2 Nephi 26-30

Why would a book claiming to be scripture want to be associated with having a “familiar spirit”???? Is Jesus Christ – Eternal God???? How reliable is the Bible? Why was the word “white” changed to “pure” in referencing the righteous Lamanites???? We will answer these questions and more in this lesson.

Familiar Spirits?

Is the Bible Reliable?

White and Delightsome?

Highlighted text – Verses that are similar or exactly the same in the Bible.

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Having explained the basic message of Isaiah to his people, in 2 Nephi Chapter 25, Nephi now continues, prophesying about the ministry of the Savior to the people in the Western Hemisphere, after He has been crucified by the Jews. 

2 Nephi 26:1 “And after Christ shall have risen from the dead he shall show himself unto you, my children, and my beloved brethren; and the words which he shall speak unto you shall be the law which ye shall do.”  Jesus is coming to America!  The words “risen from the dead” is in Matthew 28:7.

2 Nephi 26:2 “For behold, I say unto you that I have beheld that many generations shall pass away, and there shall be great wars and contentions among my people.”  Nephi saw in a vision those conflicts that are recorded in Alma and Helaman

2 Nephi 26:3 Nephi forecasts that “there shall be signs” same in Luke 21:25, that will be given to the Nephites of the Messiah’s birth (see Helaman 14:3-6), and his death and resurrection (see Helaman 14:20-28).  And great and terrible shall that day be unto the wicked, for they shall perish.” The phrase “the blood of the saints” is also in Revelation 17:6.

2 Nephi 26:4 Nephi describes the catastrophic destruction that will happen to the wicked at the coming of Christ to the Nephites.  This verse is similar, to Malachi 4:1.  I need to point out, that Malachi’s words are borrowed and quoted many years before they were even written by Malachi.  And, no earlier prophets in the Bible are credited with these words from Malachi 4:1. Just another anachronistic example. 

2 Nephi 26:5 “the depths of the earth shall swallow them up, saith the Lord of Hosts; and mountains shall cover them, and whirlwinds shall carry them away, and buildings shall fall upon them and crush them to pieces and grind them to powder.”  Yikes! The words “grind them to powder” is also in Matthew 21:44. The phrases “shall swallow them up” is in Psalm 21:9, and “shall carry them away” is in Isaiah 41:16.

2 Nephi 26:6 They will be burned (see 3 Nephi 9:9) “for the fire of the anger of the Lord shall be kindled against them, and they shall be as stubble.”  The phrases “thunderings, and lightenings” is in Revelation 8:5, and “the anger of the Lord” is in Jeremiah 23:20 and, “and kindled against them” is in Numbers 12:9 and, “consume them, saith the Lord” is in Jeremiah 8:13. 

2 Nephi 26:7 This vision terrified Nephi and he anguished over the loss of his people. But he says of God, “Thy ways are just.” 

Next, Nephi speaks of the righteous people who will not be destroyed at His coming.

2 Nephi 26:8 Those who listen to the prophets, look forward to Christ’s coming, and endure persecution, “they are they which shall not perish.”

2 Nephi 26:9 Nephi goes on prophesying, “But the Son of righteousness shall appear unto them; and he shall heal them; and they shall have peace with him, until three generations shall have passed away, and many of the fourth generation shall have passed away in righteousness.”  There will be 200 years of peace among the Nephites, after the Savior’s visit to them (see 4 Nephi 1:1-22). The Phrase “the Son of Righteousness shall appear unto them; and he shall heal them” is similar, to Malachi 4:2. 

2 Nephi 26:10 Nephi describes after that – his people will become ripe for destruction again and everything goes to hell in a handbasket.  The phrase “darkness rather than light” is also in John 3:19.

2 Nephi 26:11 “For the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man.  And when the Spirit ceaseth to strive with man then cometh speedy destruction, and this grieveth my soul.” The phrase “Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man” is similar, to Genesis 6:3.

Taken from 2 Nephi 12-13, Moroni wrote on the Title page the major reason or purpose for the Book of Mormon.  

