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Book of Mormon Commentary
2 Nephi Chapter 1
Lehi maintained that "man could not act for himself, save it should be that he was enticed by the
one or the other" (God or Satan] (100). See also Mi. 7:10, 11.
Some have erroneously concluded that since this is true, man is like putty to be molded by the
power to which he yields; or that he is a marionette dangled by strings held in the hands of God or
the devil. However, that overlooks the main point of Nephi's reasoning. Man is a self-governing
agent because he doesn't have to choose the bitter or else go without. He learns by his experience
to choose the good or better. The independent agency of man is set forth quite clearly in the
revelation of August 1, 1831. "Men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many
things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; for .the power is in them,
wherein they are agents unto themselves" (D. and C. 58:6 d).
2 Ne 1:107 And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they
might repent while in the flesh;
1:107 Much has been written about the fall of Adam and Eve. At times it seems so simple as to
need no discussion; then viewed from another angle, it defies explanation. For instance, what if
they had not transgressed; would they be the only human beings on earth?
Lehi declared that not only man but all the rest of God's creation "must have remained in the same
state which they were, after they were created. “and had no end" (112). Also "they would have had
no children" (113).
Lehi saw the matter clearly. Adam and Eve had children, they knew misery and joy, sin and right
doing (113). God had a wise plan for developing the kind of people who could be perfected and
live happily and eternally in his presence (114). When one raises the issue of "what if it had been
done differently," he gets lost in speculation and unprofitable discussion.
2 Ne 1:115 Adam fell, that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
1:115 This pronouncement of the patriarch summarized Lehi's understanding of "man's fall" and
God's purpose in his creation. See Gen. 6:49.
Elder Hubert Case was debating with a Protestant minister who misquoted scriptures. One
morning Brother Case was impressed by the Spirit that he should arise from his bed and read this
passage (II N. 1:115). He read it and marked the place.
That night his opponent said the Book of Mormon teachings were immoral; for instance, they said
that "man was that he might have pleasure." He inferred that this meant the lust of the flesh. Elder
Case answered by reading from the Book of Mormon and pointed out that the word was "joy."
Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).
Jesus said, "And ye now therefore have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart shall
rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you" (John 16:22), Luke records that even under
persecution, because of their blessing and success, "the disciples were filled with joy, and with the
Holy Ghost” (Acts 13:52), "For the joy that was set before him" we are told that Jesus "endured
the cross" (Heb. 12:2).
2 Ne 1:116 And the Messiah cometh in the fullness of time, that he may redeem the children of men
from the fall.
1:116 Lehi now expanded his exhortation to contrast the blessings made available by Christ's
atonement with the deception and misery of those who serve the devil. See also Gen. 6:60.