2 Nephi 31:14-21

14  But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me.
15  And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful.  He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
16  And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.

2 Nephi 31:14-16 (Emphasis mine)

Nephi(1) continues writing about the Savior.  He teaches two additional principles we need to understand.

The first is that, after having gone through the process of accepting Christ and following His example, accepting Him as our Savior, if we deny Him, it would have been better had we never gone through this process. 

32  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33  But whosoever shall adeny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 10:32-33 (Emphasis mine)

11  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

2 Timothy 2:11-13 (Emphasis mine)

4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Hebrews 6:4-6 (Emphasis mine)

26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Hebrews 10:26-27 (Emphasis mine)

The next principle is endurance.  After accepting Christ we must remain faithful until the end.  If we do, we are saved.

In the October 2007 General Conference, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said:

"Through the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, every member of the Church can receive “the words of Christ” directly (2 Nephi 32:3), at any time or place. This personal divine guidance helps us to remain valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ and endure to the end of our days. Isn’t this wonderful ...Enduring to the end, or remaining faithful to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout our life, is a fundamental requirement for salvation in the kingdom of God ... Therefore, enduring to the end is not just a matter of passively tolerating life’s difficult circumstances or “hanging in there.” Ours is an active religion, helping God’s children along the strait and narrow path to develop their full potential during this life and return to Him one day. Viewed from this perspective, enduring to the end is exalting and glorious, not grim and gloomy ... Enduring to the end is a process filling every minute of our life, every hour, every day, from sunrise to sunrise. It is accomplished through personal discipline following the commandments of God.  The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is a way of life. It is not for Sunday only. It is not something we can do only as a habit or a tradition if we expect to harvest all of its promised blessings ...Enduring to the end implies “patient continuance in well doing” (Romans 2:7), striving to keep the commandments (see 2 Nephi 31:10), and doing the works of righteousness (see D&C 59:23). It requires sacrifice and hard work. To endure to the end, we need to trust our Father in Heaven and make wise choices ... By doing our best to endure to the end, a beautiful refinement will come into our lives. We will learn to “do good to them that hate [us], and pray for them which despitefully use [us]” (Matthew 5:44). The blessings that come to us from enduring to the end in this life are real and very significant, and for the life to come they are beyond our comprehension .  "  (Emphasis mine) 

22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 10:22 (Emphasis mine)

7  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

1 Corinthians 13:7 (Emphasis mine) 

 

12  Blessed is the man that bendureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James 1:12 (Emphasis mine) 

 

 

 

17  Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter.  For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

18  And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.

2 Nephi 31:17-18 (Emphasis mine) 

 

Nephi(1) tells us to do the things he has told us.  Why?  He has seen Christ to them. 

 

He then tells us we can only enter the gate through a number of actions.  Joseph Smith incorporated these four requirements in the 4th Article of Faith. 

 

We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Emphasis mine) 

 

As we enter through the gate, we are on the path that will lead us to eternal life.  We will eventually obtain the great promise to us because we "entered in by the way [we] should receive."

 

13  ¶ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14  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 (Emphasis mine) 

 

We need to always be aware of the path we are following.  The way to destruction is wide and broad.  It is a very easy to get lost on this path.  We need to stay true to His gospel.  This will keep us on the proper path. 

19  And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done?  Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
20  Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
21  And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the away; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.  And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end.  Amen

2 Nephi 31:19-21 (Emphasis mine) 

 

Just getting on the strait and narrow path isn't enough.  Nephi(1) reminds us that we must constantly move forward having a faith in Christ.   

 

Then we are reminded that we are to feast upon the word of Christ.  Here's the etymology of the word feast.  

c.1200, "religious anniversary characterized by rejoicing" (rather than fasting), from Old French feste (12c., Mod.Fr. fête) "religious festival; noise, racket," from Latin *festa (fem. sing.; cf. It. festa, Sp. fiesta), from Latin festa "holidays, feasts," from neuter plural of festus "festive, joyful, merry," related to feriae "holiday" and fanum "temple," from Proto-Indo-European *dhes- "root of words in religious concepts" [Watkins]. The spelling -ea- was used in Middle English to represent the sound we mis-call "long e." Meaning "abundant meal" (whether public or private) is from late 14c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed May 23, 2011, emphasis mine.

A feast is a very special meal.  It is a time of rejoicing.  It is far and beyond a normal meal.  It is given for a special purpose.  When Nephi(1) tells us to feast  on the word of Christ, he is telling us to something more than our everyday effort.  He expects that we will make a special effort in understanding and rejoicing in the words of Christ.  Remember, we are reading the small plates of Nephi which contain the sacred accounts and teachings. Nephi(1) was very selective about what he included.  These teachings, then, are very special and sacred.

