2 Nephi 15

2 Nephi 15 ; Isaiah 5

2 Nephi 15:  1-7

my vineyard......................................................God as the vineyard owner, and his people
the tower ...........................................................He keeps special watch on the vineyard
sees the grapes, wild grapes..................................a careful look at the results of the work
men of Judah...................................................this is your people.  Pay attention
take away..................................................abandonment of a failing orchard
waste.............................................................Christ to step completely away from the people
looketh for judgement........................................Christ has expectations, but they are not happening
no rain.......................................................even the usual outside conditions are removed
a cry..............................................................the actual picture is a troubling.  People hurt

Christ keeps a careful watch on his people, but when the people sink to a position that nothing good is coming of the work, the work will cease, and the orchard will be abandoned.  Unlike a real vineyard, he will return when the fruits return.

2 Nephi 15: 8-16

wo, house to house............................................conditions where the people associate too much together (in sin)
desolate...........................................................such conditions overruled.  He will not allow.
follow strong drink..........................................example.  Party attitude.  People drink more than work
revelers..........................................................partiers have abandoned their duties.  Rejected.
multitudes thirst.........................................due to the malfeasance of leaders, the people languish
humbled.................................................both the leader and the followers need humbling
sanctified......................................................The Lord will chasten the people.  Shaped to the corrects ends.

God has a purpose for his people.  He does not want an evil group attitude that pursues the meaningless side of life, for example drunkards.  He will curse such behaviors because it leads both the leaders and the followers to destruction.  The people lose sight of their life purpose, and must undergo a changing humility, or they will not meet the expectations that the Lord has for his people.

2 Nephi 15: 17-25

cart rope...............................................pretty chains are still chains.  Men are to be free.
wisdom of Lord......................................men should seek God's will, not man's
twisting good and evil......................................men should not spin reality to meet their carnal desires
wise in own sight.............................................wisdom does not work that way.  Truth is truth,
remove righteousness from the righteous...................dwindling faith, caused by falsehoods
chaff.....................................................a destruction of the wicked.  This is not fruit.
kindle................................................................God will destroy the wicked.  Such behavior not allowed
Hand outstretched.................................................He will allow repentance, but man must act

The hope is with man.  When he discovers his wickedness, he ready for destruction, but the Lord allows man the opportunity to repent and to return to the fold.

2 Nephi 15: 26-30

ensign from afar.............................................Latter-day kingdom to be set up far away
none weary.......................................................these servants will do His will and succeed
none sleep.....................................................will be worthy workers in his kingdom
sharp arrows................................................the spiritual army is ready to redeem His kingdom.
roar like lions...................................................the youth of the group will make them invincible
look into the land.............................................these people will work and labor in a very dismal and wicked world

Christ will set up His kingdom in the last days.  The servants will do things the way he wants them act, and they will be very successful, negating the bad behavior of many years.  They will work tirelessly to build up the kingdom in a very wicked world.

2 Nephi 15

This chapter describes the very sad results of what happens to the Kingdom that he has set up, but He will remember the covenants as the people repent.  Then he sets up his Kingdom and sends his righteous servants to cry repentance and convert the evil and wicked world.  He indicates that they will be successful because they are diligent.

2 Nephi 14

2 Nephi 14

2 Nephi 14: 1-6

stumbling blocks......................................................remove the hindrances for faith
harden hearts..........................................................choose to distance oneself
blessed forever..............................................the followers of Christ are promised prosperity
the pit...............................................................a trap.  Ironically it traps those who build it
abominable church.............................................a community that encompasses those who do evil
wickedness and abominations..................................breaking the rules given by God
Gentiles..............................................................offered all the blessings of the Lord's church
wo....................................................................should Gentiles reject Christ, they will be destroyed

America is a place that is to serves as a home for those who follow Christ.  If the European peoples follow Christ, they will live in prosperity and in safety, but if they reject the Lord, they will be removed.

2 Nephi 14: 7-14

great and marvelous work.....................................terminology indicating a restoration of the gospel
delivery...................................................the function of the Church is to lead men to God
covenants remembered..........................................must believe in the promises of God
two churches.............................................men make one of two choices,  God or Satan.
whore of the earth..........................................no legitimate.   Full of evil and sinfulness.
upon many waters............................................fills the 4 corners of the earth.  Huge group.
group few......................................................God's church relatively small in comparison
gather to fight..............................................the larger group constantly wars the smaller one.
power from on high...........................................God's church is protected by divine help

In the last day, the Lord reestablishes his Church to counter the Church of the Devil.  It has strong power, because God himself protects the church and its members, but the members must keep the covenants of God.

