Library
2 Nephi 33


Chapter 33

Nephi’s words are true—They testify of Christ—Those who believe in Christ will believe Nephi’s words, which will stand as a witness before the judgment bar. About 559–545 B.C.

And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.

But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.

But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.

And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal.

And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the truth; wherefore, no man will be angry at the words which I have written save he shall be of the spirit of the devil.

I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.

I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat.

I have charity for the Jew—I say Jew, because I mean them from whence I came.

I also have charity for the Gentiles. But behold, for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.

10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.

11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge yefor Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.

12 And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day.

13 And now, my beloved brethren, all those who are of the house of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust: Farewell until that great day shall come.

14 And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day.

15 For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen.

      • according to (preposition)

        In a way that agrees with.

      • amen (interjection)

        Let it be so! Often said at the end of religious speeches and prayers.

      • as (adverb)

        Like.

      • B.C. (noun)

        Before the birth of Christ.

      • bar of God, bar (noun)

        The place of the Final Judgment; the Final Judgment itself, in which Christ will judge every human being for their acts during this life; a wooden railing separating the judge from the accused.

      • because of (conjunction)

        By reason of; through.

      • before (preposition)

        In front of.

      • behold (interjection, archaic)

        Look! See! In fact.

      • beloved (adjective)

        Dear; well-loved.

      • bid (verb)

        To say; to express.

      • brother, brethren (noun)

        Peer; neighbor; relative; kinsman.

      • charity (noun)

        Love; the pure love of Christ.

      • children of men (noun)

        All people.

      • Christ (noun)

        A title for Jesus Christ. The titles Christ and Messiah both mean a king or priest sent by God to save the world.

      • command (verb)

        To give a law, order, or binding instruction.

      • consecrate (verb)

        To dedicate; to make special; to set apart for a sacred purpose.

      • continually (adverb)

        Always; without pause.

      • cry (verb)

        To plead; to pray earnestly.

      • cry (verb)

        To speak loudly.

      • ends of the earth (noun phrase)

        Everywhere on earth; the most remote places on earth.

      • endure to the end (verb phrase)

        Remain faithful until the end of one’s life.

      • enter (verb)

        To go into.

      • esteem (verb)

        To consider; to see.

      • eternal (adjective)

        Lasting forever.

      • everlasting (adjective)

        Lasting forever.

      • except (conjunction)

        Unless.

      • faith (noun)

        Belief in God, willingness to follow His gospel, and trust in the impressions of the Holy Ghost.

      • farewell (noun)

        Goodbye; have a good journey.

      • fathers (noun)

        Ancestors (one’s parents, their parents, theirs, and so on).

      • Father (proper noun)

        God the Father. He created all life and is the Father of our spirits. He rules all things and is just, righteous, merciful, and loving. He is the father of Jesus Christ.

      • for (conjunction)

        Because.

      • for (conjunction)

        Because; because you see.

      • from the dust (adverb phrase)

        From the grave.

      • gain (noun)

        Benefit; profit; good.

      • Gentile (proper noun)

        Member of a nation or tribe other than Israel.

      • glory (noun)

        Power; greatness; splendor; magnificence.

      • God (proper noun)

        God the Father or His Son, Jesus Christ. God the Father rules all things with perfect justice, mercy, and love. Jesus Christ often speaks and acts for His Father. He suffered so that we could be forgiven of our sins and be resurrected. The Father and Son are separate individuals but are united in purpose.

      • great (adjective)

        Firm; powerful.

      • great (adjective)

        Big; signficant.

      • great and last day (noun)

        The Final Judgment, in which Jesus Christ will judge every human being for their acts during this life.

      • harden one’s heart (verb phrase)

        Make or become stubborn, wicked, or resistant to good influences.

      • hath (verb, archaic)

        Has.

      • heart (noun)

        A person’s thoughts, desires, and feelings.

      • hell (noun)

        The torment we will feel after this life for our sins if we do not repent.

      • Holy Ghost (proper noun)

        The Holy Ghost, also known as the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of the Lord. He is a divine spirit, one in purpose with God the Father and Jesus Christ. He speaks to our hearts and testifies of truth.

      • Holy Spirit (noun)

        The Holy Spirit, also known as the Spirit of the Lord. He is a divine spirit, one in purpose with God the Father and Jesus Christ. He speaks to our hearts and testifies of truth.

      • hope (verb)

        To have a confident desire, whether weak or strong; to have confidence in God’s promises.

      • in the name of Christ (adverb phrase)

        With faith in Jesus Christ; while following the teachings of Jesus Christ.

      • house of Israel (proper noun)

        God’s ancient covenant people, as described in the Bible (house means a nation or tribe); members of God’s Church.

      • Jesus (proper noun)

        Personal name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The name means “Savior.”

      • Jew (proper noun)

        Member of the tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel; people who lived in the land of Judah.

      • judge (verb)

        To decide whether someone has done right or wrong; to decide on someone’s reward or punishment.

      • judgment-seat (noun)

        The place of the Final Judgment; the Final Judgment itself, in which Christ will judge every human being for their acts during this life.

      • Lamb, Lamb of God (proper noun)

        A title of Jesus Christ. The lamb can represent gentleness, and it can also refer to His role in the Atonement.

      • eternal life (noun)

        A state of immortality and joy; the kind of life that God lives.

      • Lord God (noun)

        A term of respect for God the Father or Jesus Christ.

      • Lord (noun)

        A term of respect for God the Father or Jesus Christ.

      • make known (verb)

        To teach; to tell; to reveal.

      • men (noun)

        People; humanity.

      • man (noun)

        Human beings.

      • mine (pronoun, archaic)

        My.

      • Nephi (proper noun)

        A prophet, fourth son of Lehi; author of the first two books of the Book of Mormon.

      • by night (adverb)

        Nighttime; during the night.

      • none (pronoun)

        No one.

      • obey (verb)

        To do what one has been commanded or asked to do.

      • one (pronoun)

        Someone.

      • partake, partake of (verb)

        To eat or drink; to take a portion.

      • persuade (verb)

        To convince; to bring someone to believe or agree.

      • plainness (noun)

        Frankness; directness; telling someone the truth without softening the details.

      • pray (verb)

        To ask God for something; to speak to God, out loud or silently.

      • day or days of probation (noun phrase)

        One’s lifetime (during which one is tested by God).

      • proceed, proceed forth (verb)

        To come or go out.

      • redeem (verb)

        To rescue or save someone, often by paying a ransom.

      • save (preposition)

        Except; unless.

      • save (verb)

        To rescue from death and sin.

      • shall, should (verb)

        Will, would.

      • shall believe (verb)

        Believe.

      • show (verb)

        To give evidence for.

      • sin (noun)

        Evil acts; disobedience to God’s commandments.

      • soul (noun)

        Spirit; the part of us that exists before birth, that continues after death, and that has awareness and the ability to choose.

      • speaketh (verb, archaic)

        Speaks.

      • spirit of the devil (noun)

        Satan (also called Lucifer), a spiritual being who rebelled against God and opposes Him. Satan deceives people and tempt them to sin.

      • spotless (adjective)

        Innocent; without sin.

      • testify (verb)

        To state that something is true.

      • that (conjunction)

        Who.

      • thus (adverb)

        In this way.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        For; to.

      • like unto (preposition)

        Like; the same as.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • from whence (prepositional phrase)

        From which; from where.

      • wherefore (adverb)

        So you see; therefore.

      • with (preposition)

        Through; by means of.

      • witness (noun)

        Evidence; testimony.

      • word (noun)

        Message; teachings.

      • ye (pronoun, archaic)

        You.