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

Book of Mormon Commentary
2 Nephi Chapter 6
Latter-day revelation reads, "No man has seen God at any time in the flesh, except quickened by
the Spirit of God; neither can any natural man abide the presence of God" (D. and c. 67:3; 83:3c).
Paul spoke of God "whom no man hath seen, nor can see, unto whom no man can approach, only
he who hath the light and the hope of immortality dwelling in him" (1 Tim. 6:16). Righteous men
have seen and will see God. This is in harmony with Jesus' statement in the Beatitudes, "And
blessed are all the pure in heart; for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:10). On the other hand, the
wicked shall face him only in judgment and momentarily, to their sorrow (Rev. 6:15, 16). "But
where God and Christ dwell they can not come, worlds without end" (D. and C.76:7v).
2 Ne 6:78 I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them
not, for they love the truth, and are not shaken.
6:78 Jacob changed his sermon at this point and made a personal appeal: "0 my beloved brethren"
(73, 75). He assured them that he had "spoken the words of your Maker" (77). "0 then, my beloved
brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One" (79). Doubtless he was using the term "brethren" in a
religious sense and included all of his listeners.
"Uncleanness" involves not only the filth of the flesh, but the words of our lips, and the thoughts
of our minds. Jacob had just reminded his audience that "to be carnally minded, is death" (74). But
to be "spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom. 8:6).
2 Ne 6:81 Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper
of the gate is the Holy One of Israel: and he employeth no servant there:
6:81 Jacob was speaking of the "paths" of "righteousness" (80). Matthew recorded Jesus as saying,
"Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life" (Matt. 7:23). The spelling should
be noted for precise meaning. "Strait" means a narrow or limited passageway. Thus the gate must
be entered cautiously, but the way or course before the righteous is in a direct course, not crooked.
Isaiah rebuked the wicked, for "they have made them crooked paths; whosoever goeth therein
shall not know peace" (Isa. 59:8).
Jacob then cited the Lord's promise that "Whoso knocketh, to him, will he open" (83). But he
added a provision that they be not "puffed up because of their learning, ...and their riches."
2 Ne 6:86 O, my beloved brethren, remember my words: Behold, I take off my garments and I shake
them before you:
6:86 This dramatic gesture was to impress his listeners. Pilate took a bowl of water and. washed
his hands when the Jews refused his suggestion to release Jesus. Suiting word to action, he
declared, "I am innocent of the blood of this just person" (Matt. 27:26). The early disciples shook
the dust from their sandals as a witness against that house or village which rejected them and their
message (Matt. 10:12, D. and C. 23:6b). Again Jacob made a direct appeal to his brethren, "Come
unto that God who is the rock of your salvation" (90). "Prepare your souls for that glorious day
...of judgment" (91).
2 Ne 6:93 But I know my guilt; I transgressed thy law, and my transgressions are mine; and the devil
hath obtained me, that I am a prey to his awful misery.