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Book of Mormon Commentary
2 Nephi Chapter 5
2 Ne 5:37 Wherefore, he will manifest himself unto them in power and great glory, unto the destruction
of their enemies, when that day cometh when they shall believe in him;
5:37 The time and condition involved are very important, but not easily fixed. Zion first must be in
operation and threatened by enemies of destructive power. Since Jacob was shown that Israel
"should return again" (23) after they had been "driven to and fro" (28), it must refer to the Zion in
Palestine.
This conjecture is further confirmed by Jacob's prophecy, "the Lord will be merciful unto them,
that when they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer, they shall be gathered together
again to the lands of their inheritance" (29). They must have been there before and then left. This
cannot happen until they accept their Redeemer and "believe in him." The Free State of Israel
seems far from that condition now, but important changes in nations and philosophy have occurred
with unparalleled rapidity in recent years.
2 Ne 5:43 For thus saith the Lord: I will contend with them that contendeth with thee, and I will feed
them that oppress thee, with their own flesh;
2 Ne 5:44 And they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine;
5:43, 44 This indicates internal wars as well as oppression .by their enemies. A revelation given
A.D. 1831 says, "The hour is not yet, but is nigh at "hand-when peace shall be taken from the
earth, and the Devil shall have power over his own dominion" (D. and C. 1:6b).
Paul once wrote, "The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say,
Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them" (I Thess. 5:2, 3). Because of the
present turmoil upon the earth, and the calamities which these prophecies reveal, men should
seriously and vigorously seek God in righteousness.
APPEAL TO THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, VER. 52-81
2 Ne 5:55 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a
word in season unto thee, O house of Israel.
5:55 Some commentators speak of four parts of Isaiah as "servant poems" (Isa. 42:1-4; 49:1-6;
50:4-8; and 52:13-53:12), because the nation is depicted as the servant of the Lord and its mission
the world. This part of Jacob's exhortation, to the end of Chapter 5, he read from Isaiah 50:2 to
52:2 inclusive. The Lord appeals directly: "0 house of Israel, is my hand shortened at all that I can
not redeem, or have I no power to deliver?" (52). Then he reminds them of his mighty acts in
delivering them from Egypt. He pleads with them: "Let us stand together" (63). "Hearken unto me,
ye that follow after righteousness: Look unto the rock from which ye are hewn, and to the hole of
the pit from whence ye are digged”, (70). This was a reminder of their heritage from Abraham and
Sarah (71).
2 Ne 5:75 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation:
2 Ne 5:76 For a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light for the
people.