2 Nephi 30:6

Nephi writes that when the Book of Mormon will go forth to the world, many will “know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God” (2 Nephi 30:6).  The things that have prevented them from knowing the truth will go away.  Those who accept the word of God will become a “pure and delightsome people” (2 Nephi 30:6).

Verse 6 is a verse critics of the Book of Mormon use to attack the Church.  In the original version of the Book of Mormon, verse 6 read, “a white and delightsome people.”  This, they claim, is a sign of racism in the Bok of Mormon.  “In her second example, [Carol Lynn] Pearson observes that "white and delightsome" in the Book of Mormon has been changed to "pure and delightsome," "clearly because we do not want to offend people of color" (p. 39).”[1]

As with claims the critics make, this claim doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.  As Paul Harvey said, “And now, for the rest of the story.”

In the original manuscript, Joseph Smith translated the phrase to read, “white and delightsome.”  (Delightsome means “very pleasing.”)   In 1840, Joseph Smith reviewed the Book of Mormon and made some changes. This was one of them.  From 1840 to 1852, the verse read “pure and delightsome.”  How did the change happen?

In 1852, a new edition of the Book of Mormon was published in England.  This is the Liverpool Edition.  The word “pure” somehow was changed backed to “white” under the direction of Franklin Richards.  At the time, he was not aware of the changes made in 1840.  So, from 1852 to 1981, the word “white” was used.  In the 1981 Edition, Joseph Smith’s change was restored.[2]

[John]Tvedtnes discussed Joseph Smith's emendation of 2 Nephi 30:6. In this verse, the Nephites are promised that they will receive a knowledge of the Savior. They are also promised that "the scales of darkness shall fall from their eyes; and not many generations shall pass away among them, save they shall be a pure and delightsome people." Although this passage read "white and delightsome" in the original manuscript, Joseph Smith changed the word white to pure, probably to avoid the misinterpretation that skin color would literally change. In the Bible and other ancient texts, the term white is sometimes used in the sense of "pure" rather than of color.[3]

In Hebrew, “white” and “pure” were used interchangeably.  Daniel 12:10 is an excellent example of how it is used. “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”

One last observation.  The verse must be taken in context.  This set of verses explains the day would come when the Lamanites and Jews would accept Christ and obtain a fulfillment of the promises made by the Lord.  Another way to look at the end of this verse could be, “Those who accept the word of God will become a pure and delightsome people” unto the Lord.

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[1] Nephite Feminism Revisited: Thoughts on Carol Lynn Pearson's View of Women in the Book of Mormon, Kevin and Shauna Christensen, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 31, 2013.

[2] Book of Mormon Editions, Larry W. Draper, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 31, 2013.

[3] Institute Researchers Share Findings at LDS Apologetics Conference, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 31, 2013.

2 Nephi 30:3-5

Nephi returns to prophesies about the Jews and Gentiles. 

After the Book of Mormon is written, it will be sealed.  Sealing of documents, etc. was a common practice.  John Welch writes about this.

More specifically, the Book of Mormon is indeed a binding document, a legal warning, a proclamation, a testament, covenant, and contract. Its provisions are about covenants of the Lord. It has much to do with rights of land possession, and it contains the terms and conditions that the owner of the land of promise requires those who occupy that land to obey. In other words, the religious and secular spheres were not widely separated in antiquity, and the Book of Mormon presents sacred materials often by using legalistic forms or concepts. These factors may well explain why Nephi would associate this legal form, typically used for legal contracts, with the final presentation of the Nephite records.

Moreover, the process of sealing up the Nephite records served several practical and religious purposes. To keep the record pure, Nephi and his posterity were instructed that the records should be "sealed up to come forth in their purity" (1 Nephi 14:26). As further protection against destruction, the Lord instructed his scribes to seal up the writings in a book so that "those who have dwindled in unbelief shall not have them, for they seek to destroy the things of God" (2 Nephi 26:17). Prophetically, Nephi reported that the book would be dedicated to the Lord, "sealed up again unto the Lord" (2 Nephi 30:3).[1]

When the Book of Mormon goes forth, it will go to the descendants of the Lamanites.  They will learn about how their ancestors left Jerusalem and came to the New World.  They will also learn they are descendants of the Jews.

