24 Feb-1 Mar - Their Scales of Darkness Shall Begin to Fall From Their Eyes - 2 Nephi 26-30

2 Nephi 26 - He Shall Heal Them

In 2 Nephi chapter 26 Nephi reflects on the future destruction of his people. It must have been difficult for him too see visions of his posterity wiped off the face of the earth. As he witnessed that "they shall be visited with thunderings, and lightnings, and earthquakes, and all manner of destructions, for the ^afire of the anger of the Lord shall be kindled against them, he exclaimed, "O the pain, and the anguish of my soul for the loss of the slain of my people! For I, Nephi, have seen it, and it well nigh consumeth me before the presence of the Lord" (2 Nephi 26:6-7). 

Despite his sorrow, Nephi still acknowledged "but I must cry unto my God: Thy ways are just" (2 Nephi 26:7). The destruction of the Lord is not generally reserved for casual sinners, but "they that kill the prophets, and the saints" (2 Nephi 26:5). Because they rejected Christ and his teachings "they sell themselves for naught; for, for the reward of their pride and their foolishness they shall reap destruction" (2 Nephi 26:10). This passage reminds me of the story of Jacob and Esau when Esau valued earthy considerations and mortal comforts more than his spiritual destiny and sold his birthright to Jacob for pottage.

How do we let pride and foolishness get in our way and "sell ourselves for not"

Perhaps what made it possible for Nephi to have this confidence in God was his knowledge that "the Son of Righteousness shall appear unto them; and he shall heal them, and they shall have peace with him" (2 Nephi 26:9).  Despite the vile nature of their sins, God still stands ready to heal and forgive.

There also seems to be a purpose to the punishments of God beyond just the correction of sin. The destruction of unrighteous peoples stand as a cautionary tale to those who come later. Nephi said it this way, "For those who shall be destroyed shall speak unto them out of the ground, and" (2 Nephi 26:16). When we read the history of the Nephites recorded in the Book of Mormon, their downfall can inspire and motivate us to righteousness. 

While it is difficult to conceive of the decimation of a nation as an act of mercy, I believe what Nephi said, that God "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." (2 Nephi 26:24). 

Click on the link to read my previous post on 2 Nephi 26

2 Nephi 27 - Drunken With Iniquity

Why do people sin? I tend to believe that all people are rational beings that makes decision that are in their best interest. Sin comes from a view of reality in which sin (or other bad decisions) seem like the best option. Most people make decisions because of how they believe it will make them feel. Even unemotional, rational decisions looking only at the facts are appealing to our preference to feel logical and in control. 

In my own life I sin when I am trying to avoid feeling bad, or numb something difficult or uncomfortable. I skip scripture study because I am tired. I yell at my kids because their disobedience makes me feel insecure as a parent. Buffering negative emotion and physical discomfort is a universal behavior that can look like as benign as glancing at your phone or eating a piece of chocolate, or sever and destructive addictions. 

If I am yelling at my kids, I don't have to feel the insecurity of wondering if I'm doing enough, or the fear how they will turn out as adults. Chocolate and social media take the edge off so I don't have to experience boredom, fatigue, or disappointment. The problem with all sin is not that it mutes or masks pain, but that it increases it on the back end. The underlying issues are not resolved by running from them. 

I know this is a long-winded tangent about escapism, but it explains why I find the metaphor of being "drunken with iniquity" so powerful (2 Nephi 27:1). Like being intoxicated, sinning impairs our judgement, engenders false beliefs about ourselves, and can be habit forming. Speaking of people in our era, Isaiah prophesied, "ye shall be drunken but not with wine, ye shall stagger but not with strong drink" (2 Nephi 27:4). 

What are the things that you do when you don't want to feel?

Instead of avoiding negative and difficult feelings, we can experiment with feeling uncomfortable. By being willing to experience any emotion without acting on it we can increase our authority over sin. 

At the close of this chapter God offers a reassurance too quiet the anxiety we may feel about not doing enough. He was speaking specifically of the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon that has not yet been revealed, but the lesson has application to how we view our efforts to develop as individuals, strengthen our families, and build the church. He said, "Touch not the things which are sealed, for I will bring them forth in mine own due time; for I will show unto the children of men that I am able to do mine own work" (2 Nephi 27:21). Even in the details of our lives as individuals, it is God's work and glory to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life. We may not feel that we are where we should be personally, or that our family fractured, or that we are not doing enough in our church service. It helps me to remember that I am simply a spectator in the marvelous work and wonder that God has undertaken and that he is "able to do [His] own work." When I am in sincere in my efforts to do what is right and try my best, no matter how imperfect that effort may be, it is enough. 

Click on the link to read my previous post on 2 Nephi 27

2 Nephi 28 - Wo Be Unto Him That Saith: We Have Received, and We Need No More!

As Nephi describes wickedness and apostasy that will exist in our day, he gives some specific warnings:

Nephi warns us not to angrily rebel against God, for "wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God!" (2 Nephi 28:28). If you are reading a blog about the Book of Mormon, chances are you do not identify as someone who would be angry at the truth, let alone as one of those who Satan shall "rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good" (2 Nephi 28:20). While we may welcome the prophets counsel, read the scriptures, and listen receptively during church meetings, there are still instances when we resist God's will. Sometimes this anger at God's truth might come in the form of resisting or resenting what is. If we are discouraged with a wayward child, angry at an and unfaithful spouse, or resentful of a difficult acquaintance it is because we think they should be different. If we are frustrated with trials, setbacks, or circumstances, it is because we believe something has gone wrong. In reality, all of the pain and disappointment of this life is part of God's plan. It is normal and healthy to experience negative emotion in response to difficult experiences (in fact, it is the only way to move past them), but we can save ourselves additional suffering if we embrace what is, even when it is sad or challenging. 

