2 Nephi 31:9-10

And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.

And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me.  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?

2 Nephi 31:9-10

Nephi is writing about the Savior leading us to heaven.  He tells us the path is strait and the gate is narrow.  What is meant by “strait?”  Strait is defined as “archaic; a :  narrow; b :  limited in space or time; c :  closely fitting :  constricted, tight.”[1]

In the scriptural use, strait is an adjective.  The Online Etymology Dictionary gives us information about the history of “strait.”  “’narrow, strict’ (late 13c.), from Old French estreit, estrait ‘tight, close-fitting, constricted, narrow’ (Modern French étroit), from Latin strictus, past participle of stringere…More or less confused with unrelated straight (adj.). Related: Straightly.”[2]

Nephi’s use of “straitness” implies the path is narrow (constricted, tight).  It is not an easy path to follow.  There are obstacles along the path that will cause us to get lost (see 1 Nephi 8:23, 31-34).  During His Ministry, the Savior taught, “Enter ye in at the strait [GR narrow] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). 

During His ministry, the Savior taught the Nephites, “Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat; Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (3 Nephi 14:13 - 14).  He is repeating His words in the Old World to the Nephites.

Noel Reynolds further explains verse 9.

The Book of Mormon discussion also makes much clearer what is meant in the Savior's New Testament references to the "strait gate" (Matthew 7:13; Luke 13:24). Our understanding of this characterization comes from Nephi's late report of the dream shared by him and his father at their first camp in the wilderness. In his later writing, Nephi emphasized that the baptism of Christ occurred as an example to all men, showing them "the straitness [straightness] of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter" (2 Nephi 31:9). And even though Jesus was holy, he still provided a model for the full process. While he, being holy, could not repent of actual sins, he still "humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments" by baptism in water (2 Nephi 31:7; cf. 31:13).[3]

Since traveling the strait and narrow is a challenge, the Savior is there to lead us along that path.  He tells us “Follow thou me” (2 Nephi 31:10).  During his Old World ministry, He told many to follow Him.  For example, When He called Simon Peter and Andrew, “… he saith unto them, Follow [JST Matt. 4:18 ... I am he of whom it is written by the prophets;   follow me], and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). 

He called Matthew.  “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom [GR tax office]: and he saith unto him, Follow me.  And he arose, and followed him” (Matthew 9:9).

Mormon, writing to Moroni2, emphasized the importance of following Christ.  “For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil” (Moroni 7:11).

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[1] Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, accessed January 20, 2014.

[2] Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed January 20, 2014.

[3] The True Points of My Doctrine, Noel B. Reynolds, Maxwell Institute, accessed January 20, 2014.