The fact is, most of us don't do this.  We read our scriptures and that's it.  We need to spend time looking at the words of God.  These are essential for our salvation.  Most of us spend more time studying worldly things. 

When we study the scriptures, we need to study the scriptures.  Merely reading isn't good enough.  We need to dig into them.  We need to make sure we know what we are being taught.

In my previous post, I discussed the phrase "to fulfil all righteousness" in depth.  Why?  Frankly, I couldn't accurately explain what it means.  I can't count the number of times I've read or hear this phrase.  I've also used the phrase before, not knowing what I was saying.  I started this blog, in part to share my  thoughts about the Book of Mormon, but also to help  me to finally begin studying the word of God, understanding what it is I'm reading.  It takes time, it takes effort, but it's worth it.  In the short time I've been writing this blog, I have grown to better understand and love the Book of Mormon and its teachings about Christ more.  This is because I'm spending more time looking at it in bits and pieces.  

2 Nephi 31:9-13

9  And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the agate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.
10  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?
11  And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.

2 Nephi 31:9-11 (Emphasis mine)

Nephi(1) continues his comments on the baptism of the Savior by emphasizing the example He set.  Through His example He shows us the path we should follow as his disciples.

Then Nephi(1) makes an important point.  How can you follow Jesus if you don't keep His commandments? He tells us to follow Him.  Can a person truly follow Him if he doesn't follow His example?  No!  Christ's life is an example for us.  He shows us the way.  To follow Him, we must obey the commandments.  And one of the commandments is to repent and be baptized in Christ's name.

14  Ye are the alight of the world.  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16  Let your alight so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 (Emphasis mine)

12  So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

John 13:12-15 (Emphasis mine)

21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1 Peter 2:21 (Emphasis mine)

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin discussed following Christ in the April 2002 General Conference.

Have you ever wondered what it must have been like to have lived in the days of the Savior? If you had been there, would you have heeded His call “Follow me”?  Perhaps a more realistic question might be, “If the Savior were to call you today, would you be just as willing to leave your nets and follow Him?” I am confident that many would.But for some, it may not be such an easy decision. Some have discovered that nets, by their very nature, are sometimes not so easy to leave.  Nets come in many sizes and shapes ... Nets in this context can be our work, our hobbies, our pleasures, and, above all else, our temptations and sins. In short, a net can be anything that pulls us away from our relationship with our Heavenly Father or from His restored Church ...Jesus the Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life: no [one] cometh unto the Father, but by [Him].”  As a special witness of Him, I testify to you this day that the time will come when every man, woman, and child will look into the Savior’s loving eyes. On that day, we will know with a surety the worth of our decision to straightway follow Him.That each of us may hear the call of the Master and straightway leave our entangling nets and joyfully follow Him is my earnest prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.  (Emphasis mine)

12  And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.
13  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by fbaptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

2 Nephi 31:12-13 (Emphasis mine)

After baptism, there is more.  Once we are baptized in His name, we will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  This will allow us to "speak with tongue of angels and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. " This special gift will allow us to not only become closer to Him, but it will allow us to be even better followers of Him.

Merely following Him is not enough.  Nephi(1) teaches us we must follow him with full purpose and real intent.  We must avoid hypocrisy and deception.  We must repent of our sins.  We must show our purpose and intent by following him through baptism and taking upon his His name.  He expects much of His followers.  He gives us much more in return.

what shall we do?
38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:37-38 (Emphasis mine)

29  ¶ Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30  The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31  Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Acts 5:29-32 (Emphasis mine)

 10  Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 4:10-12 (Emphasis mine)

In the October 2010 session of General Conference, Elder David A. Bednar said:

The Holy Ghost is manifested to men and women on the earth both as the power and as the gift of the Holy Ghost. The power can come upon a person before baptism; it is the convincing witness that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, sincere investigators can acquire a conviction of the truthfulness of the Savior’s gospel, of the Book of Mormon ...We first should desire, yearn for, and seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost. You and I can learn a great lesson about righteous desires from the faithful disciples of the Master described in the Book of Mormon:

“And the twelve did teach the multitude; and behold, they did cause that the multitude should kneel down upon the face of the earth, and should pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus. … And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them” (3 Nephi 19:6, 9).  

