This lesson covers 2nd Nephi chapters 6-10, the writings of Isaiah taught by Jacob to the Nephites.

1. O HOW GREAT THE GOODNESS OF
OUR GOD
Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Lesson 8
2 Nephi 6-10

2. INTRODUCTION
➤ Purposes of lectures to my kids
➤ I want them to find greater happiness and joy
➤ I know the pitfalls that will throw them off
course
➤ Jacob had similar intentions when he gave his
multi-day sermon (on assignment from Nephi
after the tribe had split off from Lamanites)
➤ 2 Nephi 6:2-3, 9:3
➤ The whole sermon focuses on the gifts of the
atonement. Why does that instill joy?
➤ Why does he repeat the words of Isaiah that
Nephi already mentioned?
➤ He’s a different kind of teacher, with a
different story (bullied, born in the
wilderness, younger, etc).
➤ ATOT: Amy’s comment about being bored in
church because we teach the same lessons year
after year.

3. 2 NEPHI 6
➤ What reasons did Jacob give for quoting Isaiah?
➤ 2 Nephi 6:4-5,
➤ that ye may learn and glorify God
➤ that they may be likened unto you (reminding them of their lineage)
➤ 2 Nephi 6:6, What is a standard (see footnote)
➤ An ensign was a flag/monument set on a high hill. It was a gathering place for the
village if they were under attack.
➤ How is the church today an ensign? (Romney quote, next slide)
➤ 2 Nephi 6:17-18, What happens to those who oppose the work of Zion?
➤ Heber C. Kimball: "I know that if this people will do right, our enemies, those who lay snares and
gins to ensnare the servants of the living God, shall be slain by the sword of His wrath, and shall
have no power to fight against God, nor against Zion, and all Israel shall say, AMEN." (JD, 4:177)
➤ Does this apply to us on a personal level? How have you seen this evidenced in your
life?

4. “"This Church is the standard which Isaiah said the Lord
would set up for the people in the latter days. This
Church was given to be a light to the world and to be a
standard for God's people and for the Gentiles to seek
to. This Church is the ensign on the mountain spoken of
by the Old Testament prophets. It is the way, the truth,
and the life." (Conference Report, April 1961)
-Marion G. Romney

5. 2 NEPHI 7
➤ Compare to Isaiah 50. Third servant song
(there are 4 total in Isaiah)
➤ 2 Nephi 7:1, When there is distance between
us and the Lord, it is never the Lord who
created it.
➤ Revelation 3:20, Regardless of our
mistakes, he will not forsake us
➤ 2 Nephi 7:10-11
➤ ATOT: I was used to my closet light being out.
When it was replaced I still found myself
forgetting to use it and stumbling around in the
dark.
➤ Who is the light referred to here?
➤ What are the man-made sparks we
kindle?
➤ How is it a waste of time and energy to
kindle a fire that cannot light our way?
How have you done that?

6. THROUGH HIS ATONEMENT, JESUS CHRIST OFFERS REDEMPTION FROM TEMPORAL DEATH AND SPIRITUAL DEATH
➤ Skipping over chapter 8 to give more time for chapter 9
➤ The entire chapter focuses on key points of the Plan of Salvation and the
Atonement (they tend to start with O)
➤ Need for physical death, 2 Ne 9:6
➤ Adam’s fall was not accidental, it was critical.
➤ Need for infinite atonement,2 Ne 9:7
➤ How is it infinite?
➤ It overcomes physical & spiritual death
➤ It extends to all worlds
➤ He is infinite, capable of doing what we cannot do for ourselves.
➤ ATOT: Debit card analogy, we will always come up with insufficient funds.
We need his grace to make up the difference.

7. THROUGH HIS ATONEMENT, JESUS CHRIST OFFERS REDEMPTION FROM TEMPORAL DEATH AND SPIRITUAL DEATH
➤ Key points of the Plan of Salvation (cont.)
➤ 2 Ne 9:8, Three attributes of God
➤ Wisdom: Knowledge with correct application
➤ Mercy: Compassionate treatment of a person greater than what is deserved
➤ Grace: Divine means of help or strength
➤ How do those attributes work together?
➤ How do they save us from being subject to Satan?
➤ 2 Ne 9:10-12, Overcome physical and spiritual death
➤ Physical: Death (separation of body from spirit), Spiritual: Hell (separation
from God)
➤ ATOT: The spelling bee in 3rd grade. It was my first experience with feeling that I
hadn’t lived up to my potential and knowing I couldn’t get the opportunity back.

