2 Nephi 25

Saved by Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ

Has someone ever relieved or rescued you from a difficult situation? How did you feel about that person after his or her help? After emphasizing the importance of prophetic teachings, Nephi testified that only Jesus Christ has the power to save all people. This lesson will help you understand how you are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ.

Teaching the scriptures and words of prophets. The true doctrine and principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ are in the scriptures and words of the prophets. As you help students study these, the Holy Ghost can testify of truth to their minds and hearts. They can become more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by consistently applying true doctrine and principles.

Student preparation: Consider inviting students to come to class prepared to talk about a message about Jesus Christ that has impacted them.

Possible Learning Activities

The only way we can be saved

To begin the lesson, share an account of someone being rescued or saved. You might also ask students to share about a time when they or someone they know was rescued or saved.

One option is to share the video “Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet” (5:36), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

In 2 Nephi 25, Nephi reminded his people that prophets testified that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, which means the Anointed One or Deliverer, of all people (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Messiah,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Nephi recorded that even though the Jews will be scattered because of their unbelief, if they believed in Jesus Christ, the Lord would gather and “restore [them] from their lost and fallen state” (2 Nephi 25:15–17).

Read 2 Nephi 25:18–20, looking for what Nephi taught about how the Jews (and all of God’s children) will be saved. It may help to know that in the scriptures, the word name can be used to represent a person’s power or authority. This is particularly true in reference to the Savior.

• What does Jesus Christ save us from?

• What would it be like if we did not have a Savior?

Saved by grace

Read 2 Nephi 25:23, looking for how Jesus Christ saves us.

The following section is intended to help students better understand grace.

Additional information about grace is available in the “Commentary and Background Information” section.

• What are some questions you might ask to gain a deeper understanding of Nephi’s teachings in verse 23?

Consider writing student questions on the board. They might ask questions such as “What is grace?” and “What does it mean that we are saved after all we can do?”

Use the following material to help students answer their questions.

Grace is the divine help or strength extended to us through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. …

Grace is a gift from Heavenly Father given through His Son, Jesus Christ. The word grace, as used in the scriptures, refers primarily to enabling power and spiritual healing offered through the mercy and love of Jesus Christ. (Gospel Topics, “Grace,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, explained:

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I wonder if sometimes we misinterpret the phrase “after all we can do.” We must understand that “after” does not equal “because.”

We are not saved “because” of all that we can do. Have any of us done all that we can do? Does God wait until we’ve expended every effort before He will intervene in our lives with His saving grace?

Many people feel discouraged because they constantly fall short. They know firsthand that “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” [Matthew 26:41]. They raise their voices with Nephi in proclaiming, “My soul grieveth because of mine iniquities” [2 Nephi 4:17].

I am certain Nephi knew that the Savior’s grace allows and enables us to overcome sin [see Alma 34:31]. This is why Nephi labored so diligently to persuade his children and brethren “to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God” [2 Nephi 25:23].

After all, that is what we can do! And that is our task in mortality! …

Today and forevermore God’s grace is available to all whose hearts are broken and whose spirits are contrite [see 3 Nephi 9:19–20]. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Gift of Grace,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 110)

Use one or more of the following questions to help students share their thoughts. You may be prompted to ask follow-up questions or to share a time when you experienced the Savior’s grace. You might also consider sharing an example of how the Savior’s grace helped you or someone you know.

• How would you describe your feelings for the Savior, knowing that His grace is available to you personally?

• What are some of the ways you can access the Savior’s grace?

• What aspects of your life might be different if you felt more of the Savior’s grace? In what ways?

Reflect for a moment on what you have learned about Jesus Christ being the only way you can be saved. What message or truth was most significant to you or made you want to praise Jesus Christ? What do you feel prompted to do because of what you learned and felt? You may want to record these thoughts in your study journal.

Rejoice in Christ

Because Nephi knew of the Savior’s grace and power to save, he wrote to help others believe in Christ. Read 2 Nephi 25:26 looking for what we can do to help others believe in Jesus Christ. You may want to mark the different action words that are used in this verse.

• Which words in this verse stood out to you?

• How has your life been influenced by what someone else has shared about Jesus Christ?

• How could your relationship with Jesus Christ be strengthened by sharing personal feelings about Him with others?

To help students apply verse 26, consider dividing the class into pairs or small groups and inviting them to “talk of Christ” with each other by sharing their thoughts and feelings about Jesus Christ. Students could also end class by individually completing the following activity:

Think of someone in your life who could benefit from being reminded of the Savior’s love and grace. Create a message (such as a text, social media post, or personal letter) that you could share with them.

Commentary and Background Information

2 Nephi 25:23. How do I qualify to receive the Lord’s grace?

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reminded us:

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

We do not need to achieve some minimum level of capacity or goodness before God will help—divine aid can be ours every hour of every day, no matter where we are in the path of obedience. But I know that beyond desiring His help, we must exert ourselves, repent, and choose God for Him to be able to act in our lives consistent with justice and moral agency. My plea is simply to take responsibility and go to work so that there is something for God to help us with. (D. Todd Christofferson, “Free Forever, to Act for Themselves,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 19)

What blessings can I receive by seeking the Savior’s grace?

You may want to watch the video “Come unto Christ: 2014 Theme Song” (4:48). Ponder how the Savior’s grace has affected you in your times of need.

2 Nephi 25:24–25. What is the law of Moses and why did Nephi say it was dead?

God gave laws through Moses when the children of Israel failed to obey the higher law they had been given (see Exodus 32; 34; Joseph Smith Translation, Exodus 34:1–2 [in the Bible appendix]). This became known as the law of Moses. It consisted of many rules, ceremonies, and sacrifices that were intended to remind them of God and their duty toward Him (see Mosiah 13:30). Much of the ceremonial law was fulfilled at the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ (see Alma 34:13–14). One reason the law was considered dead was because it could not bring salvation to God’s children. Only Jesus Christ could do so. (See Guide to the Scriptures, “Law of Moses,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Book of Mormon Teachings on Grace

Consider using some or all of the following references to help students learn about grace: 2 Nephi 2:6–8; 2 Nephi 10:24–25; Jacob 4:7; Helaman 14:13; Ether 12:27; and Moroni 10:32–33. You could divide students into groups and assign one or more of these passages and ask students to prepare to share what the passages teach about the Savior’s grace.

“The right way is to believe in Christ” (2 Nephi 25:28–29)

After reading 2 Nephi 25:18–20, consider helping students to reflect on how Jesus Christ is the only way we can be saved. Invite students to read 2 Nephi 25:28–29 and discuss what they learn from the repeated phrase “the right way.”

Help others look to Christ

Display an image of Moses and the brazen serpent and retell the story (see Numbers 21:4–9). Invite students to imagine they were living among the Israelites at the time of Moses when the people were bitten by poisonous serpents. Ask students what they would have done to convince the snake-bitten Israelites to look at the serpent Moses placed before them. Compare the poisonous snake bite to sin and read 2 Nephi 25:26, looking for what Nephi and others have done to help others look to the Savior for a remission of sins. Discuss ways students can apply verse 26 in their lives.

The law of Moses

Invite students to search 2 Nephi 25:24–30, looking for why Nephi and his people observed the law of Moses. Discuss how various elements of the law of Moses pointed the people to Jesus Christ. (See Guide to the Scriptures, “Law of Moses,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.) You could also discuss how various commandments and ordinances in our day point us to Jesus Christ.