Questions for Review:

1. Jacob taught that the atonement of Christ provided us an escape from the grasp of an "awful monster." What was that "monster"? (2 Nephi 9:10)

2. (Fill in the blanks) "But to be learned is good if they                                   " (2 Nephi 9:29)

3. (Fill in the blanks) Nephi tells us to cheer up our hearts and remember that we are "                                   " (2 Nephi 10:23)

The quality of Joseph of Egypt's prophecies: not many are greater (2)

. On 2 Nephi chapter 3 we read a sample of Joseph's prophecies about the latter-day seer, Joseph Smith Jr. Notice how precise he was in describing his mission and even his filiation. When we have the Brass Plates translated, we will certainly learn a great deal by reading Joseph's words.

. They should not be held accountable because they had been taught by their parents to reject the gospel

Nephi's keys to successful scripture study  (15-16,24-25)

• Delight in the scriptures
• To delight - to have great satisfaction or pleasure in something; to enjoy

• Ponder about them in one's heart
• To ponder - to think or consider, especially when quietly, soberly, and deeply; suggests a careful weighing and balancing of considerations bearing on a matter, or a mere deliberative--even though inconclusive--thinking about something
• To meditate - suggests more a directing of one's thoughts in an effort to comprehend something ... with a purpose or plan in mind to be settled

• Write about one's own experiences for the benefit of one's future posterity
• Here is another exercise for our faith: we will all have posterities either in time or in eternity. They already exist in spirit and will one day live with us, at which time we will teach and train them. If we apply the blessings of repentance and obedience in our daily lives, our experiences will be a source of inspiration to them for many generations to come.

. Instead of saying "this is the way I am and there is nothing I can do about it", they "trust the Lord forever" and fight to improve their lives continually

Nephites and Lamanites separate (5,7,14)

. The two nations would only unite again more than 500 years later (Helaman 6:7-8)

. Lamanite hatred forced the adoption of a "national security policy" of sword-making

. Notice that until now (12 or more years) Nephi never mentioned that he had to use weapons to defend himself from his brethren, despite their many attempts on his life

. Sam and his family; Zoram and his family; Nephi's younger brothers, Jacob and Joseph; Nephi's sisters; and others who are not specifically mentioned
. This is the only time that Nephi's sisters were mentioned in the smaller plates. Remember that Nephi recorded his genealogy and other family matters in the larger plates

• A new country and its citizens are named (8)
• An economic system based on agribusiness, construction, and metallurgy is introduced (11,13,15,17)
• Some kind of embryonic defense training and industry were introduced (14)
• A simple form of government is instituted (18)

• Lived the law of Moses, but understood its true role (10; 25:24-26,30)
• Followed the scriptures as contained in the Brass Plates (12)
• Performed temple ordinances associated with the law of Moses (16)
• The manner by which Lehi, Nephi, and Jacob taught, makes us believe that they understood clearly the role of those ancient temple ordinances as symbols of Christ and his atonement
• Some form of church organization (see 6:2)

Jacob also received a revelation about the destruction of Jerusalem and the second major Israelite captivity and eventual return (8-9)
 

He received ministrations from angels (9; see also Jacob 7:5)
 

Jacob prophesies about Christ's mortal ministry among the Jews, his being rejected, scourged, and crucified (10-11)
 

The Israelites' future afflictions and restoration:

. Notice that despite their afflictions they would not perish as a people (11)

. The Lord will show himself unto them a second time (13)

The Lord compares His relationship with Israel as a troubled marriage (1)

. He is the faithful party in the relationship, and Israel abandoned Him

Those who rely in their own puny little light (i.e. imperfect mortal wisdom) will lie in sorrow (11)
 

In the future, Zion shall flourish and people will have everlasting joy, gladness, holiness, thanksgiving, and voice of melody (3,11,24-25)

We should not fear men or earthly powers; we should only fear the Lord (7,12-13)
 

Without the atonement all humankind would have become miserable forever, without resurrection, shut out from the presence of God, and forever subject to the devil (7-9)
 

"Hell" is not a physical place or location, but rather a mental condition experienced as consequence of the spiritual death (12,16; see also Mosiah 2:38)
 

In the resurrection all-including the wicked--will have perfect knowledge and a complete recollection of all earthly actions. Perfect knowledge will make the wicked acknowledge their mistakes (12-14, 46)
 

Steps to inherit the kingdom of God: (18)

• Believe in the Holy One of Israel
• Endure the crosses of the world
• Despise the shame the world attempts to impose (remember 1 Nephi 8:33-34)

The effects of the atonement also reach those who do not have the fulness of the gospel (25-26)
 

Be careful with learning and riches (28-30,42-43)

. Gain knowledge without secularization--i.e. putting God aside and despising His sacred gifts and blessings

. Earthly wealth should be considered as God's property bestowed upon us as a means to do good (e.g. provide relief, sustenance, and opportunities) to others (see Jacob 2:19)

The awfulness of transgression (39)
 

There are two mental attitudes to guide our lives: carnal and spiritual (39)

. If we live our lives preoccupied only with the satisfaction of our physical needs and appetites, we will never develop the spiritual sensitivity necessary to perceive and gain knowledge about worlds of infinite glory, much less develop the discipline required to live among glorified beings

The keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel (41)

. Don't worry about people who lie to their church leaders in order to receive undeserved blessings. Eventually they will have to face the Lord himself, and then ...

• Do not spend money and effort in "mortal eccentricities"
• Come unto the Holy One of Israel
• Feast on "eternal goods"
• Pray continually, be thankful, and rejoice

This appears to have been the first time in the small plates of Nephi that the name "Christ" was mentioned (3)
 

No other nation would have crucified their God (3-5)

. But notice that Jacob is blaming not the people, but rather their religious leaders. They were the ones who were afraid of losing their unrighteous dominion (and unrighteous profits) over the people, and saw in Jesus of Nazareth a threat to their hegemony and profits

. Remember our class notes for 2 Nephi 1:6-11

We must reconcile ourselves to the will of the Lord (24; see also D&C 88:68-69)
 

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