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Book of Mormon Commentary
2 Nephi Chapter 12
scattered among all nations (Deut. 28 and 30:1-3). It also applies to the remnants left in the three
Americas.
This record would be rejected by "many of the Gentiles" on the grounds that it was another Bible.
They would say, "We have got a bible, and there can not be any more bible" (45). But what
"thank they the Jews for the bible which they received from them?" (47). There follows a rebuke
to the Gentiles who failed to aid the "Jews, mine ancient covenant people" (50). Their forgetting of
the Jews should cause them regret (52). God reminded them that it was his purpose to bring his
"word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth" (57).
2 Ne 12:59 Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I
remember one nation like unto another?
12:59 The Bible came to us from the Jews, while the Book of Mormon came from the Nephites on
the Western continent. Since both are divinely inspired books "the testimony of the two nations
shall run together" (61). Isaiah wrote, "To the law and to the testimony; and if they speak not
according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa. 8:20). One truth cannot
contradict another truth. "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return
unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I
sent it" (Isa. 55: 11).
This provides a test so that men need not follow any “cunningly devised fable" (II Pet. 1:16).
Unless the Book of Mormon speaks to us as God speaks in the Bible, "there is no light in it”.
However, many people refuse to read the book and to compare it with the Bible. "He that
answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and a shame unto him" (Prov. 18:13).
2 Ne 12:66 For out of the books which shall be written, I will judge the world, every man according to
his works, according to that which is written.
12:66 Real progress in civilization was made as tribes and nations changed from a government by
men to a government by law. Then only was there some guarantee of equal treatment and stability.
It should likewise be reassuring that at the judgment bar of God the books are to be opened and
our works measured in accordance to the word of God (Rev. 20:12,13; III N. 13: 2,3).
Man, the highest form of God's creatures, learned the art of writing centuries ago. Without the
ability to read and write men would be little better than the wild animals. Nephi observes that
tribes and nations throughout the world should write and preserve the divine light which should
come to them. They shall be held accountable for the understanding which is thus made available
to them (64- 72).
2 Ne 12:73 And it shall come to pass that my people which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered
home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one.
12:73 The return of the Jews to their homeland has been predicted many times before and
comments made on it (1 N. 7:22; II N. 5:17-19; 6:1,2). The bringing together of God's word in one
needs some consideration. Ezekiel foresaw the time when the writing (stick) of Judah and the
"stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim" should be united. "They shall become one in
thine hand" (Ezek. 37:15- 20).