"O How Great the Goodness of Our God"
2 NEPHI 6-10
To help class members understand their need for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and to teach them how to receive all the blessings of the Atonement.
2 NEPHI 6: Jacob recounts Jewish history: Their Babylonian captivity and return; the ministry and crucifixion of the Holy One of Israel; the help received from the gentiles; and their latter-day restoration when they believe in the Messiah. Between 559 and 545 B.C.
2 NEPHI 7: Isaiah speaks Messianically—Messiah shall have the tongue of the learned—He shall give his back to the smiters—He shall not be confounded—Compare Isaiah 50. Between 559 and 545 B.C.
2 NEPHI 8: In the last days, the Lord shall comfort Zion and gather Israel—The redeemed shall come to Zion amid great joy—Compare Isaiah 51 and 52:1-2. Between 559 and 545 B.C.
2 NEPHI 9: Jews shall be gathered in all their lands of promise—Atonement ransoms man from the fall—The bodies of the dead shall come forth from the grave, and their spirits from hell and from paradise—They shall be judged—Atonement saves from death, hell, the devil, and endless torment—The righteous to be saved in the kingdom of God—Penalties for sins set forth—The Holy One of Israel is the keeper of the gate. Between 559 and 545 B.C.
2 NEPHI 10: Jews shall crucify their God—They shall be scattered until they begin to believe in him—America shall be a land of liberty where no king shall rule—Be reconciled to God and gain salvation through his grace. Between 559 and 545 B.C.
1. THROUGH HIS ATONEMENT, JESUS CHRIST OFFERS REDEMPTION FROM TEMPORAL DEATH AND SPIRITUAL DEATH
2 Nephi 9 contains a discourse by Jacob, one of Nephi's younger brothers, about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which is the central event in the plan of salvation. To understand the teachings in this chapter, it is helpful to know how Jacob referred to temporal death and spiritual death:
1. Temporal death is the death of the physical body and the separation of the spirit from the physical body. As a result of the Fall of Adam, all people will die temporally (2 NEPHI 9:6). In 2 Nephi 9, Jacob uses the following words and phrases to refer to temporal death: "death" (2 NEPHI 9:6), "the death of the body" (2 NEPHI 9:10), and "the grave" (2 NEPHI 9:11).
2 NEPHI 9:6
6 For as adeath hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful bplan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of cresurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the dfall; and the fall came by reason of etransgression; and because man became fallen they were fcut off from the gpresence of the Lord.
2 NEPHI 9:10
10 O how great the agoodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our bescape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, cdeath and dhell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.
2 NEPHI 9:1111 And because of the way of adeliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this bdeath, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.
2. Spiritual death is separation from the presence of God. We are all separated from God as a result of the Fall of Adam (2 NEPHI 9:6). We further separate ourselves from God when we sin (ROMANS 3:23, ALMA 12:16, HELAMAN 14:18). In 2 Nephi 9, Jacob uses the following words and phrases to refer to spiritual death, or separation from God: "shut out from the presence of our God" (2 NEPHI 9:9), "the death of the spirit" (NEPHI 9:10), "spiritual death" (2 NEPHI 9:12), "hell" (2 NEPHI 9:12), and "death" (2 NEPHI 9:39).
2 NEPHI 9:6 (SEE ABOVE)
ROMANS 3:23
23 For all have asinned, and come short of the glory of God;
ALMA 12:16
16 And now behold, I say unto you then cometh a death, even a second adeath, which is a spiritual death; then is a time that whosoever dieth in his sins, as to a temporal bdeath, shall also cdie a spiritual death; yea, he shall die as to things pertaining unto righteousness.
HELAMAN 14:18
18 Yea, and it bringeth to pass the condition of repentance, that whosoever repenteth the same is not ahewn down and cast into the fire; but whosoever repenteth not is hewn down and cast into the fire; and there cometh upon them again a bspiritual death, yea, a second death, for they are cut off again as to things pertaining to righteousness.