2 Nephi 14: 15-17

wrath.......................................................much of the great and abominable destroyed by war
upon the whore..........................................God curses the evil church, full wrath

A decree to end the great and abominable church prophesied.  Christ will remove it from captivating his people.

2 Nephi 14: 18-30

white robe..................................................the Holy One of Israel works with John the Revelator
remainder.......................................................Nephi does not record the rest of the vision
the book......................................................the bible is given as a legacy to the Gentiles
was pure....................................................many changes entered into the Bible, not the original
rest to see....................................................the servant sees the rest of the prophecy, sealed.
apostle to write...............................................a duty of the apostle to record the remainder
John.......................................................even his name foretold
angel made known......................................a divine vision, to which he bears testimony.
is true...........................................................bears his testimony of the vision's truth

Nephi lets the reader know that the vision is divine, given through the Lord's manner of prophecy.
He indicates that the vision is the beginning of John's vision, but that the vision of John is not recorded for the Nephites, but rather for the Gentiles.  The word will go forth to the Gentiles through the Bible, and important, divine book, but the evil Church will have removed and altered the points of the gospel.

2 Nephi 14

This chapter enlarges Isaiah's words to explain how America will be featured in the latter-day.
The Lord's church will be established in America, and it will be spread to the whole world, but the world will largely belong to Satan's system.  The evil system will go to war with the Saints, but the Lord will protect the Saints.  Eventually the evil will destroy themselves, but the Lord will protect his children.

2 Nephi 13

2 Nephi 13    Isaiah 3

2 Nephi 13: 1-8

doth take away....................................................removal of self governance and self reliance
list of leaders.........................................................Lord will take the leadership of the people
children over thee....................................................Replace good leaders with selfish ones
oppressed...........................................................the people will have severe trials at hands of proud
take hold of brother.............................................those perceived well off will be mobbed by needy
make me not.....................................................no desire and no means to help others, all in trouble
Jerusalem ruined.................................................the situation dire, no ability to prosper

Isaiah recounts the horrors of losing a mandate to run the Jewish nation.  The people will long for leadership and for help in oppression.

2 Nephi 13: 9-14

Sodom............................................................the people are ruin and deserve it
well with..........................................................the righteous are blessed, regardless of the day
wicked.................................................................the curse is heavy
do err...........................................................the horrors of poor leadership hurt the people
judgement...................................................can be said that it is a righteous judgement of God

Isaiah describes the terrible conditions of Israel when it deserts the Lord and lives with pride and with childishness

2 Nephi 13: 15-26

grind the poor...........................................the people show no kindness to the poor
haughty.....................................................the children of Israel and Zion are proud and materialistic
scab..........................................................the Lord will ruin their property and humble them
take away..............................................a huge fortune of showiness is depleted and ruined
fall by sword............................................warfare
sit on the ground............................................humbled to the very dirt.

In the day of judgement, the purpose of the Lord is to teach humility.  It will require a total loss of the items that bring and promote pride and arrogance

2 Nephi 13

Jacob shares Isaiah's warning to Israel.  Israel is not to follow idols and riches, because they lead to arrogance and pride.  Those qualities destroy men's reliance on God and on spirituality.  This will lead to suffering at the hands of childish leaders, arrogant people who disregard and persecute the poor, and who are ripe for outside attack at the hands of enemies.

2 Nephi 12

2 Nephi 12;  Isaiah 2

2 Nephi 12: 1-6

top of the mountains...............................................latter-day center for the Lord's faithful
exalted above hills.....................................................the leader of all believers
his ways..............................................................to teach the gospel of Christ
the law...............................................................only source for knowing God's will
the word..............................................................Christ comes through Jews.  together they work to teach mankind
rebuke...............................................................corrective nature of the two together
the sword..........................................................establishes peace and leads to harmony
the light.......................................................a need to follow the teachings of the prophets
all gone astray.......................................................requires a restoration of the gospel

The latter-days will see the establishment of the kingdom of God.  It will serve as the spiritual leader for all the inhabitants of the earth.  Many will find it and look to that place for direction.  The result will be peace

2 Nephi 12: 7-11

land full of Gold......................................................the future scene will be one of wealth
of their own hands......................................................a proud people, proud of achievements
humbleth not............................................................a picture of terrible pride and idolatry
forgive not.............................................................will miss the saving graces of Christ
wicked ones..............................................................a state of tremendous wickedness
hide.....................................................................proper attitude, repentance and remorse
Lord exalted........................................................a sudden unheaval.  Christ is the exalted one.