8. PERFECT KNOWLEDGE
➤ 2 Ne 9:13-14
➤ What is knowledge?
➤ Bible dictionary: not obtained all at once,
even by revelation. Linked to the Holy Ghost.
➤ Joseph Smith said we won’t receive this
knowledge upon resurrection. It is a
process.
➤ Perfect = complete, whole
➤ What will a perfect knowledge of our guilt
feel like? (Joseph F. Smith quote, next slide)
➤ ATOT: Studio C skit about the ‘Inconvenient
Stenographer’
➤ What will a perfect knowledge of our
righteousness feel like
➤ Those moments when we wonder if
we’re making a difference will become
clear.
➤ Who are the righteous? 2 Ne 9:18

9. ““May I say to you that in reality a man cannot forget
anything? He may have a lapse of memory; he may not be
able to recall at the moment a thing that he knows, or
words that he has spoken; he may not have the power at
his will to call up these events and words; but let God
Almighty touch the mainspring of the memory, and
awaken recollection, and you will find then that you have
not even forgotten a single idle word that you have
spoken.”
-President Joseph F. Smith

10. WHAT ARE SOME THINGS WE MUST DO TO BE SAVED?
➤ 2 Nephi 9:18. Believe in the Holy One of Israel; endure the crosses
of the world; despise the shame of the world.
➤ 2 Nephi 9:21. Hearken unto the Savior’s voice.
➤ 2 Nephi 9:23. Repent, be baptized, and have faith.
➤ 2 Nephi 9:24. Endure to the end.
➤ 2 Nephi 9:39. Be spiritually minded.
➤ 2 Nephi 9:41. Come unto the Lord; walk the straight and narrow
course. (more on this later)
➤ 2 Nephi 9:50,51. Feast on that which will not perish.
➤ 2 Nephi 9:52. Remember the words of God, pray continually, and
give thanks.

11. WHAT ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS CAN KEEP UP FROM THE BLESSINGS OF THE ATONEMENT?
➤ Woe to the person that has the gospel and the commandments, but sins
thinking I’ll repent later! (9:27)
➤ Woe to the wealthy who despise the poor! (9:30)
➤ Woe to those who refuse to listen to the Gospel and the truth! (9:31)
➤ Woe to those who refuse to see the truth and beauty of the Gospel! (9:32)
➤ Woe to the hard-hearted sinner! (9:33)
➤ Woe to those who communicate with an intent to deceive! (9:34)
➤ Woe to those guilty of premeditated murder! (9:35)
➤ Woe to those who are immoral in any way! (9:36)
➤ Woe to those to whom things are more important than God! (9:37)
➤ Woe to any who are guilty of any of these things and die without repenting!
(9:38)

12. THE LORD REMEMBERS HIS COVENANTS WITH HIS PEOPLE
➤ 2 Ne. 9:41-42
➤ Every other instance is written as ‘strait & narrow’
➤ Why is this one different? Why hasn’t it been changed in the many edits?
➤ The word ‘strait’ refers to being restricted/confined (strait of Gibraltar,
dire straits), another word for narrow
➤ The word ‘straight’ refers to being straightforward, true, easy to see, clear
(like the Ensign on the hill)
➤ Jacob is saying the path is narrow/strait and straightforward/easy to see.
➤ Although the path to God is confining and strict, it is also clear and
unobstructed
➤ ATOT: The gates of the ruins in Jerusalem (they zig-zag to make the entry
difficult for enemies, it’s intention is to confuse and make you lose sight of your
goal)

13. CONCLUSION
➤ How does Jacob end his sermon?
➤ 2 Ne 10:23-25
➤ Why should we have cheer?
➤ He remembers us (22)
➤ We are in control of our destiny (23)
➤ We can be saved (24)
➤ George Q. Cannon
“No matter how serious the trial, how deep the distress, how great the affliction, [God] will
never desert us. He never has and He never will. He cannot do it. It is not his character [to do
so]. He is an unchangeable being; the same yesterday, the same today, and he will be the same
throughout the eternal ages to come. We have found that God. We have made Him our friend,
by obeying His Gospel; and he will stand by us. We may pass through the fiery furnace; we may
pass through deep waters; by we shall not be consumed nor overwhelmed. We shall emerge
from all these trails and difficulties the better and purer for them, if we only trust in our God
and keep His commandments” (George Q. Cannon, Collected Discourses, 5 vols. [1897-92],
2:185; Cited in Come Unto Me by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Satellite Broadcast, March 2, 1997).