THE BOOK OF MORMON STUDY GUIDE

Lehi prophesies of the promised land...
(compare 2 Nephi, chapter 1)

After I had taught my brethren, my father, Lehi, spoke many things to them. He reminded them of the many great things the Lord had done for them by bringing them out of Jerusalem, and how merciful God had been to them in sparing their lives upon the ocean during their rebellion.

He also pointed out the great blessing of this promised land, which we had obtained, and how merciful the Lord had been in warning us to get out of Jerusalem.

Lehi said,

"I have seen a vision, in which I know that Jerusalem has been destroyed.
If we had stayed there, we would not have survived.

Even though we have been through many afflictions, we have been spared and have obtained this promised land. The Lord has covenanted with me that He will give this land to me and my descendants forever, and also to those whom He will lead here from other nations.

I prophesy, because of the Spirit in me, that no people will come to this land unless the Lord brings them here, for this land is consecrated to those whom the Lord brings to this land.

If the people on this land serve the Lord according to His commandments, they will always be free.

On the other hand, if they are ever brought into bondage, it will be because they have broken the Lord's commandments. For if the people in this land persist in their sinfulness, the land will be cursed for their sakes. But to the righteous, this land will be blessed forever.

The Lord has been wise to keep this land hidden from other nations, for they would overrun it, not leaving a place for an inheritance. The Lord made this promise to me:

If those whom He brings out of Jerusalem will keep His commandments, they will be the only ones to possess this land. They will prosper, be protected from all other nations and inherit this land forever.

But when the time comes that they stop believing and reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Redeemer and their God...

...after receiving such great blessings,

...after knowing about the creation of the world and of all people,

...after having power to do all things by faith,

...having all the commandments from the beginning,

...having been brought by His infinite goodness to this precious land of promise,

...then His judgments will be upon them!

Then the Lord will bring people from other nations and give them power to take away their lands, to scatter and kill them. Generation after generation will pass away with bloodshed and destruction among them.

I hope that you, my sons, will remember and obey my words so that these things may not happen.

Oh that you would wake up from your deep sleep--the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains that bind people and carry them down to the eternal gulf of misery and woe.

Awake! Arise and hear the words of a trembling parent, whom you will soon lay down into a cold and silent grave, from where no traveler can return, for soon I will go the way of all the earth.

But the Lord has redeemed my soul from hell. I have seen His glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of His love. And the desire of my soul has always been that you, my sons, will remember His laws.

From time to time my heart has been heavy with sorrow because of your pride. I have feared that the anger of the Lord your God will come upon you and cut you off from His presence forever -- that a curse will come upon you for many generations -- that your descendants will be visited by the sword or famine -- that they will be hated by many and be led as captives of the devil.

Oh my sons, I hope these things do not come upon you. I hope you and your descendants will always be a choice, favored people of the Lord. But His will be done, for His ways are righteous forever. He has said,

'If you keep my laws, you will prosper in the land. Otherwise, you will be cut off from my presence.'

My soul longs to have joy in you -- to leave this world with gladness because of you.

Arise from the dust, my sons. Be men, determined to be of one mind and one heart, united in all things so that you and your descendants will not come down into captivity -- that you may not be cursed by a displeased and just God -- that your bodies and souls will not be eternally destroyed.

Awake, my sons! Put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off those chains that bind you. Learn to know God as you arise and walk uprightly before Him.

Stop rebelling against Nephi, for he has seen glorious things and has kept the commandments from the time we left Jerusalem. He has been an instrument in God's hands to lead us to this promised land. If not for him, we would have all died of hunger in the wilderness.

Yet you have tried to kill him, and he's suffered great sorrow because of you.

I fear for him, that he'll suffer again because of you, for you've accused him of seeking power and authority over you. I know he hasn't done this. He only seeks God's glory and your eternal well-being.

You've complained that his words are sharp, that he's been angry with you, but his sharpness is the power of God's word. What you call anger was the truth that he could not keep from speaking, which boldly told you of your sins.

Only God's power within Nephi could compel him to command you. He himself did not command you. The Lord's Spirit commanded you.

Now my sons, Laman, Lemuel and Sam, and also my sons of Ishmael, if you'll listen to and obey Nephi, you won't perish, for I'll leave you my first blessing. But if you won't do this, I'll take my first blessing from you and give it to Nephi.

And now, Zoram, you were once Laban's servant, but you were brought out of servitude in Jerusalem. I know you're a true friend of Nephi forever. Because you've been faithful, your descendants will be blessed along with Nephi's, that they may live long in prosperity in this land.

And nothing but sinfulness among them will disrupt their prosperity in this land forever. If you keep the Lord's commandments, you'll be blessed, for He has consecrated this land for the security of your descendants, as well as Nephi's."

Lehi speaks to his youngest sons...
(compare 2 Nephi, chapter 2)

Now I speak to you, Jacob, my first-born in the wilderness. You've suffered in your childhood because of your brothers' rudeness, yet you know the goodness of God, who will compensate you for your afflictions. Your soul will be blessed, and you'll live safely with your brother, Nephi, for your days will be spent in the service of your God.

I know you are redeemed because of the righteousness of your Redeemer, for you have seen that in the fullness of time, He will come to offer salvation to all.

