February 2, 2009 by joespencer. Thus, feasting upon the words of Christ is primarily to do all things the Holy Ghost inspires you to do. 'The spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief and the ignorance and the stiffneckedness of men, for they will not search knowledge nor understand great knowledge when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be.' If u rec’d the HG u speak w/ tongue of angels. 2 Nephi 32 Love this chapter! 2 Nephi 32:8-9 And now, my beloved brethren, if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray. It means to proactively, prayerfully, and with earnest effort seek understanding. 2 Nephi 32:3–4 — Nephi Invites Us to Feast upon the Words of Christ. This seemingly uncongenial habit has arisen because we often refer to the Holy Ghost by referring to his influence rather than to the man himself. A careful reading of this verse suggests that we cannot "come," of our own volition, into the light. teacheth a man to pray", The Lord has taught us in the Doctrine and Covenants that if a man is properly influenced by the Holy Ghost, he will receive whatsoever he asks for in prayer (see, "the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray". As Gerald Lund once commented, the difference between reading the scriptures and studying the gospel is the same as the difference between eating and dining. . Prayer is the one thing we can do to elevate ourselves in God's eyes. The power and authority of angels does not exceed in the slightest that of the Lord's mortal servants. 2 Nephi 29; 2 Nephi 30; 2 Nephi 31; 2 Nephi 32; 2 Nephi 33; Jacob; Enos; Jarom; Omni; Words of Mormon; Mosiah; Alma; Helaman; 3 Nephi; 4 Nephi; Mormon; Ether; Moroni; 2 Nephi 2. Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?--If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.' Even the plainest teachings that man can receive regarding the principle of the "doctrine of Christ," the words of Christ, cannot, by themselves, make him understand this vital doctrine or "bring him into the light." 2 Ne 32:5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. The Spirit of the Lord must participate. Watch Queue Queue The individual will grow spiritually in response to his righteous "performance." (2 Nephi 32:5) "For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray;" (2 Nephi 32:8)". Ye must pray always, and not faint; that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul. verse 8 "I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts" Nephi apparently perceives that some of those listening to him are puzzled by his sayings. Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.' When they will not live in accordance with the revelations he has given, how are they entitled to receive more? .for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." Most members of the church are all too familiar with this principle. What about us today? . They are useful if they are "read," but the term "search" implies something totally different. Man cannot negotiate successfully the path of life without direction from the Spirit himself. But men who have hardened their hearts, men who will not pray, men who will not search knowledge, who are not acquainted with the revelations of God as they have been made known unto us in these books and given unto us in this dispensation, notwithstanding the fact that the knowledge which has been given unto us is plain and easily to be understood. verse 4 "if ye cannot understand them" "Them" refers to the words of which Nephi had just spoken. To "feast" upon the words of Christ is to have the daily guidance of the Holy Ghost. 3. This implies something much more than just reading. Rather we have to be "brought" in by some person or power outside ourselves. Jared T. Parker, “The Doctrine of Christ in 2 Nephi 31–32 as an Approach to the Vision of the Tree of Life,” in The Things Which My Father Saw: Approaches to Lehi’s Dream and Nephi’s Vision (2011 Sperry Symposium), ed. Prayer may be defined as yearning for spiritual directions and spiritual intervention. In verses 2 through 6 he will re-emphasize the profound truth that all spiritual knowledge and direction comes through the ministrations of the Holy Ghost. Feast upon the words of Christ. . "ye are not brought into the light" What does it mean to be "brought into the light"? The path to eternal life is easy to understand. "Now what were the consequences of not praying, as they are recorded in this book regarding the Nephite people? Those who most enjoy this "feast" are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. (Alma 34:17-27). But why? One might well ask the question of the Lord, "In my spiritual growth, what specific area should I be working on now or next?" We have members of the Church to whom this ought to be read. How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts? For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray. Through the influence of the Holy Ghost, angels, who are nothing more nor less than people who have passed through this mortal phase and are on special assignment, are able to do and say the same things that Christ would do and say under any given circumstances. "the Spirit . what it means to speak with the … Now our challenge is to do as the Lord commanded: "Study my word which hath gone forth among the children of men" (D&C 11:22). Nephi's response was as follows: 'And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord? And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us. 2 Nephi 32: 8-9 pray.....the Lord tells us to pray. It is certain that more specific light will be given to the earth when the fulness of the gospel is restored to the earth, but this fact does not invalidate the incomparable value of the principles of the doctrine of Christ discussed herein. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 247), if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock, the Holy Ghost...will show unto you all things what ye should do, the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn, the Spirit...teacheth a man to pray...ye must pray always. An important prerequisite step to being brought into the light is to "knock." It may be difficult to execute over the course of a lifetime, but the concept is simple enough that anyone can do it. 2 Nephi 32:3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. This video is unavailable. Nephi is still addressing his "beloved brethren" who are his people (, "ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way", Nephi intends: "You are wondering what you should do next, after you have passed through the gait that leads to the strait and narrow path. 3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. "Them" refers to the words of which Nephi had just spoken. Scriptures are of little value unless they are feasted upon and searched. The most important things you’ll learn in your study will come from the whisperings of the Spirit. The spiritual food is internalized and becomes a part of the individual. (Conference Report, April 1984, p. 7), "I add my voice to these wise and inspired brethren [referencing President Spencer W. Kimball, Bruce R. McConkie and Boyd K. Packer] and say to you that one of the most important things you can do as priesthood leaders is to immerse yourselves in the scriptures. Chapter Summary: Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost--Men must pray and gain knowledge for themselves from the Holy Ghost. 2 Nephi 32. A couple things that caught my eye today. "it will show unto you all things what ye should do" Here the Holy Ghost is referred to by the impersonal pronoun "it." . Nephi will also teach in verse 5 below that the Holy Ghost will "show unto you all things what ye should do." This person and power is the Holy Ghost. 5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. verse 9 One definition of the verb "to faint" is to lose one's courage, resolve, hope, or will. What is the doctrine of Christ? The scriptures were not given to us for an occasional perusal, a casual reading, or a brief history lesson. ☼ 2 Nephi 32:1–3: And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. We expect the Holy Ghost to show us what to do without immersing ourselves in the things of the spirit-searching the scriptures, attending the temple, prayer and fasting, etc. And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?” (2 Nephi 32:2) Nephi sees that… Are we regularly importuning the Lord to know what we "should do?". "he will consecrate thy performance unto thee", The prayerful individual who is striving to be obedient will be justified and sanctified by the Spirit under the direction of the Lord. We are familiar with the phrase “feast upon the word” and we automatically think of the written word of Christ. The Septuagint and Syriac both read the same as the Book of Mormon. (1 Ne 15:8-11). Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? Posts about 2 Nephi 32 written by Paul Anderson. This occurs most of the time as the individual feasts upon the words of Christ in the scriptures. This means not just receive the gift of the Holy Ghost but to receive the companionship of the Holy Ghost through righteous living and frequent involvement in activities which give the opportunity for the Holy Ghost to whisper in his still, small voice. For his purposes to be fulfilled, the devil only need separate a man from his God. Come Follow Me Helps and Resources for 2 Nephi 31-33 “This is the Way” We hope that these LDS Sunday School discussion questions over 2 Nephi 31-33 enrich your Come, Follow Me study and increase your testimony of the Savior.. Use them individually, in your family study, and in your Sunday School classes to dive deeper into the doctrines presented in the Book of Mormon. Why did he not teach more? verse 5 After the baptism of water and the baptism of the Spirit (receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost), we "enter in by the way," and we set our foot on life's strait and narrow path where we depend heavily on the Spirit of the Lord to provide us direction. Comment below how you follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ!! Parting is such sweet sorrow for Nephi as he laments "the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men." (Franklin S. Harris, Jr., The Book of Mormon: Messages and Evidences, pp. "Revelation is promised us through our faithfulness; so, also, is knowledge pertaining to the mysteries and government of the Church. Daniel L. Belnap, Gaye Strathearn, and Stanley A. Johnson (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2011), 161–78. One of the most significant happenings in recent Church history is the publication of the new editions of the standard works with the new footnotes and other helps. Feast, ask, knock – the HG will show the way. Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies. 2 Nephi … teacheth a man to pray" The Lord has taught us in the Doctrine and Covenants that if a man is properly influenced by the Holy Ghost, he will receive whatsoever he asks for in prayer (see D&C 46:30). The words of Christ teach mankind all things that should be done. Read 2 Nephi 33:1-3. Reference Search: 2 Nephi 32:6-76 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. Book of Mormon Stories This bread was available, without money and without price, from the Son of Man." verse 7 Apparently Nephi could have taught more! 2 Nephi 32 Read online here This chapter says some pretty powerful things about the Holy Ghost, angels and prayer, but what caught my eye was verse four and my new favorite word: "IF" In bold letters I have written below this verse, "It is our responsibility!" 2 Nephi 30 & 31 Sorry that this is a little long, but it's worth it! Watch Queue Queue. There are few other efforts that will bring greater dividends to your calling. Over and over again the revelations command: Watch and pray always, lest ye enter into temptation." "it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing". Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase. Apparently Nephi could have taught more! Perhaps he was constrained by the fact that those whom he was teaching (1) did not seek diligently for new understanding; (2) did not strive to understand what he had already taught; and (3) did not qualify for the ministration of the Spirit of God to enable them to understand what they had already heard preached in plainness. And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost? Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.' (I feel like I'm saying that all the time!) This is exactly how he received his vision of the tree of life (1 Ne 11:1). Nephi apparently perceives that some of those listening to him are puzzled by his sayings. 8 And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. What can be more devastating to the devil's cause than this. And now I, Nephi, cannot say more.'. Ideally, as we partake weekly of the sacrament, it would be this specific item we would choose as the subject of our covenanting with the Lord for the upcoming period of time. 2. In other verses in this chapter this prerequisite step is referred to as: "search knowledge [and] understanding" (verse 7), and "feast upon the words of Christ" (verse 3). 2 Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? Sometimes we tempt God with our demands for divine direction. Because they had hardened their hearts, even in his day. Even the plainest teachings that man can receive regarding the principle of the "doctrine of Christ," the words of Christ, cannot, by themselves, make him understand this vital doctrine or "bring him into the light." Therefore the Lord closed his mouth, and said, there shall be no more doctrine till Christ comes, so far as you are concerned, and I cannot say more, because the Lord won't permit it. The Spirit stops Nephi's utterance. Nephi felt that by now the answer should be obvious to his people. Chapter 32. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. 1 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. Satan says don't. As we grow spiritually, each individual does so in his or her own particular and unique way and sequence. "Loaves and fishes perish, but there is a food which is eternal, 'which endureth unto everlasting life.' pray in Christ's Name.....He will consecrate our prayers. Spiritually speaking, "you are what you eat." To Isaiah 29:21 the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 27:32 adds the phrase "and they" to the beginning of the verse. He could have provided us with more important doctrines, but the Lord did not allow him. There are few other ways to gain greater inspiration as you serve." What can be more devastating to the devil's cause than this. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. "ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way" Nephi intends: "You are wondering what you should do next, after you have passed through the gait that leads to the strait and narrow path.". The Spirit of the Lord must participate. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do. verse 2 Here Nephi implies that he has observed some inspired teaching being done by his people. Master the principles that are found therein. ", "why do ye ponder these things in your hearts". The following verse suggests that Nephi's hearers also were not praying diligently and sincerely. 2 Nephi 31-32 – Jesus Christ and His doctrine are the only way to eternal life. Naturally such people are in darkness. verse 6 "this is the doctrine of Christ" A reasonable summary of the "doctrine of Christ" is found in the introductory commentary for 2 Nephi 31. See Ye Shall Know of the Doctrine, volume 1, chapter 17, Justification and Sanctification. The people in the Church are not living in full accord with the commandments the Lord has already required of them. 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