2 Nephi 8-102 Nephi 8-10

2 Nephi 8:1-22 Nephi 8:1-2 “rock from whence you are hewn”“rock from whence you are hewn”

““I called him alone!” (Abrahamic Covenant)I called him alone!” (Abrahamic Covenant)

““Our rock and (hole) are Abraham and Sarah, from whom we Our rock and (hole) are Abraham and Sarah, from whom we descend. Ultimately….the rock we come from is…Christ, who descend. Ultimately….the rock we come from is…Christ, who is called the Rock at least thirty-four times in the scriptures” is called the Rock at least thirty-four times in the scriptures” (Donald W. Parry, Jay A. Parry, and Tina M. Peterson, (Donald W. Parry, Jay A. Parry, and Tina M. Peterson, Understanding IsaiahUnderstanding Isaiah, 450)., 450).

2 Nephi 8:9-102 Nephi 8:9-10 Rahab Rahab = = ancient Egyptancient EgyptDragon Dragon = = devil devil

(Rev. 12:1-17)(Rev. 12:1-17)

2 Nephi 8:17-182 Nephi 8:17-18 ““Awake and Rise Awake and Rise AgainAgain””

Following the crucifixion of Jesus, the Romans Following the crucifixion of Jesus, the Romans removed the Jews from Jerusalem and removed the Jews from Jerusalem and scattered them abroad throughout the empire. scattered them abroad throughout the empire. For almost two thousand years Jerusalem was For almost two thousand years Jerusalem was not under the political control of the Jews. She not under the political control of the Jews. She had, in fact, drunk the dregs of a bitter cup of had, in fact, drunk the dregs of a bitter cup of medicine. There was not a single prophet-son medicine. There was not a single prophet-son to guide her during all those years. Now it is to guide her during all those years. Now it is time for Jerusalem, representing the ancient time for Jerusalem, representing the ancient Jewish nation, to awake and rise again and Jewish nation, to awake and rise again and return to their God, the Holy One of Israel.return to their God, the Holy One of Israel.

2 Nephi 8:19-202 Nephi 8:19-20

““These two sonsThese two sons” ”

Rev. 11:1-17, D&C 77:15Rev. 11:1-17, D&C 77:15

2 Nephi 92 Nephi 9

““The Heart of the Book of MormonThe Heart of the Book of Mormon””

Why?Why?

President Joseph Fielding Smith has called President Joseph Fielding Smith has called chapter 9 one of the most enlightening chapter 9 one of the most enlightening discourses ever delivered in regard to the discourses ever delivered in regard to the AtonementAtonement ( (ATGQATGQ 4:57). 4:57).

How significant is this chapterHow significant is this chapter? ?

““This is a wonderfully explicit sermon… on This is a wonderfully explicit sermon… on Christ and his eternal covenant with the human Christ and his eternal covenant with the human family” (Jeffrey R. Holland, family” (Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Christ and the New CovenantCovenant, 69)., 69).

““Our most explicit teachings on the atonement Our most explicit teachings on the atonement of Christ are in 2 Nephi 2 and 9 and Alma 34” of Christ are in 2 Nephi 2 and 9 and Alma 34” (Bruce R. McConkie, (Bruce R. McConkie, Promised MessiahPromised Messiah, 421)., 421).

2 Nephi 9:22 Nephi 9:2

The gathering is not to The gathering is not to a land of promise, but a land of promise, but landlandss of promise ( of promise (New New Witness of Articles of Witness of Articles of FaithFaith, B.R.M. 510-11)., B.R.M. 510-11).

2 Nephi 9:4-62 Nephi 9:4-6

““The fall came by reason of transgression”The fall came by reason of transgression”

““I never speak of the part Eve took in this fall as a sin, I never speak of the part Eve took in this fall as a sin, nor do I accuse Adam of a sin… This was a nor do I accuse Adam of a sin… This was a transgression of the law, but not a sin” (Joseph transgression of the law, but not a sin” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Fielding Smith, Doctrines of SalvationDoctrines of Salvation, 1:114,115)., 1:114,115).

