This world did not come into existence by chance, rather it was created by God for the mortal probation of man. (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 69-70 as taken from the Book of Mormon Student Manual, 1981 ed., p. 73-4), The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. "unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else". Without the Fall, there is no mortality. Thus, "men are free," that is, they have their freedom "according to the flesh"-according to the circumstances of their mortality. These are the people who repent of their sins. At other times, they apparently found that word wanting, and they made up a new word. These guaranteed alternatives are here in the form of commandments of the Lord. Even something like the Fall of Adam and Eve, which appears to be a failure and a tragedy, turns out to be part of God’s plan of happiness. Priesthood ordinances both in and out of the temple may be viewed as a progressive sealing of ourselves to the Lord until the atonement is complete and we are embraced in the arms of the Savior. Less intuitively obvious, however, is the obligatory interdependence of God and the law. 24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things. (2 Nephi 2:25) Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. "spiritual death" This is separation of man from God's presence. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Journal of Discourses, 2:255-256), The journey from bad to good is the process of putting off the natural man or the natural woman in each of us. We did nothing to earn it. The individual is thereafter unworthy to be exalted or to enter any degree of glory. The phrase "according to the flesh" in the Book of Mormon is often used to remind the reader that the current topic is literal and practical and not referred to in any figurative or symbolic sense. The spirit that the Lord puts into a tabernacle of flesh, is under the dictation of the Lord Almighty; but the spirit and body are united in order that the spirit may have a tabernacle, and be exalted; and the spirit is influenced by the body, and the body by the spirit. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other. After the flood, something happened. 2 Nephi 28. Without spiritual death, there is no need for Redemption. In turn, to understand the Fall one must understand the nature of the Creation, for it is from the original state in which things were created that they have fallen and to which, through the Atonement, they are in large measure intended to return. These thoughts are echoed in the words of the sons of Mosiah: Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble. 2 Nephi 14. … Or, could the law exist even if there were no God? This free gift may be referred to as the light of Christ or the spirit of Christ (. . Lehi is referring to the state of probation which began with the fall of Adam. 2 Nephi 27-30 Nephi prophesies of latter-day apostasy, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and the restoration of the gospel. True joy exists only when there is spiritual growth. (Conference Report, Oct. 1969, pp. They are drowned by them. The "eternal purposes" of God are "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (, "even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life", The "forbidden fruit" is symbolic of the world and its worldliness. Joshua tried to help the children of Israel decide how to use their agency righteously, "choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh 24:15). Neither was created, and neither can be destroyed. ("Truth is the Issue," Conference Report, October 1993). In this case part of his underlying "natural" inclinations were profound fears that he would fail to return to his former place of prominence. verses 28-29 "choose eternal life . To this point in this chapter, Lehi has logically outlined the essential steps in man's progression toward godhood. Less intuitively obvious, however, is the obligatory interdependence of God and the law. The word spiritual in this context may have two possible meanings: 1. Christ and all who followed Him stood for the former proposition-freedom of choice; Satan stood for the latter-coercion and force. The first is that all things were not subject to death or change. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. 2 Nephi 11. Man is not separated from God permanently because of Adam's sin. See Ye Shall Know of the Doctrine, volume 1, chapter 13, Agency and Freedom. Let us not be guilty of being too simplistic, however, and failing to understand Satan's role. 2 Nephi 32:5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. Could God exist even if there were no law? This can be seen in the lifespans of Abraham-180 years and Joseph-110 years. With no ethical issues, could we learn to use our agency in an edifying manner? His powers and other virtues would be negated. Some committed members of the Church, because of their scientific backgrounds, have questioned whether or not all things on the earth in every age of the earth were, in fact, created in an immortal or paradisiacal state (Trent D. Stephens and D. Jeffrey Meldrum, Evolution and Mormonism, 134-38). And I have none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls. The optimal form of redemption is, of course, to be exalted in the celestial heaven. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body" (1 Corinthians 15:44). 6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. 