Then, the gospel will be taught to them and “they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers” (2 Nephi 30:5).

At the very beginning of the Book of Mormon, we read:

Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile … Which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations. (Book of Mormon Title Page)

Mormon’s last words written in the Book of Mormon is addressed to the descendants of the Lamanites and the house of Israel.

AND now, behold, I would speak somewhat unto the remnant of this people who are spared, if it so be that God may give unto them my words, that they may know of the things of their fathers; yea, I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel; and these are the words which I speak:

For behold, this is written for the intent that ye may believe that; and if ye believe that ye will believe this also; and if ye believe this ye will know concerning your fathers, and also the marvelous works which were wrought by the power of God among them.

And ye will also know that ye are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; therefore ye are numbered among the people of the first covenant; and if it so be that ye believe in Christ, and are baptized, first with water, then with fire and with the Holy Ghost, following the example of our Savior, according to that which he hath commanded us, it shall be well with you in the day of judgment.  Amen.

Mormon 7:1, 9-10

Richard Rust explains the structure of the Book of Mormon.

In its overall structure, the Book of Mormon begins and ends with concern for the Lamanites receiving the gospel. Reiterating the main points from the title page, Nephi says that through the Book of Mormon the Lamanites shall know they are of Israel and through it "they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ" (2 Nephi 30:5; see 30:1-6). Then toward the end, Mormon says much the same thing: "Know ye that ye are of the house of Israel. . . . Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ" (Mormon 7:2, 5).[2]

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[1] Doubled, Sealed, Witnessed Documents: From the Ancient World to the Book of Mormon, John Welch, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 28, 2013.

[2] The Book of Mormon, Designed for Our Day, Richard Dilworth Rust, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 28, 2013.

2 Nephi 30:1-2

Chapter 30

Converted gentiles shall be numbered with the covenant people—Many Lamanites and Jews shall believe the word and become a delightsome people—Israel shall be restored and the wicked destroyed. About 559–545 B.C.

The Lord had ceased to speak to Nephi at the end of Chapter 29.  Nephi makes this clear in verse 1, where he wrote, “I would speak unto you; for I, Nephi…” (2 Nephi 30:1). 

There are those who believe they are “better” than other people are.  Some in the Church believe they are more righteous because they are part of the restored Gospel.  Nephi warns against this attitude. 

If we don’t keep the commandments and follow Christ’s teachings, we are no better off than those who don’t have the restored Gospel.  If they fail to repent, these people will perish the same as those who are wrapped in the chains of hell.

During His ministry, Christ taught:

THERE were present at that season some that told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they suffered such things?

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Luke 13:1-5

The Lord has His covenant people.  If the Gentiles repent, they will be a part of the covenant people.  In his epistle to the Galatians, Paul told them:

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:26-29

If the Jews fail to repent, they will be cast off.  The covenant cannot save them.  Repenting and believing in Christ is required for their salvation.  John the Baptist taught:

And [John the Baptist] came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation [GR offspring] of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you [JST Luke 3:13 ... Abraham is our father; we have kept the commandments of God, and none can inherit the promises but the children of Abraham;   for I say...], That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Luke 3:3–9; see also JST Luke 3:4-11

The Book of Mormon tells us of the day when the Jews will accept Christ.  Hugh Nibley explains that repentance is an individual act.