““Death… Important in the welfare of man”Death… Important in the welfare of man”

Death is just as important in the welfare of man as is Death is just as important in the welfare of man as is birth. There is no greater blessing that can come than birth. There is no greater blessing that can come than the blessing of birth. One third of the hosts of heaven, the blessing of birth. One third of the hosts of heaven, because of rebellion, were denied that privilege, and because of rebellion, were denied that privilege, and hence they have no bodies of flesh and bones, that hence they have no bodies of flesh and bones, that great gift of God. great gift of God.

““But who would like to live forever in this mundane But who would like to live forever in this mundane world, filled with pain, decay, sorrow, and tribulation, world, filled with pain, decay, sorrow, and tribulation, and grow old and infirm and yet have to remain with all and grow old and infirm and yet have to remain with all the vicissitudes of morality? I think all of us would the vicissitudes of morality? I think all of us would come to the conclusion, if that proposition were placed come to the conclusion, if that proposition were placed before us, that we would not like to have it. We would before us, that we would not like to have it. We would reject it. We would not want life of that nature. Life reject it. We would not want life of that nature. Life here in this world is short of necessity, and yet all that here in this world is short of necessity, and yet all that is required may be accomplished, but death is just as is required may be accomplished, but death is just as important in the plan of salvation as birth is. We have important in the plan of salvation as birth is. We have to die --- it is essential --- and death comes into the to die --- it is essential --- and death comes into the world ‘to fulfill the merciful plan of the great creator” world ‘to fulfill the merciful plan of the great creator” (Joseph Fielding Smith, (Joseph Fielding Smith, D. of SD. of S., 1:116).., 1:116).

President James E. Faust of the First Presidency declared the President James E. Faust of the First Presidency declared the importance of our understanding the power of the Atonement. importance of our understanding the power of the Atonement. “Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the “Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement. Such acceptance requires a continual effort to Atonement. Such acceptance requires a continual effort to understand it more fully. The Atonement advances our mortal understand it more fully. The Atonement advances our mortal course of learning by making it possible for our natures to course of learning by making it possible for our natures to become perfect. Literally, the Atonement means to be “at one” become perfect. Literally, the Atonement means to be “at one” with Him. The nature of the Atonement and its effects is so with Him. The nature of the Atonement and its effects is so infinite, so unfathomable, and so profound that it lies beyond infinite, so unfathomable, and so profound that it lies beyond the knowledge and comprehension of mortal man…the knowledge and comprehension of mortal man…

The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love the Savior has for each and all of uslove the Savior has for each and all of us. It is love which is full . It is love which is full of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering, and, above all, of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering, and, above all, forgiving” (C.R., Oct. 2001, 19, 22).forgiving” (C.R., Oct. 2001, 19, 22).

““The Atonement is fundamentally a doctrine of human The Atonement is fundamentally a doctrine of human development, not a doctrine that simply erases black development, not a doctrine that simply erases black marks” (Hafen and Hafen, marks” (Hafen and Hafen, Belonging HeartBelonging Heart, 79)., 79).

““One who chooses Christ chooses to be changed….The One who chooses Christ chooses to be changed….The Atonement [is] the means whereby our hearts might be Atonement [is] the means whereby our hearts might be cleansed and our souls transformed and prepared to cleansed and our souls transformed and prepared to dwell with Christ and our Eternal Father….The dwell with Christ and our Eternal Father….The Atonement does more than fix the mistakes. It does Atonement does more than fix the mistakes. It does more than balance the scales. It even does more than more than balance the scales. It even does more than forgive our sins. It rehabilitates, regenerates, renews, forgive our sins. It rehabilitates, regenerates, renews, and transforms human nature. Christ makes us better, and transforms human nature. Christ makes us better, worlds better, than we would have been had there been worlds better, than we would have been had there been no fall” (Millet, no fall” (Millet, Grace WorksGrace Works, 53, 61, 95)., 53, 61, 95).