Jacob, you're like the children of a future day, to whom the Lord will appear, for you've seen His glory in your youth.

The Spirit is the same yesterday, today and forever, and since the fall of Adam and Eve, the way has been prepared for the free salvation of all their descendants.

Men and women have been taught to know good from evil. They are given the law, but it cannot justify them. Breaking the law cuts them off from what's good in this life and in the afterlife, bringing eternal misery.

Redemption comes only through the Holy Messiah, for He is full of grace and truth. He will offer Himself as a sacrifice for sin to satisfy the law on behalf of those with a broken heart -- those who are truly sorry. This sacrifice answers the demands of the law for them.

It is so important to make known to the inhabitants of the earth that they can only live with God through the merits, mercy and grace of the Holy Messiah, who will lay down His life in the flesh and take it up again by the power of the Spirit, bringing to pass the resurrection of the dead, He being the first to rise.

This makes Him the firstfruits to God the Father. He will stand between us and the Father, and all who believe in Him will be saved.

Because He will stand between us and the Father, all will come and stand before Him to be judged according to the truth and holiness in Him.

The result of the Law that the Holy One has given is for the wicked to receive His punishment.

And the result of the Atonement that the Holy One will make is for the righteous to receive His happiness.

Thus, by way of the Law and Atonement, everything has its opposite.

If not so, goodness and joy would not be separate from evil and misery. If not so, all things would be combined.......no life separate from death, no mortality separate from immortality.

There would be no meaning in such a state, for it would destroy God's wisdom, eternal purposes, power, mercy and justice.

For with no law, there's no sin.

And with no sin, no righteousness, nor a reward for the righteous or misery for the sinful.

And if none of these things exist, then there's no God. And if no God, then earth and everything on it, including us, would not exist, for there would have been no creation, wherein things act and are acted upon. Instead, there would be nothing.

My sons, I tell you these things for your profit and learning, for there is a God! He has created all things in heaven and earth... ...all things that act and are acted upon.   photo by Jason Ware

Note: Things that act are intelligences, and things that are acted upon are raw materials of the universe. Our spirit (created from raw intelligence) and our body (created from raw matter) together constitute our very soul. "For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy." (D&C 93:33).

To bring about His eternal purposes for men and women, after He created all things, there had to be opposition. This is why the forbidden fruit was created opposite the tree of life...one sweet, the other bitter.

By this opposition, God gave Adam and Eve the chance to act for themselves...something they could not do without this choice.

And I believe, according to what I have read, that one of God's angels fell from heaven and became a devil, having desired evil before God. After he fell, he wanted everyone to become just as miserable as himself.

That old serpent, the devil, the father of lies, told Eve that if she ate of the forbidden fruit she would not die, but would become like God, knowing good and evil.

After Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, they were sent out of the Garden of Eden to till the earth and grow food.

After leaving the Garden, they had children. Their descendants' lives were lengthened to give them time to repent, and God commanded each generation to repent, showing them how they were lost because of their first parents' transgression.

If Adam and Eve had not transgressed, they would not have been sent into a fallen world. They would have forever remained in the same condition in which they had been created.

They would not have had children, but would have been as children, remaining in a state of innocence, for they could feel no joy or misery without knowledge of good and evil.

But all things were done according to God's wisdom.

Adam chose to fall from his state of innocence in order to have children with Eve. And even in this fallen world, their children are meant to have joy.

For the Messiah will come in the fullness of time to redeem all of Adam and Eve's children from the fall. Being redeemed from the fall, we are free forever....free to act for ourselves.

We will only be acted upon at the great and last day, when we will suffer for the sins of which we did not repent.

In this life we are free to choose captivity and spiritual death according to the power of the devil, and join him in his misery.

Or we may choose freedom and eternal life through Christ, the Great Mediator for all who will repent.

Now my sons, I hope you will always look to Christ, obey His great commandments, and be faithful to His words, choosing eternal life according to the prompting of His Holy Spirit.

I hope you will not choose eternal death, according to the evil desires of the flesh, which desires give the devil's spirit power to bring you down to his kingdom to reign over you.

These are my last words to you, my sons. I have chosen the good part according to the words of the prophet, and my only desire is the everlasting welfare of your souls. Amen.

Lehi speaks to his son Joseph...
(compare 2 Nephi, chapter 3)

My youngest son, Joseph, born in the wilderness during our greatest sorrow. May the Lord consecrate this choice land as an inheritance for you, your brothers and your descendants, that it may be for your security forever as you keep the commandments of the Holy One of Israel.

The Lord will bless you forever, Joseph, because He will not allow your descendants to be completely destroyed.

My son, I'm a descendant of Joseph of old, who was sold into Egypt, with whom the Lord made great covenants.

Joseph of old truly saw our day. The Lord promised him that through his descendants He would raise up a righteous branch of the house of Israel -- not the Messiah, but a branch that would be broken off and carried across the ocean.

The Lord promised Joseph of old that in the last days, in the spirit of power, the Messiah would be made known to this broken-off branch of Israel, and that this knowledge would bring them out of hidden darkness and captivity and into the light of freedom! The Lord said to Joseph of old,

"I will raise up one of your descendants to be a choice seer.

