Jacob 2

 Teaching about materialism, Jacob comments - 

"Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.

18 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.

19 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 to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted."  (Jacob 2:17–19)

The purpose of desiring riches is clear.

Jacob 1

 Jacob defines what seems to be the three major categories of sin - 

"...now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son.

16 Yea, and they also began to search much gold and silver, and began to be lifted up somewhat in pride."  (Jacob 1:15–16)

Immorality, materialism, and pride. 

2 Nephi 33

 Again, teaching the Doctrine of Christ, Nephi explains plainly - 

"I have charity for the Jew—I say Jew, because I mean them from whence I came.

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."  (2 Nephi 33:8–9)

Ordinances and covenants are essential to eternal life.

2 Nephi 31

 Nephi teaches the essential nature Doctrine of Christ including - 

"Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.

19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen."  (2 Nephi 31:17–21)

2 Nephi 30

 Nephi prophesied that the day would come when a great division would separate the righteous form the wicked - 

"For the time speedily cometh that the Lord God shall cause a great division among the people, and the wicked will he destroy; and he will spare his people, yea, even if it so be that he must destroy the wicked by fire."  (2 Nephi 30:10)

It seems to me that this division is becoming more and more apparent.

2 Nephi 28

 Nephi warns of several ways Satan delivers the chains of hell.  One that seems, in my mind, so common amongst Christians is - 

"Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!

28 And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.

29 Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!"  (2 Nephi 28:27–29)

He states the doctrine - 

"...thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."  (2 Nephi 28:30)

2 Nephi 27

 As I contemplate the lineage of Israel in the last days, Isaiah prophesied - 

"Therefore, thus saith the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.

34 But when he seeth his children, the work of my hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel."  (2 Nephi 27:33–34)

This must bring Jacob a great deal of happiness and joy.

2 Nephi 26

 Nephi teaches how the Savior manifests Himself to us writing - 

"...he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith."  (2 Nephi 26:13)

It becomes clear that His method of manifestation is through the Holy Ghost.

2 Nephi 25

 As Nephi explains some of the writings of Isaiah, very plain and clear so they could not be misunderstood, he writes - 

"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled.

25 For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.

26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."  (2 Nephi 25:23–26)

This is what we believe.

2 Nephi 24

 Isaiah prophesied - 

"Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved; for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times.

32 What shall then answer the messengers of the nations? That the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it."  (2 Nephi 24:31–32)

Seem appropriate in our day.

2 Nephi 23

 As Isaiah compares Babylon to wickedness in the latter days - 

"...For I will destroy her speedily; yea, for I will be merciful unto my people, but the wicked shall perish."  (2 Nephi 23:22)

2 Nephi 22

 Being of the lineage of Israel, I love this verse - 

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation."  (2 Nephi 22:2)

2 Nephi 20

 Even though Isaiah reveals that the Lord would use the Assyrians to punish Israel due to wickedness, He also follows with the Assyrians to be punished for pride, idolatry and wickedness writing - 

" ... and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.

26 And the Lord of Hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb..."

(2 Nephi 20:25–26)

2 Nephi 19

 As much as Isaiah warns of the justice of the Lord, the Lord still pleads - 

"...For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."  (2 Nephi 19:12)

"...For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."  (2 Nephi 19:17)

"...For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."  (2 Nephi 19:21)

2 Nephi 18

 As Isaiah understood the pending destruction because Judah would not repent, he states - 

"For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying:

12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

13 Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

14 And he shall be for a sanctuary..."  (2 Nephi 18:11–14)

Isaiah specifically was commanded that his family and followers should avoid being part of the world.  The prophets of today declare the same thing.  Even in patriarchal blessings I have given lately, the Lord has said the same thing.

2 Nephi 17

 After the Kingdom of Israel had caused so much death and destruction to the Kingdom of  Judah, Isaiah had the confidence to tell Ahaz  of his concerns - 

"Thus saith the Lord God: It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass."   (2 Nephi 17:7)

Obviously, Ahaz did not believe him or follow his counsel.

Would the leaders of our day not believe also?

2 Nephi 15

 I specifically noted this morning - 

"Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

21 Wo unto the wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight!

22 Wo unto the mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink;

23 Who justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!"  (2 Nephi 15:20–23)

In verse 23, Isaiah prophecies, "Who justify the wicked for reward".  We see much of this today as politicians and a corrupt judicial system will deprive innocent rights for some type of reward.