2 NEPHI 9:9
9 And our spirits must have become alike unto him, and we become devils, bangels to a cdevil, to be dshut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of elies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who fbeguiled our first parents, who gtransformeth himself nigh unto an hangel of light, and istirreth up the children of men unto jsecret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness.
2 NEPHI 9:10
10 O how great the agoodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our bescape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, cdeath and dhell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.
2 NEPHI 9:12
12 And this adeath of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is bhell; wherefore, death and hell must cdeliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its dcaptive espirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive fbodies, and the bodies and the gspirits of men will be hrestored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.
2 NEPHI 9:39
39 O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in atransgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that bcunning one. Remember, to be ccarnally-minded is ddeath, and to be espiritually-minded is flife geternal.
What did the Savior do to overcome temporal death and spiritual death? (See 2 NEPHI 9:5-7, 12, 21-22; see also LUKE 22:44; MOSIAH 3:7; D&C 19:16-19.)
2 NEPHI 9: 5-7
6 For as adeath hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful bplan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of cresurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the dfall; and the fall came by reason of etransgression; and because man became fallen they were fcut off from the gpresence of the Lord.
7 Wherefore, it must needs be an ainfinite batonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the cfirst judgment which came upon man must needs have dremained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.
LUKE 22:4444 And being in an aagony he prayed more earnestly: band his sweat was as it were great drops of cblood falling down to the ground.
MOSIAH 3:7
7 And lo, he shall asuffer btemptations, and pain of body, chunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can dsuffer, except it be unto death; for behold, eblood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his fanguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.
DOCTRINE & COVENANTS 19: 16-19
16 For behold, I, God, have asuffered these things for all, that they might not bsuffer if they would crepent;
18 Which asuffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might bnot drink the bitter cup, and shrink—
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and afinished my preparations unto the children of men.
Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected—saved from temporal death (2 NEPHI 9:12-13, 22). What would happen to us without the power of Christ's Resurrection? (2 Nephi 9:6-9. Temporal and spiritual death would be permanent. We would be shut out from God's presence forever, and our spirits would be subject to Satan. We would "remain with the father of lies, in misery.") How does this show that temporal death and spiritual death are an "awful monster"? (2 NEPHI 9:10).
2 NEPHI 9:12-13, 22
12 And this adeath of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is bhell; wherefore, death and hell must cdeliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its dcaptive espirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive fbodies, and the bodies and the gspirits of men will be hrestored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.
13 O how great the aplan of our God! For on the other hand, the bparadise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is crestored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and dimmortal, and they are living souls, having a eperfect fknowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.
22 And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.
2 NEPHI 9:1010 O how great the agoodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our bescape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, cdeath and dhell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.
Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be restored to God's presence to be judged (2 NEPHI 2:10; 9:15). However, not all people will be "saved in the kingdom of God," or permitted to dwell in God's presence forever (2 NEPHI 9:23; MORMON 7:7). According to Jacob, what are some of the things we must do to be "saved in the kingdom of God"? (Have class members read 2 NEPHI 9:18, 21, 23-24, 39, 41, 50-52 to find answers to this question. Summarize their answers on the chalkboard. Discuss the answers as shown below.)
2 NEPHI 2:10
10 And because of the intercession for aall, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be bjudged of him according to the truth and choliness which is in him. Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the dpunishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the eatonement—
2 NEPHI 9:15
15 And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the ajudgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the bjudgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.
2 NEPHI 9:18
18 But, behold, the arighteous, the bsaints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the ccrosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall dinherit the ekingdom of God, which was prepared for them ffrom the foundation of the world, and their gjoy shall be full hforever.
2 NEPHI 9:21
21 And he cometh into the world that he may asave all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the bpains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of cAdam.
2 NEPHI 9:23-24
23 And he commandeth all men that they must arepent, and be bbaptized in his name, having perfect cfaith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.
