This is part 2/2 and a continuation of the witness of Jacob, the brother of Nephi. This part is focused on 2 Nephi chapters 9-11. If you have not yet studied part one, I recommend doing that first. Jacob’s witness contains much about the last days and the words of Isaiah. My comments are only focused on highlighting the doctrine of Christ. As mentioned previously, where applicable, I will offer my interpretations of Isaiah. This is according to the power of the Lord. Use your own discernment and seek for the Lord’s guidance.

I will always invite you to first read it (2 Nephi chapter 9-11) on your own and use the spirit of the Lord to help you see the doctrine of Christ with new eyes. Then feel free to supplement your own reading with mine if you would like. I may note symbols without necessarily revealing their meaning. I invite you to seek the spirit teach you their meaning. If you have the proper context of the doctrine of Christ the symbols should be easier to understand. Use the spirit to discern any of my personal messages. My comments are only there to help clarify the simplicity and beauty of Christ’s true saving doctrine.

The Witness of Jacob unto the people of Nephi Continued

2 Nephi 9

1 And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel— [Now we see why Jacob has read quoted Isaiah.]

2 That he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the true church and fold of God; when they shall be gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise.

[“Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth” (1 Nephi 14:10). Yes, there are two churches only. Neither church is a single institution. Know the characteristics of each. They are in the Book of Mormon. This is relevant because those that fulfill the doctrine of Christ become members of the church of the Lamb of God.]

3 Behold, my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever, because of the blessings which the Lord God shall bestow upon your children.

4 For I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God. [There is more to this—ponder it.]

5 Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him. [This is at the core of the doctrine of Christ. It is that He must become your Prophet, Priest, and King and thereby you can receive all things from the Lord.]

6 For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of [spiritual] resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.[Spiritual death; This is what the doctrine of Christ enables you to overcome. There are different types of resurrection. This resurrection is enabled because of the Savior fulfilling the atonement. Upon being born into mortality, each person is tied or bonded to the flesh or telestial world (best description I have right now.) When a person experiences their baptism of fire and Holy Ghost they are “saved” from this telestial bond. This is what it means “to be saved” which is the same as “to receive salvation.” This is what it means “to be born again” or to be “born unto life.” This baptism of fire and Holy Ghost is also “to be personally redeemed” which is “to be bought” from darkness and death. It is purchased through the redeeming blood of the Savior. Your sufficient hope, broken heart, contrite spirit, repentance, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, obedience to the personal commandments (revelations) of the Lord are what trigger the mercy of the Lord (at the right time) to personally redeem you. This is why it is so important for you to learn the doctrine of Christ and seek for your baptism of fire and Holy Ghost.]

14 Now, verily I say unto you, that through the redemption which is made for you is brought to pass the resurrection from the dead. 15 And the spirit and the body are the soul of man. 16 And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul.

Doctrine & Covenants 88

7 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption [it would not be sufficient to overcome the effects of spiritual death]. Wherefore, the first judgment [separation] which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.

8 O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more.

9 And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness.

10 O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.

11 And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.

12 And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel. [This is an important point that I must make again and again. You or any other human (arm-of-flesh) does not have the power within them. You don’t “hold” or “possess” the power. The source of all power is the Lord God. This is why you must seek to receive all things personally from the Lord—through the gifts of the spirit which is the power of God. Do not misunderstand this very critical point. Do not mingle this with priesthood and keys (a topic to be discussed later). Keep it simple. As we have discussed previously, it is in your personal relationship.]

“A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.”

John 3:27

13 O how great the plan of our God [that all things are in and through Christ.]! For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal [spiritually redeemed], and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect [ponder this].

14 Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment (see also “That they might have joy”), and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness. [Why? Because they were personally redeemed.]

15 And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life [spiritually redeemed], insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.

16 And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath spoken it, and it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away, that they who are righteous [redeemed] shall be righteous still [still having all the spiritual qualities of one that has been personally redeemed—full of light and glory], and they who are filthy shall be filthy still [those that have never been personally redeemed through a baptism of fire and Holy Ghost will remain unredeemed or spiritually filthy]; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end.

17 O the greatness and the justice of our God! For he executeth all his words, and they have gone forth out of his mouth, and his law must be fulfilled. [Do you believe this? Do you believe there is another way? A backdoor perhaps? A declaration from another arm-of-flesh human of your goodness or your seemingly good works in mortality? All your good intentions? Your membership in a telestial institution perhaps? Nay! This is unbelief. There is no other way than “in and through” the Lord. Do you not believe the the words of the Lord? Do you not believe in the justice of God?]:

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? [“The way” is the doctrine of Christ]

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14

18 But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel [not referring to members of LDS church], they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever. [These are they who have been spiritually redeemed and have work to do in the last days.]