2 Nephi 26:12 “And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews, that Jesus is the very Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.”  The phrases “is the very Christ” is also in John 7:26, and “that Jesus is the Christ” is also in John 20:31.  As we pointed out in the Introduction to the Book of Mormon – Part 1 regarding the Title page, it says“to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.”  Here in 2 Nephi 26:12 it reaffirms the teaching – that Jesus Christ is THE Eternal God

Now Nephi speaks of the crucial role of the Holy Ghost.  2 Nephi 26:13 “And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith.” 

^ The phrases “the power of the Holy Ghost” is also in Romans 15:13, and “every nation, kindred, tongue, and people” is similar, to Revelation 14:6, and “mighty miracles, signs, and wonders” is similar, to Romans 15:19. 

 

2 Nephi 26:14 “But behold, I prophesy unto you concerning the last days; concerning the days when the Lord God shall bring these things forth unto the children of men.”   He is talking about the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon in the last days.  

2 Nephi 26:15 The phrase “camped against them round about, and shall have laid siege against them with a mount, and raised forts against them” is similar, to Isaiah 29:3.

2 Nephi 26:16 “For those who shall be destroyed” those Book of Mormon peoples “shall speak unto them” people in the last days “out of the ground” from the Hill Cumorah, “and their speech shall be low out of the dust, and their voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit; for the Lord God will give unto him power, that he may whisper concerning them, even as it were out of the ground; and their speech shall whisper out of the dust.”  Nephi is evidently quoting Isaiah 29:4. Nephi is saying that this record – the Book of Mormon that has a “familiar spirit” – would speak with a “familiar voice” – to those who already have the Bible. 

This is a creative interpretation of that verse – however, Isaiah isn’t talking about a literal book, much less one that would come forth in the future.  By reading the entire chapter of Isaiah 29, it obvious that God is speaking of the spiritual blindness of the people – resulting in the destruction of Jerusalem.  And being brought down to the ground, as if buried – Jerusalem would whisper.  Isaiah 29:1-4, is a pronouncement of a horrific judgment against “Ariel” meaning Jerusalem – in an, attempt to get the nation of Judah to repent and return to God.  This judgment was fulfilled in 700 B.C.  Jerusalem had been humbled – such that their speech was “out of the ground” or “low out of the dust.”

The words “familiar spirit” is not a reference to the Book of Mormon being another witness of Jesus Christ.  There are at least 15 Old Testament references to “familiar spirits” and all of them deal with witchcraft or necromancy (see Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27; 1 Samuel 28:3-9; 2 Kings 21:6; 23:24; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14; Isaiah 8:19; 19:3; 29:4).  Therefore, when the Book of Mormon claims it has a familiar spirit, it is inadvertently claiming a relationship with the demonic.  Familiar spirits are clearly rooted in occultism, and that’s why God condemns anything related to familiar spirits (see Deuteronomy 18:9-12).  If the Book of Mormon is supposed to be the word of God, why would God associate it with demonic forces?  (See Episode 20 Prediction of the BOM Pt 1)

Then speaking of the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 26:17 “For thus saith the Lord God: They shall write the things which shall be done among them, and they shall be written and sealed up in a book, and those who have dwindled in unbelief shall not have them, for they seek to destroy the things of God.”  This verse is almost identical to Isaiah 29:4

2 Nephi 26:18 is similar, to Isaiah 29:5.

2 Nephi 26:20 The phrase “and grind upon the face of the poor” is similar, to Isaiah 3:15.

Nephi talks about the building up of many churches over time that cause envying’s and strife towards each other.  The words “envyings, and strife” is similar, to 2 Corinthians 12:20.

2 Nephi 26:22 “And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.”  The words “he bindeth them” is in Job 36:13. Nephi is warning about Satan’s methods for bringing people into bondage. 

2 Nephi 26:23 “For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness.”

2 Nephi 26:24 “He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him.  Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.” The words “may draw all men unto him” is similar, to John 12:32. 