You do not have to wait for the group to change, for the society to repent, nor do you have to change your ways to comply with theirs; the individual is free to ignore the multitude, and only he is free. Only an individual can repent. Repent is a reflexive verb—you can't repent somebody else or force anybody else; you just repent. The clear rule for assuring desirable change is set forth in 2 Nephi: "As many of the Gentiles as will repent are the covenant people of the Lord; and as many of the Jews who will not repent shall be cast off; for the Lord covenanteth with none save it be with them that repent and believe in his Son" (2 Nephi 30:2).[1]

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[1] Change out of Control, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 26, 2013.

2 Nephi 29:12-14

As the Lord continues speaking to Nephi about additional records, He tells him the Jews, Nephites, and the other tribes of Israel will hear His word and make records containing His word.  Lehi told Joseph, “Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord” (2 Nephi 3:12).

The Lord will speak to all nations and they will be expected to record His words.  Alma₂ wrote, “the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true” (Alma 29:8).

Leslie Taylor describes the Book of Mormon’s place among our scriptures.

The Book of Mormon is perhaps the most Logos-centric of all scripture. Its significance as the word of God (Logos) is expressed in terms of its divine origin and role. Written "by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation," this sacred text was destined to "come forth by the gift and power of God" as an additional testimony of the word of God unto the inhabitants of the earth (see title page, 1 Nephi 13:38–41; 2 Nephi 29:12–14; Mormon 7:8–9).[1] 

Once the word of the Lord has been recorded, the day will come when these records will be made available to the entire world.  “[T]he Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews” (2 Nephi 29:13).

Mormon explained the Book of Mormon would someday go into the world.

And this is the commandment which I have received; and behold, they shall come forth according to the commandment of the Lord, when he shall see fit, in his wisdom.

And behold, they shall go unto the unbelieving of the Jews; and for this intent shall they go—that they may be persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; that the Father may bring about, through his most Beloved, his great and eternal purpose, in restoring the Jews, or all the house of Israel, to the land of their inheritance, which the Lord their God hath given them, unto the fulfilling of his covenant;

Mormon 5:13-14

The day will come when those that are of the house of Israel will gather in the lands of their inheritance.  At that time, the Lord words will be gathered together.  Ezekiel spoke about that day.  “Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick [HEB wood. Wooden writing tablets were in common use in Babylon in Ezekiel's day.], and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand” (Ezekiel 37:16-17).

To those who fight against the Lord’s word and His people will learn that they are of the seed of Abraham.  And, the covenants the Lord made with Abraham will be remembered and known.

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[1] The Word of God, Leslie A. Taylor, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 24, 2013.

2 Nephi 29:9-11

The Lord continues revealing His purposes of additional scripture to Nephi.  All through history, God has spoken to His people.  Why would the Lord stop speaking to us mid-1^st Century?  He makes it clear that He is “the same yesterday, today, and forever; I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure” (2 Nephi 29:9).  Paul reinforces this in his epistle to the Hebrews.  “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). 

Why should we suppose that if He had spoken to us in the past, that His work is finished?  Why would we assume He will no longer speak to us?  The Lord, speaking to Moses, said, “my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease” (Moses 1:4).

Noel Reynolds writes:

Chapter 29 records a revelation that Nephi seems almost to be receiving at the moment he is writing … This revelation begins with, but develops much further, familiar concepts and phrases from both Isaiah and Zenos … The Lord speaks "according to his own pleasure," and his "work is not yet finished." And finally, his people, "which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions," and he will show the world that he "covenanted with "(2 Nephi 29:9, 14).[1]

Monty Nyman writes about additional records.

Other records given originally by revelation are destined to come forth, and the Book of Mormon will not add to or diminish from them or from revelation thereafter. The ninth article of faith declares the Latter-day Saints' belief in continual revelation: "We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."

According to the Book of Mormon, the Lord's "work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever" (2 Nephi 29:9) … Nephi was also told of others who had been shown all things and had written them … These records were in addition to both Nephi's own writings, which are included in the Book of Mormon, and the writings of the apostle named John.[2]

We have a Bible, which contains the word of the Lord.  That does not mean the Bible contains all His words, “neither need ye suppose that I have no caused more to be written” (2 Nephi 29:10).  Daniel C. Peterson, speaking at a BYU Devotional, explained the concept and additional scripture.

