Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
2 Nephi Chapter 11
preached, and prophesied of Christ (47, 48). They looked forward to the time when the law would
be fulfilled and "done away" (51).
The fact that Nephi built a temple "after the manner of the temple of Solomon" indicates that they
used the altar for burnt sacrifices, and that it contained the laver and the dividing veil. Helaman's
record indicates there were many temples (H. 2:9, 13).
2 Ne 11:53 And the words which I have spoken, shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are
sufficient to teach any man the right way:
11:53 Nephi was quite serious and emphatic about his faith in Christ. He made it a matter of
record that his words "are sufficient to teach any man the right way." It was not a simple "believe
in" process. Wherefore ye must "bow down before him, and worship him with all your might,
mind, and strength, and your whole soul" (56). All the "performances and ordinances of God"
must be kept until the law was fulfilled (57).
2 Ne 11:61 And after the Messiah shall come, there shall be signs given unto my people of his birth,
and also of his death and resurrection;
11:61 This prophecy given about 550 B.C. was literally fulfilled. Nephi was shown this in vision
as recorded in I Nephi 3:54-117. The sign of his birth was that the sun went down but there was no
darkness (III N. 1:17). At Christ's death there were terrible tempests, earthquakes, and fires. Then
followed a "vapor of darkness, “upon the face of the land." Neither candles, torches, nor dry wood
would burn. This darkness lasted three days (III N. 4:3-21). (See also H. 5:54-82.)
The cause of this great destruction was that the people to whom Christ came would "cast out the
prophets, and the saints, and stone them, and slay them" (II N. 11:63, 66). As Nephi saw these
things in vision he cried out, "0 the pain, and the anguish of my soul for the loss of the slain of my
people!" (70,74).
LAMENTATIONS OVER THE DESTRUCTION OF HIS PEOPLE, VER. 70-94
2 Ne 11:76 For because they yield unto the devil, and choose works of darkness rather than light;
therefore they must go down to hell, for the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man.
11:76 The agency given in the beginning by the Lord permits man to select whom he shall serve.
Nevertheless, both God and the devil strive to guide him and win his heart and mind. "To whom
ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are" (Rom. 6:16). (See also Gen. 8:5; D. and
C. 1:5g; 58:6d.)
From the beginning Satan has "sought to destroy the agency of man" and by his lies he tries "to
deceive, and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will even as many as would not
hearken" to God's voice (Gen. 3:4, 5). This is the "broad way" which seems so attractive and
satisfying at first; but when, man is made captive and walks in darkness, it ends in the miseries of
hell.