Day 8 - 2 Nephi 21-26, D&C 29-32, Moses 4-6

[pam]

Discussion

[pam]

Isaiah testifies of Christ as both the “stem of Jesse” (mortal Messiah) and the righteous judge (millennial Messiah). He further testifies of a rod and root of Jesse (Joseph Smith), “a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power,” a man “unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of [the Lord’s] people in the last days” (D&C 113:1-2, 4-6; cf. JS-H 1:40).

Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 4 vols. [salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1987-1992], 1:281

[pam]

“Root of Jesse.” The Doctrine and Covenants identifies this individual as “a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last day” (D&C 113:5-6). The apostle Paul mistakenly identified the “root” as Christ (Rom. 15:12). Dr. Sidney B. Sperry explained the reason for this mistake:

“Examination of Romans 15:12 demonstrates that Paul was closely following the Septuagint LXX, Greek translation) text of Isaiah 11:10 rather than the Hebrew. As a matter of fact, the LXX version is only a paraphrase of the original Hebrew. We notice that the Greek version of Isaiah 11:1 translates the Hebrew text, ‘stem of Jesse,’ as the ‘root of Jesse’ and uses the same phrase in Isaiah 11:10. Of interest is the fact that the Greek word riza (root) is used in both verses to translate different Hebrew words. Paul would be quick to discern that the ‘root of Jesse’ of the LXX text of Isaiah 11:1-5 was the Christ. And when he observed that the phrase ‘root of Jesse’ was used again in verse 10, he would naturally assume that it, too, had reference to the Christ. Hence the reason for his quotation in Romans 15:12.”

Who, then, is the “root of Jesse”? It appears that the Prophet Joseph Smith is both the “rod” and the “root” that will come from Jesse…

However, Victor Ludlow suggested that “Joseph Smith might not be the only ‘root of Jesse’ in these last days. Many presidents of the Church have been related to him by blood, and all have held the priesthood and the keys of the kingdom that he held…The ‘root of Jesse’ could also be that particular prophet who will hold the keys when Christ returns to preside personally over his kingdom. The term could even represent the office of the president of the Church. In any case, the ‘root of Jesse” could also be that particular prophet who will hold the keys when Christ returns to preside personally over his kingdom. The term could even represent the office of the president of the Church. In any case, the ‘root of Jesse’ designates a great leader in the Church of Jesus Christ in this dispensation.”

Hoyt W. Brewster Jr., Isaiah Plain and Simple [salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1995], 112-13

[pam]

2 Ne 22:2 the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength

The name “Jehovah” only appears in the Old Testament four times (Gen 22:14, Ex 6:3, Ps 83:18, Isa 12:2) and once in an abbreviated form, JAH (Ps 68:4). The first of these examples demonstrates that the “Lord” of the Old Testament is, in fact, Jehovah. ‘And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen’ (Gen 22:14). Obviously this means that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is none other than Jehovah, the pre-mortal Jesus Christ. The fact that “Jehovah” is a name for the pre-mortal Christ is clear to latter-day saints. This comes from teachings in latter-day scriptures and the temple. To the rest of the world, it is less obvious and a source of misunderstanding. With some work, one can demonstrate, using only the Bible, that the God of the Old Testament is the same individual as Jesus Christ. Comparing the following pairs of scriptures will be helpful: Ex 3:13 and Jn 8:58; Isa 6:8-11 and Jn 12:40-1; and Zech 12:10 and Jn 19:37. See also Jn 1:1-3,14. Using the Book of Mormon the connection is easy to make for when Christ appeared to the Nephites he declared, ‘Behold, I say unto you that the law is fulfilled that was given unto Moses. Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel’ (3 Ne 15:4-5). He also said, ‘Behold I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning’ (3 Ne 9:15).

[pam]

2 Ne 24:1 strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob

In the Old Testament, the term strangers means Gentiles. In the Book of Mormon, the Gentiles often refers to the Americas (1 Ne. 13:14-15). Therefore, it is not unreasonable to conclude that Isaiah’s prophecy refers to the political alliance of the United States and Israel prior to the Millenium. After the Millenium, the Gentiles will continue to look to Jerusalem and Zion for spiritual guidance. In that day, ‘many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob

’ (Isa 2:3). In that day shall the Gentiles ‘cleave to the house of Jacob.’

I thought it very interesting that the alliance between the US and Israel was mentioned here.

[pam]

Oh this scripture describes exactly how I'm feeling as we read 2 Nephi. Nephi could not have spoken my thoughts any better.

2 Nephi 25:1

1 Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews.

I just love Nephi.

