that the door will open.