Conditions at the time of the latter-day kingdom will be highly infused with human pride and wickedness.  Repentance will be taught to the peoples, but it will be difficult.  Many will be in danger of losing their place in the kingdom.

2 Nephi 12: 12-19

sudden day..........................................................Christ warns of the sudden correction of these conditions
day of the Lord...................................................the corrections will catch many proud ones
all...................................................................the consequences will reach to every human
loftiness of man...................................................we will learn humility
idols abolished.................................................in his kingdom their will be no idols.  One God.
holes and caves....................................................such behaviors will not be allowed

The day of the Lord will see the destruction of the conditions that lead men to such terrible haughtiness and pride.  They will not be allowed within the kingdom of God

2 Nephi 12: 20

cast their idols................................................men will desert the idolatrous to follow Christ
cease ye from man............................................men will follow a divine law, not human

The establishment of Zion will undermine the pride of the future day.  The elimination of wealthy pride will lead to much more divinity and towards humility

2 Nephi 12

The chapter forewarns about the attitudes of people who establish themselves in a terribly proud and wicked system.  God will suddenly overrule it and institute his own system.

2 Nephi 11

2 Nephi 11

2 Nephi 11: 1-3

sufficeth...............................................................Jacob only records what he feels he should
words of Isaiah.........................................................he feels that the words are very important
saw redeemer...................................................some prophets record seeing Christ, Isaiah, Jacob
words are true...................................................expression of testimony
words of three........................................................Law of witnesses

Jacob gives his writing purpose, and establishes it firmly on his testimony of Christ's divinity.  He also bears witness to having seen Christ himself, and adds his name to his brother Nephi, Isaiah, and others.

2 Nephi 11: 4-7

law of Moses........................................................Jacob predicates belief on following divine law
grace...................................................................Jacob applauds the Lord's mercy
Christ.......................................................................no one saved, except through Christ
if.......................................................................Jacob's spiritual logic.  Things go together.
Isaiah.................................................................a preface of testimony for Isaiah's message

Isaiah and others teach us of the divinity of Christ's message.  They indicated that we really need to study and to gain testimonies of their words.

2 Nephi 11

This chapter serves as a preface to the recorded words of Isaiah

2 Nephi 10

2 Nephi 10

2 Nephi 10: 1-6

righteous branch.............................................a righteous break off group
perish from unbelief..........................................many people do not find the faith in life
children restored.......................................the Lord's atonement will cover many of the lost
Jesus to the Jews..........................................prophecy of where Jesus would live
crucify him....................................................long before he was born, his type of death foretold
if:  would repent..............................................a particularly difficult people to work with
priestcrafts.................................................not called of God, rather self appointed
scattered.....................................................after the crucifixion, the fallen people forced to move

Jacob teaches his people about the first coming of Christ, how he would be born in the ancestral home for the people of Israel.  His crucifixion will lead to a scattering of the people who rejected him, because of their many sins.

2 Nephi 10: 7-16

day of belief...............................................the people gathered when they turn to Christ
gathered in the far reaches................................the Gentiles will be the place where the movement resumes
kings and queens......................................the movement will be protected and fostered by the leaders of the gentiles
this land.................................................America itself will be a center for the movement
liberty, no kings......................................America will reject monarchies, and they will be strong
fortify................................................divine strengthening of the American nation
Zion....................................................another name for the region.  Under divine protection
I will be their king.....................................America forms a kind of theocratic government
secret works.........................................to preserve America, the secret group must be destroyed
whore of the earth....................................the greatest danger for the future is the secret group

Before the second coming, America will become a great center for the establishment of Christ's church.  The country will be very strong, and will enjoy the protections of heaven.  This will continue as long as the people live in the Lord's way.  If secret works arise, Christ will overrule it.

2 Nephi 10: 17-21

promises................................................Can have faith in this.  Christ promised it.
afflict my people................................at first the Gentiles will be devastating to the children of Lehi
father to them...................................A change.  The Gentiles will strengthen the natives
consecrated......................................Land blessed forever to those of the House of Israel.
merciful God....................................Accept the Lord.  He has given the great promise.
plural, isles........................................God works with many peoples.  Never assume one is alone.