24 And if they will not repent and believe in his aname, and be baptized in his name, and bendure to the end, they must be cdamned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it.
2 NEPHI 9:3939 O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in atransgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that bcunning one. Remember, to be ccarnally-minded is ddeath, and to be espiritually-minded is flife geternal.
2 NEPHI 9:41
41 O then, my beloved brethren, acome unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the bway for man is cnarrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the dgate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.
2 NEPHI 9:50-52
50 Come, my brethren, every one that athirsteth, come ye to the bwaters; and he that hath no cmoney, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.
51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your alabor for that which cannot bsatisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and cfeast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.
52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give athanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts brejoice.
- A. Believe in Jesus Christ, the Holy One of Israel, and come unto Him (2 NEPHI 9:18, 23-24, 41). Why is faith in Jesus Christ essential in order to receive all the blessings of His Atonement?
- B. Endure the crosses of the world and despise the shame of the world (2 NEPHI 9:18).
What does it mean to endure the crosses of the world? (See MATTHEW 16:24, footnote 24d;3 NEPHI 12:29-30.)
What does it mean to despise the shame of the world? (See 2 NEPHI 9:49.)
MATTHEW 16:24
24 ¶Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him adeny himself, and take up his bcross, and cfollow me.d
3 NEPHI 9:18
18 I am the alight and the life of the world. I am bAlpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
- C. Hearken to the voice of the Lord (2 NEPHI 9:21). How can we hear the voice of the Lord? (See D&C 1:38; 18:33-36; 88:66.)
DOCTRINE & COVENANTS 1:38
38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my aword shall not pass away, but shall all be bfulfilled, whether by mine own cvoice or by the dvoice of my eservants, it is the fsame.
DOCTRINE & COVENANTS 18:33-36
33 And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it.
34 These awords are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man;
35 For it is my avoice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them;
36 Wherefore, you can atestify that you have bheard my voice, and know my words.
DOCTRINE & COVENANTS 88:66
66 Behold, that which you hear is as the avoice of one crying in the wilderness—in the wilderness, because you cannot see him—my voice, because my voice is bSpirit; my Spirit is truth; ctruth abideth and hath no end; and if it be in you it shall abound.
- D. Repent, be baptized, and endure to the end (2 NEPHI 9:23-24).
- E. Be spiritually minded (2 NEPHI 9:39; see also ROMANS 8:5-8). What does it mean to you to be spiritually minded?
How does being spiritually minded lead to "life eternal"?
What does it mean to be carnally minded?
How does being carnally minded lead to spiritual death?
What can we do to become more spiritually minded?
ROMANS 8:5-8
5 For they that are after the flesh do amind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
7 Because the acarnal mind is benmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
- F. "Feast upon that which perisheth not" (2 NEPHI 9:50-51).
What are some things that never perish?
How can we "feast" on these things?
- G. Remember the words of God (2 NEPHI 9:52). How does remembering God's words help us receive all the blessings of the Atonement? (See 3 NEPHI 15:1.)
3 NEPHI 15:1
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had ended these sayings he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and said unto them: Behold, ye have heard the things which I ataught before I ascended to my Father; therefore, whoso remembereth these sayings of mine and bdoeth them, him will I craise up at the last day.
- H. Pray continually and give thanks (2 NEPHI 9:52). How has praying and expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father helped you draw nearer to Him and His Son?
2. CERTAIN ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS PREVENT US FROM RECEIVING ALL THE BLESSINGS OF THE ATONEMENT
2 Nephi 9:27-38. Explains that in addition to speaking of requirements for receiving all the blessings of the Atonement, Jacob spoke of attitudes and actions that prevent us from receiving those blessings.What are some attitudes and actions that prevent us from receiving all the blessings of the Atonement?
2 NEPHI 9:27-38
27 But wo unto him that has the alaw given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that btransgresseth them, and that cwasteth the days of his dprobation, for awful is his state!
