2 Nephi 27

I forget that I am reading things from Isaiah as I read. It’s crazy how closely this describes what happened with the plates. It is just such a perfect explanation for this prophecy. Which I guess is why they say that the key to understanding Isaiah’s prophecies is for them to have already happened. If I didn’t know about the gold plates and Joseph Smith, this would be really confusing.

I feel myself accused in the drawing near to the Lord with my lips but not my heart. I worry so much about things that don’t matter, and don’t live my life in such a way, and do the things I need to, like read scriptures every day, that would keep me focused on what does. On the other hand, I do love Him, and that is drawing near with my heart. I just need to draw nearer!

At the end of this chapter, it is a little different than Isaiah’s usual talk of the last days. It talks about making the blind see, and those who murmured learn, etc. To me it shows the mercy of the Lord in His dealings with us. You aren’t just instantly burned, first He tries to reach everyone and teach them, and help them come unto Him. I know that’s true with me, over and over and over, thank goodness.

2 Nephi 26

The description of the righteous is those who hearken to the words of the prophets and look forward to the coming of Christ with steadfastness (all the time and in all things).  How well do we follow the prophet’s counsel in our family? We need to do better about food storage, gardens, service, and so many things. I want to be righteous and see the Son of Man and have peace with him. I want to share that with my family. We HAVE to do better!

It’s interesting that Nephi told his people they were going to destroy themselves. If they had listened they could have avoided the calamity, they were clearly and directly warned. It just goes to show there is no safety away from the prophets. Which again, is a great reason for us to follow better! Haven’t we been warned of destruction and the need to have our storage and be prepared?

I wonder about the writings from the dust having a familiar spirit to the remaining Lamenites. How has that played out? Is that what people mean when they learn about the gospel and it sounds right, like something they already knew.

It’s interesting that Nephi says that the Gentiles raise up churches but put down the power and miracles of God and preach their own wisdom and learning. It’s true that so many churches deny miracles in this day, and everyone is confused about the priesthood and the power of God. And you go to school to learn to be a preacher rather than being called by the power of God and led by His Spirit. That phrase says so many things in such a simple way.

And the envying and strife and malice between churches is clear to be soon, too. I’m always amazed by “Christian” churches that behave in such unChrist-like ways. Isn’t that what all this terrorism comes down to also?

I can see the great wisdom of the Lord in not having paid clergy in our church. Then it would be so easy to turn your heart to the things of the world and turn away from Him. It’s so easy to get caught up in the need for money and power and recognition. I’m sure some leaders still struggle with that, without the pay. (Like me?)

2 Nephi 25

Nephi talks about how Isaiah is hard to understand for his people because they don’t know the ways of the Jews, because he hasn’t taught them to them. It struck me that the ways of the Jews was Nephi’s culture, and that he abandoned it because it wasn’t leading to Christ. Sometimes we think culture is so important, and holding on to it, no matter the cost, matters so much. But here he is clearly telling us that’s not true. Of course that’s not true, but in the learning of the world it is easy to think so, I suppose.

Nephi also mentions that the Israelites were never destroyed without first being warned of their imminent destruction by a prophet of God, which, given the climate of the world, is actually really comforting right now.

I love that Nephi could see how the Jews would be deceived, and so clearly laid out what was going to happen for his people so they could not be deceived in the same way. I love how his soul delights in plainness, and how he wanted to make sure they (and we) clearly understood what he was telling them. There can’t be any dithering about his meaning. If you accept Nephi as a prophet, then you must accept Christ, the Savior, as the Messiah.

It also strikes me that he says in verse 23 that they labored diligently to write to save their brethren. They knew the truth, and knew how to be saved, but didn’t rest there. They struggled laboriously to write on the plates that other would know, and be saved, also. I want to be more like Nephi; more willing to sacrifice and work hard in building the kingdom and saving my fellowmen. I can’t just wait for when it is easy or convenient.

Verse 26 is my favorite scripture in the Book of Mormon I think. I want our  home to be filled with talk and teaching of Christ, that my children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

I also am struck by the fact that we must worship Him with all our might mind and strength or be cast out. It can’t be partial, or lukewarm, but all we have.

I’m glad that even though normally Nephi is talking to me when he chastises those who say Isaiah is worthless, this time I have loved reading the prophesies of Isaiah and felt the Spirit teach me to rejoice in, and look forward to, the coming of Christ. Isaiah’s prophecies, while still sometimes confusing, are beautiful and magnificent, and I am grateful to finally begin to appreciate them.

2 Nephi 24

I never thought of the millennium as a rest from sorrow and fear. What a blessing! There is so much sadness in the world, and so many things to fear. I can just imagine the peace that would be. I wonder if it is a metaphor or if there will really be no more cutting down trees? The world would have to exist completely different from how it does now, but a world with no sorrow would be different anyway. Was it scriptures like this that led the native Americans to have the relationship with the earth that they had. To feel the life and Spirit in the trees?

Lucifer’s sin of pride was his fall. I can see that same tendency in myself. Believing I could do it better and so having a hard time following. I’m grateful I recognized the truth, then. I guess I’m not always that way, but it is a struggle I have, humility that is.

2 Nephi 23

It is really interesting that the Lord says he will make a man more precious than fine gold. How sad that it is true that we act like gold, like things, are more precious than the people in need around us. I’m grateful the Lord will be merciful to his people. The destruction at the end of the world is terrifying.

2 Nephi 22

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation. 

Amen!