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

Book of Mormon Commentary
SALVATION FOR ALL MANKIND, VER. 1-18
2 Nephi Chapter 15
2 Ne 15:1 And now I, Nephi, can not write all the things which were taught among my people; neither
am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking: for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost,
the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.
15:1 Nephi is here explaining why his spoken words are more effective than his writing. Face-toface
contact adds much to the message. The inflection, the pitch, the tonal quality, and the
expression by face and hands all have a meaning which the written message cannot supply. "They
cast many things away which are written, and esteem them as things of naught" (2). One often
listens out of courtesy, but he finds many excuses for not reading.
2 Ne 15:3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written; and I esteem it as of great worth, and
especially unto my people.
15:3 While the spoken word might be more effective at the time, the written word is more
permanent. He felt he had good reason for engraving on the plates all that he had recorded. He
would leave the results in God's hands. "Rely upon the things which are written" (D. and C.
16:1c).
2 Ne 15:4 For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of
them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry; and I know that the Lord God
will consecrate my prayers, for the gain of my people.
15:4 These were not formal or casual prayers. "I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes
water my pillow by night" (4). Such praying is not in vain.
2 Ne 15:5 And the words which I have written in weakness, will he make strong unto them; for it
persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and
persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal.
15: 5 Unless God does bless the word, whether written or spoken, so that the hearer is moved by
the same spirit that prompted the message, it will soon be forgotten. Paul declared, "The natural
man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he
know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14).
2 Ne 15:8 I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ, that I shall meet many souls spotless at
his judgment seat.
15:8 Nephi had manifested this charity by working hard and suffering many heartaches for his
people. His hope £or their salvation at the "judgment seat" was not in what he had done, but in the
power of Christ. This charity was also extended to the Jew and Gentile (9). His hope £or them was
based entirely on their being reconciled to Christ (10) and serving him faithfully.