[pam]

2 Nephi 26:11 really struck me.

11 For the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man. And when the Spirit ceaseth to strive with man then cometh speedy destruction, and this grieveth my soul.

2 Ne 26:11 For the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man

B. H. Roberts

“When the Spirit of the Lord is withdrawn…darkness, like the blackness of night surges through the soul of man, and the sun of righteousness seems set for him, he is then made to feel what it means to sin against the law of God as it has been revealed unto his soul. When you think of the bitterness of that personal suffering, you will not marvel that when the heavy burden of a world's sin rested down upon the Son of God in Gethsemane--you certainly will not marvel that he sweat great drops of blood in his agony; nor wonder at his suffering on the cross.” (Defense of the Faith and the Saints, p. 514)

Joseph Fielding Smith

“The Spirit of the Lord will not dwell in unclean tabernacles, and when the Spirit is withdrawn, darkness supersedes the light, and apostasy will follow. This is one of the greatest evidences of the divinity of this latter-day work. In other organizations men may commit all manner of sin and still retain their membership, because they have no companionship with the Holy Ghost to lose; but in the Church when a man sins and continues without repentance, the Spirit is withdrawn, and when he is left to himself the adversary takes possession of his mind and he denies the faith.

“It is possible for a man who has received a perfect understanding of the truth and has walked in the light of the Holy Spirit to fall away through transgression. But when he turns away, he still knows that he once had the light. The Lord has said of such: ‘All those who know my power, and have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy my power-They are they who are the sons of perdition, of whom I say that it had been better for them never to have been born.’ (DC 76:31-2)” (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, p. 309)

LeGrand Richards

“Now, as I love the Saints for their faithfulness, I also feel remorse and sorrow for those who fail to have that kind of faith, for those who are not willing to do their part, for those who have discontinued attending their meetings. Brigham Young said that when we fail to attend our sacrament meetings and observe our prayers, the Spirit of the Lord will withdraw himself, and a spirit of darkness will come over us. Now there are a great many people in our midst who have ceased attending their meetings, and who do not observe their prayers. Some of them are near to us, some of them are dear to us, but the Lord does withdraw his Spirit.

“…And when people walk in darkness, they cannot love the brethren; they cannot love the Lord; they cannot love the people; they cannot love this great Latter-day cause, the greatest movement the world has ever known, aside from the great atonement of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1950, p. 151)

Sterling W. Sill

“Repentance is God's cure for every disease that plagues our lives. As repentance is postponed, the sinner becomes more willful, and any upward change becomes more difficult. If this Godly gift is not used, it may lapse into impotence, and the soul may be lost.

“Through Noah the Lord said, ‘My spirit shall not always strive with man. . . .’ (Gen. 6:3.) And someday when it may be too late, we may discover that repentance is the most thrilling, exciting, uplifting of all possible activities.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1964, p. 112)

[pam]

DC 29:6 ask in faith, being united in prayer

“The purposes of group prayer…[is to unite] faith toward a particular end desired.

“…The prayer of a husband and wife together is a group prayer, as are those of the parents with the children. Missionary companions kneeling at the start and close of each day, prayers given in executive meetings, stake presidency meetings, quorum or Relief Society presidency meetings, sacrament meetings, Sunday School, even general conference sessions—all are group prayers and all have similarities. One person has the responsibility to speak for the group in thanking and asking the Lord’s blessing upon them all. This entails being sufficiently humble and in tune with the Spirit that one can receive, through the Holy Ghost, the knowledge of those blessings that would benefit the entire group. Others in the group also have a responsibility to mentally repeat each word and to unite their faith for the same blessings. If this were truly done in each group prayer, we would receive the marvelous promise of the Lord: ‘whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive.’ (D&C 29:6.)

“Some of my choicest experiences have come about through prayer in groups.

“One such experience was in a meeting with the stake presidency and Elder James E. Faust, Assistant to the Council of the Twelve, at a stake conference. In the middle of this meeting, word came that the stake Relief Society president and her unborn baby were in danger of losing their lives because of complications in childbirth. As soon as this news reached us, Elder Faust suggested that we kneel and pray, uniting our faith as the stake president prayed for the life of this sister and her child. It was a rich experience as the Spirit united us totally in the single purpose of supplicating the Lord for this family. Before our meeting was over, word had come that the mother and the prematurely born son were both doing fine.

“I recall another moving group prayer, this one at a testimony meeting at an MIA Girls Camp in the High Sierras. A young Mia Maid was becoming rebellious, and we had persuaded her to attend camp only after an all-out effort. The young lady who gave the opening prayer at the testimony meeting was inspired to ask ‘that those in the group who do not have a testimony can humble themselves so that they can be touched by the Holy Spirit and receive the witness that Jesus isSmith was His Prophet, that the president of the Church is a prophet, and that the gospel embodied in the Church is true.’ I’m sure I was only one of many mentally pleading with the Lord that this blessing might be given.

