“Oh How Great The Goodness of Our God” Book of Mormon Study Guide #8

2 Nephi 9:1

And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye may know concerning

the ________________ of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel.

Deuteronomy 7:9

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, his is ________, the faithful God, which keepeth ______________ and mercy with them that loveth Him and keep his

_____________________ to a thousand generations.

God makes and never breaks his promises. The Hebrew word for covenant, beriyth, means a “a solemn agreement with binding force”. His irrevocable covenant runs like a scarlet thread through a tapestry of scriptures. Remember his promises to Noah? Every

rainbow reminds us of God’s covenant. Curiously, astronauts who have seen rainbows from outer space tell us that they form a complete circle. God’s promises are equally unbroken and unending. He takes promises seriously and seals them dramatically. He calls on you to do the same. When it comes to your covenants illustrate stubborn love,

incarnate fidelity, uncompromising obedience.

“Divine covenants make strong Christians…In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact.”

Conference address: The Power of Covenants by D. Todd Cristofferson, April 2009

2 Nephi 9:3

Behold my beloved brethren, I ___________ unto you these things that ye may _____________, and lift up your heads forever, because of the ___________ which

the Lord God shall bestow upon your ______________.

Elder Jeffery R Holland, “At the heart of this covenant and the reason that we should rejoice is the atoning sacrifice of the Might God who is the Savior and Redeemer of the world.

Christ and the New Covenant, 1997

Jacob now launches into one of the great Messianic sermons in the book of Mormon. Joseph Fielding Smith said, “One of the most enlightening discourses ever delivered in regard to the atonement is found in the ninth chapter of 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. It is the counsel given by Jacob, brother of

Nephi. It should be carefully read by every person seeking salvation”

2 Nephi 9:5

What does it mean to you to live “subject unto Christ”?

To me, a life subject to Christ is a life defined by grace, refined by challenge, and aligned with our Heavenly call. In God’s plan, in God’s time we win more often than we lose, forgive as quickly are offended, and give as abundantly as we receive. We serve out of our giftedness and delight in our

assignments. We may stumble, but we do not collapse. We may struggle, be we defy despair. We boast only in Christ, trust only in God, lean wholly on his power. “Christ’s great gift to us was His life and

sacrifice. Should that not then be our small gift to Him—our lives and sacrifices, not only now but in the future?” President Ezra Taft Benson

2 Nephi 9:7

“Wherefore, it must needs be an ____________________ atonement—save it should be an ___________________ atonement this corruption could not put on ________________________...”

Tad Callister writes that the atonement is infinite is 8 distinct ways:

1)  It is infinite because it was made by a God, a being who is infinite in knowledge, power and glory. Amulek makes this connection when he writes that the ‘great and last sacrifice will be the Song of God, yea, infinite and eternal. Thus, the Atonement is infinite, because its source is infinite”.

2)  It is infinite in power.

3)  It is infinite in time. It applies retroactively and prospectively through time immemorial

4)  It is infinite in coverage. It applies to all God’s creations

5)  It is infinite in depth. Thus it is infinite not only in who it covers, but in what it covers.

6)  It is infinite in the degree of suffering endured by the Savior. It was the degree of suffering that caused, ‘even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore (D&C 19:18)

7)  It is infinite in love.. It is infinite in the blessings that it bestows.

Which of these properties of the infinite atonement are new to you?

Which do you need to learn more about?

   

Thought question 2 Nephi 9:1-26

What part of the Savior’s sacrifice applies to both the good and the wicked? What part applies exclusively to those who are members of the church and endure to the end?

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2 Nephi 9:18, “ But, behold, the righteous, the ________________ of the Holy One of Israel, they who have _____________________ in the Holy One of Israel, they who have

_____________________ the crosses of the world…”

What are the crosses of the world that we must endure?

The Good and the Wicked Just the Good

2 Nephi 9:51

Wherefore, do not spend ________ for that which is of no worth, nor your ________________ for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken ___________________

unto me and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel , and ______________ upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted,

and let your soul delight in fatness.

What does it mean to feast upon that which perisheth not?

It is not enough for you to possess the scriptures. God wants the scriptures to possess you, for the scriptures are the most important tool in our spiritual growth. In a 2011 study

Hawkins and Parkinson set out to discover what the key factors for spiritual growth were. At the conclusion of their study this is what they had to say: “Nothing has a

greater impact on spiritual growth than reflection on the scriptures. If churches could do only on thing to help people at all levels of spiritual maturity grow in their relationship

with Christ, their choice should be very clear. They would inspire, encourage and equip their people to read the word of God.”

Did you read that? They key to spiritual growth is not increased church attendance or

more diligent service in your callings. You will not grow closer to Christ because you become busier at church. You will grow closer to Christ when you open and ponder your scriptures. Desire spiritual growth? Engage with with word of God. Meditate on it day and night

(Joshua 1:8). Think and rethink about the verses that touch your heart. Let them be your guide. Make the scriptures your go-to book for questions. Let them be the ultimate

authority in your life. Success in this life requires an ongoing trust in God’s word.

Read Psalms 1. What blessings are promised to those that study and read their scriptures?