Books of the Book of Mormon
Small Plates of Nephi
Contribution of Mormon
Additions by Moroni

The Second Book of Nephi (/ˈniːfaɪ/), usually referred to as Second Nephi or 2 Nephi, is the second book of the Book of Mormon. The original translation of the title did not include the word "second". First and Second were added to the titles of The Books of Nephi by Oliver Cowdery when preparing the book for printing.[1] According to the book, it was written by the ancient prophet Nephi, son of Lehi, who lived around 600 BC. Originally 15 chapters in length, the book was reformatted in 1879 by Orson Pratt to its current length of thirty-three chapters long.[2]

Unlike First Nephi, this book contains little history of the Nephite people but instead discusses visions and prophecies of Nephi himself and other ancient prophets, such as Isaiah.

Structure

Second Nephi is composed of 33 chapters.[3] In the first five chapters, which comprise the only historical section of the book,[4] Nephi continues with the family meeting that had been described in the end of First Nephi. Much of the rest of Second Nephi includes quotations from Isaiah and further teachings from Nephi and his brother Jacob.[5]

Summary Reference
Lehi's farewell 1-4:12
Division of Nephites and Lamanites 4:13-5
Jacob teaches the Nephites 6-10
Nephi witnesses of Christ 11
Nephi quotes Isaiah 12-24
Nephi prophesies and elaborates 25-33[4][3]

Narration

Lehi's last counsel

Second Nephi begins with a reminder that Lehi had warned of Jerusalem’s destruction and that his family had been purposefully led to safety. Lehi receives a vision confirming that Jerusalem has been destroyed and his family learns the Promised Land they were led to is their inheritance as long as they follow God. Lehi advises each of his sons to follow Nephi’s leadership, particularly Laman, Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael.[6] Lehi blesses Zoram as a friend of Nephi that his descendants too will flourish if they are righteous.[7]

He then blesses Jacob that his suffering will be consecrated, and speaks to him about the Atonement with a focus on opposition and how both good and bad things are important in life. He teaches all of his sons that the Fall of Man was necessary for humans to progress past their original innocent state and have children, with an emphasis that all have their own right to choose for themselves.[8] After blessing Jacob, Lehi speaks to Joseph. In his blessing, he says that Joseph's descendants will not be completely destroyed. Further, he cites a prophecy from Joseph of Egypt, which is contained in the brass plates and predicts that God will prepare a seer named Joseph.[9] This seer, Lehi explains, has ancestral connections to both Joseph of Egypt and Joseph, son of Lehi, and will bring the knowledge of the covenant back to Lehi’s descendants. Lehi also reveals that Joseph of Egypt prophesied Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt.[10] He proceeds to bless Laman and Lemuel’s children that their people will never die off, and also blesses Ishmael’s sons, Sam, and Sam’s family. Nephi does not write of any specific personal blessings he might have received at this time.[11]

Division of the people

An unspecified period of time after his teaching and blessings, Lehi dies.[6] Laman, Lemuel, and Ishmael’s families are upset about Nephi being chosen as their leader and try to kill him. Nephi records his struggles with sin and remembers some of the times God has saved him. He prays about Laman and Lemuel’s murmuring and dissent and is told to take his family into the wilderness.[12] He then takes the brass plates, the Liahona, and Laban’s sword,[13] and leaves with Zoram, Sam, Jacob, Joseph, and his sisters. This group becomes the Nephites. They work and are obedient to the commandments, and build a temple modeled after Solomon’s. Nephi chooses not to be king but continues to help his people. He makes swords based on the sword of Laban for protection in case the Lamanites attack.[14] The Lamanites are cut off from God and cursed with a “skin of blackness” to make them “loathsome” to the Nephites unless they repent.[15] Nephi consecrates Jacob and Joseph as priests and teachers, and the Nephites “live after the manner of happiness”.[16]

Jacob's sermon

In chapters 6-10, Jacob gives a two day sermon including many words from Isaiah 49:22-52:2 and suggests the people compare Isaiah’s teachings to their own experiences. He preaches about “the Holy One of Israel”, God’s plan, the consequences of sin, resurrection, judgment, deliverance from hell, and how the righteous will inherit God’s kingdom.[17] He then speaks of the Jews, Gentiles, and descendants of Lehi in the last days before Christ’s coming[18] and shares that the Gentiles will be counted as part of the house of Israel.[19] He also teaches that after Israel is scattered, descendants of the house of Israel who repent and believe will be subsequently restored to their lands. The land Lehi’s family came to is a land of inheritance and is promised as a land of liberty.[20] Jacob ends with the instruction to turn to God and choose eternal life.[21]

Nephi quotes Isaiah, prophesies, and gives final counsel

Nephi too writes of likening the words of Isaiah to the Nephites[22] and says that the purpose of the Mosaic covenant is to show Christ will come. Nephi claims his entire life and the purpose of his writings is to witness of Christ and be an example so people can receive the blessings of the covenant.[23] Many of the next Isaiah quoted chapters from 2 Nephi 12-24 focus on judgment, restoration, and the Messiah.[24]