28 O that cunning aplan of the evil one! O the bvainness, and the frailties, and the cfoolishness of men! When they are dlearned they think they are ewise, and they fhearken not unto the gcounsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their hwisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
30 But wo unto the arich, who are brich as to the things of the cworld. For because they are rich they despise the dpoor, and they persecute the meek, and their ehearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their ftreasure is their god. And behold, their gtreasure shall perish with them also.
33 Wo unto the auncircumcised of heart, for a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day.
38 And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their asins; for they shall breturn to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins.
- A. Transgressing the commandments and wasting the days of our probation (2 NEPHI 9:27). In the Book of Mormon, prophets often refer to our life on earth as a "state of probation," or a time to be tested (2 NEPHI 2:21; see also 2 NEPHI 2:30; MORMON 9:28). How might some people waste the days of their probation? (See 2 NEPHI 9:38; ALMA 34:31-33; HELAMAN 13:38.)
MORMON 9:28
27 O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. aDoubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and bcome unto the Lord with all your cheart, and dwork out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.
ALMA 34:31-33
31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and aharden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the bday of your csalvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and dharden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.
32 For behold, this alife is the time for men to bprepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of cthis life is the day for men to perform their dlabors.33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many awitnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not bprocrastinate the day of your crepentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the dnight of edarkness wherein there can be no labor performed.HELAMAN 13:38
38 But behold, your adays of probation are past; ye have bprocrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for chappiness in doing iniquity, which thing is dcontrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head.
- B. Placing learning, money, and other idols above God (2 Nephi 9:28-30, 37). How can the pursuit of knowledge and riches keep us from receiving all the blessings of the Atonement? (See 2 Nephi 9:28, 30, 42.) In what situations are learning and riches good? (See 2 Nephi 9:29; Jacob 2:18-19.)
3 NEPHI 9:42
42 And whoso aknocketh, to him will he open; and the bwise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their clearning, and their dwisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves efools before God, and come down in the depths of fhumility, he will not open unto them.
- C. Being spiritually deaf and blind (2 Nephi 9:31-32).
What does it mean to be spiritually deaf and blind?
How can we open our ears and eyes to the truths of the gospel?
- D. Being "uncircumcised of heart" (2 Nephi 9:33). In ancient Israel, a man who was uncircumcised was breaking a covenant with God (Genesis 17:11, 14). With this understanding, what does it mean to be "uncircumcised of heart"?
GENESIS 17:11, 14
11 And ye shall acircumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a btoken of the ccovenant betwixt me and you.
14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be acut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
- E. Lying and committing murders and whoredoms (2 Nephi 9:34-36).
2 Nephi 10
Jacob prophesied that the Nephites' descendants would "perish in the flesh because of unbelief" and that the Jews in Jerusalem would crucify the Savior and be scattered because of their sins (2 NEPHI 10:2-6). What will the Lord do for these people when they believe in Him and repent of their sins? (See 2 NEPHI 10:2, 7-8, 21-22; see also 1 NEPHI 21:15-16; 2 NEPHI 9:1-3, 53; 30:2.) How does this apply to us individually? (See MOSIAH 26:22.)
2 NEPHI 10:2-6
2 For behold, the apromises which we have obtained are promises unto us according to the flesh; wherefore, as it has been shown unto me that many of our children shall perish in the flesh because of bunbelief, nevertheless, God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be crestored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer.
3 Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ—for in the last night the aangel spake unto me that this should be his name—should bcome among the cJews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall dcrucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would ecrucify their fGod.
4 For should the mighty amiracles be wrought among other nations they would repent, and know that he be their God.
5 But because of apriestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will bstiffen their necks against him, that he be ccrucified.
6 Wherefore, because of their iniquities, destructions, famines, apestilences, and bloodshed shall come upon them; and they who shall not be destroyed shall be bscattered among all nations.
2 NEPHI 10:7-87 But behold, thus saith the aLord God: bWhen the day cometh that they shall believe in me, that I am Christ, then have I covenanted with their fathers that they shall be crestored in the flesh, upon the earth, unto the dlands of their inheritance.
