BOOK OF MORMON
2 Nephi - Chapter 33 Critique
Setting: Nephi supposedly began his second record in the Americas during 588 BCE about the time of the destruction of Jerusalem and continued to 545 BCE. This would have covered the time of the prophets Ezekiel and Daniel who were prophesying in Babylon during the captivity.
Verse 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.
Note: Are you speaking the word of God with boldness or defending a church?
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Verse 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.
Note: The Holy Spirit is a Person not an impersonal it.
Matthew 12:32 "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come."
Verses 3-4: 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. 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.
Note: The words of Nephi didn't "persuadeth" his people to do good.
Jacob 3:3 But, wo, wo, unto you that are not pure in heart, that are filthy this day before God; for except ye repent the land is cursed for your sakes; and the Lamanites, which are not filthy like unto you, nevertheless they are cursed with a sore cursing, shall scourge you even unto destruction.
Verse 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.
Note: The words of Nephi didn't "persuadeth" Joseph Smith to do good.
And now I command you, my servant Joseph, to repent and walk more uprightly before me, and to yield to the persuasions of men no more; Doctrines and Covenants 5:21.
Verse 6: I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.
Note: Sidney Rigdon forgot that Nephi would not be redeemed until the death of Christ.
Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,"
Verse 7: I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat.
Note: Have you been clothed in the righteousness of Christ or in your baptism?
Romans 3:22-26 For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Verse 8: I have charity for the Jew--I say Jew, because I mean them from whence I came.
Note: Early native Americans were not Jewish.
The earliest North Americans were Indians who came to the continent from Asia. Most scientists think they arrived about 15,000 years ago, but some believe they came as early as 35,000 years ago. The Indians crossed the Bering Strait - which was dry land then - while following the large mammals they hunted. They eventually settled throughout the continent, but especially in Middle America. 2001 World Book Encyclopedia.
Verse 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.
Note: Are you abiding in Jesus Christ or your own works of self-righteousness?
John 15:6-9 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love."
Verse 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.
Note: The words of Nephi didn't teach Joseph Smith to do good.
And now, verily I say unto Joseph Smith, Jun.-You have not kept the commandments, and must needs stand rebuked before the Lord. Doctrines and Covenants 93:47.
Verse 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.
Note: Unbelieving hearts will be revealed on judgment day not the words of Nephi.
John 6:40 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
Verse 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.
Note: Jesus Christ declares that many people will not put their trust in Him.
Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."
Verse 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.
Note: Unbelievers will be speaking from the dust.
Isaiah 29:4 You shall be brought down, you shall speak out of the ground; Your speech shall be low, out of the dust; your voice shall be like a medium's, out of the ground; And your speech shall whisper out of the dust.
Verse 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.
Note: The unbeliever will be condemned by their own words.
Matthew 12:36-37 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Verse 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.
Note: The threats of eternal judgment by the fictitious Nephi are meaningless.
1 Peter 3:14-16 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled" But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
Note: A true Christian will not rule over people but serve them from the heart.
Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."