19 O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment [this is that bond or tie to the telestial world that I was explaining earlier in this post].

20 O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.

[Have you ever seen a scripture that says, “O the greatness and the mercy of [blank] church, the greatest religious institution!”? What about, “O how great the holiness of our church!”? No! Point yourself to Jesus Christ. Yes, for some, it has to be said repeatedly and the Lord commands me to repeat it.]

21 And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice [obey the voice of the Lord (personal revelation)]; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.

22 And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.

23 And he commandeth all [no exceptions] men [mankind] that they must repent, and be baptized in his name [(a) baptism of water, (b) baptism of fire (blood) and Holy Ghost (spirit); Moses 6:59-62] , having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God. [If you have not yet understood these principles and saving ordinances of the doctrine of Christ, I encourage to learn, believe, live and teach it as outlined in The Doctrine of Christ Study Guide.]

[For more study, understanding, and overcoming false traditions about the Kingdom of God see this blog post—False Traditions: There Are Save Two Churches Only—Part 1 & Part 2.]

24 And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end [In a future post I will address the false tradition of “enduring to the end.” In the meantime it is covered in the study guide.], they must be damned [stopped from spiritually ascending]; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it. [Again, this will test not only your learning of the doctrine of Christ but whether you believe the Lord who personally taught it.]

25 Wherefore, he has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him. [Whose power?]

26 For the atonement satisfieth the demands of his justice upon all those who have not the law given to them, that they are delivered from that awful monster, death and hell, and the devil, and the lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment; and they are restored to that God who gave them breath, which is the Holy One of Israel.

27 But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation [never sought and received personal redemption], for awful is his state!

28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned [with titles, stature, educated or even setting themselves up as a light (priestcrafts)] they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

30 But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.

31 And wo unto the [spiritually] deaf that will not hear; for they shall perish.

32 Wo unto the [spiritually] blind that will not see [with their spiritual eyes]; for they shall perish also.

33 Wo unto the [spiritually] uncircumcised of heart, for a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day.

34 Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell.

35 Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, for he shall die.

36 Wo unto them who commit whoredoms, for they shall be thrust down to hell.

37 Yea, wo unto those that worship idols [includes people (arm-of-flesh)], for the devil of all devils delighteth in them.

38 And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins [never personally redeemed]; for they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins.

39 O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.

40 O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.

[My brethren and sisters, I know that pointing you away from seeking personal redemption through a religious institution in favor of receiving your personal redemption “in and through” the Lord, and it may be as though “I have spoken hard things against you.” But it is absolutely a false tradition. False traditions are “uncleanness.” And “I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness.” I know this may push against your traditions, yea, even against your false traditions. There is no scriptural basis for this particular false tradition. I am a personal witness to personal redemption from the Lord. I invite you to seek His light, His truth, His glory, His gifts of the spirit and all things divine from Him. Remember, “the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.” ** I have an important disclaimer associated with this later in this post.]

41 O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

[This is so profound on so many levels. Must I keep saying it? Yet, the Lord commands me to. My brothers and sisters, there is no other way but “in and through” the Lord Himself. There is a stark difference between “the institutional path” and “the true covenant path which is the true doctrine of Christ” (see also, “Which path are you on?”).]

42 And whoso knocketh [a righteous principle which means to get the Lord’s attention], to him will he open [who opens?]; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them [who won’t?]. [All things that should remind you of the importance of developing (co-creating) your personal relationship with the Lord.]

43 But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints. [See also, “That they might have joy”]

44 O, my beloved brethren [and sisters], remember my words. Behold, I take off my garments, and I shake them before you; I pray the God of my salvation [Jacob received salvation (personal redemption) from who?] that he view me with his all-searching eye; wherefore, ye shall know at the last day, when all men shall be judged of their works [the inner workings of your personal relationship with the Lord], that the God of Israel did witness that I shook your iniquities from my soul, and that I stand with brightness before him, and am rid of your blood. [Jacob cannot be held accountable for not witnessing to you how you can receive redemption and inviting you to receive it. It’s on you now!]

45 O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast [that bond that a telestial person has to this telestial earth]; come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation. [This is literal. Do not come unto a telestial institution. “Come unto Christ”—yes, personally come unto Him.]

