2 Nephi Chapter 3
v4 The more I read, the more I learn how important the covenants we make with God are.
v6 The Lord chose Joseph Smith.
v8 The Lord called Joseph Smith to do His work.
v11 The Lord gave Joseph Smith power to do His work.
Ok, it's important for us to understand that Lehi is a descendant of Joseph in Egypt. That helps us understand the power of the prophecy in verse 12. Lehi's descendants wrote the Book of Mormon and "the fruit of the loins of Judah" wrote the Bible. There is great power in joining these two books of scripture. There is even a verse in the Old Testament which talks about this:
"The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions:then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick ofEphraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand" (Ezekiel 37:15-17).
v12 The scriptures bring peace and settle contention. They are God's words.
The great work Joseph refers to in his prophecy is the restoration of the gospel. It brings God's children unto salvation. God gives men power and strength to do His will.
The restoration of the gospel is such an important and powerful truth. When you understand the restoration, everything else falls into place. Because the gospel was restored we have a living prophet of the Lord today: Thomas S Monson. We have the Book of Mormon which testifies of Jesus Christ. We have the priesthood of God, the authority of the Lord put into the hands of men, to bless His children through eternity. What a time to live!
2 Nehi Chapter 4
I find it interesting that Lehi's dying words were all calling his family to obey and remember the Lord. I liked how he said that, "if ye are brought up in the way ye should go, ye will not depart from it." That places a large responsibility on the parents, for one thing, but it also tells me how blessed I am. I was raised up in the way I should go. I am so amazed at the faith of those who find the gospel later in life and accept it. That, to me, is incredible.
v15-16 I love Nephi's attitude in these verses! He DELIGHTS in the things of the Lord. What do I delight in?
Verses 15-35 are known as Nephi's Psalm
What powerful verses. Nephi feels the weight of his natural sinful state and mourns, but he knows he can trust in God. God gives him strength. God fills him with love. God gives him knowledge and protection.
26-30 I love how is giving himself completely to God. He knows that he can't do it on his own. I love how he asks God to help him turn from sin and rejoice. Sometimes I get caught up in all that's wrong with me and with the world, even though I have such a reason to have joy. I can choose joy through the Lord! He will change my heart. I have seen it. This chapter ends with a promise: God will give to those who ask.
2 Nephi Chapter 5
v4 It's so tragic to thing that after hearing so much truth Nephi's brethren still chose anger. They chose to turn from the truth.
v5-6 God will protect His children. We need to believe His words.
v29-32 The Lord commands Nephi to keep a record. Nephi only writes the things of God. If we are pleased with the things of God, we will be pleased with Nephi's words.
Something I find interesting in this chapter is the comparison of the Nephites and the Lamanites. The Lamanites were cursed and cut off from God's presence and because of this curse they became idle, wicked, and mischievous. Man, left on his own, will reach his lowest point. The Nephites, on the other hand, obeyed the Lord and He was with them. They worked hard, they learned much, and they built a temple where they could enter into covenants with the Lord. They "lived after the manner of happiness." Isn't that beautiful? Isn't that what we all want? It starts with having the Lord with us. It requires us to live His way.
Tomorrow's Reading: 2 Nephi 6-11
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