Seminary
2 Nephi 25: Saved by Jesus Christ

“2 Nephi 25: Saved by Jesus Christ,” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)

“2 Nephi 25,” Book of Mormon Student Manual

2 Nephi 25

Saved by Jesus Christ

Image
Jesus Christ

Has someone ever relieved or rescued you from a difficult situation? How did you feel about that person after his or her help? After emphasizing the importance of prophetic teachings, Nephi testified that only Jesus Christ has the power to save all people. This lesson will help you understand how you are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ.

The only way we can be saved

  • Can you think of a time when you or someone you know was rescued or saved? What happened? How did you feel?

In 2 Nephi 25, Nephi reminded his people that prophets testified that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, which means the Anointed One or Deliverer, of all people (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Messiah,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Nephi recorded that even though the Jews will be scattered because of their unbelief, if they believed in Jesus Christ, the Lord would gather and “restore [them] from their lost and fallen state” (2 Nephi 25:15–17).

Read 2 Nephi 25:18–20, looking for what Nephi taught about how the Jews (and all of God’s children) will be saved. It may help to know that in the scriptures, the word name can be used to represent a person’s power or authority. This is particularly true in reference to the Savior.

  • What does Jesus Christ save us from?

  • What would it be like if we did not have a Savior?

Saved by grace

Read 2 Nephi 25:23, looking for how Jesus Christ saves us.

  • What are some questions you might ask to gain a deeper understanding of Nephi’s teachings in verse 23?

The following material can help answer questions you may have about verse 23.

Grace is the divine help or strength extended to us through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. …

Grace is a gift from Heavenly Father given through His Son, Jesus Christ. The word grace, as used in the scriptures, refers primarily to enabling power and spiritual healing offered through the mercy and love of Jesus Christ. (Gospel Topics, “Grace,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, explained:

19:13
Image
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I wonder if sometimes we misinterpret the phrase “after all we can do.” We must understand that “after” does not equal “because.”

We are not saved “because” of all that we can do. Have any of us done all that we can do? Does God wait until we’ve expended every effort before He will intervene in our lives with His saving grace?

Many people feel discouraged because they constantly fall short. They know firsthand that “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” [Matthew 26:41]. They raise their voices with Nephi in proclaiming, “My soul grieveth because of mine iniquities” [2 Nephi 4:17].

I am certain Nephi knew that the Savior’s grace allows and enables us to overcome sin [see Alma 34:31]. This is why Nephi labored so diligently to persuade his children and brethren “to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God” [2 Nephi 25:23].

After all, that is what we can do! And that is our task in mortality! …

Today and forevermore God’s grace is available to all whose hearts are broken and whose spirits are contrite [see 3 Nephi 9:19–20]. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Gift of Grace,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 110)

Image
icon, record

  1. Answer the following questions:

    • How would you describe your feelings for the Savior, knowing that His grace is available to you personally?

    • What are some of the ways you can access the Savior’s grace?

    • What aspects of your life might be different if you felt more of the Savior’s grace? In what ways?

Reflect for a moment on what you have learned about Jesus Christ being the only way you can be saved. What message or truth was most significant to you or made you want to praise Jesus Christ? What do you feel prompted to do because of what you learned and felt? You may want to record these thoughts in your study journal.

Rejoice in Christ

Because Nephi knew of the Savior’s grace and power to save, he wrote to help others believe in Christ. Read 2 Nephi 25:26 looking for what we can do to help others believe in Jesus Christ. You may want to mark the different action words that are used in this verse.

  • Which words in this verse stood out to you?

  • How has your life been influenced by what someone else has shared about Jesus Christ?

  • How could your relationship with Jesus Christ be strengthened by sharing personal feelings about Him with others?

Image
icon, record

  1. Complete the following, and without sharing their name, record part of what you would share with the person who comes to mind.

    Think of someone in your life who could benefit from being reminded of the Savior’s love and grace. Create a message (such as a text, social media post, or personal letter) that you could share with them.