He will be honored among your descendants. I will command this choice seer to do a great work for his brethren. This work will be of great worth to them, for it will bring them knowledge of the covenants I made with you and your fathers.

I will make this choice seer great in my eyes because he will obey me, doing only what I command him. He will be great like Moses, whom I said I will raise up to deliver my people -- your father's descendants -- out of Egypt.

And your descendant, this choice seer Joseph, will have power to bring my word to your other descendants, convincing them that my words (The Holy Bible), which they will already have among them, are true."

The Lord continued speaking to Joseph of old:

"Your descendants, and the descendants of your brother, Judah, will write.
      In the last days, their writings will grow together to...

...confound false doctrines
...end disputes
...establish peace among your descendants
...and bring them knowledge of the covenants
   I made with their forefathers.

From the choice seer's weakness, I will make him strong in the day when my work begins among all my people. A work that will gather in and restore the house of your father, Israel."

Then Joseph of old prophesied, "The Lord will bless that seer, and anyone who seeks to destroy his work will be frustrated, for I'm sure the Lord's promises about the great things that he will do will be fulfilled.

This seer will bear my name, Joseph.
His father will also be named Joseph.

This seer will be like me, for the things the Lord will bring through him will bring salvation to my people.

I'm just as sure that the latter-day Joseph will accomplish his work as I am that Moses will accomplish his, for the Lord promised to preserve my descendants forever."

The Lord then told Joseph of old,

"I will raise up Moses and give him power in a staff and judgment in writing. Moses will not say much, for I will not make him a mighty speaker. But I will write my law with my finger and give it to him. I will also give him a spokesman (Aaron).

In the last days, I will raise up your descendant, Joseph the seer, and give him power in translating your descendants' writings.

I will also give him a spokesman (Oliver Cowdery), who will write the translation for your latter-day descendants.

In my wisdom, the words the seer will translate will be the words I want your latter-day descendants to have.

I know the faith of those who will write to their descendants, whose words will be as if they were warning them from the grave.

Even from the dust, they'll be crying repentance to their descendants many generations later.

The words of their cries will be simple, yet because of their faith, I will make their simple, weak words strong.

These words will give their descendants knowledge of the covenants I made to your father Israel, to your grandfather Isaac, and to your great-grandfather, Abraham."

After Lehi finished reading what the Lord had said to Joseph of old, he said,

"My youngest son, Joseph, this is how Joseph, our forefather of old, prophesied.

And because of the covenants the Lord made with him, you are blessed. Your descendants will not be destroyed, for they'll read and obey the warnings of their forefathers written in the book (The Book of Mormon). And among your descendants, a mighty one will rise up.

Note: This same mighty one is also mentioned in D&C 113:5-6.

He'll say and do much good, and he'll be an instrument in God's hands. He'll have extremely great faith to work mighty wonders and to do great things in God's sight. He'll restore much of the house of Israel--gathering the tribes.

You're blessed, Joseph, yet still very young. Listen to your older brother, Nephi, and all the blessings I've mentioned will come to pass. Remember these words of your dying father. Amen."

Nephi's psalm...
(compare 2 Nephi, chapter 4)

Now I, Nephi, will speak about the prophecies of our forefather, Joseph, who was sold into Egypt.

Joseph truly prophesied about all his descendants, and of all prophecies, there are not many greater. His prophecies, written on the brass plates, are about us and our future generations.

After my father finished speaking to his sons about Joseph's prophecies, he called for Laman's children. He told them,

"The Lord God said,

'If you keep my commandments, you will prosper in this land. Otherwise, you will not have the presence of my Spirit to be with you.'

My dear grandsons and granddaughters. I cannot die before leaving my blessing upon you, for I know that if you're taught God's commandments, you won't forget them.

If you're cursed, my blessing upon you will insure that the curse will be taken off you and put upon the heads of your parents. It will also insure that the Lord's protection will be upon your descendants forever."

After saying this, Lehi called for Lemuel's children. He left his same blessing upon them and said,

"Your descendants will not be completely destroyed, and in the last days they will be blessed."

Then Lehi called for Ishmael's two sons, their wives and children. After he had left a similar blessing upon Ishmael's household, he said to my older brother, Sam,

"Like Nephi, you'll be blessed all your days. Your descendants will be blessed to inherit this land along with Nephi's, and they'll be counted as one."

Soon after Lehi had spoken to his household, according to the feelings of his heart and the Lord's Spirit in him, he died and was buried.

Not long afterwards, as I was repeating my father's warnings to Laman, Lemuel and Ishmael's sons, they became angry with me because they didn't want to hear more of the Lord's warnings.

But the Lord's Spirit compelled me to speak many things to them, just as it had compelled my father before he died.

Many of our words are written on the larger plates as part of our history. But on these smaller plates, containing a more sacred record, I write the things of my soul, and include many of the scriptures (writings of Isaiah) from the brass plates, for my soul delights in the scriptures as I ponder them in my heart. I write them so my children may learn and profit from them.

My soul delights in the things of the Lord, and my heart continually ponders the many great things I've seen and heard. But even though the Lord has favored me by showing me His great and marvelous works, my heart exclaims:

I'm a wretched man! Because of the sins of my flesh, my heart sorrows and my soul grieves. I'm surrounded by temptations and sins that easily come upon me. When I want to rejoice, my heart groans because of my sins.