2 Nephi 9:7-122 Nephi 9:7-12

““An Infinite AtonementAn Infinite Atonement””

Jacob was the first in the Book Jacob was the first in the Book of Mormon to use the phrase of Mormon to use the phrase “infinite atonement.”“infinite atonement.”

B. H. Roberts, in referring to the use of B. H. Roberts, in referring to the use of the phrase “infinite atonement” by the the phrase “infinite atonement” by the Nephite prophets, comments, “I think Nephite prophets, comments, “I think they sought to express the idea of the they sought to express the idea of the sufficiency of it; completeness; the sufficiency of it; completeness; the universality and power of it to restore all universality and power of it to restore all that was lost, both spiritual and that was lost, both spiritual and physical, as well as to express the rank physical, as well as to express the rank and dignity of him who would make the and dignity of him who would make the Atonement (Roberts, Atonement (Roberts, Seventy’s Course Seventy’s Course in Theologyin Theology, Fourth Year, 95)., Fourth Year, 95).

The Atonement seems infinite, as so designated The Atonement seems infinite, as so designated by the Book of Mormon prophets, for at least the by the Book of Mormon prophets, for at least the following eight reasons:following eight reasons:

FirstFirst, it is infinite in the divineness of the one , it is infinite in the divineness of the one sacrificed.sacrificed.

SecondSecond, it is infinite in power., it is infinite in power.

ThirdThird, the Atonement is infinite in time., the Atonement is infinite in time.

FourthFourth, it is infinite in coverage, it is infinite in coverage

FifthFifth, it is infinite in depth., it is infinite in depth.

SixthSixth, it is infinite in the degree of suffering , it is infinite in the degree of suffering endured by the Redeemer.endured by the Redeemer.

SeventhSeventh, it is infinite in love., it is infinite in love.

Callister, Callister, The Infinite AtonementThe Infinite Atonement, 2000, 59-60)., 2000, 59-60).

Does the Atonement cover our sins in the Pre-mortal Does the Atonement cover our sins in the Pre-mortal existenceexistence??

Assuming we did sin in pre-mortality, how could our pre-Assuming we did sin in pre-mortality, how could our pre-mortal sins be “washed away” so we could be born mortal sins be “washed away” so we could be born innocent? Perhaps the Savior’s infinite Atonement also innocent? Perhaps the Savior’s infinite Atonement also encompassed this phase of our eternal journey and thus encompassed this phase of our eternal journey and thus provided the necessary cleansing. Orson Pratt believed provided the necessary cleansing. Orson Pratt believed and taught such doctrine: “We see no impropriety in and taught such doctrine: “We see no impropriety in Jesus offering Himself as a acceptable offering and Jesus offering Himself as a acceptable offering and sacrifice before the Father to atone for the sins of His sacrifice before the Father to atone for the sins of His brethren, committed, not only in the second, but also the brethren, committed, not only in the second, but also the first estate” (Pratt, first estate” (Pratt, The SeerThe Seer, 1, 54)., 1, 54).

Robert J. Matthews quotes Orson Pratt and then Robert J. Matthews quotes Orson Pratt and then adds, “He is not speaking the doctrine of the adds, “He is not speaking the doctrine of the Church but what he says is clear and consistent Church but what he says is clear and consistent and reasonable and I believe it” (Matthews, and reasonable and I believe it” (Matthews, The The Price of RedemptionPrice of Redemption, 4). The Doctrine and , 4). The Doctrine and Covenants seems to confirm this belief: “Every Covenants seems to confirm this belief: “Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning spirit of man was innocent in the beginning (referring to our spirit birth); and God having (referring to our spirit birth); and God having redeemed man from the fall (referring to the redeemed man from the fall (referring to the Atonement), men became again, in their infant Atonement), men became again, in their infant state (referring to mortal birth), innocent before state (referring to mortal birth), innocent before God” (D&C 93:38).God” (D&C 93:38).