“Those testimonies under the stars against a backdrop of tall pines and Sequoias were really inspiring. Toward the end of the meeting, as each of us was spiritually filled and tears welled in our eyes, this young rebellious girl got to her feet and told of the spiritual awakening she had just had, that she had received a witness from the Holy Ghost that the Church was indeed true. She pledged to adhere to all of the guidelines of the Church and to live her life to be worthy of marriage in the temple. Years later as I attended her reception, following her temple marriage, I again offered a prayer of thanksgiving that we had been united in purpose and prayer to witness that great miracle in the High Sierras…It has been my experience that prayer in groups can be as uplifting and spiritually rewarding as any other experience one can have. (Gerald R. Schiefer, “Where Two or Three Are Gathered,” Ensign, Jan. 1976, 36-37)

[pam]

I love the scriptures about little children:

D&C 29:46-47

46 But behold, I say unto you, that little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten;

47 Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me;

[KeithLBrown]

2 Nephi 24:12-14
Beware of Pride, and Be Not Deceived!

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! Art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High."

In a word, the reason that Lucifer fell from heaven was because of his pride. We are taught in Proverbs 16:8 that "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." Notice that five times Lucifer boasts of the things that he thought he would do: (1) I will ascend into heaven, (2) I will exalt my throne above the stars of God, (3) I will sit also upon the mount of the congrgation, in the sides of the north, (4) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, and (5) I will be like the Most High [God].

We are able to get a clearer understanding of the events surrounding Lucifer's fall by turning to Moses 4:1-6 where we learn:

1 And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.

2 But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.

3 Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;

4 And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice.

5 And now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which I, the Lord God, had made.

6 And Satan put it into the heart of the serpent, (for he had drawn away many after him,) and he sought also to beguile Eve, for he knew not the mind of God, wherefore he sought to destroy the world.

It was Lucifer's pride that drove him out of heaven. He was not interested in doing the will of the Father at all, but his real agenda was to take away man's free agency which had been given to him by the Father. As a result he uses any and every method possible to trick and deceive us into doing things that we know we should not be doing. He often uses the rationalization that "No one will ever know!" Elder Stanley G. Ellis Of the Seventy gave the following example from his own life to illustrate this point:

An excerpt from "No One Will Ever Know", (Elder Stanley G. Ellis Of the Seventy, NewEra, Feb 2009, 40–43)

I was born and grew up in Burley, Idaho, USA. My father had a farm and a ranch there, so I spent my time working in the out-of-doors. My family had been members of the Church for generations, and I was raised in a faithful home. But while I was in high school, my testimony was tested by an opportunity I had sought out.
I knew of a person from our high school who had been an exchange student. I thought it sounded like an interesting experience, so I researched the idea of becoming an exchange student, found out the procedure, and applied. I was accepted. I was then 16 years old. I had taken one year of German, so I assumed, as did my adviser, that I would be assigned to go to Germany. This particular exchange program took all your information, matched it up with families willing to act as hosts, then assigned you to a country.

When I was accepted, I was assigned to Brazil, and I agreed to the assignment. I lived with a wonderful family in São Paulo. They had six boys and one girl, just like my family at home. Fortunately, they spoke English. It turned out to be a great experience, even though I was there only for the summer.

During my time in Brazil, I made some friends who were in that stage in life when they were experimenting with things. They started inviting me to go out with them to have fun with some girls they had met.

I was thousands of miles from home in a country where nobody knew me except my host family. The friends who would invite me to go out with them used the line "No one will ever know." In many respects that was true. Certainly, none of my American family would ever know. I was a teenager, far from home, with an invitation to do what was wrong, and nobody would ever know.

But I knew that I would know. I knew the Lord would know, so I said no to their invitations and continued to say no. They asked repeatedly, sure that they could persuade me. It was not a one-time challenge, but every time I declined, I grew more determined to stand my ground.

Satan’s Rationalization

"No one will ever know" is a rationalization that Satan uses against us in our lives. It’s a lie. I discovered that for myself during my summer in Brazil. Falling for Satan’s lie is, in fact, how many people get into such things as Internet pornography. They think they can do it in a way that no one will ever know. But in every case, they know and God knows.

