2 Nephi 28–30

Introduction

In 2 Nephi 28–30, Nephi describes some of the challenging conditions of the latter days. As you teach from his words in 2 Nephi 28, you can help students recognize “vain and foolish doctrines”—worldly influences and attitudes that can impact their faith. As you teach from Nephi’s prophecy in 2 Nephi 29 and note its connection to Isaiah’s prophecy in 2 Nephi 27, students can discover ways to help others accept the Book of Mormon as a second witness of Jesus Christ. Finally, 2 Nephi 30 gives you and students an opportunity to discuss conditions that will exist during the Millennium. Help students see the rewards that await the Lord’s covenant people.

Some Doctrines and Principles

In the last days, many people will be deceived by false doctrines (see 2 Nephi 28).
The Book of Mormon joins the Bible in bearing witness that the Lord is God (see 2 Nephi 29).
Obedience, repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ qualify us to become the Lord’s covenant people (see 2 Nephi 30:1–8).

Suggestions for Teaching

2 Nephi 28. In the Last Days, Many People Will Be Deceived by False Doctrines

Invite students to carefully consider the connection between false doctrine and pride as they study 2 Nephi 28.

Put the following chart on the board:

2 Nephi 28:1–8	2 Nephi 28:9–16
2 Nephi 28:17–24	2 Nephi 28:25–32

Divide the class into four groups. Assign each group to study and discuss one of the scripture blocks listed on the board. Ask the groups to identify the false doctrines that Nephi prophesied would be prevalent in the last days. After sufficient time, instruct the groups to list on the board the false teachings identified in their scripture block. The following questions may help you guide a discussion:

What is wrong with each of these teachings?
What do you think makes these teachings enticing to so many people? What can we do to withstand the temptations in such teachings?

Explain that Nephi warned about pride in the latter days. Ask students to scan verses 7–16, looking for the word pride and for other words and phrases that describe pride.

What words and phrases did you find? What do these words and phrases teach about pride? Why is pride such a dangerous sin?
How can we be “humble followers of Christ”? (2 Nephi 28:14).
What do verses 20–22 suggest about Satan’s methods?

Share your testimony about how the Book of Mormon can help us be strong against the false teachings we encounter in the latter days.

2 Nephi 29. The Book of Mormon Joins the Bible in Bearing Witness That the Lord Is God

Invite students to review 2 Nephi 27, including the chapter heading. Ask a student to read 2 Nephi 29:1–2.

What similarities do you see between 2 Nephi 27 and 2 Nephi 29?

Make sure students recognize that in 2 Nephi 29, Nephi continues to develop themes taught by Isaiah in 2 Nephi 27.

How is the Book of Mormon a “marvelous work” (2 Nephi 29:1) in the world today?
What do you think it means for the Lord to “recover [His] people”? (2 Nephi 29:1). In what ways is the Lord using the Book of Mormon to accomplish this?
In what ways do the words of the Book of Mormon “hiss forth unto the ends of the earth”? (2 Nephi 29:2). (You may want to refer students to the statements by President Ezra Taft Benson and President Gordon B. Hinckley on pages 104–5 in the student manual. The statement by President Benson is also available on the companion DVD A.)

Explain that despite the “marvelous” circumstances and purposes of the Book of Mormon, many people in the world will not accept it. Invite a student to read 2 Nephi 29:3.

Explain that the rest of this chapter is the word of the Lord to people who say that the Bible contains all God’s words. Invite students to read 2 Nephi 29:7–14 individually or in pairs, noting in their scriptures what the coming forth of the Book of Mormon shows the world. After sufficient time, ask students to share what they have identified. Their responses might include the following:

God remembers His children in all nations and sends His word to all people (see verse 7).
People should not murmur when they receive more of the word of the Lord (see verse 8).
The Lord speaks the same words to all nations (see verse 8).
The Lord is always the same, and He speaks according to His pleasure (see verse 9).
People should not assume that the Bible contains all of the Lord’s words or that the Lord has not caused more words to be written (see verse 10; see also Bible Dictionary, “Lost Books”).
The Lord commands all people in all nations to record His words (see verse 11).
The Lord will judge the nations out of the books He has caused to be written (see verses 11–12).
Three scriptural witnesses in the last days will be the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the record of the lost tribes of Israel (see verse 13; note that other witnesses include the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the teachings of latter-day prophets).
The scriptures from all nations will combine to show that the Lord is God (see verse 14).

What impresses you about the Lord’s response in these verses? When have you seen the truth of His words?
How might we use 2 Nephi 29 to resolve people’s concerns about the Book of Mormon?

If appropriate, invite returned missionaries in the class to tell about their experiences as they have shared the Book of Mormon with investigators. Explain that they may tell about experiences when people readily accepted the book and when people rejected it or had difficulty accepting it. Ask these returned missionaries what they learned from these experiences. You may also want to tell about an experience you have had and share what you have learned.

2 Nephi 30:1–8. Obedience, Repentance, and Faith in Jesus Christ Qualify Us to Become the Lord’s Covenant People

Have students read 2 Nephi 30:1–2 silently.

According to Nephi, what must a person do to become part of the Lord’s covenant people?
Why do you think repentance is necessary as we make covenants with the Lord? Why do you think it is necessary to believe in Jesus Christ?

Invite six students to read 2 Nephi 30:3–8 aloud, one verse per student. Ask students to identify the knowledge that will be restored to Nephi’s posterity and the Jews in the last days. (You may want to point out that in 2 Nephi 30:1–8, Nephi mentions the same groups of people that Moroni mentions on the title page of the Book of Mormon: the Gentiles, the Jews, and the Lamanites.)

How do you think this knowledge will help scattered Israel gather into the covenant again?
According to verse 8, where are the Lord’s people?
What can we do to help others make and keep covenants with the Lord?

2 Nephi 30:9–18. During the Millennium, Satan Will Not Have Power over the Hearts of the People

Nephi prophesied that prior to the millennial reign of the Savior on the earth, there will be a great division among the people. Have a student read 2 Nephi 30:9–10. You may also want to have students read Doctrine and Covenants 63:54.

What current evidence do you see of this increasing division between wickedness and righteousness?

Explain that in 2 Nephi 30:12–15, Nephi repeats one of Isaiah’s prophecies about the Millennium (see 2 Nephi 21:6–9). Then he goes beyond Isaiah’s prophecy and includes more details. Invite a student to read verses 16–18. Direct students’ attention to the promise that “Satan shall have power over the hearts of the children of men no more, for a long time.” Then ask a student to read 1 Nephi 22:26.

Why will Satan have no power over people’s hearts?

Read the following statement by President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), the 12th President of the Church:

“When Satan is bound in a single home—when Satan is bound in a single life—the Millennium has already begun in that home, in that life” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 172).

Bear your testimony of the principle President Kimball taught. Invite students to silently ponder what they can do to begin to receive the blessings of the Millennium.