2 Nephi 7

It strikes me that in verse 1 the Lord is talking about how the distance between He and I is always my own doing. He never wants to get rid of me, I do that to myself. It's really comforting, like when we tell Helaman we'll love him no matter what. It always sounded harsh to me before, this verse, but now it sounds so loving.

And then He says trust me. You know me, you know what I can do. Trust me to take care of you and love you. Why do I ever doubt?

I know Isaiah is speaking of the Messiah. How could anyone doubt that he was truly a prophet, when what he saw and wrote so long before Christ was born was exactly what happened when He lived. And while I know he is talking about what Christ will do, I think he is also talking about how we can feel if we are full of faith. I long to never feel "ashamed" or embarrassed by what I believe. And Isaiah is telling me how. It's all about the closeness of my relationship to God. If I give Him my ear and trust in His strength. I think that means read the scriptures, listen for answers to prayers, listen for promptings--and then have more faith.

2 Nephi 6

I had a Book of Mormon teacher tell me that Jacob tells us the key to understanding Isaiah is to liken it unto ourselves, because we too are of the house of Israel. But I tend to view that the way I was telling Omar I used to view everything in the Church, interesting academically, but removed and not personal to me. I will try to make it personal as I read through this 2 Nephi Isaiah and pray that the Lord's Spirit will help me do so.

"They shall not be ashamed that wait for me." seems like such a powerful statement in this day and age, when on every hand there are those who mock our believes and try to make us literally ashamed. What a comforting promise. I can see why people can't wait for the second coming. And yet later when he talks about the destruction of the enemies, my heart trembles, and I hate the thought of anyone being destroyed. I've never experienced that before.

2 Nephi 5

I never realized before that it was just the age-old power hunger that made Laman and Lemuel so angry and wicked. It really is the same story over and over, from the beginning of the Book of Mormon. And the message is, be sure you are aware of your motivations, and that your desire is to serve God. I can see that tendency in myself, when I question my leaders, and often think I can do things better than whoever else is in charge of something. Something to think about.

Another example of Nephi’s humility is when he said the prospered because the Lord was with them, even while mention that they worked hard. But he gives all credit and glory to the Lord. And really, what could any of our efforts avail us if it was not for his mercy allowing us to succeed, giving us the capacity to work, and protecting us from forces that would hinder us. We really can do nothing of our selves.

The curse on the Lamenites was being cut off from God. And this caused them to be an idle people. That’s something to remember when I am feeling idle myself. It’s not His way. As for the Lamenites being a scourge t the Nephites, that is what I always think about the terrorist now, and the effect 9-11 had on people. It’s interesting to see that as proof of His love—but really all things are; even such horrible afflictions as that. I pray that our nation can remember Him and not be scourged to destruction!

I notice in that last verse, that Nephi just briefly mentions that they have already had wars. It must have been such a painful subject still, I’m sure he still loved his brothers. What a hard thing.

2 Nephi 4

It must have been so painful for Lehi to bless Laman and Lemuel’s children the way he did. I can’t imagine the pain of watching Laman and Lemuel and how they must have been teaching there children. The Lord is so infinitely merciful that they were not held responsible, and in the end blessed, for the sake of the choices they would have made if they had been taught correctly. What a comfort to me as a parent, that my children will not be accountable for my mistakes. And at the same time, what a responsibility to teach them correctly so they won’t have to suffer. I pray with all my heart that I can be humble enough to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord in teaching my children, and loving my children. I have so much to learn, and I make so many mistakes, and it breaks my heart when I think of it. My only salvation is to say as Nephi (v. 19) “nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.”

Nephi doesn’t mention what his father said to him, or his children. I wonder why?

I love the prayer at the end of this chapter. It fills me with so much hope and joy. It is exactly how I feel this morning, and Nephi’s prayer is my own. I rejoice in my Lord, my heart is filled with His love, and I pray that he will, in mercy, make me shake at the appearance of sin and slow to anger, not at my enemies at last, but at those I love. I am so grateful for a Father in Heaven who hears my prayers, and when my soul “groans” fills me with is light and love!

2 Nephi 3

I didn’t realize that Moses had been prophesied about before his time, by name.  (v. 9)

As Joseph Smith is translating the section about him, and naming him specifically, I wonder what he must have been feeling; especially when you get to the last verse. It must have been such an overwhelming feeling of responsibility!

2 Nephi 2

Verse 2: “…thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.” I know that’s true. I know that when our life is focused on Him, He can and does make all things work together for our good. In Relief Society we’ve been talking a lot about being grateful for our afflictions. I am such a complainer, I have a hard time being grateful for my blessings. But I know that I can and should be grateful for all things. It reminds me of the story about the fleas in the book I just read, “The Hiding Place”. The sister insisted that they be grateful for the fleas, and they really did end up being a blessing because the guards left them alone in that room where they were so bad. I know all things draw me closer to Him if I can train my mind to come back to Him in all things.

In verse 3, Lehi is talking to Jacob about how he will be safe with Nephi because of his testimony. I expected him to say I know that our redeemed because of thy righteousness, but he didn’t. He knew he was redeemed because of the righteousness of the Savior. What a wonderful reminder to me.

In verse 4 Lehi tells Jacob he is just as blessed as those who will actually see Christ, because the Spirit is the same. I forget what  a blessing it is to have the Holy Ghost, a member of the God-head, with me all the time. I really do need to be a temple and walk uprightly to be worthy of such a gift. What a blessing!

Verse 8 talks about how important it is to let everyone know the only way they can be saved. I pray that the Lord will bless me to know how to do so, and that I will be more willing to open my mouth. I feel so strongly that I need to do better. I always said I didn’t need to go on a mission because I was going to be a mom, and be a missionary all the time. I am a mom, and I do teach my children the gospel, but I need to love my neighbor more, and share more. And not just think it, but do it!

As I read this chapter I amazed about all the doctrine that it clarifies. It is an amazing discourse on the plan of salvation, and clarifies so many points that the world has long been confused about: The nature and purpose of life and trials, the role of Adam and Eve in the garden, the workings of the atonement and man’s relationship to God, the judgment; it really is an amazing thing that so few words could clear away so much confusion.