Have You Studied the Book of Mormon Recently?

My Come Follow Me Studies took me to 2 Nephi 31-33 in a lesson titled “This is the Way.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

Among Nephi’s last recorded words, we find this declaration: “The Lord commanded me, and I must obey” (2 Nephi 33:15). This is a good summary of Nephi’s life. He tried to understand the will of God and courageously obeyed it –

Whether that meant risking his life to get the brass plates from Laban, building a boat and cross the sea, or faithfully teaching the doctrine of Christ with plainness and power. Nephi could speak persuasively of the need to “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ,” of the following the “strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life” (2 Nephi 31:20, 18), because that is the path he followed. He knew by experience that this path, though demanding at times, is also joyful, and that “there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God” (2 Nephi 31:21).

In 2 Nephi 31-32, Nephi taught the doctrine of Christ: faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. He also taught the importance of prayer in helping us to live the doctrine of Christ.

As he concluded his writings, Nephi gave us the principle for this discussion: “The Book of Mormon persuades us all to believe in Christ” (2 Nephi 33). Second Nephi 33 contains only fifteen verses, so we will look at all of them to understand why Nephi wrote what he did.

1 And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.

2 But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.

3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.

4 And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal.

5 And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the truth; wherefore, no man will be angry at the words which I have written save he shall be of the spirit of the devil.

6 I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.

7 I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat.

8 I have charity for the Jew—I say Jew, because I mean them from whence I came.

9 I also have charity for the Gentiles. But behold, for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.

10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.

11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.

12 And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day.

13 And now, my beloved brethren, all those who are of the house of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust: Farewell until that great day shall come.

14 And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day.

15 For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen.

I put emphasis on the thoughts that I considered to be Nephi’s reasons for writing his record. Did you find any other reasons as you read the verses?

The full title of the record started by Nephi is the “Book of Mormon – Another Witness of Jesus Christ.” The Book of Mormon was written, preserved, and brought forth in our day as another witness to the Bible of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

I have studied this book seriously for more than forty years, and it has been instrumental in my testimony and conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I invite and encourage you to study the Book of Mormon and to ask God if it is His word to His children. I did, and my answer was positive. What answer will you get?