Do we likewise remember to pray earnestly and consistently for that which we should most desire, even the Holy Ghost? Or do we become distracted by the cares of the world and the routine of daily living and take for granted or even neglect this most valuable of all gifts? Receiving the Holy Ghost starts with our sincere and constant desire for His companionship in our lives. (Emphasis mine)

I would like to close this post with a few of Elder Bednar's closing words.

I pray we will sincerely desire and appropriately invite the Holy Ghost into our daily lives. I also pray each of us will faithfully obey God’s commandments and in reality receive the Holy Ghost. (Emphasis mine)

2 Nephi 31:4-8

4  Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptize the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world.
5  And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!

2 Nephi 31:4-5 (Emphasis mine)

Nephi(1) makes a particularly important observation that we should remember.  Christ had to be baptized to "fulfill all righteousness."  I find this an interesting phrase.  What exactly does it mean?  Elder Cecil. O. Samuelson gave a talk about this phrase at BYU in 1995.

"Assuming that we would also like 'to fulfil all righteousness.' we need to clearly and more fully understand what this entails. 

"Righteousness has, I suppose, come to have several meanings, but that to which I refer and believe the prophet was describing is that which is 'acting in accord with divine . . . law' (Merriam-Webster's Dictionary). 

"Clearly, because the Savior was sinless and without blemish, fulfilling all righteousness requires much more than just the avoidance of sin. The righteous life then cannot be a merely passive existence but obviously requires active performance and behavior, which has never been promised to be easy ...

"Most of us will not, nor are we expected to, fully appreciate the implications of all of our decisions or actions. Likewise, not all of our choices or deeds will have the same level of impact or influence on ourselves or others. The challenge, however, is that we cannot know, usually, in a prospective way what it is that will make a real difference in our personal lives or in our efforts to serve and bless others. As a result, if we are prudent, we must really act and understand that all we do has the potential to make the real difference for us and for others. Likewise, we must accept the potential reality that what we do not do will also have possible geometric repercussions for many more, and in many more ways, than we might estimate. 

"As important as our good intentions are, in the last analysis it is what we do or do not do that determines real outcomes in our quest to become more like Jesus. 

"These sobering reflections alone might provide a basis for doing all that we can to 'fulfil all righteousness,' because even though the Lord knows the end from the beginning, we are most often not privileged to know now. Admittedly, we do need to do whatever is necessary to avoid the "big" mistakes, but we cannot afford such preoccupation with only escaping sin and bad decisions that we are deflected from doing the good we must do and making the hard but necessary choices we must make ...

"Many of our responsibilities, opportunities, challenges, and crises are uniquely and individually crafted for our own growth, development, and testing. For those that are without direct parallels which might be observed in the lives of others around us, special and individual responses are necessary if we are to be successful in meeting them. Happily, whatever the specific challenges, we have been promised sufficient help to overcome or meet them if we do our parts faithfully ..

"The commandments or 'rules' of God, if you will, have not been given to capriciously or arbitrarily or thoughtlessly vex or punish us. Rather, they have been provided to us as protectors, guides, leaders, teachers, and loyal friends to ensure we have what we need to 'fulfil all righteousness' ...

May we live so that we can do all the things--and especially those that seem only 'little' things--that are so necessary for us  'to fulfil all righteousness.' " (Emphasis mine)

Keeping the commandments, avoiding sin,  and being ready for anything we could face in life are ways to "fulfil all righteousness."  I liked his comment about not knowing which of the things we do will have a profound affect.  We have to treat all challenges as well as opportunities in life the same.  We must treat them as though they will make a difference.

Christ was baptized because it is required of all men.  And Nephi(1) points out that, if Christ, being holy, had need of baptism, how much more need do we have.  Christ's life was an example of how we should live ours.  This is the point Nephi(1) is making.

13 ¶ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.  Then he suffered him.

Matthew 3:13-15 (Emphasis mine)

5  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

John 3:5 (Emphasis mine)

6  And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?
7  Know ye not that he was holy?  But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.
8  Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove.

2 Nephi 31:6-8 (Emphasis mine)

Nephi

30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

John 5:30 (Emphasis mine)

21  ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 7:21 (Emphasis mine)

17  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

John 7:17 (Emphasis mine)

29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

John 8:29 - 30 (Emphasis mine) 

Nephi(1) gives us a powerful truth.  Christ was baptized to fulfil all righteousness.  He was an obedient Son, keeping his Father's commandments.  Christ did that constantly throughout His life.  He is our example; His path will lead to eternal life.   All this is done because it was His responsibility to give us the example of how to live.

