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Book of Mormon Commentary
2 Nephi Chapter 6
JACOB SPEAKS ON RESURRECTION, ATONEMENT, AND JUDGMENT, VER. 1-47
2 Ne 6:2 That he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning
down, from generation to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the true church
and fold of God;
6:2 "Jews" here refers to the house of Israel. The terms are often used interchangeably. After the
ten tribes were taken as captives into Assyria in 721 B.C., Judah remained in the land of Jerusalem
for 130 years. The ten tribes lost their identity as a nation, while the Jews continued on as a people
for another 650 years.
The statement that the prophets have spoken and shall continue to speak until the time they are
restored to the true fold of God might be misunderstood. The prophets of the Old and New
Testaments did speak to Israel for God. After, the destruction of Jerusalem under the Romans in
A.D. 70, there was no nation, nor any recognized prophets to speak. However, the Jews have
retained their identity as a people, even while they were scattered abroad; and many have
maintained their faith in the Old Testament prophets. For them God's prophets continue to speak.
Much of the prophetic message in God's word is timeless. When the Jews have been gathered
again to their homeland, and they have accepted the Christ as the Messiah, they will be restored to
the true fold of God.
2 Ne 6:7 Nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God.
6:7 Then Jacob began a discussion of the blessings "upon your children" (4). First these bodies
"must waste away and die" (6). Paul illustrates this change by comparing our bodies to wheat.
"That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die; ...thou sowest not that body which shall
be, but grain, it may be of wheat, or some other; but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him,
and to every seed his own body" (1 Cor. 15:36-38).
Perhaps Job was the first to discuss the resurrection of the body. He declared, "I know that my
Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin
worms destroy this body; yet in my flesh shall I see God"
(Job 19:25,26). Latter-day revelation tells us, "The spirit and the body is the soul of man. And the
resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul; ...therefore, it must needs be sanctified
from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory; ...even with the presence
of God the Father" (D. and C. 85:4a-c).
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Blessed are all the pure in heart; for they shall see God"
(Matt. 5:10).
2 Ne 6:8 Yea, I know that ye know, that in the body he shall shew himself unto those at Jerusalem, from
whence we came;
6:8 Unless Jesus had broken the bands of death, all of us would “have laid down to rot and to
crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more" (18). Jacob then affirms that Satan would have won
the victory and "our spirits must become subject to" him (20).