But I trust God, who supports me.

He led me through my afflictions in the wilderness and preserved me upon the waters of the great ocean.

He filled me with His love--even more love than my natural body could receive.

He confounded my plotting brothers, causing them to quake before me.

He heard my prayers by day, and

He gave me knowledge through visions by night.

By day I've been bold in mighty prayer, sending my voice on high, and angels have come to me. And upon the wings of His Spirit my body has been carried away to high mountains.

I've seen great things -- too great to be known out of the Spirit, so I was forbidden to write them.

Having seen so many great things, and knowing the Lord visits His children in mercy,

why should my heart and soul continue in sorrow and the strength of my spirit weaken in despair?

Why should I let the devil continue to afflict my soul, to destroy my peace and have a place in my heart?

Why am I angry with myself and the devil because of the weakness of my flesh, which has given in to temptation and sinned?

Awake, my soul! Stop sorrowing in sin.

Rejoice, oh my heart, and make no room for the devil's despair. Don't be angry again because of my enemies. Be peaceful and strong.

Rejoice, oh my heart, and cry,

Oh Lord, I will praise Thee forever. My soul will rejoice in Thee, my God, the rock of my salvation.

Oh Lord, redeem my soul. Deliver me out of my enemies' hands. Make me shake even at the appearance of sin!

May I no longer be weak to temptations, but be made strong with a broken heart and contrite spirit!

Oh Lord, do not shut the gates of Thy righteousness to me, but let me walk humbly before Thee according to Thy strict principles.

Oh Lord, encircle me with the robe of Thy righteousness. Help me escape my enemies. Help me not stumble, and slow my enemy in his pursuit of my soul.

Oh Lord, I have trusted in Thee, and I will trust in Thee forever. I will not put my trust in the ways of man, because those who do that are cursed.

I know God gives liberally to all who ask, as long as they ask for what is right.

All my days my voice will go up to Thee, my everlasting God, the rock of my righteousness. Amen.

Nephi's people leave his wicked brethren...
(compare 2 Nephi, chapter 5)

Because my brothers were angry with me, I prayed to the Lord, asking Him to soften their hearts. But their anger continued to grow until they wanted to kill me. They openly said,

"Nephi thinks he is our ruler, and we have endured many trials because of him. Let us kill him. Then we will no longer be troubled by his words. We do not have to tolerate him as our ruler. We are the oldest, so we have the right to rule over this people."

I will not write everything my brothers said against me. It is enough to say that they plotted to take my life. The Lord warned me about their plans and told me to leave them--to go into the wilderness along with all who would go with me.

So I took my family, Zoram and his family, my older brother Sam and his family, my younger brothers Jacob and Joseph, my sisters, and all else who believed in God's warnings and revelations. We took our tents and whatever we could carry, and we traveled for many days before arriving at our new settlement.

My people decided to name our new home Nephi. They also called themselves the people of Nephi, or Nephites.

We kept the Lord's judgments, statutes and commandments according to the law of Moses.

The Lord was with us, and we were very prosperous, for we planted seeds and reaped plentiful harvests. We raised flocks and herds of every kind of animal.

I had brought the brass plates and the ball, or compass, made by the Lord.

As we prospered, we began to grow in numbers in the promised land.

I used Laban's sword as a model to make many swords for protection from the people now called Lamanites, for I knew Laman had taught his followers to hate me, my children and all who called themselves Nephites.

I also taught my people how to construct buildings, and how to work with all types of wood and metals, including iron, copper, brass, steel, gold and silver, all of which we found in great abundance.

We built a temple patterned after Solomon's temple. It was very fine, but not built with as many precious materials as Solomon's, for such materials are not found in this land.

I encouraged my people to work hard with their hands and to use their time wisely.

Soon my people wanted me to be their king. I did not want them to have a king, but I did what I could for them as their leader.

The Lord's words about my brothers were fulfilled, that I would be their ruler and teacher, for I had been their ruler and teacher before they had planned to kill me.

When we left my brothers, the Lord also fulfilled His words to me, which said that if they would not listen to me, they would be cut off from His presence.

The Lord caused a sore curse to come upon Laman and his followers because of their wicked rebellion. Because their hearts had become as hard as flint, He caused their skin to become dark. This helped to keep Laman's people from enticing and mixing with mine, who were white, fair and delightful.

The Lord said,

"If they do not repent, I will make the Lamanites repulsive to your people. Those who mix with them will bring the same curse upon their children."

And this is what happened, just as the Lord said it would.

Also by this curse, the Lamanites became lazy, full of mischief and craftiness, and they hunted dangerous animals in the wilderness. Then the Lord said to me,

"The Lamanites will be a trial to your people, reminding them to seek my favor and protection. And if your people do not remember me and keep my commandments, the Lamanites will be allowed to destroy them."

I, Nephi, consecrated Jacob and Joseph to be priests and teachers over my people, and we lived the way of happiness (righteousness). The year was 570 BC, and thirty years had passed since we had left Jerusalem in 600 BC.

Since arriving in the promised land, I had kept a historical record of my people on large plates. Then the Lord said to me,

"Make another set of plates for engraving things that are good in my sight--for the profit of your people."