46 Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall be administered unto the righteous, even the day of judgment, that ye may not shrink with awful fear; that ye may not remember your awful guilt in perfectness, and be constrained to exclaim: Holy, holy are thy judgments, O Lord God Almighty—but I know my guilt; I transgressed thy law, and my transgressions are mine; and the devil hath obtained me, that I am a prey to his awful misery.

47 But behold, my brethren, is it expedient that I should awake you to an awful reality of these things? Would I harrow up your souls if your minds were pure? Would I be plain unto you according to the plainness of the truth if ye were freed from sin?

48 Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin.

49 Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God.

50 Come, my brethren [and sisters], every one that thirsteth [some will and many won’t—even those you might think do, actually don’t.], come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice. [The Lord God is so good. God is Good!]

53 And behold how great the covenants of the Lord, and how great his condescensions unto the children of men [more to this]; and because of his greatness, and his grace and mercy, he has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that he would preserve them; and in future generations they shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel.

54 And now, my brethren, I would speak unto you more; but on the morrow I will declare unto you the remainder of my words. Amen.

2 Nephi 10

1 And now I, Jacob, speak unto you again, my beloved brethren, concerning this righteous branch of which I have spoken.

2 For behold, the promises which we have obtained are promises unto us according to the flesh [the promises of salvation, personal redemption, or to be born again are promises that must and should be fulfilled while in the flesh—mortality. This is the time to prepare to meet God (9:46).] ; wherefore, as it has been shown unto me [by vision; gift of the spirit] that many of our children shall perish in the flesh because of unbelief, nevertheless, God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that [the doctrine of Christ] which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer. [This “knowledge” is to literally “know” the Lord personally and intimately.]

[This verse is loaded! “Many” will not receive personal redemption while in mortality (“shall perish in the flesh”). Why? “Because of unbelief.” It really is that simple. Be careful, this is not saying that many will have unbelief but “nevertheless” God will redeem them anyway. No! This is saying that many will perish; nevertheless, there will be others that will be redeemed because they will embrace the Lord (Christ) and His true doctrine.

“Unbelief” is manifested in so many different ways. Also, “unbelief” is caused by so many different reasons. Maybe you have been taught to offer up your loyalties to arm-of-flesh? Idolatry? False traditions? Have you placed your loyalty to a religious institution ahead of your loyalty to the Lord? What is it for you? Others? Do you have spiritual eyes to see it? Regardless, I invite you to ask the Lord to show you your obstacles. Pray and ask the Lord to reveal your own false traditions to you. Ask the Lord to bring to light your idol(s). He will help you personally. There is no shame in this. There is never a comparison of your relationship with the Lord to another’s relationship. When He reveals each road block, repent. Covenant with the Lord to make Him your Prophet, Priest, King, your Counselor, your Wonderful, your Almighty God!]

3 Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ—for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this should be his name—should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God.

4 For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations they would repent, and know that he be their God.

5 But because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will stiffen their necks against him, that he be crucified.

[Alma 1:16 gives us a better understanding of what priestcrafts are. It is people that “loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching false doctrines; and this they did for the sake of riches and honor.” It is to set oneself up as the light or even an intermediary between a person and the Lord. This is relevant to the doctrine of Christ, because when the true doctrine of Christ is not taught (false doctrine), it keeps people from knowing how to receive all things from the Lord. The motivation for these people is, of course, riches and honor—the honor, respect and even the idolization of other people. Think about that. Christ came to restore His true doctrine among an established organizational leadership, but to maintain their organizational control, riches, and honors (social stature) of others, they kept the charade going so much that they crucified the Savior. They did this in favor of what?—For their own doctrine of dead works. They expected the others to bow down to them, adhere to their policies of how to live their lives day-to-day, and believe their salvation was contingent upon their obedience to these policies and procedures.]

6 Wherefore, because of their iniquities, destructions, famines, pestilences, and bloodshed shall come upon them; and they who shall not be destroyed shall be scattered among all nations.

7 But behold, thus saith the Lord God: When the day cometh that they shall believe in me, that I am Christ [This is not a casual belief in the existence of Christ. This is to seek Him, to seek His face, and to seek His salvation.], then have I covenanted with their fathers that they shall be restored in the flesh, upon the earth, unto the lands of their inheritance.

8 And it shall come to pass that they shall be gathered in from their long dispersion, from the isles of the sea, and from the four parts of the earth; and the nations of the Gentiles shall be great in the eyes of me, saith God, in carrying them forth to the lands of their inheritance.