2 Nephi 31:1-3

2 Nephi is an interesting book.  Unlike 1 Nephi, you get very little history.  It contains teachings and principles that Nephi(1) fells are important.  We get an account of Lehi's final teachings and blessings on his posterity. Chapter 5 is Nephi(1)'s record dealing with the splintering of Lehi's family.  The remainder of the record contains important gospel teachings Nephi(1) feels are important and that his posterity (as well as his future readers) to know and understand.  We have Jacob's sermons and teachings.  We have extensive writings of Isaiah.  The book ends with Nephi(1)'s observations and commentary one what he's recorded.

I would like to look at what Grant Hardy calls Nephi's Appendix - The Doctrine of Christ.  This composes chapters 31-33.  As we read and examine his writings, keep in mind were reading the words of "old" Nephi(1).  This part of the record was written over a 10 year period, beginning 30 years after they left Jerusalem.  We learn this from Nephi(1)'s words:

28  *And thirty years had passed away from the time we left Jerusalem.
29  And I, Nephi, had kept the records upon my plates, which I had made, of my people thus far.
30  And it came to pass that the Lord God said unto me: Make other plates; and thou shalt engraven many things upon them which are good in my sight, for the profit of thy people...
34  And it sufficeth me to say that *forty years had passed away....

2 Nephi 5:28-30, 34 (Emphasis mine)

So we see that the record we are reading was written over a ten year period.  If we assume Nephi(1) was in his late teens when they left Jerusalem, when he writes Chapter 5, he would range from his later 40's to his late 50's.  He's been through a lot.  He has become the patriarch of his people.  They look to him for guidance and the preaching of the word.  As he writes this, he's got a powerful perspective about the importance of the gospel and the commandments of the Lord.

Please keep this in mind as we look at Nephi(1)'s writings.

Nephi tells why Christ was baptized—Men must follow Christ, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end to be saved—Repentance and baptism are the gate to the strait and narrow path—Eternal life comes to those who keep the commandments after baptism.

2 Nephi 31 - Heading (Emphasis mine)

1  AND now I, Nephi, make an end of my prophesying unto you, my beloved brethren.  And I cannot write but a few things, which I know must surely come to pass; neither can I write but a few of the words of my brother Jacob.
2  Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save it be a few words which I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying.
3  For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men.  For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding.

2 Nephi 31:1-3 (Emphasis mine)

Nephi(1) tells us that he cannot tell all he knows will come to pass; but, he still needs to speak about the doctrine of Christ.  In doing so, he assures us he will speak plainly.  This way, we will better know and understand his teachings.  This is important because Nephi(1) is prefacing some very powerful and important teachings that will follow.

6  For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2:6

13  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Proverbs 3:13

9  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Colossians 1:9

2 Nephi 9:52-54

Note:  As with the previous post, I am using the same layout for this set of scriptures found in The Book of Mormon, A Reader's Edition (pgs. 88-89) by Grant Hardy.

52  Behold, my beloved brethren, 

         remember the words of your God; 

      pray unto him continually by day, 

         and give thanks unto his holy name by night.  

     Let your hearts rejoice.
         53  And behold how great the covenants of the Lord, 

         and how great his condescensions unto the children of men; 

and because of his greatness, and his grace and mercy, he has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that he would preserve them; and in future generations they shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel.
54  And now, my brethren, I would speak unto you more; but on the morrow I will declare unto you the remainder of my words.  Amen.

2 Nephi 9:52-54 (Emphasis mine)

In closing, Jacob reminds his congregation to constantly pray to God and rejoice.  He has given the people some hard truths about their spiritual state.  He has warned them of the consequences of their sin; yet, now he tells them to rejoice in His words.

The people now have no excuse for ignoring the word of God.  Nephi and Jacob have preached it to them.  Jacob has given them a sermon pointing our the harsh realities in the eternities if they continue on the paths they are taking.

4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalms 100:4-5 (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.

Philippians 4:6 (Emphasis mine)

In the April 2010 General Conference, President Monson said:

My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.  My beloved friend President Gordon B. Hinckley said, 'When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.' ' " (Emphasis mine)

Jacob reminds them that the condescension of God is great.  I remember when I first started reading the Book of Mormon, I was confused by the word condescension.  I had always heard it used in a negative way - That guy is so condescending.  What did the scriptures mean when the talked about the condescension of Christ?  First, I want to look at the etymology of the word.

condescend  

 

mid-14c., "to yield deferentially," from O.Fr. condescendere (14 century) "to agree, consent, give in, yield," from Late Latin condescendere "to let oneself down," from Classical Latin com- "together" (see com-) + descendere "descend" (see descend). Sense of "to sink willingly to equal terms with inferiors" is from mid-15 century. (Online Etymology Dictionary, condescend, accessed May 15, 2011) 

 

When we discuss the condescension of God, we mean that God is willing to deal with us.  It is obvious just how great He is.  Yet, in spite of His greatness, He willingly deals with us in our world and our sinful condition.  This is a sign of His great and powerful love for us, His children.  Once I understood what was being said, I came to realize just how great this is for us.  