^ 2 Nephi 26:25 The phrases “saying: Depart from me” is the same in Luke 5:8, and “Come unto me all ye” is the same in Matthew 11:28, and “by milk and honey, without money and without price” is similar, to Isaiah 55:1. 

^ 2 Nephi 26:26 The words “out of the synagogues” is also in John 16:2. 

Now speaking of God – Nephi teaches us that salvation is free to everyone, 2 Nephi 26:27 “Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation?  Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.”  Sounds like he is talking about being saved by grace alone.

Next, Nephi defines “priestcraft” which will be talked about throughout the Book of Mormon. 

2 Nephi 26:29 “He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.” The phrase “a light unto the world” is in John 12:46. 

2 Nephi 26:32 The phrase “should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain” is similar, to Exodus 20:7.

2 Nephi 26:33 The phrase “bond and free, male and female” is similar, to Galatians 3:28. 

Okay, Nephi is now returning to the writings of Isaiah.  2 Nephi 27 is compared to Isaiah 29.  Isaiah begins by prophesying about the wickedness of the world in the last days.

2 Nephi 27:1 All nations “even upon all the lands of the earth, behold, they will be drunken with iniquity and all manner of abominations.”  The phrase “of the Gentiles and also the Jews” is similar, to Acts 14:5.

Nephi says, that once the gospel is restored in the last day, none will be able to stop its progress.  Then, he begins a detailed prophesy about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

2 Nephi 27:6 “And it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall bring forth unto you the words of a book, and they shall be the words of them which have slumbered.” Meaning people who are deceased. 

2 Nephi 27:7 “And behold the book shall be sealed; and in the book shall be a revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof.” This is talking about the sealed portion of the plates. 

2 Nephi 27:8 “Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and abominations of the people.  Wherefore the book shall be kept from them.”  Meaning – The sealed portion of the gold plates won’t be translated by Joseph Smith while wickedness and abominations exist – so it will probably not be until the millennium before we get the rest of the Book of Mormon. 

2 Nephi 27:9 “But the book” the gold plates “shall be delivered unto a man,” Joseph Smith “and he shall deliver” or translate “ the words of the book, which are the words of those who have slumbered in the dust,” the Book of Mormon prophets “and he shall deliver these words unto another.”  This refers to when Martin Harris gave a copy of the characters – taken from the plates – to Professor Charles Anton.  (See Joseph Smith History 1:63-65).

2 Nephi 27:10 “But the words which are sealed he shall not deliver, neither shall he deliver the book.  For the book shall be sealed by the power of God, and the revelation which was sealed shall be kept in the book until the own due time of the Lord, that they may come forth; for behold, they reveal all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof.” That is a hint as to what is in the sealed portion, (see Ether 4:4-7)The words “which was sealed” is also in Jeremiah 32:11, and “from the foundation of the world” is in Matthew 13:35.

Now Nephi tells us about the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.

2 Nephi 27:12 “Wherefore, at that day when the book shall be delivered” by the Angel Moroni “unto the man of whom I have spoken,” Joseph Smith “the book shall be hid from the eyes of the world, that the eyes of none shall behold it” the gold plates “save it be that three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of God, besides him” Joseph Smith “to whom the book shall be delivered; and they shall testify to the truth of the book and the things therein.” If you read Doctrine and Covenants 17:3-6, the Lord gave instructions through Joseph Smith to Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer as to what they should say in their testimony.   

2 Nephi 27:13 “And there is none other which shall view it,” the gold plates “save it be a few” the Three and the Eight Witnesses “according to the will of God, to bear testimony of his word unto the children of men; for the Lord God hath said that the words of the faithful” Book of Mormon prophets “should speak as if it were from the dead.”  The phrase “according to the will of God” is also in 1 Peter 4:19.

2 Nephi 27:14 “Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to bring forth the words of the book;  and in the mouth of as many witnesses” LDS missionaries and members “as seemeth him good will he establish his word; and wo be unto him that rejecteth the word of God!”  Sounds like trouble for those who don’t believe in it. The phrase “establish his word” is also in 1 Samuel 1:23.