Nephi warns us not to be complacent, for "wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!" (2 Nephi 28:25).  I do not think Nephi is telling us to be pessimistic. Damnation is simply a stop in our eternal progress and development. When we stop striving to learn, grow, and improve, we are "damned." Satan will use a variety of devices to get us to stop trying. He tells two different lies to the same insidious effect: 1.) Everything is wrong and you are not good enough so you should quit, and 2.) Everything is fine and you don't need do keep trying. In response God would say 1.) You are having a mortal experience in an imperfect world, but you can become perfect through Christ is you do your best, and 2.) You have infinite worth just as you are, and can have even greater joy and fulfillment as you keep growing. Some are afraid to embrace their worth because they are afraid self-love leads to complacency as described here. Nephi warns that "others will [Satan] 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.We cannot hate ourselves to perfection" (2 Nephi 28:21). While peace and safety may not be the most motivating emotions, it is also true that we cannot hate ourselves to perfection. Love for ourselves and others is the best fuel for action 

How can we be simultaneously be worthy, whole, and enough and still be motivated to grow and improve?

Nephi warns us not to reject new truths, for "wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!" (2 Nephi 28:27). Usually we use this idea as intellectual ammunition against those who do not accept the Book of Mormon because they have the bible, but I am more interested in how this warning applies to me. Are there times when I have effectively said, "[I] have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for [I] have enough! (2 Nephi 28: 29). In the parable of the talents, three people receive three different amounts of money and are instructed to trade and invest them to make more. The two who received 5 and 2 talents respectively doubled their money, but the servant who received only one hid it, and was chastised. In the end the talent was given to the servant who originally had five. If we think about the talents not as money, or even as spiritual/temporal blessings, but as responsibilities, or assignments/callings it is easy to imagine how I might say, "I have enough!" When those around us fail to meet our expectations of them, whether it is a member of the ward who does not fulfill their calling, a spouse you wish would do more, or a coworker who doesn't seem to do their fair share, it is easy to be frustrated. It feels unfair and we might imagine the person on the other end is trying to inconvenience or hurt us. But when others fall short and it falls to you to pick up the slack, you have received the one talent. When considering the responsibilities we accept, or even the truths we are ready to live, only we can and should weigh our priorities and capacity, and say no if we are not willing or able. If we feel able and inspired to do more, God prepares a way for us, and the struggle is its own reward.

Click on the link to read my previous post on 2 Nephi 28

2 Nephi 29 - Know Ye Not That There Are More Nations Than One?

At the close of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni invites readers to consider the Book of Mormon in the context of God's love for His children throughout time. "Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things ... that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things" (Moroni 10:3). God's work and glory is to bring to pass the eternal life of man, and we believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved. It stands to reason that God would reveal his truth in many settings to many people. As children of God we all come to earth with a basic sense of right and wrong, and we all have direct access to God if we seek him. 

Because God loves his children in all places and in all times, there are and will be various records of his dealings with them. Nephi relayed God's warning not to dismiss additional truths because it is not contained in the Bible, for "know ye not that there are more nations than 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 29:7)

I recently attended a lecture at the Washington D.C. temple visitor's center on the representation of diety in spiritual art. The artist specifically focused on the predominance of white representations of figures like God, angels, and Adam and Eve in the canonical art of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As she shared what it is was like as a black woman to grow up seeing representations of God and prophets that did not look like her, I had the thought that we are all created in God's image. When God has appeared to man, He has addressed them by name, and spoken to them in their own language. Since we do not know what God looks like, we can help people of all races and colors have a closer relationship with God by representing him in a variety of likenesses. When we adopt one perspective at the exclusion of others we may unnecessarily alienate. And when we dismiss new truth because we have some truth we violate a basic understanding that God's word and work is infinite. Said another say, "because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished" (2 Nephi 29:9). 

Click on the link to read my previous post on 2 Nephi 29

2 Nephi 30 - Their Scales of Darkness Shall Begin to Fall From Their Eyes

After extensively quoting the prophesies of Isaiah, Nephi summarizes and expounds on the saving work that will take place prior to Christ's second coming, the destruction of the wicked, and the peace of His millennial reign. My favorite line in this passage refers to the descendants of Lehi who will receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nephi foresees that
"their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes" and "they shall be a pure and a delightsome people" (2 Nephi 30:6). 

When I think of scales of darkness, I envision cataracts that obscure vision and can lead to blindness. In a spiritual sense, "scales of darkness" would refer to anything that numbs our spiritual sensitivity, limits our understanding of truth, or impedes our relationship with God. Embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ enlightens and enriches us, and allow us to see the depth and beauty of our existence on earth and into eternity. 

I also appreciate the warning that Nephi offers about self-righteousness: "I, Nephi, would not suffer that ye should suppose that ye are more righteous than the Gentiles shall be" (2 Nephi 30:1). It is easy to frame believers and non-believers in the frame work of "us" and "them," or to be self-inflated because of access to privilege and spiritual knowledge. We might judge the actions of others and fail to take into account their background or context. Our life is assessed only by Christ, a judge who has a perfect knowledge of our resources and abilities, and it would be presumptuous to assume that we are any better off or further behind in our journey than someone else based on external indicators observed in a snapshot in time. 

Click on the link to read my previous post on 2 Nephi 30