Day 14; 2 Nephi 32-33; Jacob 1-2

Day 14; 2 Nephi 32-33; Jacob 1-2

I am tackling the Book of Mormon in 60 days. My plan is to have the Book of Mormon studied by the end of 2011. During my challenge, I will post a daily blog of my reading, in this blog I will share with you... my thoughts, feelings, opinions and knowledge about the Book of Mormon. Do you have questions? Comments? Please... lets start a discussion. I would be more than happy to answer your questions, comments or concerns!

Request a FREE copy of the Book of Mormon: http://mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon/

How the Book of Mormon came about: http://youtu.be/FMQEb9A9L2g               

  

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Summary of 2 Nephi 32-33; Jacob 1-2: Nephi finishes his address, and closing his writings. Before handing the plates to his younger brother Jacob, he finishes with a few thoughts and his testimony.

               

Chapter 32: Everyone must pray and gain knowledge for themselves, through the Holy Ghost. For by the Holy Ghost Angels speak.

                "...feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all the things that ye should do. Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock... again I say unto you that if ye enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do." (2 Nephi 32:3-5)

                We should always read the Scriptures, the Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants... etc. If we do not understand something, we need to ask... and if we ask with a sincere heart, we will receive.

                "...Behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul." (2 Nephi 32:8-9)

                Besides reading the scriptures ALWAYS, we need to PRAY ALWAYS! I, personally, think that we should have a minimum of 2 prayers a day. One to start of the day, ask for guidance and support so that we may accomplish our plans, and goals for that day. Then when the day is over, we can say another prayer, explaining to God what we accomplished, what we didn't accomplish... why we failed or succeeded in something and then ask for guidance in those things... always giving thanks for what he has given us.

                Nephi has also outlined Personal Revelation, and How to Pray... that we can all receive if we should just ask, and listen... he will respond. When we pray we need to start by addressing our Father in Heaven, thanking him for everything, asking him for what we need... just conversing with him and then ending in the name of his son Jesus Christ.

Chapter 33: Nephi ends his teaching, by confessing that the Book of Mormon testifies of Christ, and those who believe in Jesus, will believe in the Book of Mormon... because they are his words. He speaks with the Holy Ghost, that "...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 Nephi 33:1) Nephi speaks with power and authority and warns those who choose not to believe in the Book of Mormon that "...Christ will show unto you, with the power and great glory, that they are his words; at the last day..." (2 Nephi 32:11)

                I, just like Nephi, testify of the veracity of the Book of Mormon... read it and ask God for yourself if it is true. Then you can know for yourself.

Jacob Chapter 1: Jacob and Joseph try to persuade men to believe in Christ, but wickedness prevails among the Nephites, Nephi dies. Jacob starts writing 55 years after his family had left Jerusalem and traveled to the new world... in the Americas. Jacob starts his writing, he is commanded to only write the most precious things... and pass the plates (writings) down from generation to generation.

                After Nephi dies, his people decide (because they loved Nephi), that they should always be called after him... from generation to generation (Second Nephi, Third Nephi...etc.) (Jacob 1:11)

                Jacob explains that the people that are not of the People of Nephi (the Nephites) are called the People of Laman (the Lamanites) (Jacob 1:14)

                Jacob received his authority to be a teacher and a priest from the hands of Nephi. (Jacob 1:18)

               

Jacob Chapter 2: Jacob proclaims that he denounces the love of riches, pride and unchastity. Those who pursue to obtain riches, should do so with the idea of helping others. Plural marriage (that is not authorized by God) is unacceptable.

                "But before ye seek riches, seek ye the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good- to clothe the naked, and feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted." (Jacob 2:18-19) I like this scripture, because if you seek out God, obtain a testimony of him and follow his commandments, then when you go to seek riches (with the right intent), you are welcomed to do it. Having money is not evil, rich people can still be very good people... if they don't succumb to the greed.