BoM 9 2 Nephi 9-10
89—The Lord is my Light
“The Ninth chapter of 2 Nephi…should be
carefully read by every person seeking salvation”
(Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel
Questions 4:57)
A Correct Idea
“Let us here observe, that three things are necessary
in order that any rational and intelligent being may
exercise faith in God unto life and salvation.
-First, the idea that he actually exists.
-Secondly, a correct idea of his character,
perfections and attributes.
-Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life
which he is pursuing is according to his will”
(Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, Deseret Book,
1985, p. 38)
2 Nephi 9:5-26, 40-41; 10:3
Read these verses,
looking for “a correct idea of
God’s character, perfections
and attributes”
Make a list of one word
nouns and adjectives that
describe God and be ready
to explain which verse(s)
teach us that attribute.
“God is…”
2 Nephi 9:5-26, 40-41
I Stand All Amazed
Students write in journals about times they have
experienced one of Christ’s attributes.
2 Nephi 9:8-9
Had Christ not interceded on our behalf, no person—
great or small—would have qualified for a kingdom of glory. "No
unclean thing can enter into" the kingdom of God; "therefore
nothing entereth into his rest," declared the Savior to the
Nephites, "save it be those who have washed their garments in
my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their
sins, and their faithfulness unto the end" (3 Nephi 27:19). In
Paul's language "if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are
yet in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17). Elder Bruce R. McConkie
has written: "Our spirits, stained with sin, unable to cleanse
themselves, would be subject to the author of sin everlastingly;
we would be followers of Satan; we would be sons of perdition"
(New Witness, p. 130).(Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert
L. Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon
1:240).
Wo…Nellie! (2 Nephi 9:27-39)
With a partner, go through the
‘wo’ list one ‘wo’ at a time, sharing
insights as to what each ‘wo’ means.
Some are very simple and
straightforward; some merit more
discussion.
To be Learned is Good…
Joseph F. Smith said: "Among the Latter-day Saints, the
preaching of false doctrines disguised as truths of the gospel,
may be expected from people of two classes, and practically
from these only; they are: First—The hopelessly ignorant, whose
lack of intelligence is due to their indolence and sloth, who
make but feeble effort, if indeed any at all, to better themselves
by reading and study; those who are afflicted with a dread
disease that may develop into an incurable malady—laziness.
Second—The proud and self-vaunting ones, who read by the
lamp of their own conceit; who interpret by rules of their own
contriving; who have become a law unto themselves, and so
pose as he/she judges of their own doings—more dangerously
ignorant than the first." (Gospel Doctrine, p. 373.)
…if They Hearken unto the Counsels of
God
Elder Orson F. Whitney, "to take the theories of men,
however scholarly, however learned, and set them up as a
standard, and try to make the Gospel bow down to them; making
of them an iron bedstead upon which God's truth, if not long
enough, must be stretched out, or if too long, must be chopped
off-anything to make it fit into the system of men's thoughts and
theories. On the contrary, we should hold up the Gospel as
the standard of truth, and measure thereby the theories
and opinions of men. What God has revealed, what the
prophets have spoken what the servants of the Lord proclaim
when inspired by the Holy Ghost, can be depended upon, for these
are the utterances of a spirit that cannot and that does not make
mistakes; while the teachings of men are often based upon
sophistry and founded upon false reasoning." (From CR, April
1915.)
2 Nephi 9:42-43
• How are these things “hid” from those that are
puffed up because of their own learning, wisdom
and riches?
• Can you give me some examples of things that
are ‘hid’?
Back to the Beginning
“The Ninth chapter of 2 Nephi…should be
carefully read by every person seeking salvation”
(Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel
Questions 4:57)