2 Nephi 23. Here, however, it may simply refer to the fact that the Savior's atonement has made it possible for man to achieve a kingdom of glory, whether it be celestial, terrestrial, or telestial. 2 Nephi Chapter 3 | Book Home | Next: 2 Nephi Chapter 5. 2 Nephi 7. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. Remember that his... LDS Scripture of the Day February 18, 2015. ", This important principle applies only to those who reach the age of accountability. He must have a rescuer, a redeemer, a savior. The central issue in that council, then, was: Shall the children of God have untrammeled agency to choose the course they should follow, whether good or evil, or shall they be coerced and forced to be obedient? 28 And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit; 29 And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom. Also we are instructed that in order for man to exercise fully his agency, both good and evil choices must be associated with some enticement. . Hence there could be no misery or happiness. The price would still have to be paid, but an allowance would be made such that the price could be paid by someone else. "all things must needs be a compound in one" The statement, "all things must needs be a compound in one" is simply a re-statement of the idea that there must be opposition. 2 Nephi 13. (“The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality,” Ensign, April 2012), As our minds are opened through our study of the plan of salvation, each of us comes to see that our life means that the "real me," or the "spiritual child of God," created in innocence and beauty, is engaged in a fight for life or death with the elements of the earth, the "flesh," which in its present unredeemed state is enticed and influenced by the enemy of God. See also the commentary for Mosiah 14:11. If there were no God, then there could be no creation. An account of the death of Lehi. They fit together seamlessly into "one great whole.". If you question everything you are asked to do, or dig in your heels at every unpleasant challenge, you make it harder for the Lord to bless you." "he showed unto men that they were lost because of the transgression of their parents" Are all men really "lost" because of the sins of Adam and Eve? verse 3 What does it mean to be redeemed? Man has agency and can choose for himself, but he cannot escape the consequences of the eternal law. Simply stated, they are that a man guilty of sin is unworthy to return to his celestial home, or in fact, unworthy to return to any degree of glory. Whatever the fruit was, it was rendered enticing, at least to Eve, by Satan's verbal manipulations. Note that the adjectives ("sweet" and "bitter") modifying the phrases "forbidden fruit" and "tree of life" are in reverse order. This spiritual death is actually "permanent" only until the law of justice is satisfied. 18 And because he had fallen from heaven, and had become miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind. One of the poignant phrases in these verses is in 1 Nephi 17:1 where Nephi reports, "And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness." 2 Nephi 31. An alternate, but less likely, explanation of this phrase suggests that it refers more to freedom than to agency. We know of course that Paul intended to teach that resurrection is the inseparable union of spirit and an immortal and incorruptible body. 2 Nephi 29. (Alma 34:32-24). 2 Nephi 19. A similar phrase, the "fulness of times" (plural) is used many times in the Doctrine and Covenants, usually referring to the "dispensation of the fulness of times," the dispensation beginning at the restoration of the gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith (D&C 27:13; D&C 27:112:30; 122:31; 124:41; 128:18-20; 138:53). Each will be meted out "happiness (reward)" or "punishment" according to his merit. There are "unconditional" blessings or benefits of the atonement and "conditional" blessings of the atonement. 2 Nephi 2. And, unto whom will he extend this absolution? The ends of the law are not answered for all, only those with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Lehi may have considered Jacob to be something of a replacement for his eldest son, Laman, with his younger son Joseph being a replacement for the second son, Lemuel. . People only remain free as long as they exercise this agency wisely. This natural side of man will lead all men to commit sin. verse 13 This verse implies that the concepts of law, sin, righteousness, punishment, and God are so intimately interdependent upon one another that one cannot exist without the others. ("Eternal Laws of Happiness," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 78, emphasis added), "The expression used here has reference to the day of Christ's mortal ministry, usually designated as the meridian of time. In the spirit world, if the demands of justice are not satisfactorily met by the individual's own personal suffering, and if he does not eventually repent and confess Jesus Christ, the individual will remain "filthy still" and go with Satan and his angels. Because Satan and those who stood with him would not accept the vote of the council, but rose up in rebellion, they were cast down to the earth, where they have continued to foster the same plan. In order to understand this verse, it is important to distinguish between two separate concepts. Only his own sins result in a lasting separation. verse 8 This verse contains the succinct "bottom line." The origin of evil resides deep within each of us and has always done so. Another explanation is that the creation story applies selectively to only a specific location on the earth-the Garden of Eden. He lived six hundred years before the Savior came to earth to work out the infinite atonement. Certainly the Spirit of God and the "spirit of Christ" within each of us do entice a man to do good, but does God entice a man to do evil? We are not to assume from Peter's illustrative mention of the disobedient antediluvians that they alone were included in the blessed opportunities offered through Christ's ministry in the spirit realm; on the contrary, we conclude in reason and consistency that all whose wickedness in the flesh had brought their spirits into the prison house were sharers in the possibilities of expiation, repentance, and release (Jesus the Christ, 672-73). This creation can only be the product of a Divine Idea... 