Second Book of Nephi
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| Books of the Book of Mormon |
2 Nephi (pronounced Second nee-fie), also known as the Second Book of Nephi, is the second book of the Book of Mormon, one of the four standard works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). It is held by believers to have been written by the ancient prophet Nephi, who they say lived around 600 BC.
Unlike 1 Nephi, this book has far less secular history of the Nephite people, but instead discusses visions and prophesies of Nephi himself and other ancient prophets, such as Isaiah.
Narrative
Second Nephi begins with the prophecies of Lehi concerning the future of his seed, and speaks to his children one at a time. He emphasizes that if the people are righteous, they will prosper; but if they are wicked, they will be destroyed. This is a general blessing and curse upon all peoples who inhabit the American continent. To Jacob, Lehi continues by teaching again about redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ. He speaks about opposites—that without evil there is no good; without sin there is no righteousness; that without these things there is no God; and if there is no God there is no earth. He talks about the importance of the Fall of Adam and how without it, man could not choose between good and evil, and salvation would be ultimately impossible. To Joseph, he talks about his namesake, which includes Joseph of Egypt. He quotes some of the lost prophecies by Joseph. Joseph predicted that the Lord will raise up Moses to free the people of Israel. He also predicted that a seer named after Joseph, and whose father's name is also Joseph, would the Lord raise up, for the purpose of restoring Israel.
Nephi continues the narrative by recording the death of Lehi. In this passage, he also records what is known as "the Psalm of Nephi", where he pleads for the Lord to forgive his weaknesses, make him strong so he can conquer his enemies, and redeem his soul.
After the death of Lehi, Laman and Lemuel and others rebel against Nephi and try to kill him. Nephi leaves the area with those who listen to him and travel far away to establish another settlement. He takes the brass plates and other records, along with the ball or compass. They call this new place Nephi, ordain Nephi to be their king, and call themselves the people of Nephi, or Nephites. They observe the Law of Moses as it is recorded in the brass plates. They also prosper exceedingly, and build a temple like the temple of Solomon.
Nephi also begins arming his people with duplicates of the sword that Laban had. At this time, the people with Laman and Lemuel and others who remained behind had their skin to turn black.
Nephi ordains his younger brothers Jacob and Joseph as teachers over the people of Nephi. The remainder of Second Nephi is a recording of their Jacob and Nephi's teachings and prophecies.
A speech that a Jacob delivered to the people of Nephi is recorded in chapters 6-10. Jacob quotes passages from Isaiah. He prophesies that the destruction of the people in Jerusalem has already happened. But he also shows that at a future date the Lord will lift up his hand to the Gentiles, and set up his standard, and then gather the tribes of Israel one final time. He reads from Isaiah 50 and 51. Then he prophesies about the brith, life, and death of Christ, calling on his people to repent and believe in the Savior. Jacob continues by teaching about the various sins, such as lying, murdering, whoredoms, idol worship. He exhorts his people to throw off their sins. He then continues by prophesying about the crucifixion and the establishment of a free people in America in the last days.
Nephi then records in the book some more of Isaiah's words—chapters 2 through 14 of Isaiah. Nephi then prophesies that Christ himself will visit the Nephites in America after his death and resurrection. He prophecies the destruction of his own people due to wickedness. He also predicts that the remainder of the people, the Lamanites and others, will be smitten by the immigrating Gentiles in the last days. He prophecies that the Gentiles will establish many different churches and also practice priestcraft, or the practice of preaching the gospel for money rather than for the love of the gospel. Nephis predicts with remarkable clarity the translation of the Book of Mormon and the three witnesses who would testify that it was true. He prophecies the exact conversation that Martin Harris has with Professor Anthon. Nephi continues by prophesying about the Gentile's attitude towards the Bible, accepting it as the only scripture in the world. He says that there will be many scriptures that will come from many of the lost tribes of Israel.
Nephi ends his record by pleading with the reader to follow the Savior's example and be baptized. His final words include another exhortation to pray, and also a testimony that his words are true.
External link
- The book of 2 Nephi (http://scriptures.lds.org/2_ne/contents) on the LDS Church web site