2 Nephi 33

Jesus

Jesus — Greek form of Joshua/Yeshua, "Jehovah saves"

And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal. 2 Nephi 33:4

Nephi sums up why his record matters: it talks about Jesus and persuades people to believe in Him and endure to the end. His whole book is a witness of Christ.

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

• alludes to 2 Nephi 25:26 — Nephi's earlier statement of purpose: "we talk of Christ ... that our children may know to what source they may look."
• alludes to 2 Nephi 31:20 — Same doctrine of Christ: press forward with steadfastness in Christ and endure to the end to receive eternal life.

Redeemer

I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell. 2 Nephi 33:6

Nephi calls Him "my Jesus" — a personal, tender witness — and testifies that Jesus has already redeemed his soul from hell. Christ is not just a doctrine to Nephi; He is his Redeemer.

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

• alludes to 2 Nephi 1:15 — Lehi's same testimony: "the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory."

Christ the Judge

I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat. 2 Nephi 33:7

Nephi's faith is in Christ, and the judgment-seat is His. People can stand spotless there only because Christ cleanses them.

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

• the same title in 2 Nephi 9:41 — Jacob taught that the Holy One of Israel is the keeper of the gate and employs no servant there — Christ Himself judges.

Doctrine of Christ

I also have charity for the Gentiles. But behold, for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation. 2 Nephi 33:9

Whether Nephite, Jew, or Gentile, the only hope is to be reconciled to Christ and follow His path: the gate (repentance and baptism), the strait path, and enduring to the end.

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

• alludes to 2 Nephi 31:17-20 — Nephi's full explanation of the gate and the strait and narrow path that leads to eternal life.
• alluded to by Jacob 4:11 — Jacob echoes the call to "be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ."

Christ

Christ — Greek Christos, "the Anointed One" (Hebrew Messiah)

And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good. 2 Nephi 33:10

Nephi names Christ four times in one verse. He says his writings are really Christ's words, so anyone who truly believes in Christ will recognize them as true.

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

• alluded to by Moroni 10:4-5 — Moroni likewise invites readers to ask God "in the name of Christ" whether the record is true.

Christ the Judge

And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness. 2 Nephi 33:11

Nephi prophesies that Christ will come in power and glory and personally confirm that the Book of Mormon is His word. Every reader will stand with Nephi face to face before Christ's judgment bar.

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 Moroni 10:27 — Moroni: "ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you."
• alluded to by Moroni 10:34 — Moroni's farewell to meet readers "before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah."
• alluded to by Ether 12:38-39 — Moroni: the garments will be spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ, and he has seen Jesus face to face.

Praying in the Name of Christ

And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day. 2 Nephi 33:12

Nephi models the pattern of prayer: to the Father, in the name of Christ. Christ is the one through whom we approach the Father.

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

• alluded to by 3 Nephi 18:19-20 — The risen Savior commands, "ye must always pray unto the Father in my name."
• alluded to by Jacob 4:5 — Jacob: "we worship the Father in his name."

Lamb of God

Lamb of God — the sinless sacrifice God provides, typified by the Passover lamb

And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day. 2 Nephi 33:14

Nephi names Christ as the Lamb of God and points to His future words (His mortal and Nephite ministries). Rejecting His words, the Jews' record, and Nephi's record will condemn people at the last day.

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

• alludes to 1 Nephi 13:40-41 — Nephi's vision: the records of his seed and of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb make known the Lamb of God and His words.
• the same title in John 1:29 — John the Baptist: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

Jehovah (the Lord)

Jehovah — "I AM", the covenant name of the premortal Christ

For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen. 2 Nephi 33:15

In verse 11 Nephi said he was "commanded of him" (Christ) to write; here "the Lord" who commanded him is the same Christ, the Lord of the judgment bar.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in 2 Nephi 33:11 — Nephi was "commanded of him" — Christ — to write these things.