We began our spirit existence in an innocent We began our spirit existence in an innocent state, meaning we were pure and free from sin. state, meaning we were pure and free from sin. Evidently, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ Evidently, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and his redeeming powers, we were likewise and his redeeming powers, we were likewise born innocent into mortality --- untainted and born innocent into mortality --- untainted and unstained from our pre-mortal sins. While it unstained from our pre-mortal sins. While it would be premature to reach a definite conclusion would be premature to reach a definite conclusion before further revelation is received, it seems that before further revelation is received, it seems that the Atonement stretched far enough back to the Atonement stretched far enough back to encompass all of our sins, including, if necessary, encompass all of our sins, including, if necessary, our pre-mortal life. In such a way it would apply our pre-mortal life. In such a way it would apply retroactively with infinite effect.retroactively with infinite effect.

We can never forget. The words of David should ring in our We can never forget. The words of David should ring in our hearts again and again: “O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto hearts again and again: “O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever” (Psalm 30:12).thee for ever” (Psalm 30:12).

One does not speak lightly of the Atonement or casually express One does not speak lightly of the Atonement or casually express his appreciation. It is the most sacred and sublime event in his appreciation. It is the most sacred and sublime event in eternity. It deserves our most intense thoughts, our most eternity. It deserves our most intense thoughts, our most profound feelings, and our nobles deeds. One speaks of it in profound feelings, and our nobles deeds. One speaks of it in reverential tones; one contemplates it in awe; one learns of it in reverential tones; one contemplates it in awe; one learns of it in solemnity. The event stands alone, now and throughout eternity solemnity. The event stands alone, now and throughout eternity (Callister, (Callister, The Infinite AtonementThe Infinite Atonement, 334)., 334).

Elder Marion G. Romney said, “Contemplation of the Atonement…Elder Marion G. Romney said, “Contemplation of the Atonement…moves me to the most intense gratitude and appreciation of which moves me to the most intense gratitude and appreciation of which my soul is capable” (Romney, “my soul is capable” (Romney, “Resurrection of JesusResurrection of Jesus,” 9).,” 9).

(D&C 133:52)(D&C 133:52)

To Be CoveredTo Be Covered: “: “kapharkaphar””

The English word Atonement comes from the ancient Hebrew The English word Atonement comes from the ancient Hebrew word kaphar, which means to cover. When Adam and Eve word kaphar, which means to cover. When Adam and Eve partook of the fruit and discovered their nakedness in the Garden partook of the fruit and discovered their nakedness in the Garden of Eden, God sent Jesus to make coats of skins to cover them. of Eden, God sent Jesus to make coats of skins to cover them. Coats of skins don’t grow on trees. They had to be made from Coats of skins don’t grow on trees. They had to be made from animal, which meant an animal had to be killed. Perhaps that was animal, which meant an animal had to be killed. Perhaps that was the very first animal sacrifice. Because of that sacrifice, Adam the very first animal sacrifice. Because of that sacrifice, Adam and Eve were covered physically. In the same way, through and Eve were covered physically. In the same way, through Jesus’ sacrifice we are also covered emotionally and spiritually. Jesus’ sacrifice we are also covered emotionally and spiritually. When Adam and Eve left the garden, the only things they could When Adam and Eve left the garden, the only things they could take to remind them of Eden were the coats of skins. The one take to remind them of Eden were the coats of skins. The one physical thing we take with us out of the temple to remind us of physical thing we take with us out of the temple to remind us of our covenants, protect us, and even promotes modesty. our covenants, protect us, and even promotes modesty. However, it is also a powerful and personal symbol of the However, it is also a powerful and personal symbol of the Atonement --- a continuous reminder both night and day that Atonement --- a continuous reminder both night and day that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we are covered. because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we are covered.

