Seminaries and Institutes
The Second Book of Nephi


“The Second Book of Nephi,” Book of Mormon Teacher Resource Manual (2004), 47–80

“The Second Book of Nephi,” Book of Mormon Teacher Resource Manual, 47–80

The Second Book of Nephi

Second Nephi is a continuation of Nephi’s writings on the small plates. While 1 Nephi focuses on Lehi’s journey to the promised land, 2 Nephi can be thought of as Nephi’s witness of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer. Nephi, in the last verse of 1 Nephi, explains, “Wherefore, ye need not suppose that I and my father are the only ones that have testified” (1 Nephi 22:31). The book of 2 Nephi includes several additional witnesses of Jesus Christ (see the accompanying chart).

Witnesses

Chapters in 2 Nephi

Lehi

1–4

Joseph in Egypt

3

Nephi

4–5; 11; 25–33

Jacob

6; 9–10

Isaiah

7–8; 12–24; 27

Besides testifying of Christ, 2 Nephi includes the following doctrines:

  • The scattering and gathering of Israel.

  • The Great Apostasy.

  • The coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the Restoration of the Church.

  • The last days and the destruction of the wicked at the Second Coming.

  • The plan of salvation and the redeeming power of Jesus Christ’s Atonement.

  • The Resurrection of all mankind.

Finally, Nephi teaches how obedience to “the doctrine of Christ” (2 Nephi 32:6) leads the Lord’s disciples to eternal life.

Nephi closes with an invitation for everyone to seriously consider his words. He testifies that they are “the words of Christ,” and adds that “at the last day … you and I shall stand face to face before [God’s] bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things. …

“And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom” (2 Nephi 33:11–12).

Nephi’s final words reflect his life’s theme: “The Lord commanded me, and I must obey” (2 Nephi 33:15; see also 1 Nephi 3:7).