Upon this second set--the smaller plates, I have engraved a more sacred record of my people. If my people are pleased with the things of God, they will also be pleased with the engravings on these small plates.

If my people want to know more about their history, they can read it from the larger plates, which I keep updated.

And now, ten more years have passed, making it forty years since we left Jerusalem, and already we have had wars with our brethren, the Lamanites.

Jacob relates his and Isaiah's vision...
(compare 2 Nephi, chapter 6)

These are the words that Jacob, Nephi's younger brother, spoke to his people:

My brothers and sisters, I have been called by God and ordained to His holy order.

I have been consecrated to serve God by my brother, Nephi, whom you look to as a king or protector, and on whom you depend for your safety.

I have often spoken to you, and I will speak to you again because I desire the well-being of your souls.

You know I have always been anxious for you to heed the words of my father, Lehi--words that I have diligently taught you.

I have also taught you everything that has been written, from the creation of the world until now.

Today I would like to speak about things that concern us now, and that will concern our descendants--things Isaiah wrote for us. These are the things Nephi wanted me to tell you so that you may learn about and glorify God.

Isaiah wrote many things having to do with all of Israel's descendants. And since we are Israel's descendants, Isaiah's words apply to us.

I will now read two verses of Isaiah's writings:

The Lord God said to me,

"Watch, for I will raise up my hand to the Gentiles and set my standard before all people. After I do this, the Gentiles will care for your sons and nurture your daughters.

Note: Gentiles who are great will do this (2 Nephi 10:8).

You, the oppressed of Israel, will not be disappointed after waiting for me. You will know that I am the Lord when you see Gentile kings and queens humbling themselves before you."

Now I, Jacob, will comment on Isaiah's words.

First of all, the Lord has shown me in a vision that our people in Jerusalem have been killed and taken captive into Babylon.

Second, the Lord has shown me their return to Jerusalem.

Third, He has shown me that the Lord God--the Holy One of Israel--will come and serve His people in the flesh. After this, they will whip and crucify Him.

An angel showed me all these things, and said,

"Because the house of Israel, with hard hearts and stiff necks will do this to the Holy One of Israel, His judgments will come upon them, and many of them will be stricken and afflicted.

But because of the prayers of the faithful, the descendants of Israel will not be completely destroyed.

They will be hated, afflicted and scattered over the earth, but the Lord will be merciful to them, for after they come to know Him as their Redeemer, then they will be gathered again to their lands of inheritance."

Jacob continues to relate his vision:

If the Gentiles repent and do not fight against Zion by not joining that great, abominable church, then they, too will be saved.

Note: Moroni describes the latter-day Gentiles who will repent in Ether 4:6.

Isaiah wrote these things to give us hope that the Lord will fulfill the covenants He made to His children.

But those Gentiles who do not repent, who fight against Zion and the Lord's covenant people, will be humbled before the covenant people. For the Lord's people will not be let down after waiting so long for their Messiah.

Isaiah tells us the Messiah will show His power a second time.

Note: This second show of power is described in D&C 103:15-18.

When the house of Israel believes in Him, He will show His power and great glory by recovering them and destroying their enemies, saving all who believe in Him.

Those who will not believe in the Messiah will be destroyed by fire, tempests, earthquakes, wars, plagues and droughts.

Then they will know that He is the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel!

For can the oppressed be rescued from the tyrants, or can those put in prison by corrupt laws be set free?

The Lord tells us,

"Yes, even the tyrants' prey and the well guarded prisoners will be delivered. For I, the Mighty God of my covenant people, will deliver them. I will fight those who fight against Israel's descendants. I will cause your oppressors to war among themselves and destroy one another.

Then all who remain on earth will know that I, the Lord, am their Savior and Redeemer--the Mighty One of Jacob (Israel)."

Jacob reads more of Isaiah's words...
(compare 2 Nephi, chapter 7)

The Lord will say,

"Have I turned you away or cast you off forever? It was not I who turned away and sold you into bondage, it was you, oh house of Israel, by your sins, who turned from me and sold yourselves into bondage.

When I came to deliver you, I was rejected. When I called you to repentance, you would not listen.

Do you think that I am not able to redeem you? Simply by my rebuke I dry up the sea and make the rivers a desert. By my power I cause the stars to stop shining as they mourn for Israel."

The Lord's servant then prophesies:

"The Lord God will give me the gift of speaking, and I will speak wisdom to the house of Israel when they are weary and must have things explained to them day by day. For the Lord will give me wisdom to understand things even as learned people understand.

The Lord God teaches me, for I will not be rebellious and turn from Him.

I will be taken by those whom I offend and be beaten and spit upon. But the Lord God will help me and give me strength.

Note: The Lord Jesus Christ will help (even heal) His servant -- 2 Nephi 19:4, 3 Nephi 21:10, Jeremiah 30:8-9.

I will not be confused, and in His strength I will not be ashamed.

The Lord will justify my survival. Therefore, I will challenge my adversary and with mighty words smite him.

The Lord God will help me destroy all who condemn me, and they will wear out like an old coat eaten by moths.

Who among you who fears the Lord and obeys His voice by obeying the voice of His servants is left to walk in darkness? (None of you!)

The Lord says to those who walk by the light of their own fires--their mere sparks:

'This is what will come to you from my hand (my servant)....you will lie down in sorrow.'"

