2 Nephi 31

Doctrine of Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save it be a few words which I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying. 2 Nephi 31:2

Nephi introduces his final teaching as the doctrine of Christ: faith, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.

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

• alluded to by 3 Nephi 11:31-40 — The risen Christ teaches the same doctrine and calls it "my doctrine."

Lamb of God

Lamb of God — the sacrificial offering God provides for sin

Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptize the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world. 2 Nephi 31:4

Nephi recalls his vision of John the Baptist baptizing the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. The title points to Christ as the true sacrificial lamb.

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

• alludes to 1 Nephi 10:7-10 — Lehi's prophecy of the prophet who would baptize the Lamb of God.
• alludes to 1 Nephi 11:27 — Nephi saw the Redeemer baptized by the prophet.
• fulfilled by John 1:29 — "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

The baptism of the Lamb of God

And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water! 2 Nephi 31:5–7

Jesus was sinless, yet He was baptized to show humility and obedience to the Father. If He needed baptism, all of us need it even more.

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 Matthew 3:13-15 — "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness."

The Holy Ghost descends on Jesus

Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove. 2 Nephi 31:8

"He" is the Lamb of God. After His baptism, the Holy Ghost came upon Him with the sign of the dove.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by Matthew 3:16 — The Spirit of God descending like a dove upon Him.
• alludes to 1 Nephi 11:27 — Nephi saw the Holy Ghost come down in the form of a dove.

Christ the example, the gate and path

And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them. 2 Nephi 31:9

By being baptized, Christ set the example and showed us the narrow gate and strait path we must enter.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by 3 Nephi 14:13-14 — Strait is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life.

Jesus: "Follow thou me"

Jesus — Jehovah saves

And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? 2 Nephi 31:10

Nephi quotes Jesus' invitation to follow Him and names Him. Following Jesus means keeping the Father's commandments as He did.

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

• alluded to by John 21:22 — Jesus: "follow thou me."

Beloved Son

Beloved Son — the Father's own dearly loved Son

And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. 2 Nephi 31:11

The Father Himself speaks and commands baptism in the name of His Beloved Son. The Father bears witness of Jesus here as He did at the Jordan.

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

• the same title in Matthew 3:17 — "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
• the same title in Joseph Smith—History 1:17 — "This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

The voice of the Son

And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do. 2 Nephi 31:12

The premortal Son speaks directly to Nephi. He promises the Holy Ghost to everyone baptized in His name and invites all to follow Him and do what He does.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by 3 Nephi 27:21 — Christ: the works which ye have seen me do, that shall ye also do.

Take upon you the name of Christ

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. 2 Nephi 31:13

At baptism we promise the Father that we are willing to take Christ's name upon us. His name becomes the name we carry as His covenant people.

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

• alluded to by Mosiah 5:8 — Take upon you the name of Christ, all you who have entered into the covenant.
• alluded to by D&C 20:37 — Baptismal candidates show they are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ.
• alluded to by Moroni 6:3 — Baptized having a determination to take upon them the name of Christ.

Your Lord and your Savior; Holy One of Israel

Savior — the one who rescues from sin and death; Holy One of Israel — Israel's sacred God

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. 2 Nephi 31:13

In one verse Christ is called the Son, the Lord, the Savior, and the Holy One of Israel. Following Him into the waters of baptism brings the Holy Ghost and praise to Him.

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

The voice of the Son

But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me. 2 Nephi 31:14

The Son speaks again and warns that denying Him after receiving the Holy Ghost is worse than never knowing Him. The commandments are His.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by 2 Peter 2:21 — Better not to have known the way of righteousness than to turn from it.
• alluded to by Hebrews 6:4-6 — Those once enlightened who fall away.

My Beloved

Beloved — the Father's beloved Son

And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. 2 Nephi 31:15

The Father testifies that His Beloved Son's words are true and faithful. He confirms the Son's promise that those who endure to the end will be saved.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by Matthew 24:13 — Jesus: he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
• alluded to by 3 Nephi 27:16 — Christ: he who endures to the end will be held guiltless.

Son of the living God

Son of the living God — the literal Son of the Father

And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved. 2 Nephi 31:16

Nephi calls Jesus the Son of the living God. Salvation requires following His example all the way to the end.

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

• the same title in Matthew 16:16 — Peter: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Your Lord and your Redeemer

Redeemer — one who buys back and frees

Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. 2 Nephi 31:17

Nephi saw in vision what the Redeemer would do, including His baptism, so that we would know the gate we must enter: repentance and baptism.

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

• alludes to 1 Nephi 11:27 — Nephi's vision of the Redeemer's baptism.

The Holy Ghost witnesses of the Son

And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive. 2 Nephi 31:18

Once on the strait and narrow path, we receive the Holy Ghost, whose role is to testify of the Father and the Son.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

Relying wholly upon the merits of Him who is mighty to save

Mighty to save — a title of the Redeemer

And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. 2 Nephi 31:19

No one reaches the path by their own goodness. We get there only by Christ's word, unshaken faith in Him, and trust in His merits, because He is mighty to save.

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

• alludes to Isaiah 63:1 — "I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save."
• alludes to 2 Nephi 2:8 — Through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.
• alluded to by Moroni 6:4 — Relying alone upon the merits of Christ, the author and finisher of their faith.

Steadfastness in Christ; feasting upon the word of Christ

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. 2 Nephi 31:20

Enduring to the end means pressing forward with steadfastness in Christ and feasting on His word. The Father promises eternal life to those who do.

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

• alludes to 1 Nephi 8:30 — Pressing forward, holding fast to the rod of iron, the word of God.
• alluded to by 2 Nephi 32:3 — Feast upon the words of Christ.

The Way; the only saving name

The Way — Christ, the only path to the Father

And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. 2 Nephi 31:21

Christ's doctrine is the only way to salvation, and His is the only name by which anyone can be saved.

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

• alluded to by Acts 4:12 — None other name under heaven whereby we must be saved.
• alluded to by John 14:6 — "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
• alluded to by Mosiah 3:17 — No other name, way, or means of salvation but the name of Christ.

Doctrine of Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. 2 Nephi 31:21

Nephi closes by naming this the doctrine of Christ. It is the one true doctrine of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, who are one in purpose.

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

• alluded to by 3 Nephi 11:35-36 — Christ: the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.