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Book of Mormon Commentary
2 Nephi Chapter 5
5:75, 76 Here was an important pronouncement to the house of Israel. A new law is to be given to
them. They were then under Levitical legislation and priesthood, but a change was coming.
If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,)
what further need was there that an- other priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek and not
be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a
change also of the law. ...For the law was administered without an oath and made nothing perfect,
but was only the bringing in of a better hope; by the which we draw nigh unto God.- Heb. 7:11,
12, 19.
Luke records this statement by Jesus: "The law and the prophets testify of me; yea, and all the
prophets who have written, even until John, have foretold of these days. Since that time, the
kingdom of God is preached, and every man who seeketh truth presseth into it" (Luke 16:17, 18).
GOD'S CONCERN FOR HIS PEOPLE, VER. 82-114
2 Ne 5:90 Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and
everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads;
5:90 God knew that Israel would pass through much sorrow, so he put the Zionic hope before
them. "Sorrow and mourning shall flee away" (91). "The captive exile hasteneth, that he may be
loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail" (97) .
We have lived to see this prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled. In spite of the six million Jews who were
starved and otherwise exterminated by the Nazis in World War II, and the millions elsewhere,
enough of them have escaped their captivity to establish a thriving and highly respected nation in
their "homeland" of Palestine.
2 Ne 5:104 These two sons are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee: thy desolation and
destruction, and the famine and the sword:
5:104 "Sons" in some versions are translated "things" in italics, showing uncertainty. In verse 106
we read, "Your sons have fainted, save these two: they lie at the head of the streets, as a wild bull
in a net." "Save these two" is in the Inspired Version but is omitted in most other versions.
Some have thought this refers to the two witnesses of Revelation 11:3-13, whose bodies were to
"lie in the street of the great city ...three days and a half." It seems more likely that a contrast of
the two forces, desolation versus famine, was intended.
2 Ne 5:113 For henceforth there shall no more come into thee, the uncircumcised and the unclean.
5: 113 As this chapter closes, the Lord is comforting his people with promises of a better life.
"Awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, thy holy city"
(112). God assures his people that the Gentiles shall vex them no more.