Please don’t ever buy into that lie in any aspect of your life. I’m thankful that I was able to see the false reasoning for what it was and not give in. The Spirit helped me feel the truth. I also relied on the fact that because of what I had learned in my family, I knew what was right. My parents had taught me the truth. I learned the truth in Primary, in Sunday School, in Aaronic Priesthood, and in seminary. That foundation of the gospel was in my home, in the upbringing that I had had, and in Church lessons.

My experience with temptation as an exchange student came from the outside, from persistent friends. It was an external challenge to the things I believed, and I was able to stand firm. But as additional experiences came to me, I learned that we are going to be tested from all sides. Some of the most difficult challenges are internal ones, when the temptations that have to be resisted take place in the quiet of our own hearts and minds.

[Seanette]

More progress being made, still on 7/13, despite the cat attempting to divert me with excessive cuteness.

2 Nephi 20 – Compare Isaiah 10. According to the chapter summary, the destruction of Assyria is a type of the destruction of the wicked at the Second Coming (I had trouble seeing that linkage). Few will be left after the Second Coming. The remnant of the house of Jacob will return.

2 Nephi 21 – Compare Isaiah 11. The stem of Jesse (Christ) will judge in righteousness. Millennial peace is described – wild animals will be harmless, and animals now predators will cease to hunt others. The Lord will set up an ensign to nations and gather Israel.

2 Nephi 22 – Compare Isaiah 12. All on earth during the Millennium will praise the Lord.

2 Nephi 23 – Compare Isaiah 13. The world will be punished for its evil. The heavens will shake and the earth will move from her place. Babylon (elsewhere equated to the unbelieving world) will be destroyed.

2 Nephi 24 – Compare Isaiah 14. More discussion of the gathering of Israel in the Millennium. Lucifer’s fall is discussed.

2 Nephi 25 – Nephi did not teach his people much about the ways of the Jews, due to their wickedness (he describes their works as being “of darkness”). The words of Isaiah are plain to those with the spirit of prophecy. Nephi speaks more plainly of Israel’s captivity in Babylon and their return from this, their rejection of Christ, His crucifixion and resurrection, another destruction of Jerusalem (probably AD 70) with the Jews being scattered again, and the Restoration. He gives the Messiah’s name as Jesus Christ and states when He will come. Jesus is the only means of salvation. (It may be useful here to remember that “salvation” has two meanings in theological discussions: resurrection, which removes one from Hell, per 2 Nephi 9, or eternal life, meaning to return to live with Heavenly Father, also called exaltation.) We are saved by grace, after all we can do. We cannot save ourselves by our own efforts, the grace of God being required, but salvation does require obedience (not just saying a “sinner’s prayer” and continuing to live the same lifestyle). The Lord promises Nephi that his records will be preserved and passed down according to God’s will. Christ will be the fulfillment of the Law of Moses, and the Nephites will keep that law until He comes. Prophets preach of Christ and strive to bring others to Him.

Section 29 – What we ask in faith, God will give (if it’s righteous and in keeping with His plan and purpose). The elect are to be gathered. The Millennium begins at Christ’s return. The 12 Apostles of the Old World (during Christ’s mortal ministry) will judge Israel. Signs of the Second Coming are detailed, including plagues. The great and abominable church will be cast down. After the Millennium, there will be a new heaven and earth. The Final Judgment is discussed. All things are spiritual to Christ, nothing is strictly temporal. We’re told more about the rebellion of Lucifer and the 1/3 who chose to follow him. Temptation is necessary for exercise of agency. We must repent to be redeemed. Small children cannot sin.

Section 30 – David Whitmer is chastised for fearing man and caring more about temporal matters than the spiritual. Peter Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery are sent on a mission to the Lamanites. John Whitmer is called to preach.

Section 31 – Thomas Marsh is called on a mission and assured of his family’s welfare in his absence. He is counseled to pray always, be patient, and be faithful.

Section 32 – Parley Pratt and Ziba Peterson are called to the mission to the Lamanites mentioned in Section 30. They are counseled to pray for greater understanding of Scripture.

JS-History – Joseph Smith tells of his early life, the First Vision, the persecutions he faces, his interviews with Moroni, obtaining the plates on which the Book of Mormon is written, and translating that book. Oliver Cowdery tells of ordination to the priesthood. (On a personal note, I do wish the part written by Cowdery were not in such tiny print!) I consider it of interest that had Martin Luther had his way, the Protestant Bible would not have included the Book of James, which would have omitted the crucial verse that led to the First Vision and all that followed. I saw a pattern of persecutions increasing at every step forward in the Restoration.

Articles of Faith – Books have been written commenting on these 13 verses, and much better than I could hope to, so I won’t try. I’d suggest this passage as a very good summary of the basics of LDS doctrine. There are important items (such as Temple work) not covered in this passage, but it’s a good introduction.