2 Nephi 5-8

Laman Lemuel

2 Nephi 5

 

The division - 2 Nephi 5:1-6

“Racial strife still lifts its ugly head. I am advised that even right here among us there is some of this. I cannot understand how it can be…Now I am told that racial slurs and denigrating remarks are sometimes heard among us…Throughout my service as a member of the First Presidency, I have recognized and spoken a number of times on the diversity we see in our society. It is all about us, and we must make an effort to accommodate that diversity…Let us all recognize that each of us is a son or daughter of our Father in Heaven, who loves all of His children.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, The Need for Great Kindness, April

2006

Black

11 verses of the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants refer to “black”; only 4 refer to people• 2 Nephi 5:21• 2 Nephi 26:33• Moses 7:8, 22

Black

A reference to ‘black’ is in 25 verses of the Bible…only 9 refer to people• Jeremiah 8:21• Jeremiah 14:2• Job 30:30 (See also Job 1:8)• Lamantations 5:10• Joel 2:6• Nahum 2:10• Lamantations 4:8• ‘Visage’ is “the face, countenance, or appearance of a person.”

Black

The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary defines black as “destitute of light; dark; sullen; having a cloudy look or countenance; atrociously wicked; horrible; as a black deed or crime.”

Black and White

Mary was “exceedingly fair and white” (1 Nephi 11:13).

The Lamanites once “were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome” (2 Nephi 5:21).

The Lord “inviteth…all to come unto him...black and white” (2 Nephi 26:33).

Because of the Lamanites’ repentance, “their skin became white like unto the Nephites” (3 Nephi 2:15).

“They were as white as the countenance of Jesus…even there could be nothing upon earth so white” (3 Nephi 19:25; See also 3 Nephi 19:30).

“That perhaps ye may be found spotless, pure, fair, and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, at that great and last day” (Mormon 9:6).

Why do they use white? In Arabic there's an expression that means, "may God cheer him," or "may God show him favor." Literally, it says, "bayyad Allahu”, may God whiten his countenance." Another one is, "he is white of face," which simply means, "he is of good character," or "he is a good person." In the Book of Mormon it says the Nephites were "white and delightsome" and the others were "dark and loathsome." It means white in this sense, in the sense of good character. But it is the regular word for white.

The human race is divided into al-sudanu and al-baydanu. The sudanu are the black ones, and the baydanu are the white ones….So we get this idea of the contrast between the good guys and the bad guys, called black and white. 

Hugh Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon--Semester 1: 186

Black and White

Chapter Chapter 1981 Edition 2013 Edition

2 Nephi 5

Because of their unbelief, the Lamanites

are cursed, receive a skin of blackness, and

become a scourge unto the Nephites.

Because of their unbelief, the Lamanites

are cut off from the presence of the Lord, are

cursed, and become a scourge unto the

Nephites.

Mormon 5The Lamanites shall be a

dark, filthy, and loathsome people

Because of their unbelief, the

Lamanites will be scattered, and the Spirit will cease to strive with

them

What was the curse?

What was the curse?Deuteronomy 28:20

“The Lord shall send upon thee cursing…because of the wickedness of thy doings.”

Moses 5:25

When Cain’s offering was not accepted, he was cursed because “he rejected the greater counsel which was had from God”

2 Nephi 5:20-21

As the Lamanites would “not hearken unto thy words they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And behold, they were cut off from his presence. And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity”

The MarkWhat is the Mark?

Mistaken Identity

Alma 55:4-5, 8-9:

V. 4  "...he caused that a search should be made among his men, that PERHAPS he MIGHT find a man who was a descendant of Laman among them.  [If he was a dark skinned man, how hard could it really be to find "one" in a sea of  white people?]

V. 5  "And it came to pass that they found one..."  [Long winded? It looks like that it wasn't so easy.]

V. 8  "And when it was evening Laman went to the guards who were over the Nephites, and behold, they SAW him coming and they hailed him; but he saith unto them:  Fear not; behold, I am a Lamanite."    [WHY did Laman have to say he was a Lamanite if the Lamanites SAW him coming?]

V. 9  Now when the Lamanites HEARD these words they received him with joy..."  [After they heard what Laman said, the Lamanites became at ease. It is what what Laman SAID, not what he looked like (i.e. the color of his skin) that showed the Lamanites what he was.

PRINCIPLE: Are you ever mistaken for something you’re not?

2 Nephi 4-5

 

 The curse and the mark - 2 Ne 5:20-24.

Can you be cursed today?

Happy Happy Happy(Elder Marlin K. Jensen, “Living after the Manner of Happiness,” Ensign, Dec. 2002).

“Certain unchanging principles and truths bring happiness to our lives. This subject has been of interest to me for many years because although I am richly blessed and have every reason to be happy, I sometimes struggle and do not always have the natural inclination toward happiness and a cheerful disposition that some people seem to enjoy.

“For that reason, several years ago a Book of Mormon passage caught my attention. . . . Nephi says, ‘And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness’ (2 Ne. 5:27). The passage deeply impressed me. I wondered what the individual elements of a truly happy society and life might be, and I began to search Nephi’s writings for clues. I invite you to conduct your own personal search.

“. . . The same patterns and elements of daily life that enabled Nephi and his people to be happy 560 years before Christ work equally well today…”

Find a principle of Happiness:2 Nephi 5:12 Nephi 5:52 Nephi 5:92 Nephi 5:10-132 Nephi 5:162 Nephi 5:20-212 Nephi 5:232 Nephi 5:262 Nephi 5:27

Happy Happy Happy

Which principle do you need to work on to “live

after the manner of happiness”?

Purposes of Jacob’s sermon

2 Nephi 6:3

2 Nephi 6:4

2 Nephi 9:1

2 Nephi 9:3

Welfare of their souls

Glorify the Name of their

God

Know concerning

the covenants of the Lord

Rejoice and lift up their heads

forever

2 Nephi 6 - 9

How does the Lord respond to those who have turned away from Him:

2 Nephi 6:3–4, 6-7, 11-12, 14, 17 and 7:10

3 Questions2 Nephi 7:10

Who is among you that feareth the Lord?

“To fear” God usually means “to revere” or “to esteem” Him. Since the Lord is so mighty, glorious, and “awesome,” we should humble ourselves in awe before Him (Bible Dictionary, “Fear,” 672).

Who is among you that obeyeth the voice of his servant?

Who is among you that walketh in darkness and hath no light?

I know the Lord is merciful because…

Read 2 Nephi 9:1,3 and finish the sentence:

Video: Forget Me Not

“God is not cantankerous. After all, he is not some sort of divine umpire trying to tag us at third base.”

Jeffery R. Holland, Ensign, Nov. 1993, p. 13

2 Nephi 5-8