We must never lose sight of the fact that God will bless all those who join with the House of Israel. This goes to Jew, Gentile, American, native, male, female, and etc.

2 Nephi 10: 22-25

Lord remembereth..................................God knows where he leads his people, and he gathers them
free to act...........................................Learn the purpose and the plan.  But act and choose correctly
reconcile............................................our expectation in the atonement covenant
may he raise you.....................................the bottom line.  Each individual must earn his own place.

We can count on the promises of God.  He shows us an outline of what will occur, but each of us must decide independently what we will do.

2 Nephi 10

After all the outlines, and prophecies, each man must choose for himself how he will stand in the rolling out of history.  In the future, God will keep all his promises, including the one that he will cleanse the American continent of the secret combination that will lead to much of the corruptions and abominations that will arise.

2 Nephi 9

2 Nephi 9

2 Nephi 9: 1-6

Covenants..........................................................Jacob wants people know the Lord's promises
until........................................................................a law that will last until the Church comes
lift up.....................................................purpose, to inspire and to give hope to Israel
in bodies.....................................................a physical visit from God in the future
show.............................................................Christ to be born in the land of Jerusalem (Judah)
subject.....................................................he earns the right to rule by submitting to man
his plan..........................................................to die for man, atone, and to give choices

This illustrates the savior's part in the great plan of life and to His people.  He is born among his people to save them, although they will kill him.  If we meet the conditions and make the right choice, he will give us eternal life.

2 Nephi 9: 7-18

infinite atonement..........................................not just an earthly covenant.  It is forever.
first judgement............................................. our mortality's end. Death
the monster................................................physical death.  It must be overruled.  Christ does that.
give up the dead............................................Christ offers life to all.  Death is overruled.
spiritual death................................................a much more dangerous thing.  Losing the divine.
overruled......................................................Christ can save from that death as well.
deliver up.....................................................Mortal death has been conquered by Christ.
perfect remembrance.....................................Christ will join us in the final judgement.  We are accountable
go their way.................................................Men divided by Christ.  Righteous and Evil.

There are two stages of Christ's salvation.  He has already saved us for the earthly physical death.  But the second salvation comes when we meet the requirements for eternal life, and an eternal residence with God and all the righteous.  This part is subject to the choices by each person.

2 Nephi 9: 19-27

delivereth the saints..........................................Christ has a special salvation for saints.
resurrection......................................................We will stand physically before God.
damned......................................................fail to meet the qualifications
knows...........................................................Christ knows all.  The judgement is complete
suffered.........................................................All things subject to his desires
law.................................................................men held it.
no law...............................................................no expectations
atonement.........................................................will cover all those without law
woe..............................................................He gives the choice, then men are accountable

To receive the blessings, man must follow the law.  but there are no penalties for those without law.  We teach the law, because it offers men everlasting life, and it will come to every one, because there is a choice.  The atonement will meet all the needs of these requirements.

2 Nephi 9: 28-38

cunning one....................................................Satan works to stop the Lord's work,   He is a failure
the learned.....................................................a trick to make men think distorted and false thoughts.
the rich..............................................................false security in things and materialism
blind.................................................................cannot see the blessings
uncircumcised heart........................................failure to make necessary changes.
liar.......................................................................hell
murderer...............................................................shall die
whoredoms........................................................cast to hell
idols.......................................................................triumph of Satan
sins.........................................................................must be atone for.  They must be overcome.

Satan is working to stop and confine men, so that they do not reach the high potential laid before them.

2 Nephi 9: 39-49

awfulness.................................................................men can make it impossible to have the Holy Ghost
hard against revilers....................................................The truth hurts the evil doers
keeper of the gate...............................................Christ, who cannot be deceived
knock, and is open................................................if we seek Christ, he will be there.
despises those...................................................the wise, who will not listen;  the rich who are satisfied
happiness for the saints......................................to earn eternal life, one must be above such things
shook the garments.......................................by teaching others, the curse is lifted from us
partake.....................................................what God offers is precious, but it is not to be bought

Christ wants us to learn of him, and to reject simply pursuing money.  Such things can cause people to fail in their goals to succeed.

2 Nephi 9: 50-54

hearken diligently..........................................follow the Lords commandments very carefully
pray continually............................................we need his assistance.  Satan is busy
righteous branch..............................................a great promise made to the children of Lehi/Nephi

In order to succeed we will need divine assistance.  The promises are sure, and they are great, both spiritually, and on this world

2 Nephi 9

This chapter emphasizes the need and the importance of following the commandments of Christ