Jacob continues to read Isaiah's words...
(compare 2 Nephi, chapter 8 and Isaiah, chapter 51)

Through Isaiah the Lord said,

"Listen, all who desire righteousness. Remember your fine heritage. Remember Abraham your father, and Sarah your mother. For I, the Lord, called and blessed them. Because of their blessing (covenant), I will comfort Zion, and all the deserts will become like the Garden of Eden. And in this paradise, there will be joy, thanksgiving and singing.

Listen, my people--my nation. For my law and judgments will be a light for the people. I will be near, my salvation will go forth, and I will judge them.

The continents will obey me, trusting my power. You will see the heavens, the earth and all its inhabitants pass away. But my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness never-ending.

Listen to me, you who know righteousness, who have my law written in your hearts. Do not fear what men can do, for they will fade as a cloth eaten by moths. But my righteousness and salvation will endure forever--through all generations of time."

Isaiah continues:

"Awake and arise! Clothe yourself with the Lord's power. As the Lord subdued His enemies in ancient times, He will also subdue your enemies!

The Lord's power will dry up the sea, making it a highway for His people to escape their enemies. In the last days, this is how the redeemed of the Lord will return.

Note: They will return -- 2 Nephi 21:15-16, Jeremiah 31:12, D&C 103:15-18.

They, the remnant of Israel, will come, singing to Zion. Everlasting joy, gladness and holiness will be all they know, having forgotten all the sorrow and mourning of the past.

For the Lord says, I, the Lord, am He who will comfort you, oh house of Israel.

Now why should you be afraid of men, who will wither as the summer grass? And how can you forget the Lord, who created you, the heavens and the earth? How can you fear even a furious oppressor, as if he could destroy you? Where is the fury of your oppressor now?

Soon those held captive will be set free. They will not die of starvation nor die in prison, for I am the Lord thy God--The Lord of Hosts, who created the roaring waves.

I will give you my words and my protection as I make a new heaven and new earth.

Note: A new heaven -- Ether 13:3-6.

I do this for my people--the people of Zion.

Awake and arise, oh Jews, who have felt the hand of my wrath. Of all your sons, none can guide or deliver you from this wrath. Only these two sons (desolation and destruction -- famine and the sword) will come to you, bringing you sorrow.

Then who will I send to comfort you? Your sons have fainted, except these two, which are at the head of all your streets, full of the Lord's rebuke, like a wild bull caught in a net."

Isaiah continues:

"Now hear what the Lord will do for His afflicted people who have gone astray.

After He pleads their cause to the Father and takes away the bitter cup of His fury, the Jews will not drink from it again.

The cup will be given to those who have afflicted the Jews--those who have beaten them down and walked over them as if they were dust.

Compare Isaiah 52:1 to the following:

Therefore, awake and arise with power, oh Zion! Your city will be holy and beautiful, oh Jerusalem! For soon no one who is unclean will come to you. Your oppression will be over, oh Jerusalem, and you will be free, oh captive daughter of Zion (New Jerusalem)."

Note: Above (in blue), Nephi quotes Isaiah 52:1 on his plates (2 Nephi 8:24), as did the Savior 600 years later (3 Ne 20:36). Moroni also chose Isaiah 52:1 as his final quote, as part of his final plea to latter-day Israel, to become sanctified....to be filled with Christ's love....faith, hope and charity...to stand pure before God at the last day.

Jacob explains resurrection, justice, accountability,
then calls his people to repentance...
(compare 2 Nephi, chapter 9)

My brothers and sisters, I, Jacob, have read these things to you from Isaiah so you will know about the covenants the Lord made with all of Israel's descendants--so you will know that He has spoken to the Jews through His holy prophets since the time of Adam and Eve.

The Lord will continue to speak to the Jews until they are restored to the true church and fold of God--until they are gathered home and established in all their lands of promise.

I have read these things so you will rejoice forever over the blessings the Lord God will bring to your descendants.

I know many of you have been searching our scriptures to know of your future. From your searching you have learned that we will all die, but with resurrected bodies we will see God.

We know He will be born on earth and will minister to those in Jerusalem. For in His wisdom, the Great Creator will subject Himself to a mortal body and die for all people, that they may become subject to Him.

After Adam and Eve fell, all people were cut off from the Lord's presence. Being cut off, they all became subject to death, which is to leave the mortal body.

Because of this death, there must be a resurrection so that the spirit and body will be reunited, able to see God and walk and talk with Him again. This is why the Great Creator's plan included a merciful resurrection.

This resurrection, wherein all are changed to living immortal matter, is only made possible by an infinite atonement--without limits or bounds. Otherwise, the judgment of death would be endless, and all bodies would forever remain as dead mortal matter.

Oh the wisdom of God, His mercy and grace! For if we were to die, never to rise again, then our spirits would become subject to the devil, who fell from the presence of the Eternal God, never to rise again.

For without bodies, our spirits would become devils--angels to a devil, shut out from our God's presence, and remain in misery with the father of lies.

We would be controlled forever by that being who deceived our first parents, who made himself appear to be an angel of light, and who inspires people to create all types of secret combinations, murder and works of darkness.