In chapters 25-33, Nephi himself prophesies, still including some words from Isaiah. He continues with a focus on the Messiah and then turns to false churches of the future and people fighting against Zion, as well as the emergence of the Book of Mormon. He predicts that churches in the “last days” will be prideful and spread false teachings. Churches are warned against priestcraft and told not to keep the free blessings of the gospel away from anyone.[25] The “great and abominable” church will fall. Many warnings against sin and its consequences are recorded.[24] Nephi also predicts that the Jews, Nephites, and the lost Israelites will eventually receive and have access to each others’ writings. He prophesies the return of the Gospel to Lehi’s descendants and speaks again on restoration. He says that to be saved, one must repent, be baptized in the name of Christ, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. He shares again the importance of the words of Christ and ends by requesting that the reader pray to believe in Christ and know that his words are true.[26]

Interpretation

Nephi as a poet

Richard Rust explains that Nephi incorporates certain literary aspects such as rhythms and structures similar to those found in poetry.[27]: 11  One example is when Nephi repeats words and phrases in a way that contributes to the poetic sounds of his writings.[28]: 4  Some of the things he repeats include “the Lord,” “commanded,” [29]: 27–29  and “that I may walk…that I may be strict.”[30]: 45  Such repetition is emphatic.[31]: 45  Because of his repetition and use of Hebrew structure—which presents and then satisfies an idea—Nephi’s poetry is similar to Isaiah’s.[32]: 66–67  Nephi’s poetry in 2 Nephi 4 does, however, take a step back from Isaiah-style writing and favors a simpler method. The style reflects that of the Psalms, both in material and in form. His use of parallelism contributes to the poetic feel of his writings.[33]: 43–44 

Not quite copying Isaiah

Nephi quotes extensively from the Book of Isaiah throughout 1 and 2 Nephi, with passages largely appearing as they do in the Bible.[34] Elizabeth Fenton describes these passages as "not-quite-exact copying," with differences being minor.[35]: 45  Latter-day Saint Joseph Spencer calls Isaiah "the honored keynote speaker of the small plates."[36]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Restoring the Original Text of the Book of Mormon".
  2. ^ The Book of Mormon. 2 Nephi 1.
  3. ^ a b Thomas 2016, p. 39.
  4. ^ a b Axelgard, Frederick W. (1986). "1 and 2 Nephi: An Inspiring Whole". BYU Studies Quarterly. 26 (4): 54 – via ScholarsArchive.
  5. ^ Hardy 2023, p. 85.
  6. ^ a b Thomas 2016, p. 39-41.
  7. ^ Gardner 2007, p. 34.
  8. ^ Gardner 2007, p. 46.
  9. ^ 2 Nephi 3:1–15.
  10. ^ Gardner 2007, p. 56.
  11. ^ Gardner 2007, p. 33-34.
  12. ^ Gardner 2007, p. 87.
  13. ^ Gardner 2007, p. 96.
  14. ^ Gardner 2007, p. 97.
  15. ^ Gardner 2007, p. 11; 2 Nephi 5:21-23
  16. ^ 2 Nephi 5:27; Thomas 2016, p. 41-43
  17. ^ Thomas 2016, p. 43-44.
  18. ^ Hardy 2023, p. 80-81.
  19. ^ Givens 2020, p. 42-43.
  20. ^ Gardner 2007, p. 187.
  21. ^ Gardner 2007, p. 191.
  22. ^ Thomas 2016, p. 44.
  23. ^ Givens 2020, p. 57.
  24. ^ a b Thomas 2016, p. 45.
  25. ^ Salleh and Hemming 2020, p. 89.
  26. ^ Thomas 2016, p. 46.
  27. ^ Rust, Richard Dilworth (1997). Feasting on the Word. Utah, USA: Deseret Book Company Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. pp. 4, 11, 27–29, 66–67. ISBN 1-57345-204-1.
  28. ^ Rust, Richard Dilworth (1997). Feasting on the Word. Utah, USA: Deseret Book Company in accordance with Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. pp. 4, 11, 27–29, 66–67. ISBN 1-57345-204-1.
  29. ^ Rust, Richard Dilworth (1997). Feasting on the Word. Utah, USA: Deseret Book Company Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. pp. 4, 11, 27–29, 66–67. ISBN 1-57345-204-1.
  30. ^ Arnold, Marilyn (1996). Sweet is the Word:Reflections on the Book of Mormon, Its Narrative, Teachings, and People. American Fork, Utah, USA: Covenant Communications. pp. 43–45. ISBN 1-55503-925-1.
  31. ^ Arnold, Marilyn (1996). Sweet is the Word:Reflections on the Book of Mormon, Its Narrative, Teachings, and People. American Fork, Utah, USA: Covenant Communications. pp. 43–45. ISBN 1-55503-925-1.
  32. ^ Rust, Richard Dilworth (1997). Feasting on the Word. Utah, USA: Deseret Book Company Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. pp. 4, 11, 27–29, 66–67. ISBN 1-57345-204-1.
  33. ^ Arnold, Marilyn (1996). Sweet is the Word:Reflections on the Book of Mormon, Its Narrative, Teachings, and People. American Fork, Utah, USA: Covenant Communications. pp. 43–45. ISBN 1-55503-925-1.
  34. ^ Givens 2009, p. 37.
  35. ^ Fenton, Elizabeth (2016-01-01). "Understanding the Book of Mormon". Journal of Book of Mormon Studies. 25 (1): 43–45.
  36. ^ Spencer, Joseph M. (2021). The Anatomy of Book of Mormon Theology. Vol. 1. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: Greg Kofford Books. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-58958-780-9.

Sources

Further reading

External links

Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Second Nephi Small Plates of Nephi Preceded byFirst Nephi Book of Mormon Succeeded byJacob
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