This week we start 2 Nephi. There are so many things in these chapters, it is difficult to get though them. SO, here is the challenge this week: Rather than sharing your thoughts on something you read, would you please find a quote from a recent General Conference or from a book by one of our Church leaders that helps you better understand or supports a verse in 2 Nephi 1-16?
As examples and for your edification, here are some notes I keep with verses here & there in 2 Nephi 1-16:
2 Nephi 2:11: Elder Kent F. Richards said, "Opposition is part of Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness. We all encounter enough to bring us to an awareness of our Father's love and of our need for the Savior's help" ("The Atonement Covers All Pain," Apr. 2011 Gen Con).
2 Nephi 2:27-29: President Boyd K. Packer said," "We are free to choose what we will and pick and choose our acts, but we are not free to choose the consequences" ("These Things I Know," Apr. 2013 Gen Con).
2 Nephi 9:7: Elder M. Russell Ballard said, "The irony of the Atonement is that it is infinite and eternal, yet it is applied individually, one person at a time" ("The Atonement and the Value of One Soul," Apr. 2004 Gen Con).
2 Nephi 9:27: President Henry B. Eyring said, "The purifying [power of the Atonement] can come only to those who have faith enough in Jesus Christ to repent of sin, be cleansed through the ordinance of baptism, and make and keep covenants to obey all His commandments" ("O Ye That Embark," Oct. 2008 Gen Con).
2 Nephi 10:3: The Prophet Joseph Smith said, "This generation is as corrupt as the generation of the Jews that crucified Christ; and if He were here today, and should preach the same doctrine He did then, they would put Him to death" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, edited by Joseph Fielding Smith, p. 328).
2 Nephi 12:2-3, 5: President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “As
I contemplate [the Conference Center], adjacent to the temple, there comes to
mind the great prophetic utterance of Isaiah: [see 2 Ne. 12:2-3, 5]. I believe
that prophecy applies to the historic and wonderful Salt Lake Temple. But I
believe also that it is related to this magnificent hall. For it is from this
pulpit that the law of God shall go forth, together with the word and testimony
of the Lord” (“This Great Millennial Year,” Oct. 2000, Gen Con).
2 Nephi 13:17-26: Sister Sheri L. Dew said, "Sisters,...No amount of time in front of the mirror will make you as attractive as having the Holy Ghost with you" ("It is Not Good for Man or Woman to be Alone," Oct. 2000 Gen Con).
2 Nephi 16:2-6: Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote, "Seraphs are angels who reside in the presence of God, giving continual glory, honor, and adoration to Him...In Hebrew the plural of Seraph is Seraphim.... The fact that these holy beings were shown to [Isaiah] as having wings was simply to symbolize their power, to move, to act, etc. as was the case also in visions others received (D&C 77:4)" (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd Ed., 702-703).
Sister Elaine S. Dalton said, "Love her mother so much that your marriage is celestial. A temple marriage for time and all eternity is worthy of your greatest efforts and highest priority. It was only after Nephi had completed the temple in the wilderness that he stated, “And … we lived after the manner of happiness.” The “manner of happiness” is found in the temple. It is covenant keeping. Don’t let any influence come into your life or your home that would cause you to compromise your covenants or your commitment to your wife and family." I have reflected often on this quote and the scripture in 2 Nephi 5:27. Truly we cannot be happy without making covenants with God. Happiness increases as we make and keep covenants as families.
ReplyDeleteGreat thought, thank you!
DeleteOne of my favorite scriptures that helps me know that God lives is 2 Nephi 2:13. It says, "And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away." The fact that we live means there is a God. Our decisions cause happiness or sorrow, which are the consequences of laws. Where did this laws come from? From God! The happiness that we feel is proof that God lives.
