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

Book of Mormon Commentary
2 Nephi Chapter 13
2 Ne 13:24 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.
13:24 Baptism alone brings no remission of sins, nor does baptism of itself give entrance into the
kingdom, but repentance with baptism constitute the gate.
2 Ne 13:29 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.
13:29 Spiritual life is something like traveling in a canoe on a river. As long as one is active and
paddles he will be coming nearer the goal. When he quits paddling, he does not stand still but
drifts with the current. Jesus was speaking of steadfastness when he said, "No man having put his
hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom" (Luke 9:62).
Hope plays a very vital part in being faithful in efforts to reach a goal. Paul said, "We are saved by
hope" (Rom. 8:24). Once hope is lost, one's efforts become ineffective or cease al- together.
Love of God and one's fellowmen is a basic principle of the gospel. Paul declared, "He that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law" (Rom. 13:8). He told the Galatians, "For all the law is fulfilled in
one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Gal. 5:14).
Nephi is giving a farewell address. He realizes that his work is nearing an end. He is much
concerned about the salvation of his people. "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" (II N.
13:30).
2 Ne 13:31 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.
13:31 The Hebrews had a strong faith, almost a superstitious belief that knowing and using one's
name gave power or advantage to him who knew. Jacob wrestled with an angel, and would not let
him go until he blessed him. "What is thy name?" the angel asked before giving the blessing. But
when Jacob asked for his name, the angel parried with another question (Gen. 32:26-30). Manoah
under like circumstances was answered by an angel, "Why asketh thou thus after my name, seeing
it is secret?" Judg. 13:18).
Luke tells of an experience when John said to Jesus, "Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy
name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us" (Luke 9:49).
Faith in the name of Jesus is an acknowledgment of his sovereignty and power. Men are
commanded to "believe on the name of Jesus Christ and worship the Father in his name, and
endure in faith on his name to the end, or they can not be saved in the kingdom of God" (D. and C.
17:6a). (See also 16:4c; John 14:13; 15:16; 16:23-26.)