In Arabic or Aramaic, the verb In Arabic or Aramaic, the verb meaning to atone is meaning to atone is kafat, which kafat, which means “to embrace.” Not only means “to embrace.” Not only can we be covered, helped, and can we be covered, helped, and comforted by the Savior, but we comforted by the Savior, but we can be “encircled about eternally can be “encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.” in the arms of his love.”

2 Nephi 9:13-142 Nephi 9:13-14

When will our “knowledge…be When will our “knowledge…be perfect?”perfect?”

““Eventually a man will…understand all Eventually a man will…understand all truth. Things are taught in a truth. Things are taught in a fragmentary way now, but we will fragmentary way now, but we will know them in full…after the know them in full…after the resurrection” (Joseph Fielding Smith, resurrection” (Joseph Fielding Smith, C.R., April 1928, 66).C.R., April 1928, 66).

2 Nephi 9:182 Nephi 9:18 ““Endured the Crosses of the WorldEndured the Crosses of the World””

Elder Neal A. Maxwell suggested a meaning for the Elder Neal A. Maxwell suggested a meaning for the word crosses: “What are the ‘crosses of the world’? word crosses: “What are the ‘crosses of the world’? We cannot be sure, but the imagery suggests the We cannot be sure, but the imagery suggests the bearing of a cross placed upon us by the world, as bearing of a cross placed upon us by the world, as Jesus did; there may be persecutors and unhelpful Jesus did; there may be persecutors and unhelpful onlookers, and the Church member is set apart (if not onlookers, and the Church member is set apart (if not set upon), yet he does not flinch when accused and set upon), yet he does not flinch when accused and scoffed at by those who would make him ashamed, for scoffed at by those who would make him ashamed, for he has no real reason to be ashamed” (he has no real reason to be ashamed” (Wherefore, Ye Wherefore, Ye Must Press Forward Must Press Forward [1977], 110).[1977], 110).

2 Nephi 9:202 Nephi 9:20 ““God Knoweth All God Knoweth All ThingsThings””

““There is a vast difference, therefore, between an omniscient There is a vast difference, therefore, between an omniscient God and the false notion that God is on some sort of post-God and the false notion that God is on some sort of post-doctoral fellowship, still searching for additional key truths and doctoral fellowship, still searching for additional key truths and vital data. Were the latter so, God might, at any moment, vital data. Were the latter so, God might, at any moment, discover some new truth not previously known to Him that discover some new truth not previously known to Him that would restructure, diminish, or undercut certain truths would restructure, diminish, or undercut certain truths previously known by Him. Prophecy would be mere prediction. previously known by Him. Prophecy would be mere prediction. Planning assumptions pertaining to our redemption would need Planning assumptions pertaining to our redemption would need to be revised. Fortunately for us, however, His plan of salvation to be revised. Fortunately for us, however, His plan of salvation is constantly underway --- not constantly under revision….is constantly underway --- not constantly under revision….

In a very real sense, all we need to know is that God knows all!” In a very real sense, all we need to know is that God knows all!” ((All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience [1979], 14-15, [1979], 14-15, 21).21).

2 Nephi 9:512 Nephi 9:51 It’s okay to be heavy!It’s okay to be heavy!

2 Nephi 9:8-202 Nephi 9:8-20 The “Six O’s”The “Six O’s”

2 Nephi 9:27-382 Nephi 9:27-38 The “Eleven Woes”The “Eleven Woes”

2 Nephi 9:28-292 Nephi 9:28-29

When is learning appropriate and when is it foolishWhen is learning appropriate and when is it foolish??

““You should not be hesitant to pursue knowledge…Study to You should not be hesitant to pursue knowledge…Study to your heart’s content any worthy field of inquiry, just remember your heart’s content any worthy field of inquiry, just remember that all knowledge is not equal” (Boyd K. Packer, in Monte S. that all knowledge is not equal” (Boyd K. Packer, in Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate Jr., eds., Nyman and Charles D. Tate Jr., eds., Jacob through Words of Jacob through Words of Mormon, Mormon, 10).10).