8 And it shall come to pass that they shall be agathered in from their long dispersion, from the bisles of the sea, and from the four parts of the earth; and the nations of the Gentiles shall be great in the eyes of me, saith God, in ccarrying them forth to the lands of their inheritance.
2 NEPHI 10:21-2221 But great are the promises of the Lord unto them who are upon the aisles of the sea; wherefore as it says isles, there must needs be more than this, and they are inhabited also by our brethren.
22 For behold, the Lord God has aled away from time to time from the house of Israel, according to his will and pleasure. And now behold, the Lord remembereth all them who have been broken off, wherefore he remembereth us also.
1 NEPHI 21:15-1615 For can a awoman forget her sucking child, that she should not have bcompassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may cforget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the apalms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
2 NEPHI 9:1-3, 53
1 And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the acovenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel—
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 arestored to the true church and fold of God; when they shall be bgathered home to the clands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise.
3 Behold, my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, and alift up your heads forever, because of the blessings which the Lord God shall bestow upon your children.
53 And behold how great the acovenants of the Lord, and how great his bcondescensions unto the children of men; and because of his greatness, and his cgrace and dmercy, he has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that he would epreserve them; and in future generations they shall become a righteous fbranch unto the house of Israel.2 NEPHI 30:2
2 For behold, I say unto you that as many of the Gentiles as will repent are the acovenant people of the Lord; and as many of the bJews as will not repent shall be ccast off; for the Lord dcovenanteth with none save it be with them that erepent and believe in his Son, who is the Holy One of Israel.
Elder Boyd K. Packer taught: "The discouraging idea that a mistake (or even a series of them) makes it everlastingly too late, does not come from the Lord. He has said that if we will repent, not only will He forgive us our transgressions, but He will forget them and remember our sins no more (see ISAIAH 43:25; HEBREWS 8:12; 10:17; ALMA 36:19; D&C 58:42)" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 72; or Ensign, May 1989, 59).
ISAIAH 43:25
25 I, even I, am he that ablotteth out thy btransgressions for mine own csake, and will not remember thy sins.
HEBREWS 8:12
12 For I will be merciful to their aunrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I bremember no more.
ALMA 36:19
19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my apains bno more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 58:42
42 Behold, he who has arepented of his bsins, the same is cforgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
Jacob said that his people should "cheer up [their] hearts" because the Lord remembers His covenant people (2 NEPHI 10:22-23). How can we find comfort in the knowledge that the Lord remembers His covenant people?
2 NEPHI 10:21-22
22 For behold, the Lord God has aled away from time to time from the house of Israel, according to his will and pleasure. And now behold, the Lord remembereth all them who have been broken off, wherefore he remembereth us also.
23 Therefore, acheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are bfree to cact for yourselves—to dchoose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.
As Jacob concluded this address to the people, what did he encourage them to remember? (NEPHI 10:23-24.)
In what ways do we choose either the way of everlasting death or the way of everlasting life? (See 2 NEPHI 2:26-27.)
What does it mean to be reconciled to the will of God? Why is it important to remember that "it is only through the grace of God that [we] are saved"?
2 NEPHI 10:23-24
23 Therefore, acheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are bfree to cact for yourselves—to dchoose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.
24 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, areconcile yourselves to the bwill of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the cgrace of God that ye are dsaved.
2 NEPHI 2:26-2726 And the aMessiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may bredeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are credeemed from the fall they have become dfree forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the elaw at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.
27 Wherefore, men are afree according to the bflesh; and call things are dgiven them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to echoose fliberty and eternal glife, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be hmiserable like unto himself.
Read 2 Nephi 10:25, which is Jacob's concluding message in this discourse. Express your gratitude for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and encourage class members to "choose ... the way of eternal life".
2 NEPHI 10:25
25 Wherefore, may God araise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the batonement, that ye may be received into the ceternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen.
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