 

1  PRAISE ye the LORD.  Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

2  Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
3  From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.
4  The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5  Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
6  Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!

Psalms 113:1-6 (Emphasis mine)

 9  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Hebrews 2:9 (Emphasis mine)

What were the key ideas in 2 Nephi 9?  Here are the key gospel points.

• Death comes about because of the Fall.
• God has prepared a way for us to overcome death.
• The resurrection came about because of death and the Fall.
• There must be an atonement.
• The atonement meets the demands of justice.
• We will have a perfect knowledge of our sins and our righteousness.
• The rich and the wise turn away from God.
• It is good to be wise (learned) if we follow the counsel of God.
• The words of truth are hard on the wicked.
• We must prepare our souls for the day of judgement.
• We must be taught about the consequences of our sins.

Jacob has given us many powerful and great truths we must know and understand.

As Nephi(1) put together his small plates (Nevertheless, I have received a commandment of the Lord that I should make these plates, for the special purpose that there should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people. 1 Nephi 9:3), he chose to include this sermon.  Why?  Of course, we will never know exactly why he did.  Even so, I think we can consider a possible explanation.

Much of Nephi(1)'s preaching consisted of warning his brothers about the consequences of their sins and disobedience.  This sermon wonderfully falls into the category of warning.  In many ways, as I read 2 Nephi 9, it's almost like Jacob could be reading a sermon written by Nephi(1).  That doesn't surprise me.  Jacob is the spiritual successor of Nephi(1).  I can see Nephi(1) and Jacob becoming close as Jacob grew up.  Jacob accepted Nephi(1)'s teachings.  As they family fell apart and both spiritually and physically divided, I can see Jacob becoming more important to Nephi(1).  He is the one he would turn to to discuss his teachings.  Nephi(1) probably used him as a sounding board as he prepared his sermons and gospel teachings.  

Jacob became his partner in the preaching of the word of God.  I an convinced this is why Jacob's sermon was included in the sacred portion of Nephi(1)'s record.  I can easily see Nephi(1) shaking his head as Jacob speaks, thinking, "That's right.  I like the way he said that.  I'm glad he brought that up."  In short, I would not be surprised if, after the sermon was done, Nephi(1) went up to Jacob and said, "I couldn't have put that any better myself."  This sermon was important to Nephi, and he realized that today's readers would find spiritual truth that would help them in their lives.  

This is why I think this sermon was included.

I am grateful to Jacob for giving this powerful sermon, to Nephi(1) for including it in his record, and the Lord for inspiring these great men to teach, not only the Nephites, but us great and eternal truths we need to know as we face the challenges of today.

2 Nephi 9:49-51

Note:  I am  using the layout for this set of scriptures that is found in The Book of Mormon:  A Reader's Edition, pgs.  88-89.

49  Behold, my soul abhorreth sin,

          and my heart delighteth in righteousness; 

          and I will praise the holy name of my God.
50  Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, 

          come ye to the waters; 

       and he that hath no money, 

           come buy and eat; 

       yea, come buy wine and milk 

           without money and without price.
51  Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, 

           nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy.  

       Hearken diligently unto me, 

           and remember the words which I have spoken; 

       and come unto the Holy One of Israel, 

           and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted,

       and let your soul delight in fatness.

2 Nephi 9:49-51 (Emphasis mine)

Jacob is wrapping up his sermon for the day (see v54).  What matters to Jacob?  He tells us (v49):

• He abhors sin; (By using "abhor", Jacob is making sure we understand just how much he hates sin.)
• He delights in righteousness;
• He will praise God.

11  And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel.  And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Ezra 3:11 (Emphasis mine)

He used strong and powerful words in calling his people to repentance; nevertheless, he wanted them to know what is important to him.

Then he uses the powerful example of thirsting (needing God), calling them to come to the waters.  We've all been thirsty.  We know the feeling.  We've also had the experience of being exceptionally thirsty.  We've gone to get that drink.  Do you remember how you felt getting that drink; especially if it was a cold glass of water.  Remember how refreshing that was.

