After two weeks reading
Isaiah going back to Nephi's words was a relief.
Our reading this week was relatively short, but there was so much packed
in these few chapters. (2 Nephi 28-33) Nephi says he writes in plainness and I
appreciate it! Here is my overview of
the past few chapters. Such good stuff
in here!
Chapter 28 starts out talking
about all the ways the devil can deceive us.
So much of this is happening right now.
- · Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die
- · Lie a little
- · Little sin will be justified
- · Deny the power of God
- · Deny the Holy Ghost
- · No miracles now, he’s already done his work
Neal A Maxwell said “The philosophy of ritual prodigalism
is ‘eat, drink, and be merry, … [and] God will beat us with a few stripes’ (2 Nephi 28:8). This is a cynical and
shallow view of God, of self, and of life. God never can justify us ‘in
committing a little sin’ (verse 8). He is the God of the universe, not
some night-court judge with whom we can haggle and plea bargain!
“Of course God is forgiving! But He knows the intents of our
hearts. He also knows what good we might have done while AWOL [absent without
leave]. In any case, what others do is no excuse for the disciple from whom
much is required (see Alma 39:4). Besides, on the straight and
narrow path, there are simply no corners to be cut.”
I loved that. I can’t
imagine bartering with God about a little sin I’ve done. Which reminds me that I need to repent and
repent often, because we know he’s a forgiving Heavenly Father.
The end of the chapter verse 24 “Therefore, wo, unto him that is at ease in Zion.” We can’t ever be at ease. We must always be growing.
Chapter 29 talks about the Book
of Mormon and missionary work. Also
about additional records to be brought forth.
This is something I’ve always been confused about. So I enjoyed reading about this and hearing
what the modern day prophets had to say about it. Neal A Maxwell said, “Lost books
are among the treasures yet to come forth. Over twenty of these are mentioned
in the existing scriptures. Perhaps most startling and voluminous will be the
records of the lost tribes of Israel (see 2 Nephi
29:13). We would not even know of the impending third witness for
Christ except through the precious Book of Mormon, the second witness for
Christ! This third set of sacred records will thus complete a triad of truth.
Then, just as the Perfect Shepherd has said, ‘My word also shall be gathered in
one’ (verse 14).
There will be ‘one fold and one shepherd’ (1 Nephi
22:25) in a welding together of all the Christian dispensations of
human history (see D&C 128:18)”
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 70; or Ensign, Nov.
1986, 52). This simplified it for
me and helped me realize the third set will complete the truths we already have.
Chapter 30 talks about the conversion of the Jews.
Chapter 31: 6-10 talks about how we need to fulfill the Saviors
commandment to follow Him by being baptized, keep commandments and be humble.
Chapter 32 says we need to
have the Holy Ghost with us and feast on the words. In 2 Nephi 32:9 Nephi counseled that we must “pray always”. My son Johnny was having a hard time with
something and we talked about praying to Heavenly Father for help. We talked about how He is always there to
help us. A couple weeks later he came
home from school and told me he prayed in school to ask Heavenly Father for
help. He literally folded his arms and
said a prayer. He was such an example to
me of praying always. He had faith and
no shame that Heavenly Father would help him.
I need to have a prayer in my heart always. I know I’m always thinking of my children,
especially when they aren’t with me. I
am sure this it’s the same thing our Heavenly Father feels for us just
magnified.
Chapter 33 is Nephi’s last
testimony. It was so strong. He talks about his pillows being wet with the
tears he had cried for his people. He
basically put it all out there and pleaded for everyone to believe in Christ. Its powerful.
To end, I want to share 2
Nephi 33:1 it says "And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which
were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto
speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of
the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." The
information can only go "unto" the hearts of the children of
men. If we want the information to go
INTO our hearts we have to be prepared to learn. I loved this, its something I always knew,
but maybe don't always practice. I know
this class has helped the Book of Mormon go INTO my heart, but its because I’m
really studying it, I’m feasting on the words and am completely being blessed
by it!
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