““Increasingly, the Latter-day Saints must choose between the Increasingly, the Latter-day Saints must choose between the reasoning of men and the revelations of God….(some) with reasoning of men and the revelations of God….(some) with their worldly wisdom, are leading some of the members astray” their worldly wisdom, are leading some of the members astray” (Ezra Taft Benson, (Ezra Taft Benson, TeachingsTeachings, 354)., 354).

2 Nephi 9:292 Nephi 9:29 ““To Be Learned Is GoodTo Be Learned Is Good””

President Gordon B. Hinckley taught, “You face great President Gordon B. Hinckley taught, “You face great challenges that lie ahead. You are moving into a world challenges that lie ahead. You are moving into a world of fierce competition. You must get all of the education of fierce competition. You must get all of the education you can. The Lord has instructed us concerning the you can. The Lord has instructed us concerning the importance of education. It will qualify you for greater importance of education. It will qualify you for greater opportunities. It will equip you to do something opportunities. It will equip you to do something worthwhile in the great world of opportunity that lies worthwhile in the great world of opportunity that lies ahead. If you can go to college and that is your wish, ahead. If you can go to college and that is your wish, then do it. If you have no desire to attend college, than then do it. If you have no desire to attend college, than go to a vocational or business school to sharpen your go to a vocational or business school to sharpen your skills and increase your capacity” (C.R., Apr. 1997, 70).skills and increase your capacity” (C.R., Apr. 1997, 70).

2 Nephi 9:342 Nephi 9:34 ““Wo unto the LiarWo unto the Liar””

Elder Maxwell taught that there are different Elder Maxwell taught that there are different shades of truth telling. shades of truth telling. When we tell little white When we tell little white lies, we become progressively color-blindlies, we become progressively color-blind. It is . It is better to remain silent than to mislead. The better to remain silent than to mislead. The degree to which each of us tells the whole truth degree to which each of us tells the whole truth and nothing but the truth depends on our and nothing but the truth depends on our conscience…. (C.R., Oct. 1996, 41-44).conscience…. (C.R., Oct. 1996, 41-44).

2 Nephi 9:41 2 Nephi 9:41

Christ is the “Keeper of the GateChrist is the “Keeper of the Gate””

Elder Maxwell explained that the self-assigned Elder Maxwell explained that the self-assigned gatekeeper is Jesus Christ, who awaits us out gatekeeper is Jesus Christ, who awaits us out of a divine desire to welcome us as much as to of a divine desire to welcome us as much as to certify us; hence, He employeth no servant certify us; hence, He employeth no servant there. He will lovingly acknowledge and gladly there. He will lovingly acknowledge and gladly admit us then!admit us then!

2 Nephi 9:39-522 Nephi 9:39-52

The “Six Remembers”The “Six Remembers”

2 Nephi 10:32 Nephi 10:3

And there is none other And there is none other nation nation on earthon earth that would crucify their that would crucify their God (Moses 7:36).God (Moses 7:36).

This generation is as corrupt as This generation is as corrupt as the generation of the Jews that the generation of the Jews that crucified Christ; and if He were crucified Christ; and if He were here today, and should preach here today, and should preach the same doctrine he did then, the same doctrine he did then, they would put him to deaththey would put him to death

(Joseph Smith, (Joseph Smith, TeachingsTeachings, , 328).328).