2 Nephi 27:15 “But behold, it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall say unto him” Joseph Smith “to whom he shall deliver the book: Take these words which are not sealed and deliver them to another,” Martin Harris “that he may show them unto the learned,” Professor Charles Anthon and Dr. Mitchell (see Joseph History 1:64-65) “saying: Read this, I pray thee.  And the learned” Charles Anthon “shall say: Bring hither the book, and I will read them.”    

Here Isaiah gives details as to the motives of Mitchell and Anthon.

2 Nephi 27:16 “And now, because of the glory of the world and to get gain will they say this, and not for the glory of God.”

2 Nephi 27:17 “And the man” Martin Harris “shall say: I cannot bring the book, for it is sealed.”

2 Nephi 27:18 Speaking of Charles Anthon “Then shall the learned say: I cannot read it.”

2 Nephi 27:19 “Wherefore it shall come to pass, that the Lord God will deliver again the book and the words thereof to him” Joseph Smith “that is not learned; and the man that is not learned shall say: I am not learned.” 

2 Nephi 27:20 “Then shall the Lord God say unto him:” Joseph Smith “The learned shall not read them,” translate them “for they have rejected them, and I am able to do mine own work; wherefore thou shalt read”  translate “the words which I shall give unto thee.” 

All of this is purported to be a fulfillment of a prophesy from Isaiah 29:11-12.  But the fact is – these verses are taken completely out of context and meant something entirely different.  In reading Isaiah 29:1-10, we see that Isaiah is referring to a vision – not a book – that was treated like a sealed scroll.  The vision God gave the prophets that day – had become meaningless to the people as the words of a book that was sealed.  Isaiah was referring to the condition of the people at that time and not of some future era – The Lord saying to those people in Verse 13“this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me.”  All of this is different from the claim that a prophecy was fulfilled by Martin Harris, Charles Anthon, and Joseph Smith. 

Joseph will start out translating with the help of the Urim and Thummin – and then resort to the means of looking at the peep stone in a hat.

The Lord warns Smith not to touch the sealed portion of the plates.  When Joseph is finished with the translation of the gold plates, they will be given back to the Lord until it’s time to translate the sealed portion.  There is an account from Brigham Young in the Journal of Discourses, Vol. 19, page 38 of this incident.  Young relates that Joseph and Oliver Cowdrey took the plates back to the Hill Cumorah where the hill opened, up for them and they entered a large room filled with other plates and records.  “Oliver says that when Joseph and Oliver went there, the hill opened, and they walked into a cave, in which there was a large and spacious room.  He says he did not think, at the time, whether they had the light of the sun or artificial light; but that it was just as light as day.  They laid the plates on a table; it was a large table that stood in the room.  Under this table there was a pile of plates as much as two feet high, and there were altogether in this room more plates than probably many wagon loads; they were piled up in the corners and along the walls.  The first time they went there the sword of Laban hung upon the wall; but when they went again it had been taken down and laid upon the table across the gold plates; it was unsheathed, and on it was written these words: ‘This sword will never be sheathed again until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our God and his Christ.’  I tell you this as coming not only from Oliver Cowdery, but others who were familiar with it, and who understood it just as well as we understand coming to this meeting, enjoying the day, and by and by  we separate to go away, forgetting most of what is said, but remembering some things.”  I could imagine this experience happening in a dream – but to actually have a large room in a cave in the Hill Cumorah with all these artifacts and a table is difficult to believe.  Was it a supper-natural experience?  Or, was it a reality?  That cave should still be there.  So why hasn’t there been any excavation in the hill to find it?  Just asking!  Besides that – How did that long sentence of words fit on the sword of Laban?  Again, just asking!

Remember when Joseph Smith questioned which church he should join, during his first vision – Jesus supposedly quoted from Isaiah 29:13 which is here in 2 Nephi 27:25 “Forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men.”  The phrase “this people draw near unto me with their mouth” is similar, to Matthew 15:8.