One of the elements of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that distinguishes it from other Christian movements is its openness to scriptural texts beyond the Bible. The Book of Mormon, the volume of ancient scripture that most prominently represents that openness, prefigured its own coming forth [see 2 Nephi 29:10-14]…

Still, as [2 Nephi 29:10-14] clearly says, the Book of Mormon by itself does not exhaust the treasures of revelation and scripture that we can expect to receive in this last dispensation. Nor does it seem that even our other standard works, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, represent the last that is to be received.[3]

All men are commanded to write the words of the Lord.  All men will be judged by the words contained in books that will go forth to all the world.  Alma₂ wrote, “For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true” (Alma 29:8).

Paul emphasized this in his epistle to Timothy.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable [GR beneficial or useful for instruction] for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect [GR suited, ready, complete], throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

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[1] Nephite Uses and Interpretations of Zenos, Noel B. Reynolds, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 22, 2013.

[2] Other Ancient American Records Yet to Come Forth, Monte S. Nyman, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 22, 2013.

[3] Other Voices from the Dust, Daniel C. Peterson, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 22, 2013.

2 Nephi 29:6-8

There will come a time when the Book of Mormon will be rejected by the non-believer because we have a Bible and that is enough.  If they have a Bible, it was by the Jews.  Nephi had seen, in vision,

[The Bible] proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew. And I, Nephi, beheld it; and he said unto me: The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles…

And it came to pass that I beheld the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the book of the Lamb of God, which had proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew, that it came forth from the Gentiles unto the remnant of the seed of my brethren.

1 Nephi 13:23, 38

Hugh Nibley discusses those who would limit the Lord.

As no one has a right to limit God's capacity to speak to men with his own voice whenever and wherever he will, neither has anyone the authority to say that God may not, when he will, present his children with his word in writing by dictating scripture to his prophets, by bringing forth forgotten writings of the ancients, by guiding the work of an inspired translator, or in any way he chooses. We have said before that the test of the soundness of men's hearts is their willingness to accept the message of a living prophet; the same applies to their willingness to accept God's word in any form. So the Lord has told us through an ancient prophet how it is when men who reject the prophets because they already have dead ones are confronted with God's written word.^[1]

Why wouldn’t the Lord bring forth other records?  He told Nephi He had created all men.  He rules in heavens and earth.  “Know ye not that there are more nations than one … I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of earth?”

Robert J. Matthews shares with us the impact this scripture had on him.

I was lying on a couch in my apartment just off the hill from the BYU campus. It was a Saturday. There was something about the concept that there is more than one nation and therefore there ought to be more than one book. That really caught my attention. I can remember saying out loud, "This is true." I was so impressed with that concept: if there is more than one nation, there ought to be more than one record; and God speaks the same things to one nation that he does to another.^[2]

Why do people complain that we receive the additional words of the Lord?  I can’t understand this attitude.  I am delighted with the words the Lord gives us in His own due time.  It will be an exciting day when the Lord sees fit to give us more of His word. 

The Lord gives us the law of witnesses.  “Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God…”  (2 Nephi 29:8).  Nephi was told by an angel,

And after [the Bible] had come forth unto them I beheld other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true.

And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved.

And they must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well as in the records of the twelve apostles of the Lamb; wherefore they both shall be established in one; for there is one God and one Shepherd over all the earth.

1 Nephi 13:39-41

The Savior also gave us this law during His mortal ministry.  “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (Matthew 18:16).

