2 Nephi 2

Thy Redeemer

Redeemer — one who buys back, freeing from bondage by paying the price

Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother, Nephi; and thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God. Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; for thou hast beheld that in the fulness of time he cometh to bring salvation unto men. 2 Nephi 2:3

Jacob is redeemed because of his Redeemer's righteousness, not his own. The Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will come in the fulness of time to bring salvation.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Galatians 4:4 — When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son.
• the same event in 2 Nephi 2:26 — The Messiah cometh in the fulness of time.

Jacob Beheld His Glory

And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free. 2 Nephi 2:4

As a youth, Jacob saw the premortal Redeemer's glory. Lehi says Jacob is as blessed as those who will see Jesus in the flesh, because the Spirit is the same in every age. The way back has been prepared since the Fall, and salvation is a free gift.

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

• the same event in 2 Nephi 11:3 — Nephi: 'Jacob also has seen him as I have seen him.'
• the same event in Mosiah 3:13 — Those who believe before Christ comes receive remission as though He had already come.
• alludes to Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Holy Messiah

Holy Messiah — the holy Anointed One

Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. 2 Nephi 2:6

Since no one can be justified by the law, redemption comes only through the Holy Messiah, who is full of grace and truth.

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

• the same title in John 1:14 — The Word made flesh, full of grace and truth.
• the same title in Moses 1:6 — The Only Begotten, full of grace and truth.
• the same title in D&C 93:11 — The Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

He Offereth Himself a Sacrifice for Sin

Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. 2 Nephi 2:7

The Holy Messiah offers Himself as the sacrifice for sin, satisfying what justice demands. The Atonement applies to those who come with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

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

• the same event in Hebrews 9:26 — He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
• the same event in 3 Nephi 9:19-20 — Christ ends blood sacrifice and asks for a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
• alludes to Psalm 51:17 — The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit and a contrite heart.

The Merits, Mercy, and Grace of the Holy Messiah

Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. 2 Nephi 2:8

No one can return to God's presence on their own merits. It happens only through Christ's merits, mercy, and grace, which is why this message must go to the whole earth.

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

• the same event in 2 Nephi 31:19 — Relying wholly upon the merits of Him who is mighty to save.
• the same event in Moroni 6:4 — Relying alone upon the merits of Christ.

The First That Should Rise

Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. 2 Nephi 2:8

Lehi foretells that Christ will lay down His life and take it up again, the first ever to be resurrected. Because He rose, all the dead will rise.

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

• fulfilled by John 10:17-18 — Jesus: 'I lay down my life, that I might take it again.'
• the same event in Acts 26:23 — Christ should be the first that should rise from the dead.
• the same event in 1 Corinthians 15:20 — Christ risen, the firstfruits of them that slept.
• the same event in Mosiah 15:20 — The Son brings to pass the resurrection of the dead.

Firstfruits unto God

Firstfruits — the first ripe harvest offered to God, promising the rest of the harvest to follow

Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved. 2 Nephi 2:9

Under the law of Moses the first ripe crops were offered to God as a promise of the full harvest. Christ, first to rise, is the Firstfruits, and His resurrection guarantees ours.

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

• the same title in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 — Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming.
• typified by Leviticus 23:10-11 — The sheaf of firstfruits waved before the Lord, a type of the risen Christ.

Intercessor for All

Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved. 2 Nephi 2:9–10

Christ pleads with the Father for all people. Because of His intercession, everyone is brought back into God's presence, and those who believe in Him are saved.

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

• the same event in Hebrews 7:25 — He ever liveth to make intercession for them.
• fulfils Isaiah 53:12 — He made intercession for the transgressors.
• the same event in Mosiah 15:8 — The Son stands between them and justice.
• the same title in D&C 45:3-5 — Christ as Advocate pleading with the Father.

Judged of Him; the Holy One

And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him. Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the atonement— 2 Nephi 2:10

Everyone brought back by Christ's intercession stands before God to be judged by His truth and holiness. Scripture teaches judgment is committed to the Son. The law given by 'the Holy One' carries punishment and happiness so the Atonement's purposes are met.

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

• the same event in John 5:22 — The Father has committed all judgment unto the Son.
• the same event in Alma 42:23 — The Atonement brings men back into God's presence to be judged.
• the same event in 3 Nephi 27:14 — Christ lifted up so that all men stand before Him to be judged.

The Tree of Life

And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter. 2 Nephi 2:15

The tree of life in Eden stands against the forbidden fruit as one of the choices in God's plan. Elsewhere in the Book of Mormon the tree of life represents God's love shown through His Son, so this is a soft echo here.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Genesis 2:9 — The tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the garden.
• alludes to 1 Nephi 11:21-22 — The tree of life shown as the love of God, revealed with the Lamb of God.
• the same event in Alma 42:5 — Had Adam partaken of the tree of life there would have been no preparatory state.

The Messiah Redeems from the Fall

Messiah — the Anointed One (Hebrew; Greek 'Christ')

And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. 2 Nephi 2:26

Adam fell so people could exist, and the Messiah comes to redeem everyone from the Fall. Because of Christ we are free to act for ourselves instead of being trapped.

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

• fulfilled by Galatians 4:4 — In the fulness of time God sent forth His Son.
• the same title in 1 Nephi 10:4 — Lehi's prophecy of the Messiah.
• the same event in Moses 5:9 — The Only Begotten tells Adam that as he has fallen he may be redeemed.

The Great Mediator of All Men

Mediator — one who stands between two parties to reconcile them

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. 2 Nephi 2:27–28

Christ is the great Mediator who stands between fallen people and God. Through Him we can choose liberty and eternal life. Lehi's last plea to his sons is to look to the Mediator and keep His commandments.

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

• the same title in 1 Timothy 2:5 — One mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
• the same title in D&C 76:69 — Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.
• the same title in Hebrews 9:15 — He is the mediator of the new testament.