9 Yea, the kings of the Gentiles shall be nursing fathers unto them, and their queens shall become nursing mothers; wherefore, the promises of the Lord are great unto the Gentiles [this is how the correct doctrine of Christ was restored in the latter days through Joseph Smith and witnessed by the Book of Mormon], for he hath spoken it, and who can dispute?

10 But behold, this land, said God, shall be a land of thine inheritance, and the Gentiles shall be blessed upon the land.

11 And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles.

12 And I will fortify this land against all other nations.

[v.9-12: The earth and preserved land upon it is a type and shadow of the Lord and His saving doctrine. Also think of how people have been led by the Lord from one land to another even a promised land while having to go through wildernesses and cross over great and turbulent depths of water.]

13 And he that fighteth against Zion shall perish, saith God.

14 For he that raiseth up a king against me shall perish, for I, the Lord, the king of heaven, will be their king, and I will be a light unto them forever, that hear my words. [Who will be their king? Yes, the Lord! Was it intended that an institution be their king? Nay, that would be beyond the role of any institution whose real purpose is to only support the individual’s personal journey with the Lord. Was it intended that a prophet be their king? Nay, that would be priestcrafts and beyond the role of a prophet whose purpose is to simply point people to the Lord to receive all things directly. Who will the Lord be a king to? All? Nay. All gathered people? Nay—only those that hear His words through personal revelation.]

15 Wherefore, for this cause [For what cause?—That the Lord should be their king and He “will be a light unto them forever”.], that my covenants may be fulfilled which I have made unto the children of men, that I will do unto them while they are in the flesh [This is so plain. Is there any question that the Lord is trying to do His work of salvation for “those people that will hear words” not for after death but rather “while they are in the flesh (mortality)?”], I must needs destroy the secret works of darkness, and of murders, and of abominations. [Not just because the Lord despises evil but because the works of darkness are what propagate “unbelief” and work against the doctrine of Christ and attempt to prevent each soul from ascending and receiving salvation from the Lord.]

16 Wherefore, he that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female, shall perish; for they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they who are not for me are against me, saith our God.

17 For I will fulfil my promises which I have made unto the children of men, that I will do unto them while they are in the flesh [there it is again].

18 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, thus saith our God: I will afflict thy seed by the hand of the Gentiles; nevertheless, I will soften the hearts of the Gentiles, that they shall be like unto a father to them; wherefore, the Gentiles shall be blessed and numbered among the house of Israel.

19 Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, and them who shall be numbered among thy seed, forever, for the land of their inheritance; for it is a choice land, saith God unto me, above all other lands, wherefore I will have all men that dwell thereon that they shall worship me, saith God.

20 And now, my beloved brethren, seeing that our merciful God has given us so great knowledge concerning these things, let us remember him, and lay aside our sins [repent], and not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off; nevertheless, we have been driven out of the land of our inheritance; but we have been led to a better land, for the Lord has made the sea our path, and we are upon an isle of the sea.

21 But great are the promises of the Lord unto them who are upon the isles of the sea; wherefore as it says isles, there must needs be more than this, and they are inhabited also by our brethren.

22 For behold, the Lord God has led away from time to time from the house of Israel, according to his will and pleasure. And now behold, the Lord remembereth all them who have been broken off, wherefore he remembereth us also. [The Lord is involved in the details of our lives. He can and does know each soul in a very intimate way.]

23 Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life. [This is your personal choice. You cannot be compelled. Your choice cannot be dependent upon another. You have to choose the Lord to be your king, or not.]

24 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God [The will of the Lord is to personally fulfill His doctrine—the doctrine of Christ], and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God [repent], that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved

[You have seen me use “in and through” repeatedly. It is not by accident. It is very literal and describes the nature of the required relationship with the Lord. It is “in the Lord” because the relationship should always be active in the present tense and filled with personal revelation in all things. It’s keeping the Lord’s commands (revelations), that you will be constantly guided to more. It is “through the Lord,” because only He is authorized and capable of both offering and bestowing the divine to you–His atoning blood authorizes Him.

I don’t know how much more plain this can be and yet I am commanded to bring your attention to it once again. Only the Lord can offer you personal salvation—no other arm-of-flesh or religious institution. Rid yourself of unbelief including your false traditions.]

25 Wherefore, may God raise you from [spiritual] death by the power of the resurrection [“personal redemption;” “to be born again;” “to be saved;” “to receive salvation;” baptism of fire and Holy Ghost.], and also from everlasting death [the bond to the telestial] by the power of the atonement [through the blood of the Lamb], that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen.