ReplyDelete2 Nephi 10:7-8 talks about the gathering of Israel or really the gathering of everybody during the latter days. Elder Niel Anderson spoke on this subject in conference and titled his address "Come unto Him." He tells us how amazing it is to live at this time; the time when God is finally calling everyone back home. We've been gone for a long time and now He is calling for us. In 2 Nephi 10 : 8 it says, "And it shall come to pass that they shall be gathered in from their long dispersion, from the isles of the sea, and from the four parts of the earth; and the nations of the Gentiles shall be great in the eyes of me, saith God, in carrying them forth to the lands of their inheritance." This scripture tells Bill and I that being in China is part of God's plan for Bill and I to do what we can to share the gospel with the Chinese people through example and not word and hasten the preparation for missionary work in China. It is amazing to us how the gathering is right before our eyes!
ReplyDelete-Austin and Bill
Terrific, thanks guys!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete2 Nephi 2:25--"...and men are, that they might have joy." Elder Uchtdorf talks about the happiness and joy that comes from being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints in his talk "Have We Not Reason to Rejoice." We are blessed with many tools that enable us to find happiness and joy; the most important being the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Elder Uchtdorf says that blessings and happiness will come if we endure to the end. The ultimate joy we can receive is when we are back in the presence of our Heavenly Father. We can only return to Him if we continually strive to live the gospel until the very end. With the tools we have and the help from our Lord, we can live so that we might have joy and rejoice.
ReplyDeleteKendra, you are awesome and doing awesome. I sincerely want you to know how impressed with your growth. Are you thinking of a mission at all? Not sure if you are able due to AFA schedules and the like, but if you could go, I think you would be a fine missionary. If not, you will do many great things anyway!
Delete2 Nephi 2: 8 Elder Scott said "This absolute requisite of “a broken heart and a contrite spirit” prescribes the need to be submissive, compliant, humble (that is, teachable), and willingly obedient. Finally, I witness 'how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.'" (April 1997 Conference "Jesus Christ, Our Redeemer")
ReplyDeleteSione, thank you. I can not begin to tell you how happy I am to know you. Thanks so much for this thought!
Delete2 Ne 9:21 - In the April 2010 General conference Elder Donald H. Hallstrom made this statement in regards to the atonement. "His most exemplary act, the Atonement, required Jesus to suffer “the pains of all men” (2 Nephi 9:21). Thus we understand the Atonement has broader purpose than providing a means to overcome sin."
ReplyDeleteLove it! Thank you.
Delete“My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord” (2 Nephi 4:16)—His law, His life, His love. To delight in Him is to acknowledge His hand in our lives. Our gospel duty is to do what is right and to love and delight in what is right. When we delight to serve Him, our Father in Heaven delights to bless us. “I, the Lord, … delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end” (D&C 76:5). I want to be worthy always of His delight.
ReplyDeletePerfect, thank you. I love your statement: "Our gospel duty is to do what is right and to love and delight in what is right." Amen and amen, Brother Nate, so well said.
DeletePresident Hinkley, the wonderful man that he is, said:
ReplyDelete"The words of Lehi are a clarion call to all men and boys of the priesthood. Said he with great conviction: “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” (2 Nephi 1:23). There is not a man or boy in this vast congregation tonight who cannot improve his life. And that needs to happen. After all, we hold the priesthood of God."
I remember reading this verse on my mission, and feeling inspired to awake and rise from the dust. Like President Hinkley said, everyone can use a little improvement. There is something in each of our lives that chains us down, that covers us in dust. But we need to head the call of prophets past and present to come forth and be Men. Priesthood men, Men of God.
Thank you, I just added this quote to my scriptures. The verse you refer to is a perfect connection to Moses 7:26 which we covered in Rel 327. Thanks!
Delete2 Nephi 9:10 President Monson said, "Ours is the duty to reach out to rescue those who have left the safety of activity, that such might be brought to the table of the Lord to feast on His word, to enjoy the companionship of His Spirit, and to be 'no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.'" (October 2013 Liahona) The Lord is merciful and wants to help His lost children find Him again, but often uses us in order to accomplish that.
ReplyDeleteGreat comment, thank you. Keep up the good work, Brother Pond.
ReplyDelete