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

Book of Mormon Commentary
2 Nephi Chapter 11
There is no proscription against the wage system in Zion or elsewhere if it is practiced in fairness
and for the good of society. But hoarding money with selfish intent is condemned. Simon the
sorcerer witnessed a bestowal of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of the apostle's hands, and
offered money for the gift. Peter rebuked him, "Thy money perish with thee" (Acts 8:20). Jesus
affirmed, "The laborer is worthy of his hire" (Luke 10:7). James condemned the rich who had
kept back "the hire of the laborers which have reaped down your fields" (Jas. 5: 1-4). It seems
clear that money exchange is not condemned, only its abuse.
2 Ne 11:113 And he inviteth them all to come unto him, and partake of his goodness;
11: 113 Nephi had cited many of the iniquities condemned in the Decalogue (Deut. 5:7-21) and
assured his people that God had nothing to do with such things (II N. 11: 110, 111). Then he
repeats his statements to the effect that God is no respecter of persons (113-115; see also Acts
10:34, 35; 17:26,27; also comments on II N. 11:96).
2 Ne 11:116 But behold, in the last days, or in the days of the Gentiles; yea, behold all the nations of the
Gentiles, and also the Jews, both those who shall come upon this land, and those who shall be upon
other lands; yea, even upon all the lands of the earth; behold, they will be drunken with iniquity, and all
manner of abominations;
11:116 It seems probable that there has never been an age when iniquity did not abound.
Therefore, to give any real significance to this prophecy, there must be a worsening of evil
conditions near the time of the end. Paul had evidence of this and prophesied, "Evil men and
seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (II Tim. 3: 1-13). Isaiah also
had some foreknowledge of these days when he warned, "All ye that do iniquity, stay yourselves,
and wonder; for ye shall cry out, and cry; yea, ye shall be drunken, but not with wine”. (Isa. 29:9,
10). Nephi continues to quote Isaiah's warning to his people and "all the nations that fight against
Zion" (II N. 11:118, 121).
THE BOOK AND THE MARVELOUS WORK TO COME, VER. 125-160
2 Ne 11:125 And it shall come to pass, that the Lord God shall bring forth unto you the words of a
book, and they shall be the words of them which have slumbered.
11:125 This has been discussed by Nephi before (II N. 2:39,40; 11:83-85; see also comments). It
is easy to see why the early missionaries of the church in the 1830's as well as those since have
preached that God knew about the people on this continent and provided a record so that they need
not "dwindle in unbelief." The verses (125-145) follow Isaiah 29 quite closely. While
comparatively few biblical scholars accept the analogy, the prophecy of Isaiah and the history of
the coming forth of the Book of Mormon have so many parallels that being coincidental is
unlikely.
2 Ne 11:143 Touch not the things which are sealed, for I will bring them forth in mine own due time:
for I will shew unto the children of men, that I am able to do mine own work.