'There must be a Maker; there can be no other way' ("Creation" 21)" (Book of Mormon Symposium Series, edited by PR Cheesman,  MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 348), Ronald Reagan has been quoted as saying, "sometimes when I'm faced with an atheist, I am tempted to invite him to the greatest gourmet dinner that one could ever serve. For a more detailed discussion of adversity, see Ye Shall Know of the Doctrine, volume 3, chapter 1, Adversity and Suffering. 2 Nephi 19. Many Christian denominations believe that Adam and Eve could procreate prior to partaking of the forbidden fruit but that they didn't. Every intelligence has a "natural" self and a "spiritual" self. The expression "dispensation of the fulness of times" was also spoken of by Paul (Ephesians 1:10). This was according to will of God, And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years (Gen 6:3). 2 Nephi 2:14 Things to act and things to be acted upon. Many scriptural words may be considered synonymous with atonement. ¶ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. Today, I’m pondering what I can do to find happiness in my daily life. Lacerations of the flesh could heal themselves. As mentioned previously, we are left to wonder and speculate as to the literal or symbolic nature of the "forbidden fruit." Contrary to some notions, God actually wants us to be happy. This is usually interpreted to mean that all things, including Adam, Eve, plants, and animals were created in an innocent and paradisiacal state at least in the area specified to be the Garden of Eden. verses 6-13 Please do not take these verses for granted. verse 14 "God . If, in spirit prison, he is successful in making the needed personal atonement, the benefits of Christ's atonement will be extended to him, and the law of justice will be fulfilled. A brief outline of 2 Nephi, worth committing to memory, is as follows: 2 Nephi 1-4 Father Lehi counsels and blesses each of his sons. It is notable that the very word intelligence implies the characteristic of agency. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 181). Christ's suffering will answer or satisfy the law of justice for those sincere individuals. The justice of Almighty God demands that whenever a law is broken, that an irrevocably decreed price be paid for that transgression. Freedom is having abundant desirable alternatives. 2 Nephi 26. True joy exists only when there is spiritual growth. . 2 Nephi 5. 2 For I, Nephi, have not taught them many things concerning the manner of the Jews; for their a works were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of abominations. The law of justice will not be satisfied. "[Satan] sought that which was evil before God." Most members of the church are all too familiar with this principle. He only wants us to experience the negative so that we can appreciate the beautiful things He has in store for us. "salvation is free" There are at least two possible interpretations of this phrase: 1. God's plan is that we have lasting joy in this world and eternal joy in the world to come. "according to the things which I have read" Obviously Lehi had learned something of the plan of salvation from reading the brass plates. "men are free according to the flesh" This phrase seems to refer to man's agency. Only in the sense that they became mortal (subject to death) and temporarily separated from God. They saw their loftiest responsibility as multiplying and replenishing the earth. 2 Nephi 9:41. 2 Nephi 22. The term firstfuits has reference to a few different aspects of the life of the Savior. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Afflictions will be imposed upon us from without by the very nature of this mortal experience, and perhaps on occasion by a loving God who wishes to try and test us. There was no mortal flesh upon the earth for any form of life. Improvement Era 65 [April 1962]: 231). ", 10 And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him. He has satisfactorily repented of his sins and therefore is qualified to receive the Savior's absolution or forgiveness. He will then become "justified" and be resurrected to a lesser kingdom where he will experience joy, but not a fulness of joy. 2 Nephi 2:11 There is an opposition in all things. His body was mortal and had to undergo the obligatory terminal physiologic phenomena necessary to terminate life common to all mortals. The fall of Adam initiates a cascade of events-events predicted and planned for in the pre-mortal sphere. The individual is thereafter unworthy to be exalted or to enter any degree of glory. On the other hand, we know that ultimately Adam and Eve's choice to leave the garden was a deliberate one. 2 Nephi 22. 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