Writing about the Book of Mormon, Hugh Nibley tells us:

The Book of Mormon foretells its own reception by the world. Though the critics have always maintained that Joseph Smith expected it to be a best seller and make him a lot of money, the ancient prophets knew better—they knew that they were not writing "the things which are pleasing unto the world" (1 Nephi 6:5); and tell how "many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible" (2 Nephi 29:3), and refuse to believe that God can "remember one nation like unto another," and "speak the same words unto one nation like unto another" (2 Nephi 29:8). … Its appearance is not a triumphant one at all, but only marks the first step, the very beginning, of the latter-day work…[3]

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[1]The Book of Mormon as a Witness, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 19, 2013.

[2]A Conversation with Robert J. Matthews, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 19, 2013.

[3]Prophecy in the Book of Mormon: The Three Periods, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 19, 2013.

2 Nephi 29:3-5

After prophesying about the Book of Mormon going forth into the world, we are told the word of the Lord “shall hiss [to utter or whisper angrily or threateningly and with a hiss[1]] forth” (2 Nephi 29:3).  How will the Gentiles respond?  The Lord tells us, “A Bible!  A Bible!  We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible” (2 Nephi 29:3). 

Hugh Nibley explains:

But does the world really need more than the Bible to do these things? Nephi predicted what the reaction of the world would be to the claims of the Book of Mormon: "Many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible" (2 Nephi 29:3). The moment the book was presented for sale this prophecy began to be fulfilled, when the most eminent newspaper of the region, The Rochester Daily Advertiser of Rochester, New York, published the following opinion:

BLASPHEMY
Book of Mormon, Alias the Golden Bible
The Book of Mormon has been placed in our hands. A viler imposition was never practiced. It is an evidence of fraud, blasphemy, and credulity, shocking to both Christians and moralists⁶.[2]

This has been a cry against the Book of Mormon since its publication.  Many Christians accept that the Bible is all the scripture the Lord has given us and will give us no more. 

John Welch writes about developments in Biblical studies.

[O]ne can now see that there were significant losses of text, and even of whole books, from the Bible.² A significant stir of criticism is now afoot in Christian theology, asking why certain books were excluded from the Bible and wondering what makes a text scriptural. Thomas Hoffman writes of the theoretical possibility "that a lost epistle of an apostle could still be accepted into the canon." He remarks that the reasons why "such books as the Shepherd of Hermas, the First Epistle of Clement, or the Epistle of Barnabas . . . were eventually dropped from the canon are not that clear."³ Robert Detweiler sees it as "entirely conceivable" that if the Latter-day Saints become more influential, people will "come to view the Book of Mormon with something of the same regard [as Christians now] give to the Pentateuch."⁴ The old cry, "A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible" (2 Nephi 29:3), is giving way in some circles like scarcely before.[3]

I find it surprising so many Christians reject additional records from the Lord.  Just looking through the New Testament, there are many things about which we know little.  A few examples demonstrate this.

·         Christ’s ministry lasted only three years.  Of that three-year ministry, we have only a fraction of His words.  It makes me wonder what teachings we don’t have.  For example, I don’t believe that the only parables Christ told are those we have in the Bible.  I would love to have a more complete record of His ministry.

·         On the Mount of Transfiguration, Christ commanded Peter, James, and John not to write or discuss those events until after His death.  We still don’t have a full account of what occurred.

·         After His resurrection, Christ taught his apostles for forty days.  We have no record of what was taught during that time.  Those teachings had to have been important for Christ to teach the apostles for such a long period.

·         We don’t have copies of letters that were sent to Paul.  We only have his responses.  It would be interesting to read the letter(s) to which he responded.

These are but a few examples of why the Lord might give us additional records and scriptures to go hand-in-hand with the Biblical record. 

The Lord calls these people fools.  The Bible comes to us from the Jews.  The angel guiding Nephi during his great vision told him:

And he said: Behold it proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew. And I, Nephi, beheld it; and he said unto me: The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles.

And the angel of the Lord said unto me: Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew it contained the fulness of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God.

Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God.