2 Nephi 27:26 “Therefore, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, yea, a marvelous work and a wonder, for the wisdom of their wise and learned shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid.”  To the Latter-day Saints, this “marvelous work and a wonder” is referencing the Restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith.  However, when read in context of the entire chapter – it refers to God’s work of vengeance on the ungodly – not His blessing of the righteous.  It will be a “wonder” because the wisdom of the wise will, perish.  God’s wonderful and marvelous works are not always positive in nature.  Moses called God’s plagues in Deuteronomy 28:59 “wonderful” and “great.”  And those didn’t turn out so well for them.  No biblical experts or scholars see Isaiah’s warning as a prediction of a future book. 

2 Nephi 27:29 “And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.” Referring to spiritual darkness.

Now, Nephi is going to tell us how the Book of Mormon will be received by Christians everywhere.  But first, he reminds us about how God views non-Mormon Christians.

2 Nephi 28:3 “For it shall come to pass in that day” the last days “that the churches which are built up, and not unto the Lord, when the one shall say unto the other: Behold I, I am the Lord’s; and others shall say: I, I am the Lord’s; and thus shall every one say that hath built up churches, and not unto the Lord.” 

2 Nephi 28:4 “And they shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance.” 

2 Nephi 28:5-6 This is a time when churches will teach – there is no need for more scripture, continuing revelation, prophets and apostles, and no such things as miracles today.  They all ceased with the Bible.

2 Nephi 28:7-11 There will be those who believe in God – who think they can commit sin without God punishing them for it.  These false doctrines have caused those people to become corrupt. The phrase “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us” is similar, to Luke 12:9 and Isaiah 22:13.  The phrase “they have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupt” is similar, to Romans 3:12.

 The phrases “dig a pit for thy neighbor” is similar, to Job 6:27, and “beat us with a few stripes” is similar, to Luke 12:48, and “vain and foolish” is the same in Lamentations 2:14, and “blood…cry from the ground” is similar, to Genesis 4:10, and “all gone out of the way” is also in Romans 3:12.

2 Nephi 28:12 “Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted” 

2 Nephi 28:13 “They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they robe the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and poor in heart”

2 Nephi 28:14-15 They are full of pride, wickedness, abominations, and whoredoms.  And, all these people “shall be thrust down to hell!” as in Luke 10:15.  The phrases “taught by the precepts of men” is similar, to Isaiah 29:13, and “pervert the right way of the Lord” is similar, to Acts 13:10.

2 Nephi 28:16 The words “a thing of naught” is in Jeremiah 14:14, and “are fully ripe” is in Revelation 14:18.

2 Nephi 28:18 “But behold, that great and abominable church, the whore of all the earth, must tumble to the earth, and great must be the fall thereof.” This is speaking of the kingdom of the devil.  The phrase “and great must be the fall thereof” is similar, to Matthew 7:27.

2 Nephi 28:19 The words “everlasting chains” is also in Jude 1:6.

2 Nephi 28:20 He warns of the methods the devil uses to stir people up to anger against that which is good. 

2 Nephi 28:21 “And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well – and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.”  The words “All is well” is in 2 Kings 5:22.

2 Nephi 28:22-23 The devil will convince people there is no hell and that he isn’t the devil.  And once the devil has control of these people – they will be judged by their works and sent to the lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment. The words “he saith unto them: I am” is similar, to John 18:5, and “before the throne of God” is also in Revelation 7:15.  

The Book of Mormon in several places teaches that there are only two options for man’s future: heaven or hell (2 Nephi 28:22; 1 Nephi 15:35; Mosiah 16:11, 27-31; Alma 41:4-8; Alma 42:16) yet the Doctrine and Covenants promises some level of heaven to practically everyone, (see D&C 76:43, 70-1120.  

^ The phrases “before the throne of God, and” is the same in Revelation 7:15, and “judged according to their works” is similar, to Revelation 20:13, and “lake of fire and brimstone” is also in Revelation 20:10.