2 Nephi 9:44-492 Nephi 9:44-49

““Prepare for that Glorious Day…of Judgment”Prepare for that Glorious Day…of Judgment”

““Man sleeps the sleep of death, but the spirit lives Man sleeps the sleep of death, but the spirit lives where the record of his deeds is kept --- that does not where the record of his deeds is kept --- that does not die --- man cannot kill it; there is no decay associated die --- man cannot kill it; there is no decay associated with it, and it still retains in all its vividness the with it, and it still retains in all its vividness the remembrance of that which transpired before the remembrance of that which transpired before the separation by death of the body and the ever-living separation by death of the body and the ever-living spirit. Man sleeps for a time in the grave, and by and spirit. Man sleeps for a time in the grave, and by and by he rises again from the dead and goes to judgment; by he rises again from the dead and goes to judgment; and then the secret thoughts of all men are revealed and then the secret thoughts of all men are revealed before Him with whom we have to do; we cannot hide before Him with whom we have to do; we cannot hide them; it would be in vain for a man to say then, I didthem; it would be in vain for a man to say then, I did

not do so and so; the command would be, Unravel not do so and so; the command would be, Unravel and read the record which he has made of himself, and read the record which he has made of himself, and let it testify in relation to these things, and all and let it testify in relation to these things, and all could gaze upon it. If a man has acted fraudulently could gaze upon it. If a man has acted fraudulently against his neighbor --- has committed murder, or against his neighbor --- has committed murder, or adultery, or anything else, and wants to cover it up, adultery, or anything else, and wants to cover it up, that record will stare him in the face, he tells the story that record will stare him in the face, he tells the story himself, and bears witness against himself…It is not himself, and bears witness against himself…It is not because somebody has seen things, or heard because somebody has seen things, or heard anything by which a man will be judged and anything by which a man will be judged and condemned, but it is because that record that is condemned, but it is because that record that is written by the man himself in the tablets of his own written by the man himself in the tablets of his own mind --- that record that cannot lie --- will in that day mind --- that record that cannot lie --- will in that day be unfolded before God and angels, and those who be unfolded before God and angels, and those who shall sit as judges” (John Taylor, shall sit as judges” (John Taylor, JDJD, 11:78-79)., 11:78-79).

2 Nephi 10:7-92 Nephi 10:7-9

The Book of Mormon makes three distinctive contributions The Book of Mormon makes three distinctive contributions regarding the gathering of Israelregarding the gathering of Israel::

1. 1. It emphasized the fact that the people of Israel were It emphasized the fact that the people of Israel were scattered because they rejected the Holy One of Israel, scattered because they rejected the Holy One of Israel, namely Jesus Christ.namely Jesus Christ.

2. It is an extension of the first in that one does not 2. It is an extension of the first in that one does not accept accept Christ without uniting with his Church, thereby Christ without uniting with his Church, thereby obtaining obtaining citizenship in his kingdom.citizenship in his kingdom.

3. 3. The Lord’s promise not to return Israel to a single land of The Lord’s promise not to return Israel to a single land of promise, but to landpromise, but to landss of promise. of promise.

Historic Successor of the Hebrew Historic Successor of the Hebrew ProphetsProphets

Morris Jathrow, Jr., a Jew, said:Morris Jathrow, Jr., a Jew, said:

““From the historic point of view Jesus is to be regarded as a From the historic point of view Jesus is to be regarded as a direct successor of the Hebrew prophets. His teachings are direct successor of the Hebrew prophets. His teachings are synonymous with the highest spiritual aspirations of the human synonymous with the highest spiritual aspirations of the human race. Like the prophets, He lays the chief stress upon pure race. Like the prophets, He lays the chief stress upon pure conduct and moral ideas, but He goes beyond the prophets in conduct and moral ideas, but He goes beyond the prophets in His absolute indifference to theological speculations and His absolute indifference to theological speculations and religious rites. It has been commonly said that the Jews religious rites. It has been commonly said that the Jews rejected Jesus. They did so in the sense in which they rejected rejected Jesus. They did so in the sense in which they rejected the teachings of the earlier prophets” (Joseph Fielding Smith, the teachings of the earlier prophets” (Joseph Fielding Smith, The Signs of the TimesThe Signs of the Times, 62)., 62).