2 Nephi 29-33

2 Nephi – Lesson 13: 2 Nephi 29-33 (to be discussed April 26)
Day 1: Read 2 Nephi 29:1-2; Ezekiel 37:15-17
1. From 2 Nephi 29:1-2, list five reasons the Lord proceeds with his “marvelous work,” the restoration of the gospel in the latter days.



2. Why will many Gentiles reject the Book of Mormon? How have we thanked the Jews for giving us the Bible?


3. Give three or more reasons listed in this chapter regarding why we should study the Book of Mormon.



Day 2: Read 2 Nephi 30:1-8; Review 2 Nephi 19:2-3, 2 Nephi 3:5
4. From 2 Nephi 30:2, with whom does the Lord covenant?


5. Why does the coming forth of the Book of Mormon give Nephi hope for his posterity?



6. Use 2 Nephi 29:14 with 2 Nephi 30:7 to explain how the promises made to Abraham are fulfilled through the Book of Mormon.


Day 3: Read 2 Nephi 30:9-18; Isaiah 11:4-9 with footnotes
NOTE: Nephi, who quoted Isaiah 11 in its entirety in 2 Nephi 21, quotes key verses again here. Isaiah 11 was also quoted by Moroni to Joseph Smith, telling him it was about to be fulfilled. Nephi’s commentary precedes and follows this quote from Isaiah.
7. For who’s sake will the wicked be destroyed?


8. How do all of God’s creations bear witness of his sovereignty?


9. What added detail does Nephi give to explain how the earth will be “full of the knowledge of the Lord”?



Day 4: Read 2 Nephi 31:1-12; Article of Faith 4
10. According to Nephi, what does he want to leave us as his final topic, given as plainly as he can?


11. What four reasons does Nephi give for why Christ needed to be baptized?




12. Stated simply, what is the doctrine of Christ? (see also 3 Nephi 11:31-39)

Day 5: Read 2 Nephi 31:13-21 (Bonus reading: Moses 6:31-62)
13. Circle the word “if” in 2 Nephi 31:13. What are the promises to those who sincerely follow Christ into the waters of baptism (the “then” statements that follow)? Why do you think the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are referred to as the “gate” rather than the “destination”?




14. Why do you think it would be better for those who have received a witness of Christ to have never known him rather than to deny him?



15. Verses 14-21 in 2 Nephi 31 discuss the principle of enduring to the end. List ways we can “press forward” or endure to the end.



BONUS: What two things does Nephi record in chapter 31 that he heard directly from the voice of the Father? List also two things from the voice of the Son.



Day 6: Read 2 Nephi 32; Review 2 Nephi 30:13-14
16. What is the unspoken question of Nephi’s audience, pondered in their hearts, that Nephi answers in this chapter?


17. In answer to this question, Nephi tells us two ways we can be directed, or shown “all things what ye should do.” What divine help is outlined in 2 Nephi 32:3-5?



18. What does Nephi encourage us to do in 2 Nephi 32:8-9, as an antidote to unbelief, wickedness and ignorance? How often should we do this? Who teaches us not to?



Day 7: Read 2 Nephi 33
19. From 2 Nephi 33:3, what does Nephi do for his people? How does this make you feel about him? about his words?



20. In what three things does Nephi say he glories? For what three groups does he have charity?



21. Having completed this study of Nephi’s writing, what would you like to do or say when you stand face to face with him before the bar of God?

2 Nephi 27-28

2 Nephi Lesson 12: 2 Nephi 27-28
Day 1: Read 2 Nephi 27:1-5; Isaiah 29:6-10 with footnotes
1. Nephi quotes again extensively from Isaiah in 2 Nephi 27, inserting his commentary and related prophecies. Read the chapter heading for Isaiah 29. According to this note, who will speak as a voice from the dust? From 2 Nephi 27:1, when will these prophecies of Isaiah have their fulfillment?



2. Isaiah 29:9 is quoted in 2 Nephi 27:4. The prophecy states that men will be “drunken but not with wine.” According to 2 Nephi 27:1, with what will they be drunken? How will this cause them to “stagger”? (Hint: use 2 Nephi 27:5)



3. What will happen to all the nations that fight against Zion?



Day 2: Read 2 Nephi 27:6-14; D&C 5:5-15; Luke 12:3; “The Testimony of Three Witnesses” found after the Introduction to the Book of Mormon in the front of the book.
4. What is contained in the sealed portion of the Nephite records?




5. How can we read the Book of Mormon “upon the housetops” today? What will happen when we do?




6. How did Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris receive their witness of the plates?



Day 3: Read 2 Nephi 27:15-23; JS-H 1:64-65; Ether 4:6-7
7. According to 2 Nephi 27:16, why did “the learned” want to read the book? Use the footnote for 16a to give a name to this kind of motivation.



8. In what way(s) does the passage in JS-H 1:64-65 fulfill this prophecy from Isaiah and Nephi?




9. From 2 Nephi 27:23, what is Jehovah a God of? Use Ether 4:6-7 to help list the steps Gentiles will need to take in order to receive the sealed portion of scripture.




Day 4: Read 2 Nephi 27:23-35; Isaiah 29:13-24; JS-H 1:19
10. How do people today draw near to the Lord with their lips but remove their hearts far from Him?



11. What is the marvelous (astonishing!) work of the Lord today? List specific things you consider astonishing.


12. What role does pride play in trying to hide our works of darkness from the Lord? How does considering ourselves as “potter’s clay” keep us humble?



Day 5: Read 2 Nephi 28:1-6; Mormon 8:23, 26-32
Note: One way of looking at 2 Nephi 28 is as a playbook for Satan’s “game plan.” As such, it is also a commentary on 2 Nephi 27.
13. Without giving specific names of denominations, list ways in which churches today “contend with each other.”



14. Why would a church “deny the power of God” or teach that God is “not a God of miracles”?



15. Moroni, writing in Mormon 8:26-32, describes the day when the Book of Mormon will come forth. What does Moroni identify as a motivator for the contentions and false doctrine of the latter days?


Day 6: Read 2 Nephi 28:7-15; 3 Nephi 29:4-7
16. Of the two “false and foolish” doctrines outlined in 2 Nephi 28:7-8, which do you think is potentially most harmful? Why?



17. How many times is the word “pride” used in verses 11-15?


18. Read 3 Nephi 29:4-7. What is the fate of those who deny Christ for gain, or “pervert the way of the Lord”?



Day 7: Read 2 Nephi 28:16-32
19. According to 2 Nephi 28:19-20, what does Satan want to “stir up” in us?


20. From 2 Nephi 28:21-23, give two main categories of deceit Satan uses against us.



21. Use the last three verses of 2 Nephi 28 to list the main points of the Lord’s plan for us.