26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. 27 Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given. And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts against him when the law ought to be done away.
2 Nephi 25:26-27 (Emphasis mine)
(Note: The source of the formatting of scriptures as paragraphs is The Book of Mormon – A Reader’s Edition, by Grant Hardy.)
If I were to pick one scripture to explain the purpose of the Book of Mormon, it would be verse 26. The Title Page of the Book of Mormon, written by Moroni, emphasizes this as well.
…And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations…
Preface Title Page:2 (Emphasis mine)
Roy Prete comments on the importance of Christ to the Nephites.
“The centrality of Christ in the religious observance of the Nephites was emphasized. ‘We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies,’ wrote Nephi, ‘that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins; (2 Nephi 25:26). Thus, though antedating the advent of Christ by approximately six centuries, Nephi, with prophetic insight, devoted several chapters in his two books to explaining and interpreting the doctrine of Christ's atonement (see 1 Nephi 11; 19; 2 Nephi 2; 9; 31).” [1] (Emphasis mine)
In light of verse 26, Daniel C. Peterson responds to the critics who claim we are not Christians (the entire article is worth reading!).
“It is deeply untruthful to pretend that there exists or could exist a genuine but truly Christless Mormonism. Like the ancient Nephite prophets of the Book of Mormon, ‘we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins’ (2 Nephi 25:26).” [2] (Emphasis mine)
Nephi(1) continues by saying that “we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law.” John Welch explain that the Nephites follow the law despite the “’[d]eadness of law’ of the law" without its proper spiritual context the Nephites were strict to obey the law of Moses.” So, even though they teach that Christ will come and that the law of Moses will eventual be replaced (the “deadness of the law”), they are still obligated to follow the law of Moses until the time of Christ.
Hugh Nibley comments:
“Why would you teach the law if it was just to teach the deadness? Well, the law is the iron rod; the law is the Liahona. Remember when Mormon showed it to his son when he was ten years old. There was the Liahona. It was kept among the national treasures, but it didn't work anymore. Once it had performed its function of leading them through the desert, then it became excess baggage. It's the same thing with the iron rod. When you reach [the end of] the iron rod, you have to let go. The rod is not the goal. It will take you where you are going, but when you are there you let go. It was to be guidance… The laws are for our guidance; they are to lead us where we are going.” [3] Emphasis mine)
29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out. 30 And, inasmuch as it shall be expedient, ye must keep the performances and ordinances of God until the law shall be fulfilled which was given unto Moses.
2 Nephi 25:29-30 (Emphasis mine)
How are we to worship Christ? We must worship him with all our might, mind, strength, and our whole soul. This requires a very deep commitment to Christ. All too frequently, our worship services, prayers, etc. become nothing more than a part of our routine. When this happens, it’s easy not to worship Christ the manner we are commanded to. Christ also taught this principle.
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Mark 12:29-30 (Emphasis mine)
Nephi(1) reminds his reader that, until the law is fulfilled through Christ, they are still commanded to keep the law of Moses.
Hugh Nibley explains:
“Notice, verse 30 is important: ‘Ye must keep the performances and ordinances of God until the law shall be fulfilled which was given unto Moses.’ The ordinances and performances aren't going to save you, but you must keep them because they point your mind forward until the law shall be fulfilled. They will keep you on the path. It's a discipline, and that discipline is important—the law having no particular effect or virtue in itself.” [4] (Emphasis mine)
[1] God in History? Nephi's Answer, Roy A. Prete, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 26, 2011.
[2] What Certain Baptists Think They Know about the Restored Gospel, Daniel C. Peterson, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 26, 2011.
[3] Lecture 21: 2 Nephi 25-28, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 26, 2011.
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