What Does Jesus Christ Promise That the World Can’t?

on the left, people mocking and pointing; on the right, people listening to Jesus teach

Although the words of Isaiah can be difficult to understand, one thing that is clear is that “Babylon … shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah” (2 Nephi 23:19) and “the wicked shall perish” (see 2 Nephi 23:22). Why would anyone choose the path of wickedness?

Living in Babylon, or living wickedly, can look attractive. Babylon might promise worldly pleasure, but the gospel of Jesus Christ promises real joy and lasting peace.

In this table, note the differences between how the world suggests we should live and how Jesus Christ teaches us to live. What promises does the world give for following its teachings compared with the promises the Savior offers for following His teachings?

The world teaches	The world’s promise	Jesus Christ teaches	Jesus Christ’s promise
Be arrogant and prideful (2 Nephi 23:11)		Be humble (3 Nephi 12:3)
Be showy (2 Nephi 24:11)		Be meek (3 Nephi 12:5)
Be angry (2 Nephi 24:6)		Be a peacemaker (3 Nephi 12:9, 22–24)
Seek your own glory (2 Nephi 24:13–14)		Seek the Lord’s glory (3 Nephi 12:16; 13:13, 33)

We won’t perish with the wicked if we follow Jesus Christ. Instead, we can rest assured that Jesus Christ “will be merciful unto [His] people” (2 Nephi 23:22).