1 Nephi 13:23-25

In a revelation Joseph Smith received regarding the lost 116 manuscript pages, the Lord made it clear to Joseph, “Nevertheless, my work shall go forth, for inasmuch as the knowledge of a Savior has come unto the world, through the testimony of the Jews, even so shall the knowledge of a Savior come unto my people—“ (D&C 3:16).

When the world rejects the Book of Mormon because we have a Bible, the Lord asks a number of questions.  Do they thank the Jews for the Bible?  Do they remember, “the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles” (2 Nephi 29:4). 

The truth is that they have cursed and hated the Jews.  They “have not sought to recover them” (2 Nephi 29:5).  The Lord has not forgotten His chosen people.  “I will return all these things upon [their] own heads” (2 Nephi 29:5).

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[1] Miriam-Webster on-line dictionary, accessed December 17, 2013.

[2] Introduction to an Unknown Book, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 17, 2013.

[3] The Plain and Precious Parts, John W. Welch, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 17, 2013.

2 Nephi 29:1-2

Chapter 29

Many gentiles shall reject the Book of Mormon—They shall say: We need no more Bible—The Lord speaks to many nations—He will judge the world out of the books thus written. About 559–545 B.C.

The words in this chapter are the words of the Lord and recorded by Nephi.  The Lord again reveals more to Nephi about the “marvelous work” He will do among men.  What is this marvelous work?  It will be the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.  Hugh Nibley asks the question, “Why the Book of Mormon?”. 

The twenty-seventh and twenty-ninth chapters of the book of 2 Nephi explain the conditions under which the Lord has brought forth the Book of Mormon in modern times and his purpose in doing so:

·         To show the human race the vanity of their wisdom and to show them "that I know all their works" (2 Nephi 27:26—27).

·         To teach the meek and correct ancient misunderstandings (2 Nephi 27:25, 30).

·         To serve as a great central rallying point for the work of the last days: "a standard unto my people," recalling them to their covenants (2 Nephi 29:1—2).

·         To stand beside the Bible as "the testimony of two nations ... a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another" (2 Nephi 29:8).

·         "That I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; ... for my work is not yet finished" (2 Nephi 29:9).

·         It is "written to the Lamanites ... and also to Jew and Gentile ... —Which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations" (Title Page to the Book of Mormon).

·         At a time when men "cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught" (2 Nephi 33:2), the Book of Mormon, containing "the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also; ... was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them—Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old; Thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. Amen" (D&C 20:9—12).[1]

When the Lord does his work, he will do it “that I may remember my covenants which I have made unto the children of men” (2 Nephi 29:1).  At this time, He will, for a second time, “recover my people which are of the house of Israel” (2 Nephi 29:1).

Jacob taught the Nephites about the second time the Lord will recover the house of Israel.  “And behold, according to the words of the prophet, the Messiah will set himself again the second time to recover them; wherefore, he will manifest himself unto them in power and great glory, unto the destruction of their enemies, when that day cometh when they shall believe in him; and none will he destroy that believe in him” (2 Nephi 6:14).

Hugh Nibley continues:

[The appearance of the Book of Mormon] is not a triumphant one at all, but only marks the first step, the very beginning, of the latter-day work: "Therefore, when ye shall receive this record ye may know that the work of the Father has commenced upon all the face of the land" (Ether 4:17). It shows "that I may set my hand again the second time to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel" (2 Nephi 29:1). It is characteristic of adventist and millennialist sects to preach a hasty and spectacular consummation of all things. Not so the Book of Mormon, whose coming forth is depicted only as the opening scene of a long and eventful drama. With it, "the work of the Father" has commenced, not ended (1 Nephi 14:17; 2 Nephi 3:13; 30:8; 3 Nephi 21:26—28; Mormon 3:17).[2]

The Book of Mormon will go forth because the Lord promised both Nephi and Lehi that the words of Nephi’s seed would “proceed forth out of my moth unto your seed” (2 Nephi 29:2).  As he was writing his last comments on the plates, Moroni2 wrote, “I declare these things unto the fulfilling of the prophecies.  And behold, they shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the everlasting God; and his word shall hiss forth from generation to generation.  And God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true” (Moroni 10:28 - 29).