Note: "Secret combinations" are groups of people who meet in secret to devise plans that will give them more money, power and glory of the world (3 Nephi 6:27-28, Ether 8:20-25).

Oh how great is the goodness of our God in preparing a way for us to escape the grip of this awful monster--the death and hell of body and spirit.

And because the Holy One of Israel has prepared a way for our deliverance, the mortal grave--death--will deliver up all the dead to immortality.

And the spiritual grave--hell, will deliver up its captive spirits.

Death and hell will be overcome, and the freed spirits will be restored to their immortal bodies by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.

Oh how great is our God's plan! For His paradise must deliver the righteous spirits, the devil's hell must deliver the wicked spirits, and the grave must deliver up the bodies of all.

The spirit and body will be restored to one another, because everyone, righteous and wicked, must become immortal.

We will be living souls, having knowledge as we do now, except our knowledge will be perfect.

The wicked will have a perfect knowledge of all their guilt and uncleanness, being exposed before God, and the righteous will have a perfect knowledge of their joy, being clothed in robes of righteousness.

After we have all become immortal souls, we will stand before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel, to be judged according to His holy judgment.

Those who were righteous on earth will still be righteous, and those who were filthy on earth will still be filthy--the devil and his angels. They will go away from God with their souls burning within them like flames that ascend forever.

Our God's justice is great because He fulfills all the words and laws He gives us.

On the other hand, the righteous saints of the Holy One of Israel -- those who have believed in Him and have endured the trials of the world without shame -- will inherit God's kingdom, and their joy will be full forever. This kingdom has been prepared for them since before the world was created.

Oh the great mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! He will deliver His saints from that awful monster, the devil. He will deliver them from death, hell and that endless anguish which will come to all who separate themselves from Him.

Oh how great the holiness of our God, for He knows all things.

He will come into the world to save all who will listen to Him.

He will suffer the pains of all people--of every man, woman and child descended from Adam and Eve. He will do this so that the resurrection will be brought to everyone, that all may stand before Him at the great judgment day.

He commands all people to repent, to be baptized in His name, and to have perfect faith in Him, the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in God's kingdom.

If they refuse to repent and believe in Him, and are not willing to be baptized in His name, and will not continue in righteousness throughout their lives, then their spiritual progress must end, for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken His law.

Those who have not been given the law--the gospel of repentance--are not condemned. Because of the atonement, the mercy of the Holy One of Israel claims and delivers them.

The atonement satisfies the demands of His justice upon all who have not been taught the law. They are delivered from the devil and restored to the Holy One of Israel, who created them and gave them life.

But cursed are those who have been given all of God's commandments, as we have, and who break them, wasting the days of their probation, for their condition is awful!

Note: Being in an "awful state" refers to those given "all" the commandments, or the "fullness" of the gospel, and who then pollute God's "holy church." (3 Nephi 16:10-13, 20:28, Mormon 8:35-38, Ether 8:24).

Oh that cunning plan of the evil one! Oh the vanity, frailty and foolishness of men! When they are educated they think they are wise, and they stop listening to God's counsel. They put it aside, thinking they know better themselves. Their wisdom is foolishness because it does not benefit them, and they will die spiritually.

But it is good to learn many things, as long as you learn how to listen to God's counsel.

The rich who have many things of the world are cursed. Because of their worldliness, they despise the poor and criticize the humble, for their hearts are set upon their possessions--their false gods--their riches. They will die spiritually and their possessions fade away.

Cursed are those who will not listen to or see the truth, for they will die spiritually.

Cursed are those who are not pure in heart, who refuse to repent, for a knowledge of their sins will condemn them at the last day.

Cursed are those who lie, for they will be sent to hell.

Cursed are those who unjustly kill others, for they will die spiritually.

Cursed are those who are not sexually pure, for they will be sent to hell.

Cursed are those who worship idols, for the devil delights in this.

And finally, cursed are those who die in their sins, for they will return to God, still sinful, and see His face.

Remember how awful it is to break the laws of our Holy God and to give in to the devil's enticing.

Remember, to be carnally-minded is to die spiritually, but to be spiritually-minded is to live with God forever.

Listen to my words and remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel.

If you say I have spoken hard things against you, then you fight truth, for these are your Creator's words. I know the words of truth bring fear and anger to those who will not repent.

The righteous do not fear the truth, they love it and not upset by it.

Oh then, my brothers and sisters, come to the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that His ways are righteous. His path is narrow and it leads straight to Him. At the end of the path there is but one gate. He alone is the keeper of that gate, employing no servant there, for He, the Lord God, will not be deceived.

He will open that gate to whomever knocks, but He despises those who are proud of their education and wealth. Unless they give up their pride, seeing themselves as fools before God, and humble themselves before Him, He will not open the gate to them, and the happiness prepared for the saints--those who are truly wise--will be hidden from them.

Oh my brothers and sisters, remember my words. Look as I take off my coat and shake it before you. I pray that God will view this, too.

You will know at the last day, when we are all judged by our works, that after I preached the gospel of Christ to you, the God of Israel witnessed that I shook your sins from my soul. Then I will stand before Him, resurrected with brightness, and will not be responsible for your sins.

Turn from your sins. Shake off the chains of the devil, who wishes to bind you down. Come to that God who is the rock of your salvation. Prepare your souls for that glorious day--the day of judgment--when justice will be administered to the righteous.