Now think of sin.  We all sin.  We fall short.  In spite of all our shortcomings and failings in this life, we have a way to obtain forgiveness.  We can "quench our thirst" for God by living His commandments, following His words, and placing our eternal trust and faith in Him.  This will be far more refreshing than that glass of water we had when we were so thirsty.

1  AS the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

 Psalms 42:1-2 (Emphasis mine)

1  O GOD, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

  Psalms 63:1 (Emphasis mine)

6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

 Matthew 5:6 (Emphasis mine)

37  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

John 7:37-38 (Emphasis mine)

7  There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

8  (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

9  Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?  for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

10  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

11  The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

12  Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

13  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 4:7-14 (Emphasis mine)

In the April 2007 General Conference, Elder Gary J. Coleman said:

"I first read the Book of Mormon at the age of 21. I then asked God if it was true. The truth of it was manifested unto me by the comforting power of the Holy Ghost.  I know that the Book of Mormon is a second testament of Jesus Christ. I join my testimony with the prophets of this sacred book to declare that “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ.”  I am deeply grateful for every word that He has spoken and for every word He continues to speak as He quenches our thirst with living water." (Emphasis mine)

In the October 2003 General Conference, Elder William W. Parmley said:

Jesus both taught and exemplified many personal qualities which we should consider as we try to follow Him. These qualities include love, meekness, humility, compassion, thirsting after righteousness, being prayerful, merciful, and pure in heart." (Emphasis mine)

He goes on to tell them to remember his words; he calls upon them to come unto Christ and feast on his words; to feast to the point of becoming fat on the words of God.

Think of a time you've had a wonderful meal.  Remember the feeling of physical satisfaction to not only have your hunger satisfied, but to no longer be hungry; to be comfortablly full.  Jacob tells us to go beyond that, to become fat on the word of God.  A wonderful and spiritually satisfying challenge!

25  The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul but the belly of the wicked shall want.

Proverbs 13:25 (Emphasis mine)

2 Nephi 9:45-48

45  O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; 

           shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast; 

      come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation.

2 Nephi 9:45 (Emphasis mine)

(Layout for this scripture is found in The Book of Mormon - A Reader's Edition, pg 45)

In v44, Jacob reminds the people that he has taught them and warned them of the consequences of their sin.  Here Jacob waxes somewhat poetic calling up on the people to cease sinning and return to God.

Jacob uses "rock" as an attribute of God.  Here are some other examples found in scripture.

1  AND David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
2  And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;

2 Samuel 22:1-2 (Emphasis mine)

1  I WILL love thee, O LORD, my strength.
2  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psalms 18:1-2 (Emphasis mine)

31  For who is God save the LORD?  or who is a rock save our God?

Psalms 18:31 (Emphasis mine)

46  The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Psalms 18:46 (Emphasis mine)

10  Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Acts 4:10-11 (Emphasis mine)

1  MOREOVER, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3  And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (Emphasis mine)

In the October 2001 General Conference, Virginia U. Jensen, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency,  said:

"Let us arm ourselves with faith and stand firm in our convictions. Let us never forget that we are building a foundation for and with our family upon the rock of our Redeemer. Let us put our hand into God’s hand. With the Lord’s help we can build homes that are a righteous fortress." (Emphasis mine)

In the  April 2006 General Conference, President Henry B. Eyring said:

"We are safe on the rock which is the Savior when we have yielded in faith in Him, have responded to the Holy Spirit’s direction to keep the commandments long enough and faithfully enough that the power of the Atonement has changed our hearts. When we have, by that experience, become as a child in our capacity to love and obey, we are on the sure foundation.  From King Benjamin we learn what we can do to take us to that safe place. But remember: the things we do are the means, not the end we seek. What we do allows the Atonement of Jesus Christ to change us into what we must be. Our faith in Jesus Christ brings us to repentance and to keeping His commandments. We obey and we resist temptation by following the promptings of the Holy Ghost. In time our natures will change. We will become as a little child, obedient to God and more loving. That change, if we do all we must to keep it, will qualify us to enjoy the gifts which come through the Holy Ghost. Then we will be safe on the only sure rock." (Emphasis mine)

46  Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall be administered unto the righteous, even the day of judgment, that ye may not shrink with awful fear; that ye may not remember your awful guilt in perfectness, and be constrained to exclaim: Holy, holy are thy judgments, O Lord God Almighty—but I know my guilt; I transgressed thy law, and my transgressions are mine; and the devil hath obtained me, that I am a prey to his awful misery.
47  But behold, my brethren, is it expedient that I should awake you to an awful reality of these things?  Would I harrow up your souls if your minds were pure?  Would I be plain unto you according to the plainness of the truth if ye were freed from sin?
48  Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin.

