2 Nephi 28

Holy One of Israel

Holy One of Israel — Israel's sacred, set-apart God, the Redeemer

And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men; 2 Nephi 28:5

The false teachers of the last days deny the power of the Holy One of Israel. Nephi identifies that title with the Son of God.

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

• interpreted by 2 Nephi 30:2 — "His Son, who is the Holy One of Israel."

Redeemer

Redeemer — one who buys back and frees

And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men; 2 Nephi 28:5–6

False preachers claim the Redeemer finished His work long ago and now works no miracles. Nephi exposes this as a lie, since the Lord has already declared He is a God of miracles who never changes.

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

• alludes to 2 Nephi 27:23 — The Lord declares, "I am a God of miracles."
• alluded to by Mormon 9:15-19 — Moroni refutes the claim that God has ceased to be a God of miracles.

Humble followers of Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men. 2 Nephi 28:14

Amid widespread apostasy, a few remain humble followers of Christ. Even they sometimes err because they are taught the precepts of men.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

Lord God Almighty; Lord of Hosts

Lord of Hosts — Jehovah, Lord of the armies of heaven

O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell! 2 Nephi 28:15–17

Jehovah pronounces woe on those who pervert the right way of the Lord. He also promises that people who repent will not be destroyed.

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

The Rock

And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall. 2 Nephi 28:28

The sure foundation is a rock, which the Book of Mormon identifies as the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. People built on Him welcome more truth, while those on sand tremble.

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

• interpreted by Helaman 5:12 — "The rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God."
• alluded to by Matthew 7:24-27 — The wise man built his house upon a rock.
• alluded to by 3 Nephi 11:39-40 — Whoso builds upon Christ's doctrine builds upon His rock.

Jehovah (the Lord God)

Jehovah — the covenant God of Israel, the premortal Christ

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. 2 Nephi 28:30

Jehovah speaks and promises continuing revelation, line upon line, to everyone who receives what He gives. People who say they have enough will lose even what they have.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• alludes to Isaiah 28:10 — Precept upon precept, line upon line.
• alluded to by D&C 98:12 — The Lord gives line upon line, precept upon precept.

Jehovah's arm of mercy

Jehovah — the covenant God of Israel, the premortal Christ

Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts. 2 Nephi 28:32

The Lord God of Hosts keeps His arm stretched out in mercy all day long to anyone who will repent and come to Him. The resurrected Christ uses the same image of an arm of mercy extended toward His people.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• alludes to Isaiah 65:2 — "I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people."
• alluded to by Jacob 6:4 — He stretches forth His hands unto them all the day long.
• alluded to by 3 Nephi 9:14 — Christ: "mine arm of mercy is extended towards you."