If you are prepared, you will not be afraid, for you will not remember your awful guilt with perfect clarity and have to say,

"Holy, holy are Thy judgments, oh Lord God Almighty, for I know my guilt. I transgressed Thy law, and these transgressions are mine. The devil has obtained me, and I have become prey to his awful misery."

My brothers and sisters, it is necessary for me to awaken you to the awful reality of these things. And would I speak so sharply if your minds were pure? Would I need to speak the truth so plainly if you were free from sin?

If you were holy, I would speak to you of holiness. But you are not holy, and because you look to me as your teacher, I must teach you the results of sin. My soul hates sin, my heart delights in righteousness, and I will praise the holy name of my God.

Come, everyone who is thirsty. Come to the fountain of salvation, all who have no money. Come, buy and drink wine and milk without money.

Do not spend your money on worthless things, working for things that will never satisfy you. Listen closely and remember what I'm telling you.

Come to the Holy One of Israel, enjoy His gifts of eternity,
and let your soul delight in His abundance.

Remember the words of your God. Pray to Him continually by day, and give thanks to Him by night, letting your hearts rejoice.

The Lord's covenants are great, and because of them, He will come down to His children with grace and mercy.

He has promised us that our descendants will not be completely destroyed because He will preserve them. In future generations, they will become a righteous branch of the house of Israel.

Brothers and sisters, I would like to speak more today, but instead, I will finish speaking tomorrow.

Jacob explains the Lord's covenants...
(compare 2 Nephi, chapter 10)

The next day, Jacob continued speaking:

My brothers and sisters, today I will speak to you again about this righteous branch of Israel. The covenants the Lord made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are temporal, being fulfilled in the flesh.

I have seen a vision wherein I know that many of our offspring will die because of their unbelief. But in His mercy, God will bring His gospel to them again. Our offspring, in the latter days, will again be favored by accepting the gospel, which will give them a true knowledge of their Redeemer.

It is necessary for Christ to come among the Jews--those who are the more wicked part of the world, for no other nation on earth would crucify their God. If mighty miracles were done among other nations, they would repent, knowing He is their God.

But because of priestcraft and wickedness in Jerusalem, the Jews will turn against and crucify Him.

For doing this, all types of destruction, famine, disease and bloodshed will come upon the house of Israel, and those not destroyed will be scattered among all nations.

The Lord God has said,

"After the house of Israel believes in me--that I am Christ, then they will be restored to the lands of their inheritance.

This is one of the conditions of the covenant that I made with their ancient forefathers. The house of Israel will be gathered from all over the earth after their long separation, and the Gentile nations will be great in my eyes, for they will help bring the Jews to their lands of their inheritance."

Even Gentile kings and queens will nurture them. Because of this, the Lord's promises to the Gentiles are great! For God has promised,

"This land will be for your inheritance, and the Gentiles will also be blessed upon it. This will be a land of liberty to the Gentiles. They will not have kings to rule over them, for I, the Lord, will protect this land from all other nations. All who fight Zion will perish.

Those who raise up a king against me will perish, because I, the Lord, the king of heaven, will be the Gentiles' king, and a light to them forever, if they hear my words.

Because my covenants must be fulfilled--covenants that are fulfilled in the flesh, I must destroy the secret works of darkness, murder and wicked acts.

Because I must do this, all who fight Zion, whether they be Jews or Gentile, in bondage or free, men or women, will perish. Those who fight Zion are the most corrupt in all the earth, for those who are not with me are against me.

I will fulfill the promises I made to Israel's descendants while they yet live in the flesh.

To fulfill my covenants, I will afflict your descendants (Native Americans) at the hands of the Gentiles. But I will soften the Gentiles' hearts, who will come to love and be like a father to them.

Then the Gentiles will be blessed and become part of the house of Israel.

I will consecrate this land as an inheritance to your descendants forever, and also to the righteous Gentiles, who will be counted with them."

God told me, Jacob, that this land is choice above all others, and that He will have all people who live upon this land worship Him.

And now, my brothers and sisters, God has been merciful to us by giving us this great knowledge of the future. So let's remember Him and put away our sins. Let's hold up our heads, for we're not far from God's love.

Our fathers were driven out of Jerusalem, the land of our inheritance, but we've been led to a better land across the sea.

The Lord's promises are great to those upon all continents.

Since Isaiah speaks of continents (isles), there must be more lands other than this inhabited by our brethren. This is true, because at different times the Lord has led away other tribes of Israel according to His desire.

The Lord remembers all whom He has led away, including us. So cheer up your hearts, and remember that you're free to act for yourselves. You may choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.

I advise each of you to give up your heart to God's will, not to the devil's will, nor your own.

Remember, after you've given up your heart to God, you must continue in His grace. If you do this until the end of your life, then through His grace you'll be saved.

May God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection. May He also raise you from spiritual death by the power of the atonement, that you may be received into His eternal kingdom and praise Him through divine grace. Amen.

Nephi writes more of Isaiah's words...
(compare 2 Nephi, chapter 11)

Jacob said many other things to my people, but what I've written is enough. Now I, Nephi, will write more of Isaiah's words, for my soul delights in them.