2 Nephi 9:46-48 (Emphasis mine)

Jacob calls upon his congregation to prepare for judgment day.  Once again, it is made clear and plain to us that we will know where we stand before the Lord.  Jacob uses phrases like "I know my guilt," "I trangressed thy law," and "my transgressions are mine."  We will clearly know and understand the consequences of our actions.  We will proclaim to God "the devil hath obtained me." 

But, the opposite is true. Standing before Him, we will know if we are worthy to enter back into His presence, to return to Him.

Why is Jacob calling on the people to repent?  The people have sinned.  The people are not keeping the commandments of God.  Jacob basically says to them, "You know exactly why I'm preaching this.  Your minds aren't pure, you're not a holy people, and you are living a sinful life.  It's my responsibility to call you to repentance, to understand the consequences of your sins."

30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

John 5:30 (Emphasis mine)

8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:8-10 (Emphasis mine)

 

8  Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

9  The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

Psalms 25:8-9 (Emphasis mine)

2 Nephi 9:41-44

41  O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One.  Remember that his paths are righteous.  Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.
42  And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.
43  But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints.

2 Nephi 9:41-43 (Emphasis mine)

Jacob calls on his people to remember that the way to "the Holy One of Israel" is on a narrow, but straight course before Him.  When we arrive at the gate, He will be at the gate and "cannot be deceived..."  

This concept of the the narrow but straight path is very familiar to readers of both the Gospels and the Book of Mormon.

13  ¶ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14  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 (Emphasis mine)

19  And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.
20  And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world.

1 Nephi 8:19-20 (Emphasis mine)

According to the Phrase Finder, the phrase "strait and narrow" refers to "a conventional and law-abiding course."  (There is also an interesting explanation as to the origin of this phrase as well.)  So, when we're studying the words of Christ, Lehi, and Jacob, we are being told that there is only one way to arrive at the gates of heaven, and that is by following and obeying the teachings and commandments of "the Holy One of Israel."  There is no other way.

Jacob once again reminds us that the "the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich" (v42) will find that the way is not open to them.  As Jacob uses this phrase, we are looking at those that will not humble themselves before God.  They are under the impression that they are above all this.  They will refuse to humble themselves.  As a consequence, they will find that gate will not be opened for them.  The happiness that is "...prepared for the saints..." (v43) will not be made available to to them.  

Paul wrote:

14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:14

Only through "...the Spirit of God..." can we find that, when we arrive at the gate, the Gatekeeper will open it for us.

44  O, my beloved brethren, remember my words.  Behold, I take off my garments, and I shake them before you; I pray the God of my salvation that he view me with his all–searching eye; wherefore, ye shall know at the last day, when all men shall be judged of their works, that the God of Israel did witness that I shook your iniquities from my soul, and that I stand with brightness before him, and am rid of your blood.

2 Nephi 9:44 (Emphasis mine)

Jacob wants his listeners (as well as readers) to know and clearly understand that they have been warned.  They have had the word of the Lord preached to them.  They have learned about what awaits them in the eternities.  Some highlights of his words so far:

• Because of the fall, "...there must needs be a power of resurrection..." (v6) or death would have a permanent claim on man.
• Because of the fall, there "...must needs be an infinite atonement..." (v7)
• Without the atonement and resurrection, "...our spirits must have become alike unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God..." (v9)
• "...[B]ecause of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave." (v11) 
• "...[T]he paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect." (v13) 
• "...[T]hey who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end. (v16) 
• "...[T]o be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. (v29)

It is clear from this quick overview of Jacob's teachings that he was very clear about the consequences of obeying and not obeying the word of the Lord.  No one hearing or reading his words would be able to say we didn't know.

In the April 2010 conference, Elder David A. Bednar said:

"Early warning signals are evident in many aspects of our lives. For example, a fever can be a first symptom of sickness or disease. Various financial and labor market indicators are used to forecast future trends in local and national economies. And depending upon the area of the world in which we live, we may receive flood, avalanche, hurricane, tsunami, tornado, or winter storm warnings.  We also are blessed by spiritual early warning signals as a source of protection and direction in our lives. Recall how Noah was alerted by God of things not yet seen, and he “prepared [the] ark to the saving of his house” (Hebrews 11:7)...Spiritual warnings should lead to increasingly vigilant watching. You and I live in “a day of warning” (D&C 63:58). And because we have been and will be warned, we need to be, as the Apostle Paul admonished, “watching … with all perseverance” (Ephesians 6:18)." (Emphasis mine)