In 2 Nephi 28:24-28 Nephi summarizes what he has just taught in the previous verses.

2 Nephi 28:24 The phrase “wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion” is similar, to Amos 6:1.

2 Nephi 28:28 The words “built his house upon a rock” is similar, to Matthew 7:26, and “built upon a sandy foundation” is similar, to Matthew 7:26.

Next, Nephi says there will be many who will oppose the doctrine of continuing revelation through modern prophets. 

2 Nephi 28:29 “Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!”  The words “have received the word of God” is similar, to Acts 8:14.

Next, Nephi talks about how continuing revelation is received both personally and corporately. 

2 Nephi 28:30 “For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my  precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.” Similar, to Isaiah 28:10, 13.  The words “shall be taken away even that which they have” is similar, to Matthew 25:29. 

2 Nephi 28:31 “Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.”  Similar, to Jeremiah 17:5. 

^ 2 Nephi 28:32 The phrases “saith the Lord God of hosts!” is the same in Jeremiah 50:31, and “I shall lengthen” is the same in 1 Kings 3:14, and “I will be merciful” is the same in Hebrews 8:12.

Nephi now prophecies that there will be much opposition to the Book of Mormon because Satan will put into the minds of people – that revelation came to an end with the Bible. 

2 Nephi 29:1-2 God tells Nephi that in the last days when He restores the gospel, including the bringing forth the Book of Mormon that “my words shall hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, for a standard unto my people, which are of the house of Israel.”  The phrase “hand again the second time to recover my people” is similar, to Isaiah 11:11.

2 Nephi 29:3 “And because my words shall hiss forth – many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible.”  The words “shall hiss forth” is similar, to Isaiah 7:18.  The English word “Bible” from the Greek term “biblia” appears several times in the Book of Mormon even though the word had yet to be created centuries later.  Even the Bible doesn’t have the word “Bible” in it.  Why does the word “Bible” appear in the Book of Mormon when there was no equivalent word in any language from which to translate it?  This shows that the Book of Mormon to be of recent origin. 

2 Nephi 29:4 “But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people.  And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them?  Yea, what do the Gentiles mean?  Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?”

2 Nephi 29:6 Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible.  Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?”

It must insert here – that the Bible is fully reliable and complete.  There is overwhelming evidence of Biblical preservation.  There are over 24,000 partial and complete New Testament manuscripts, including 5,600 original Greek manuscripts.  Some dated within 100 years of the original writings and all agree with 99.5% accuracy. 

The Lord now reminds us that there are many more records yet to come forth.

2 Nephi 29:7 “Know ye not that there are more nations that one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?”

2 Nephi 29:8 “Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.”  The words “that the testimony of two” is the same in John 8:17.

Then the Lord states that there will be no end to continuous revelation.

2 Nephi 29:9 The phrase “the same yesterday, today, and forever” is similar, to Hebrews 13:8.

2 Nephi 29:10 “Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.”  

2 Nephi 29:11 “For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.” The phrase “out of the books which shall be written, I will judge the world, every man according to their works” is similar, to Revelation 20:12.

2 Nephi 29:12 “For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and it shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.”  Everyone is writing scriptures – so, where are they?  Why don’t we know about them? The words “all nations of the earth” is also in Deuteronomy 28:1.

2 Nephi 29:13 In the end, everyone will have the Book of Mormon, and everyone will have the Bible, and everyone will have the words of the lost tribes of Israel.  And, that my friends – will be SOME “triple combination”!     

We continue now with Nephi’s prophecy and teachings. 

^ 2 Nephi 30:1 The words “would not suffer that” is in Mark 11:16, and “except ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall all likewise perish” is similar, to Luke 13:3.

