Difference between revisions of "Second Nephi"

Latest revision as of 10:32, 25 April 2024

Second Nephi is the abbreviated title for the Second Book of Nephi in the Book of Mormon. As with the First Book of Nephi, this section was written by Nephi the son of Lehi, although many chapters are included excerpts from the prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament. Additionally, Nephi's brother Jacob contributes a few words. Whereas the First Book of Nephi dedicates the majority of its word count to the history of Lehi and his family's journeys, Second Nephi has a more doctrinal orientation. This section of the Book of Mormon begins sometime between the year 588 and 570 B.C.

Synopsis

The Second Book of Nephi continues the story of the prophet Lehi and his family immediately following the close of the First Book of Nephi. Having arrived in the modern-day Americas, otherwise known to the group as "a land of promise,"^[1] Lehi, realizing that his time in mortality is drawing to a close, summons his children and grandchildren to his side to give them parting advice and blessings.^[2]

To his oldest two sons, Laman and Lemuel, Lehi gives stern warning and strong exhortation to righteousness. Laman and Lemuel had complained often during the family's travels in the wilderness, and in particular, had been quite antagonistic against their younger brother Nephi, attempting to kill him on more than one occasion.^[3] Lehi pleads with them to change their ways, admitting that his "heart hath been weighed down with sorrow" as a result of their frequent wickedness.^[4] He urges Laman, Lemuel, and Sam—as well as the sons of Ishmael—to heed Nephi's spiritual guidance.^[5]

Lehi then briefly addresses Zoram, who joined the family in the wilderness years prior.^[6][7] Following this, Lehi speaks to his sons Jacob and Joseph, who were both born during the family's journeys through the wilderness.^[8][9]

After imparting his wisdom with his children and grandchildren, Lehi dies.^[10] Despite their father's admonitions to heed Nephi as a spiritual leader, Laman and Lemuel succumb to anger at their circumstances. They plan in secret to murder Nephi, though their younger brother is informed of the plans by the Lord. God instructs Nephi to "depart from them and flee into the wilderness." Zoram, Sam, Jacob, and Joseph, in addition to the people who comprised their respective families, follow Nephi.^[11]

From this point onward (i.e. for the remainder of the Book of Mormon), the people who followed Nephi (Nephites) and those who were supporters of Laman (Lamanites) are divided most of the time. To make the distinction visually apparent, God causes a curse to befall the Lamanites.^[12]

The remainder of the Second Book of Nephi comprises various sermons from Nephi and Jacob, as well as numerous excerpts from the prophet Isaiah of the Old Testament. This section of the Book of Mormon ends with Nephi's final words to any who may be reading the book. He then passes the records to his brother Jacob for future safekeeping.^[13]

Doctrinal Topics

A Messiah to Redeem: "Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah, for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered." (2 Nephi 2:6-7)^[14]

The Fall of Adam: "And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end. And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin. But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things. Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:22-25)^[15]

An Infinite Atonement: "For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord. Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgement which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more." (2 Nephi 9:6-7)^[16]

Line Upon Line: "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have." (2 Nephi 29:30)^[17]

Baptism of the Lamb of God: "And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water! And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water? Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments. Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove. And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them." (2 Nephi 31:5-9)^[18]

Necessity of Prayer: "And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts,; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray. But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul." (2 Nephi 32:8-9)^[19]

Isaiah Comparisons

Of the approximately 64 pages of the Book of Mormon that comprise the Second Book of Nephi, nearly 23 of them are dedicated to sharing the words of Isaiah, the prophet from the Old Testament. Hundreds of years after the events of Second Nephi, the Lord Jesus Christ stated, "And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah."^[20] Nephi recognized the importance of Isaiah's words long before this commandment, and it was for that reason that he chose to include so many excerpts from the Old Testament prophet.^[21]

Most of the differences between the chapters provided in Second Nephi and the modern-day transcript we have of Isaiah's writings in the Old Testament are small. However, there are some notable additions or differences between the two texts, the breadth of which shall be explored at least partially hereafter.

- 2 Nephi 7:8 // Isaiah 50:8: Both verses state "Let him come near me," though the 2 Nephi verse adds "and I will smite him with the strength of my mouth."[ADD REF]

- 2 Nephi 7:10 // Isaiah 50:10: Both verses state "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light?" but the Isaiah verse adds "let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God."[ADD REF]

- 2 Nephi 8:19 // Isaiah 51:19: The Isaiah account says "two things" whereas the 2 Nephi account says "two sons."[ADD REF]

Book Sections

Chapters 1 through 5 provide a historical account of Lehi's family after their arrival in the promised land. In the first four chapters of Second Nephi, Lehi gives parting counsel and blessings to his children and grandchildren. Chapter five chronicles the separation among the children of Lehi into two groups afterwards designated as Nephites and Lamanites.

Chapters 6 through 11 primarily contain a series of sermons delivered by Nephi's brother Jacob about the future coming of Jesus Christ. His words are supplemented by inserts of the Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. In Chapter 11, Nephi provides some closing commentary on his brother's words and introduces an additional portion of Isaiah's works.

Chapters 12 through 24 contain a transcription of the record of Isaiah as contained on the brass plates described in First Nephi. This section of Second Nephi can be compared to Isaiah chapters 2-14 in the Old Testament.

Chapters 25 through 33 contain Nephi's teachings about the mission and sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the gathering of Israel in the last days. One final Isaiah chapter is inserted in the midst of these writings.

References