In the October 1999 General Conference, Elder David R. Stone of the Second Quorum of the Seventy said:

"But we also have our spiritual hurricane guardians, those whose calling it is to watch and warn, helping us avoid spiritual damage, destruction, and even death. Our watchmen on the tower are known to us as apostles and prophets. They are our spiritual eyes in the sky, and they know, through inspiration and insight and pure intelligence, the course these storms may take. They continue to raise their voices in warning to tell us of the tragic consequences of willful and wanton violations of the Lord’s commandments. To intentionally ignore their warnings is to court misery, sorrow, and ruin. To follow them is to follow the chosen servants of the Lord into spiritual pastures of peace and plenty ... There is peace and tranquility, there is solace and safety in His gospel. If we will but listen to those whose calling it is to watch and warn, if we will give heed to the words of the Master Himself, then our spiritual house will stand firm, and we can let the rain descend and the floods come and the winds blow and beat upon our house, because we are founded upon that rock (see Matt. 7:24–25)." (Emphasis mine)

May we constantly remember the warnings we get from those called, as was Jacob, to ensure  we know and understand the words of the Lord.

2 Nephi 9:30-40

30  But wo unto the rich, 

           who are rich as to the things of the world.  

       For because they are rich they despise the poor, 

            and they persecute the meek, 

            and their hearts are upon their treasures; 

      wherefore, their treasure is their god.  

      And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.
31  And wo unto the deaf that will not hear; 

            for they shall perish.
32  Wo unto the blind that will not see;

            for they shall perish also.
33  Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart, 

           for a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day.
34  Wo unto the liar, 

           for he shall be thrust down to hell.
35  Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, 

           for he shall die.
36  Wo unto them who commit whoredoms,

           for they shall be thrust down to hell.
37  Yea, wo unto those that worship idols, 

           for the devil of all devils delighteth in them.
38  And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; 

           for they shall return to God, 

           and behold his face, 

           and remain in their sins.

2 Nephi 9:30-38 (Emphasis mine)

(Formatting for these verses comes from The Book of Mormon, A Reader's Edition, edited by Grant Hardy, pgs, 86-87)

Jacob lists a number of sins that we can commit as well as the consequences of these sins. He is making sure we fully understand the real consequences of making the wrong choices. 

As I've read this before, the phrase "uncircumcised of heart" is one with which I am not familiar.  I searched on the Internet and found an explanation I liked.  It is from Barnes Notes on the Bible.  

"Uncircumcised in heart - Circumcision was a sign of being a Jew - of acknowledging the authority of the laws of Moses. It was also emblematic of purity, and of submission to the Law of God. The expression "uncircumcised in heart" denotes those who were not willing to acknowledge that Law, and submit to it. They had hearts filled with vicious and unsubdued affections and desires."  (Emphasis mine) (source - Online Parallel Bible, Acts 7:51, accessed May 2, 2011.)

As we read the scriptures, we are told to constantly submit ourselves to Christ.  For me, this would be the foundation of the "wo's" from Jacob.  The root of all sin ultimately comes from our unwillingness to submit to the laws and commandments of God.  If we are, we will have help overcoming these sins.  We won't have to do it alone.

One of my heroes, the late Elder Neal Maxwell said in October 1995 conference:

"... the submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we 'give,' brothers and sisters, are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!" (Emphasis mine)

Sister Anne Pingree, 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency said in October 2005:

"In even the smallest details of each day, I submitted my will to the Lord’s, for I so needed His help, His guidance, and His protection. As I did, gradually my relationship with my Father in Heaven changed—in profound ways—that continue to bless me and my family." (Emphasis mine - thanks also for her comments from Elder Maxwell that lead me to his talk.)

Being "uncircumcised of heart" takes us away from "... His help, His guidance, and His protection..."  It leaves us vulnerable to all of Jacob's "wo's" which ultimately will take us away from our goal of returning to Him.

39  O, my beloved brethren, remember 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.
40  O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words.  Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel.  Do 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.  I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.

2 Nephi 9:39-40 (Emphasis mine)

Jacob, using plain and clear language, tells us to give in to the passions and appetites of the flesh, the ultimate result is our death.  How much more clear can our warning be?

16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Romans 6:16 (Emphasis mine)

14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16  Do not err, my beloved brethren.

James 1:14-16 (Emphasis mine)

We've got the world of the Lord as our guide.  He has given his scriptures.  He has given a Prophet, as well as inspired leaders to help guide us.  

It's really a no brainer, isn't it?