2 Nephi 26

Seeing, Loving, and Treating Others as God Does

Jesus Christ surrounded by people

Every day we are faced with messages and information meant to influence our feelings and perspectives. In 2 Nephi 26, Nephi taught of God’s perspective. This lesson is intended to help you see, love, and treat others as God does.

Our perspective

Examine the following pictures and think about how the different glasses impact our vision.

girl wearing 3D glasses

young woman wearing sunglasses

young man wearing goggles

young woman wearing VR goggles

• How might these different glasses affect someone’s perspective?

• What are some things that affect how we see and treat others?

Take a moment to reflect on your perception of others. Think about what might be shaping your perspective and how this could influence how you feel about and treat others. As you study, seek for inspiration to know what you can do to see and treat others as the Savior does.

This lesson is intended to help you see, love, and treat others as God does.

The character of God

In 2 Nephi 26, Nephi saw the Savior’s ministry among the Nephites, as well as the wickedness and final destruction of his people. He also saw the wickedness of the Gentiles in the last days. In contrast, he then emphasized God’s care for all His children.

Consider the following three questions as you read 2 Nephi 26:12–13, 23–33:

• How does God see and feel about His children?

• How does He demonstrate this?

• How does He want us to see and treat others?

icon, record

1. Answer the following questions:

   • What words, phrases, or truths did you mark that could answer the questions? Why?

   • What did you learn or feel about the character of God?

   • How might remembering these truths about God influence your relationship with Him? How might it influence how you treat others?

Notice that in 2 Nephi 26:33, Nephi highlighted many different types of individuals by pairing them in contrasting groups. The following definitions may help you understand these better. You may consider writing these definitions in your scriptures by this verse.

• Bond: A slave.

• Heathen: Someone who does not believe in God.

• Jew and Gentile: A phrase referring to all who belong to the house of Israel and those who do not.

2 Nephi 26:33 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them easily. You will have an opportunity in the next lesson to practice applying the doctrine taught in this passage to a question or situation.

• What difference might it make if the world accepted and applied the teachings in verse 33?

Take a moment to reflect on your perspective, including the way you feel about and treat others, in comparison to God’s perspective and the way He feels about and treats others.

You might want to watch the video “We Don’t Need to Be the Same to Be One” (1:00), available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, reflecting on what the Lord might have you improve.

icon, record

2. Answer the following questions:

   • How might it affect you to remember God’s perspective and feelings toward all people?

   • In what ways are you doing well at seeing and treating others like Heavenly Father and Jesus would treat them?

   • How could remembering the teachings about the Lord in 2 Nephi 26:33 help you see, love, and treat others like God does?

During the next few days, try to notice how you see, feel toward, and treat others. Listen for promptings from the Holy Ghost and seek the Lord’s help to make any necessary changes to love and treat others more like God does.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

How can I be more like God in seeing and loving others?

President Russell M. Nelson taught how Jesus Christ can help us in our efforts to improve:

President Russell M. Nelson

We have not yet achieved the harmony and mutual respect that would allow every man and woman and every boy and girl to become the very best version of themselves.

The cure for what ails us was prescribed by the Master Healer, Jesus the Christ. When a taunting Pharisee challenged Him to identify the greatest commandment in the law, the Savior’s response was most memorable and brief. It was filled with truth that leads to a joyful life. His instruction was first to love God with all our hearts and, then, to love our neighbors as ourselves (see Matthew 22:35–39). …

We are all connected, and we have a God-given responsibility to help make life better for those around us. We don’t have to be alike or look alike to have love for each other. We don’t even have to agree with each other to love each other. If we have any hope of reclaiming the goodwill and sense of humanity for which we yearn, it must begin with each of us, one person at a time. (Russell M. Nelson, “NAACP Convention Remarks” [address given at the annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Detroit, Michigan, July 21, 2019], newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the following:

Elder Dale G. Renlund

Unity requires effort. It develops when we cultivate the love of God in our hearts and we focus on our eternal destiny. We are united by our common, primary identity as children of God and our commitment to the truths of the restored gospel. In turn, our love of God and our discipleship of Jesus Christ generate genuine concern for others. We value the kaleidoscope of others’ characteristics, perspectives, and talents. If we are unable to place our discipleship to Jesus Christ above personal interests and viewpoints, we should reexamine our priorities and change. (Dale G. Renlund, “The Peace of Christ Abolishes Enmity,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 84)

Sister Michelle D. Craig, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, taught the following:

How can the teachings in 2 Nephi 26:33 help people come to the Savior?

Calyann investigated the Church but had concerns. Watch the video below to see how 2 Nephi 26:33 helped her.

• Note that the previous video is also suggested as a practice video in the next lesson.

Does being unified in Christ mean we all have to be the same?

Elders Quentin L. Cook and Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught how the culture of Christ allows for individual differences:

Elder Quentin L. Cook

In our day, … for many people the emphasis is on tribalism, often based on status, gender, race, and wealth. In many countries, if not most, people are deeply divided about how to live. In the Lord’s Church, the only culture we adhere to and teach is the culture of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The unity we seek is to be unified with the Savior and His teachings. …

Fulfilling divinely appointed responsibilities, based on righteousness, unity, and equality before the Lord, brings personal happiness and peace in this world and prepares us for eternal life in the world to come. (Quentin L. Cook, “Prepare to Meet God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 116)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

There is room for those who speak different languages, celebrate diverse cultures, and live in a host of locations. There is room for the single, for the married, for large families, and for the childless. There is room for those who once had questions regarding their faith and room for those who still do. There is room for those with differing sexual attractions. In short, there is a place for everyone who loves God and honors His commandments as the inviolable measuring rod for personal behavior. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Songs Sung and Unsung,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 51)

Watch the following video, in which Elder Holland provides counsel to those who feel discouraged or left out of the Lord’s kingdom because they think they are significantly different than everyone else.