2 Nephi 30:3 And now, I would prophesy somewhat more concerning the Jews and Gentiles.  For after the book of which I have spoken shall come forth, and be written unto the Gentiles, and sealed up again unto the Lord, there shall be many which shall believe the words which are written; and they shall carry them forth unto the remnant of our seed.”  The Book of Mormon will be taken out to the Gentiles by missionaries from the Mormon Church.  Many will be converted, and they will take the Book of Mormon to the Lamanites.  The words “and sealed up” is also in Deuteronomy 32:34, and “shall carry them forth” is also in Leviticus 14:45.

2 Nephi 30:5 The phrase “the gospel of Jesus Christ” is also in Mark 1:1. To use the name “Jesus Christ” is anachronistic. 

2 Nephi 30:6 “And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a pure and a delightsome people.”  The phrases “their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from the eyes” is similar, to Acts 9:18, and “generations shall not pass away” is similar, to Luke 21:32.

This is speaking not so much of north American Indians who for the most part, are not interested in the message of the Book of Mormon.  But from a Latter-day Saint perspective – it is referring to those people who would be considered “Lamanites” in Mexico, Central America, and South America.  Notice in 2 Nephi 30:6 that the LDS Church changed the word “white” to “pure” to soften the obvious racism of this prophecy.  The message is that – belief in these books will whiten the skin of the Lamanites and, also make the Jews a delightsome people.  The whole idea of the Lamanites becoming white skinned is firmly established Book of Mormon doctrine.  The word “white” in this verse was changed to “pure” in the 1981 edition.  It may have been changed to appear more politically correct towards Native Americans, following the declaration regarding the “Blacks and the Priesthood” which had taken place just three years earlier in 1978. 

3 Nephi 30:6 seems to go hand in hand with other Book of Mormon verses like 2 Nephi 12:23; 2 Nephi 5:21; Alma 3:6 and 3 Nephi 2:15. Considering all these verses remain unchanged in the Book of Mormon and – that they confirm the “white and delightsome” aspect regarding Lamanites correctly – and specifically refers to skin color – what was the point in altering a single verse here in 2 Nephi 30:6 to read “pure”?  “White” is established in the Book of Mormon as a prerequisite color that can be attained through righteousness alone.   The Book of Mormon is incorrect.  Dark skin is not now and never was a curse from God. 

However, modern Church leaders perpetuated the teaching:  Brigham Young said in Journal of Discourses Vol. 7 pg. 336, 1859 “…the aborigines of this country are dark, loathsome, ignorant, and sunken into the depths of degradation…they will become a white and delightsome people.”  Again, in Journal of Discourses Vol. 10 pg. 359, 1864, Brigham taught “…their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes, and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a white and delightsome people.”  Then, in a General Conference Report, October 1960, Spencer W. Kimball said “The day of the Lamanites is nigh.  For years they have been growing delightsome, and they are now becoming white and delightsome, as they were promised.  In this picture of the twenty Lamanite missionaries, fifteen of the twenty were as light as Anglos, five were darker but equally delightsome.  The children in the home placement program in Utah are often lighter than their brothers and sisters in the hogans on the reservation.”  

2 Nephi 30:9 is similar, to Isaiah 11:4.

Next, the chapter speaks about the last days.  And, as the Second Coming gets closer, there will be a division between those who stay loyal to the Mormon gospel of Christ and those who do not.  There will be a great division between the righteous and the wicked – which will usher in the Millennium.   

2 Nephi 30:10 The phrases “division among the people” is also in John 7:43, and “the wicked will he destroy” is also in Psalm 145:20. 

2 Nephi 30:11-15 is exactly the, same as Isaiah 11:5-9.

2 Nephi 30:17 The phrases “There is nothing which is secret save it shall be revealed” is similar, to Matthew 10:26, and “shall be made manifest” is also in 1 Corinthians 3:13, and “which is sealed” is also in Jeremiah 32:14.

And this concludes our study for today.  Please subscribe, so you won’t miss any of our future episodes.  You can catch us on YouTube, iTunes podcast, Spotify podcast, and Google podcast.  Or, you can go to our website at Talking to Mormons.com where you can download this script and learn much more.

Thank you! and God Bless!

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