He Will Lead Thee by the Hand, by Sandra Rast

February 24–March 1

2 Nephi 26–30

“A Marvelous Work and a Wonder”

The Lord said, “I command all … that they shall write the words which I speak unto them” (2 Nephi 29:11). Through the Spirit, the Lord will speak to you as you study His word. Record what you receive.

Record Your Impressions

“I prophesy unto you concerning the last days,” Nephi wrote (2 Nephi 26:14). In other words, he was writing about our day. And there’s reason to be concerned about what he saw: people denying the power and miracles of God, rampant envy and strife, the devil binding people with strong cords. But in addition to these latter-day “works of darkness” (2 Nephi 26:10, 22) led by the adversary, Nephi also spoke of “a marvelous work and a wonder” led by the Lord Himself (2 Nephi 27:26). And at the center of that work would be a book—a book that speaks from the dust, that exposes Satan’s lies, and that gathers the righteous like a standard. That book is the Book of Mormon, the marvelous work is the work of the Lord’s Church in the latter days, and the wonder is that He invites all of us, in spite of our weaknesses, to participate.

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

2 Nephi 26:20–33

Jesus Christ invites all to come unto Him.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that Heavenly Father is more “boundless in his mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive” (The Joseph Smith Papers, “History, 1838–1856, volume D-1,” p. 4 [addenda], josephsmithpapers.org). Read what Nephi foresaw in 2 Nephi 26:20–22 and what he taught about the Savior in verses 23–33, and compare this to Joseph Smith’s statement. What do you learn about the Lord’s boundless mercy? What can you do as a member of Jesus Christ’s Church to be more Christlike in the way you treat God’s children?

See also 3 Nephi 18:30–32.

2 Nephi 26–27

What is the book mentioned in these chapters?

Nephi’s prophecy in 2 Nephi 26–27, which draws heavily from an earlier prophecy of Isaiah (see Isaiah 29), foretells the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. This prophecy describes the following:

• The words of Lehi’s seed (his descendants) speaking from “low out of the dust” with a “familiar spirit” and being “sealed up in a book” (2 Nephi 26:14–17; see also Isaiah 29:4).

• A portion of the book being given to a learned man who says, “I cannot read it” (2 Nephi 27:15–20; Joseph Smith—History 1:64–65; see also Isaiah 29:11).

In addition to Isaiah, other biblical prophets allude to the Book of Mormon, although they don’t mention it by name. For example, Ezekiel 37:15–20 speaks of a “stick of Joseph,” which could refer to the record of the Nephites, who were descendants of Joseph. This record would become one with the “stick of Judah,” meaning the Bible.

Other examples can be found in “Book of Mormon” (Guide to the Scriptures, scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

2 Nephi 28

Satan seeks to deceive.

Many of Satan’s lies and tactics are exposed in Nephi’s descriptions of the last days in 2 Nephi 28. See if you can find them (for example, see verses 6, 8, 21–23, 29). Why do you need to know about Satan’s lies? What will you do when the adversary tries to deceive you?

2 Nephi 28:27–31; 29

God continues to give revelation to guide His children.

As Latter-day Saints we are blessed with an abundance of the word of God, so Nephi’s warnings can apply to us: we must never feel that “we have enough!” As you read the warnings in 2 Nephi 28 and 29, ponder questions like these:

• How does the Lord want me to feel about and respond to His word?

• Why are people sometimes “angry” about receiving more truth from God? (2 Nephi 28:28). Do I ever feel this way? If so, how can I become more receptive to truth?

• What does it mean to receive God’s word? How can I show Him that I want to receive more of His word?

See also Alma 12:10–11; 3 Nephi 26:6–10.

2 Nephi 29–30

God prepared the Book of Mormon for our day.

Nephi knew by revelation, even before the Book of Mormon had been completely written, that it would one day “be of great worth unto the children of men” (2 Nephi 28:2). Why is the Book of Mormon of great worth to you? Think about this question as you read 2 Nephi 29–30. What are some of the “marvelous” works that God is accomplishing in the world and in your life through the Book of Mormon?

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening

As you read the scriptures with your family, the Spirit can help you know what principles to emphasize and discuss in order to meet the needs of your family. Here are some ideas.

2 Nephi 26:12–13

Nephi taught that Jesus Christ manifests Himself through the Holy Ghost. What experiences could family members share with each other when their testimonies of the Savior were strengthened by the Holy Ghost?

2 Nephi 26:22; 28:19–22

Maybe your family would enjoy an object lesson illustrating what 2 Nephi 26:22 teaches about the devil. As you read about Satan’s tactics in 2 Nephi 28:19–22, you could wrap some thread around someone’s wrists to represent “a flaxen cord.” How is a flaxen cord like Satan’s temptations? How might it become a strong cord? How can we detect Satan’s lies?

Nephi compared the devil’s temptations to “a flaxen cord.”

2 Nephi 27:20–21

What might the Lord mean when He says, “I am able to do mine own work”? How does this truth influence the way we serve in His Church?

2 Nephi 28:30–31

Can your family think of something that, like revelation from God, is best received a little at a time? Why does God reveal truth to us “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” instead of all at once?

2 Nephi 29:7–9

What does the Lord intend to prove or show with the Book of Mormon?

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: “The Holy Ghost,” Children’s Songbook, 105.

Improving Personal Study

Share insights. Discussing with others what you learn can strengthen your own understanding. After reading 2 Nephi 29:6–14, you may feel inspired to explain to a friend why we need the Book of Mormon.

Nephi’s writings foretold “a marvelous work and a wonder” that would take place in the last days (2 Nephi 27:26).