All things bear record · 2 Nephi

2 Nephi 8

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

Jehovah

Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation; for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light for the people. 2 Nephi 8:4–6

Jehovah, the premortal Christ, promises that His law will be a light to the nations and His salvation will last forever when heaven and earth pass away.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDHe speaks in the first person

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

  • a parallel account in Isaiah 51:4-6 — Same passage in Isaiah.
  • alluded to by John 8:12 — I am the light of the world.

Arm of the Lord

Arm of the Lord — the Lord's own saving power, revealed in the Redeemer

Awake, awake! Put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the ancient days. Art thou not he that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? 2 Nephi 8:9–11

The arm of the Lord who opened the Red Sea so the ransomed could cross is the same power that will bring the redeemed home to Zion. Isaiah later asks 'to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed' in the chapter about the suffering Messiah, and the crossing of the sea is a type of redemption through Christ.

A readingProphecy or typeAn event that is a type of Him
  • a parallel account in Isaiah 51:9-11 — Same passage in Isaiah.
  • the same title in Isaiah 53:1 — To whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? introducing the suffering Servant.
  • the same event in Exodus 14:21-22 — The LORD made the sea dry land and Israel went through.
  • interpreted by 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 — Israel was baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

I Am He

I am he — the self-existent God who reveals Himself

I am he; yea, I am he that comforteth you. Behold, who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of man, who shall die, and of the son of man, who shall be made like unto grass? 2 Nephi 8:12

Jehovah identifies Himself, 'I am he,' as the One who comforts His people. Jesus used the same self-identification and promised not to leave His disciples comfortless.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDHe speaks in the first person

How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • a parallel account in Isaiah 51:12 — Same verse in Isaiah.
  • alluded to by John 14:18 — I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Creator

Maker — the One who created heaven and earth

And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth, and hast feared continually every day, because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? And where is the fury of the oppressor? 2 Nephi 8:13

Israel is told not to fear men but to remember the Lord their Maker, who created the heavens and earth. Restoration scripture teaches that Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things.

A readingExplicitA title of Christ
  • a parallel account in Isaiah 51:13 — Same verse in Isaiah.
  • interpreted by Mosiah 3:8 — Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things.
  • interpreted by John 1:3 — All things were made by him.

Lord of Hosts

Lord of Hosts — Lord of the armies of heaven

But I am the Lord thy God, whose waves roared; the Lord of Hosts is my name. 2 Nephi 8:15–16

Jehovah names Himself the Lord of Hosts, who shelters His people in the shadow of His hand and calls Zion His people.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

How we know: the verse itself names Him

Advocate

Advocate — one who pleads another's cause

Thus saith thy Lord, the Lord and thy God pleadeth the cause of his people; behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again. 2 Nephi 8:22

The Lord pleads the cause of His people. Latter-day revelation calls Christ our advocate with the Father, pleading our cause.

A readingEchoAn echo of Him
  • a parallel account in Isaiah 51:22 — Same verse in Isaiah.
  • alluded to by D&C 45:3 — Christ, who is your advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him.

The Bitter Cup

Thus saith thy Lord, the Lord and thy God pleadeth the cause of his people; behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again. 2 Nephi 8:22

The Lord takes the cup of fury away from His people so they need not drink it. Christ described His Atonement as drinking the bitter cup the Father gave Him.

A readingEchoAn echo of Him
  • alluded to by Matthew 26:39 — O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.
  • alluded to by 3 Nephi 11:11 — I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me.
  • alluded to by D&C 19:18 — Would that I might not drink the bitter cup.