All things bear record · 2 Nephi

2 Nephi 10

6 witnesses of Christ here, and 4 further echoes from the reading.

Redeemer

Redeemer — one who pays the price to buy back and free

For behold, the promises which we have obtained are promises unto us according to the flesh; wherefore, as it has been shown unto me 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 which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer. 2 Nephi 10:2

Lehi's descendants will be restored to a true knowledge of their Redeemer, Jesus Christ. That promise is one reason the Book of Mormon exists.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

How we know: the verse itself names Him

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek form of Messiah)

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. 2 Nephi 10:3

An angel tells Jacob the Messiah's name will be Christ. This is the first time the name Christ appears in the Book of Mormon text.

AttestedExplicitnamea messenger speaking for Him

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • the same title in Mosiah 3:8 — An angel tells King Benjamin His name: Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Crucifixion

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. 2 Nephi 10:3–5

Jacob prophesies that Christ will come to the Jews and be crucified, and calls Him 'their God.' Priestcraft and wickedness, not a lack of miracles, will lead to the cross.

AttestedExplicitA prophecy of Him

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • the same event in 2 Nephi 6:9 — Jacob earlier foretold that they would scourge and crucify Him.
  • fulfilled by John 19:18 — They crucified Him at Golgotha.
  • alluded to by Matthew 11:21 — Jesus says other cities would have repented at such mighty works.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

But behold, thus saith the Lord God: When the day cometh that they shall believe in me, that I am Christ, then have I covenanted with their fathers that they shall be restored in the flesh, upon the earth, unto the lands of their inheritance. 2 Nephi 10:7

The Lord God speaks and says 'I am Christ.' That makes the God of Israel's covenants and the coming Christ the same Being, and Israel's gathering depends on believing in Him.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him

  • alludes to 2 Nephi 25:16-17 — The Jews will be restored when they are persuaded to believe in Christ.

Jehovah

Jehovah — the premortal Christ, God of Israel

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. 2 Nephi 10:8–13

The same speaker who just said 'I am Christ' goes on promising to gather Israel and protect the promised land. This is Jehovah, the premortal Christ, keeping His covenants.

A readingJehovah — the LORDHe speaks in the first person

King of Heaven

King of heaven — the true ruler of His people, above every earthly king

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. 2 Nephi 10:14

On this land Christ Himself will be the King, so no earthly king is to be raised. He also promises to be His people's light forever.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • alludes to Isaiah 60:19 — 'The LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light.'
  • alluded to by John 8:12 — 'I am the light of the world.'

Jehovah

Jehovah — the premortal Christ, God of Israel

Wherefore, for this cause, 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, I must needs destroy the secret works of darkness, and of murders, and of abominations. 2 Nephi 10:15–19

The covenant God keeps speaking: He will destroy secret combinations, bless the Gentiles who help Israel, and consecrate the land. The 'I' is the same Christ from verse 7.

A readingJehovah — the LORDHe speaks in the first person

Jehovah

Jehovah — the premortal Christ, God of Israel

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. 2 Nephi 10:16

Jesus said almost exactly these words in His mortal ministry. It fits, because the God speaking here is the same Christ, before His birth.

A readingExplicitHe speaks in the first person
  • alluded to by Matthew 12:30 — 'He that is not with me is against me.'

Grace

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved. 2 Nephi 10:24

Even after we choose God, we are saved only through His grace, the enabling help that comes through Christ's Atonement.

A readingExplicitTeaching about Him
  • alluded to by 2 Nephi 25:23 — 'It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.'
  • alluded to by Ephesians 2:8 — 'For by grace are ye saved through faith.'

Atonement

Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen. 2 Nephi 10:25

Jacob's blessing names both victories of Christ: the Resurrection overcomes physical death, and the Atonement overcomes spiritual, everlasting death.

AttestedExplicitTeaching about Him

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • alludes to 2 Nephi 9:10-12 — Jacob's earlier teaching on the two deaths and their deliverance.