2 Nephi 11

1 And now, Jacob spake many more things to my people at that time; nevertheless only these things have I caused to be written, for the things which I have written sufficeth me.

2 And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him.

3 And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words.

[Wow! How plain is this?! Nephi leaves his personal witness that he has fulfilled the doctrine of Christ and has “seen” the Savior. If that is not enough, he lets everyone know that both Isaiah and his brother, Jacob, have also had the same experience. Why does he leave this witness? “To prove unto [others] that [his] words are true” and even “by the words of three.” The doctrine of Christ is not just philosophical or idealogical. It is the word of the Lord and a very real invitation unto all to also become personal witnesses. Be believing. Rid yourself of any unbelief.]

4 Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.

5 And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from [spiritual] death.

6 And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish.

7 For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time.

8 And now I write some of the words of Isaiah, that whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men. Now these are the words, and ye may liken them unto you and unto all men.

Conclusion

The witness of Jacob is beautiful. I love that he and Nephi were familiar with and understood the teachings of Isaiah. The Lord in His infinite wisdom and miracles has linked you and I to Isaiah through Joseph Smith to Jacob to Nephi to Lehi to Isaiah spanning about 2700 years. In these chapters, Jacob, Nephi and Isaiah are all personal witnesses of the Savior and the fulfillment of the doctrine of Christ.

The doctrine of Christ requires you to “work out your own salvation” “in and through” a very personal and customized relationship with the Lord. This is your “journey.” Your journey is a creation. You are a co-creator with the Lord in your journey. He has all the knowledge, truth, power and glory, and therefore, you are dependent upon Him to share those things with you in the form of gifts of the spirit in order for your relationship to thrive. Your thriving is spiritual progression or ascension into eternity in a way you can’t fathom with the mortal mind.

Awake. Repent. Commit today to do away with your false traditions, idolatry and temporal comforts. These are barriers to your thriving relationship and personal ascension. If you cannot remove them, you will be damned. Ask the Lord how and He will guide you. Make an offering to the Lord by placing these roadblocks on an altar as your sacrifice and a witness of your devotion and loyalty.

Unless the Lord has personally revealed it to you, do not be so prideful as to think or believe you have already received something which you have yet to receive (2 Nephi 28). Come unto Christ—the Holy One. He is the only one that can make you holy—for He is the only one with the authority, the means, and the glory, in fact, to make you holy. The Lord is amazing!

Not too long ago, I illustrated the journey in and through the doctrine of Christ (below). It won’t win any awards, I know, but maybe it helps you to see how things build upon one another and how each person really does have to experience eternal principles and saving ordinances.

Disclaimer: I mentioned earlier in this post that I have a disclaimer. I want to be very clear about something also. I have repeatedly encouraged you to make the Lord your Prophet, Priest, and King. These chapters (2 Nephi 6-11) are another witness of this. I have encouraged you to eliminate your idols which are anything that stands between you and the Lord including people and religious institutions. For clarity, I am not asking any person to intentionally separate themself from their religious institution. This is not my message in the least. I am merely boldly stating what the scriptures say and what the Lord commands me to say—that an obstacle, roadblock or idol can come in different forms. An idol is anything that stands between you and a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord. Also, idolatry is when a person believes any person (arm-of-flesh) or thing other than the Savior Jesus Christ can offer them salvation or even exaltation. This is a false tradition—yea, even a false doctrine—it not being the true doctrine of Christ.

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For more understanding of this covenant path and its milestones taught throughout the scriptures, you are welcome to begin your personal study and your own journey in and through the doctrine of Christ through The Doctrine of Christ Study Guide. Also, to help you increase your confidence in personal revelation and develop your own gift of discernment, I invite you to study The 3 Voices of Personal Revelation Study Guide.

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JourneyDoctrineOfChrist.org is based on free, online study guides to help you learn, believe, live and teach the Doctrine of Christ. The Study Guides invite any and all to see and know this truth for themselves that the Savior, Jesus Christ, has, in fact, introduced His doctrine and He personally invites all to receive personal redemption and to even literally receive Him while in the flesh (mortality).

Blog posts are only intended to supplement the Study Guides.  Per all blog posts, seek the understanding and confirmations from the Lord in your own personal revelation.  Study guides are intended to point you to both the Lord’s written word and His voice (personal revelation). These study guides will help you uncover what the Doctrine of Christ is and other essential topics that will help you in your journey to literally “come unto Christ” while in mortality. All study guides are available at JourneyDoctrineOfChrist.org.