The Book of Mormon will go forth along with other words of the Lord.  Hugh Nibley explains:

Question: Do you feel that the Lord's hand was involved in the discovery of [the Dead Sea Scrolls]?

Answer: Yes, he said he would bring these things out in his own way and in his own time, and it's really quite miraculous the way these things have happened, when you see the opposition to them. The Lord said he would send his words hissing forth from the dust (cf. 2 Nephi 29:2; Moroni 10:28), and none would be able to stop them…[3]

The Lord’s words will go forth to the entire world, “a standard unto my people which are of the house of Israel” (2 Nephi 29:2).

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[1] Introduction to an Unknown Book, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 14, 2013.

[2] Prophecy in the Book of Mormon: The Three Periods, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 14, 2013.

[3] Apocryphal Writings and Teachings of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed December 14, 2013.

2 Nephi 28

Chapter 28 is an important chapter.  If we read it carefully, we see that it is a “how-to” guide.  It shows us how the devil works; it shows us how he goes about placing us in the chains of hell.  Welch and Welch have put together a chart that will allow us to see how he works.  By paying attention to the devil’s methods, it will be easier to recognize them and defeat his efforts.

The Ways of the Devil[1]

Embedded in Nephi’s prophecy in 2 Nephi 28 are many phrases that describe the conduct of those who follow the devil.  These sins, Nephi states, Will pervade much of society in the latter days.  Today they can be found well-disguised as the philosophies and tendencies listed in this chart.  Such conditions are symptomatic of society’s passive acceptance of “false and vain and foolish doctrines” (2 Nephi 28:9) that can lead people away from God.  Knowing how the devil works and being able to see his tactics in operation in the ideologies of the world around us help prevent us from being taken captive by Satan, who leads people “carefully down to hell” (2 Nephi 28:21).

Tactic	Quotation	Verse
Exclusivism	“I am the Lord’s”	3
Cynicism	“deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance”	4
Secularism	“deny the power of God”	5
Skepticism	“believe it not”	6
Naturalism	“he is not a God of miracles”	6
Hedonism	“eat, drink, and bet merry”	7
Fatalism	“tomorrow we die”	7
Popularism	“many … shall say”	8
Rationalizing	“justify in committing a little sin”	8
Criticism	“take the advantage of one because of his words”	8
Entrapment	“dig a pit for thy neighbor”	8
Permissivism	“do all these things”	8
Leniency	“god will beat us with a few stripes”	8
Egotism	“vain”	9
Imprudence	“foolish”	9
Arrogance	“puffed up in their hearts”	9
Self-Conception	“hide their counsels from the Lord”	9
Oppressionism	“rob the poor”	13
Ostentationism	“because of their fin sanctuaries”	13
Narcissism	“their fine clothing”	13
Supremism	“persecute the meek and the poor in heart”	13
Elitism	“stiff necks and high heads”	13
Immorality	“abominations and whoredoms”	14
Distortionism	“pervert the right way of the Lord”	15
Trivialism	“turn aside the just for a thing of naught”	16
Meanness	“revile against that which is good”	16
Dismissivism	“say that it is of no worth”	16
Tantrumism	“rage in the hearts of the children”	20
Emotionalism	“anger against that which is good”	20
Materialism	“into carnal security”	21
Toadyism	“others he will flatter”	22
Relativism	“there is no hell”	22
Complacency	“wo unto him that is at ease in Zion”	24
Secularism	“we need no more of the word of God”	29
Faithless Humanism	“putteth his trust in man”	30

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[1] Charting the Book of Mormon, John W. Welch and J. Gregory Welch, Chart 79.