BOM and Faith 2 Nephi 9

Through the resurrection, we will be freed from the spiritual death, which is hell. Death and hell will deliver the dead. Hell must deliver its captive spirits; the grave must deliver its captive bodies. The spirit and body will be reunited and restored through the resurrection.

The paradise of God will deliver the spirits of the righteous and the grave deliver up the righteous. The spirit and body will be restored, having become incorruptible and immortal. At that time, the wicked will have a perfect knowledge of their guilt. The righteous will have a perfect knowledge of their righteousness, having been clothed in the robes or righteousness.

Then, we will appear before the judgment bar of God, being judged by the holy judgment of God. Those who are righteous will still be righteous; the filthy will remain filthy. They will pass into everlasting torment prepared for the wicked.

“But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever” (2 Nephi 9:18).

The righteous will be delivered from that awful monster, the devil.

We are commanded to repent and be baptized in his name. We do this, having perfect faith the Christ. Without this faith, we cannot be saved in God’s kingdom.

Jacob reminds us how essential faith is for our salvation. He ensures we understand what is promised to us if we are righteous by the Lord. We obey Him and serve Him because of our faith in His words and promises. He promises us that, through our faith in his words, we will return to His presence.

God has given us law. If there were no law, there would be no punishment. If there is no punishment, there is no condemnation. If there is no condemnation, “the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him” (2 Nephi 9:25).

The atonement satisfies the demands of justice for those who have not received the law. They are delivered from death and hell.

For those who have received God’s law, having all His commandments will waste our days in the life if we disobey the law. “O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God” (2 Nephi 9:28-29).

Those who die in their sins will face God while they remain in their sins. “[R]emember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal” (2 Nephi 9:39).

Jacob tells us, “[d]o not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker” (2 Nephi 9:40).

The Lord’s paths are righteous. Our way is narrow, but it is a straight course. Christ is the gatekeeper. There is no other way to enter than through the gate. He will not be deceived.

We are to turn away from our sins, shaking off the devil’s chains that bind us. We must prepare our souls for that day of judgment.

If the people were holy, Jacob would speak to them of holiness; as a teacher, he must teach them the consequences of sin. Jacob abhors sin and delights in righteousness. Remember God’s word by day; praise Him at night. We are to let our souls “delight in fatness” (2 Nephi 9:51).