2 Nephi 33:1-3

Chapter 33 Heading

Nephi's words are true—They testify of Christ—Those who believe in Christ will believe Nephi's words—They shall stand as a witness before the judgment bar. About 559–545 B.C.
 

1  AND now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.

2 Nephi 33:1 (Emphasis mine)

Nephi(1) is finishing his writings.  His death is recorded in the Book of Jacob (see Jacob 1:12).  The heading to Jacob, Chapter 1, dates that chapter beginning 544 BC, one year after the time covered by this chapter.  His life is ending and he wants to leave one last testimony for his people.  As we read his words in this chapter, we should keep this in mind.  It can help us fully understand and appreciate the spirit of his words.

He begins by expressing his concerns that, while he is mighty in speaking, he is a weaker writer.  (I have found Nephi(1)'s words to be very powerful.  If he was a better speaker, I truly wish I could have had the opportunity to hear him preach the gospel.  It must have been quite an experience!)  According to Nephi(1), when someone speaks through the power of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost touches the hearts of the listeners.

This is important because the Holy Ghost testifies to the truthfulness of the gospel, the divinity,words,  and mission of Christ.  He is a powerful witness to us to help us know the truthfulness of what we hear.

In the April 2001 General Conference, then Young Women's General President Margaret D. Nadauld said:

"The Lord promises us that “because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer” (Moro. 8:26).  Your Heavenly Father will help you find the right path as you seek His guidance. Remember though, after you pray you must get off your knees and start doing something positive; head in the right direction! He will send people along the way who will assist you, but you must be doing your part as well. By the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, you can be guided in your trip through life. Point number three—the Holy Ghost is also a testifier. This Holy Spirit can help you really understand deep down inside the most important truth ever known—that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that because of Him every one of us who ever lived will one day live again ... The Holy Spirit is a comforter, a guide, a testifier. What a remarkable and holy member of the Godhead. And you have the right to His influence and inspiration! How blessed and loved you are! " (Emphasis mine)

In the October 2009 General Conference, Elder Richard G. Scott said:

"Father in Heaven knew that you would face challenges and be required to make some decisions that would be beyond your own ability to decide correctly. In His plan of happiness, He included a provision for you to receive help with such challenges and decisions during your mortal life. That assistance will come to you through the Holy Ghost as spiritual guidance. It is a power, beyond your own capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistently for your peace and happiness ...Now I share an experience that taught me a way to gain spiritual guidance. One Sunday I attended the priesthood meeting of a Spanish branch in Mexico City. I vividly recall how a humble Mexican priesthood leader struggled to communicate the truths of the gospel in his lesson material. I noted the intense desire he had to share those principles he strongly valued with his quorum members. He recognized that they were of great worth to the brethren present. In his manner, there was an evidence of a pure love of the Savior and love of those he taught.  His sincerity, purity of intent, and love permitted a spiritual strength to envelop the room. I was deeply touched. Then I began to receive personal impressions as an extension of the principles taught by that humble instructor. They were personal and related to my assignments in the area. They came in answer to my prolonged, prayerful efforts to learn ... As each impression came, I carefully wrote it down. In the process, I was given precious truths that I greatly needed in order to be a more effective servant of the Lord. The details of the communication are sacred and, like a patriarchal blessing, were for my individual benefit. I was given specific directions, instructions, and conditioned promises that have beneficially altered the course of my life ... What I have described is not an isolated experience. It embodies several true principles regarding communication from the Lord to His children here on earth. "  (Emphasis mine)

16  Rejoice evermore.
17  Pray without ceasing.
18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19  Quench not the Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (Emphasis mine)

19  ¶ Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
20  And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side.  Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
21  Then said Jesus to them again,
22  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

John 20:19- 22 (Emphasis mine)

2  But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.

It appears that there were many who did not accept Nephi(1)'s words.  This, he tells us, is because they harden their hearts against the message.  The words mean nothing to them.  They reject the words and go on as if there's nothing wrong.

1  THE word of the LORD also came unto me, saying,
2  Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 12:1-2 (Emphasis mine)

12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
13  But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
14  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Matthew 15:12-14 (Emphasis mine)

37  ¶ But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38  That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report?  and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39  Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40  He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

John 12:37-40 (Emphasis mine)

3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the flight of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (Emphasis mine) 

17  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Ephesians 4:17-18 (Emphasis mine)

3  But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people.  

For I pray continually for them by day, 

     and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; 

and I cry unto my God in faith, 

     and I know that he will hear my cry.

2 Nephi 33:3 (Emphasis mine)

Nephi(1) will not apologize for what he has written (preached) to his people.  He taught what he taught and preached what he preached because he know it was important that his people know and understand these principles.

In the April 2010 General Conference, Elder D. Todd Christofferson said:

"Through the scriptures, God does indeed 'show forth his power' to save and exalt His children. By His word, as Alma said, He enlarges our memory, sheds light on falsehood and error, and brings us to repentance and to rejoice in Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.  The scriptures enlarge our memory by helping us always to remember the Lord and our relationship to Him and the Father. They remind us of what we knew in our premortal life. And they expand our memory in another sense by teaching us about epochs, people, and events that we did not experience personally. None of us was present to see the Red Sea part and cross with Moses between walls of water to the other side. We were not there to hear the Sermon on the Mount, to see Lazarus raised from the dead, to see the suffering Savior in Gethsemane and on the cross, and we did not, with Mary, hear the two angels testify at the empty tomb that Jesus was risen from the dead. You and I did not go forward one by one with the multitude in the land Bountiful at the resurrected Savior’s invitation to feel the prints of the nails and bathe His feet with our tears. We did not kneel beside Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove and gaze there upon the Father and the Son. Yet we know all these things and much, much more because we have the scriptural record to enlarge our memory, to teach us what we did not know. And as these things penetrate our minds and hearts, our faith in God and His Beloved Son takes root.  The scriptures also enlarge our memory by helping us not forget what we and earlier generations have learned. Those who either don’t have or ignore the recorded word of God eventually cease to believe in Him and forget the purpose of their existence. You will remember how important it was for Lehi’s people to take the brass plates with them when they left Jerusalem. These scriptures were key to their knowledge of God and the coming Redemption of Christ. The other group that 'came out from Jerusalem' shortly after Lehi had no scriptures, and when Lehi’s descendants encountered them some 300 or 400 years later, it is recorded that 'their language had become corrupted; … and they denied the being of their Creator' (Omni 1:15, 17). " (Emphasis mine)

3  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matthew 4:3-4 (Emphasis mine)

39 ¶ Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

John 5:39-40 (Emphasis mine)

15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Timothy 3:15-16 (Emphasis mine)

And, despite the people's unwillingness to listen, Nephi(1) prays and weeps for them, because of their unbelief.  And, because of his faith, he knows his prayers will be heard.

4  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Acts 6:4 (Emphasis mine)

17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Ephesians 6:17-18 (Emphasis mine)

6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (Emphasis mine)

5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

James 1:5-6 (Emphasis mine)

12  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do devil.

1 Peter 3:12 (Emphasis mine)