Come Follow Me 2 Nephi 11-25: Insights by Gogo Goff

I hope you enjoy some insights from my Come Follow Me 2 Nephi 11-25. (If you missed last week’s insights for Come Follow Me 2 Nephi 6-10 click here). Save this pin to read later.

Videos, articles, and insights for this weeks study of Come Follow Me 2 Nephi 11-25: by Jeremy Goff, aka Gogo Goff

First-Hand Witnesses.

“And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah…for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him.
And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him…”
2 Nephi 11:2-3

Nephi here states that Isaiah saw Jesus Christ, he then follows up with declaring, He has seen Jesus Christ, and Jacob has seen Jesus Christ. Often times we forget how often people saw Jesus Christ in the scriptures either before His birth or after His death.

The entire Gospel is based on the fact that people have seen and talked with Jesus Christ face to face in the Old and New Testaments, and also in the Book of Mormon, D&C, and Pearl of Great Price. It only makes sense that the Latter-day prophets have also seen him. Here is the final testimony of Boyd K. Packer on this topic.

"I bear my witness that the Savior lives. I know the Lord. I am His witness. I know of His great sacrifice and eternal love for all of Heavenly Father’s children. I bear my special witness in all humility but with absolute certainty, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen." Boyd K. Packer — “I bear my witness that the Savior lives. I know the Lord. I am His witness. I know of His great sacrifice and eternal love for all of Heavenly Father’s children. I bear my special witness in all humility but with absolute certainty, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
Boyd K. Packer

The Mountain of the Lord’s House.

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it.”
2 Nephi 12:2

When Brigham Young arrived in what is now Utah he declared “Here we will build a temple to our God.” It took 40 years to build but on that spot they built the Salt Lake City Temple. Shortly after the temple was finished, Utah was admitt4ed as the 45th state. Rather than calling the new state Deseret (What Brigham Young wanted), they named it Utah. After the Ute Indians, but what the US did not know was that Utah means the top of the mountains.

Thus, A temple (the mountain of the Lord’s house) was built in Utah (the top of the mountains). Fulfilling a 2500-year-old prophecy.

"Ever since the Salt Lake Temple was dedicated, we have interpreted that scripture from Isaiah, repeated again in Micah, as applying to this sacred house of the Lord." Gordon B. Hinckley — “Ever since the Salt Lake Temple was dedicated, we have interpreted that scripture from Isaiah, repeated again in Micah, as applying to this sacred house of the Lord.”
Gordon B. Hinckley

Our Advocate.

“The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.”
2 Nephi 13:13

This is one of my favorite verses, I love the imagery of the Lord pleading. Who is Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament pleading to? Himself? No! That makes reason stare. There is only one person that Jesus Christ would stand and plead before would be our Heavenly Father.

"Of Him I testify. He is our Savior and Redeemer, our Advocate with the Father. He is our Exemplar and our strength. " Thomas S. Monson (Photo by Jay Bryant Ward Art) — “Of Him I testify. He is our Savior and Redeemer, our Advocate with the Father. He is our Exemplar and our strength. “
Thomas S. Monson
(Photo by Jay Bryant Ward Art)

Our Pillar Of Fire.

“And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defence.”
2 Nephi 14:5

The Lord often speaks words that evoke images in our minds. During the days of Moses, the Lord literally provided light unto the Israelite’s by providing a shadow by day (a cloud) and a pillar of fire by night. He did this to provide guidance and assurance that He was still there.

We too can have our own pillars of fire by night and clouds during the day to guide us home. This guidance will come in the form of the Church and the restored Gospel.

"May you look upon the Church as your great and good friend, your refuge when the world appears to be closing around you, your hope when things are dark, your pillar of fire by night and your cloud by day as you thread the pathways of your lives." Gordon B. Hinckley — “May you look upon the Church as your great and good friend, your refuge when the world appears to be closing around you, your hope when things are dark, your pillar of fire by night and your cloud by day as you thread the pathways of your lives.”
Gordon B. Hinckley

An Ensign to the Nations.

“And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far…”
2 Nephi 15:26

When the scriptures talk about an ensign they are referring something that will catch the eye, a banner, a flag, or a shining city on a hill.

If the church is to be an ensign to the world, we as members must be living a life that will reflect the light of Christ. For the shining city on a hill is only shining because it reflects the light of Christ!

"If we are to [be] an ensign to the nations and a light to the world, we must take on more of the luster of the life of Christ." Gordon B. Hinckley — “If we are to [be] an ensign to the nations and a light to the world, we must take on more of the luster of the life of Christ.”
Gordon B. Hinckley

Seeing God.

“Then said I: Wo is unto me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips; and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts.”
2 Nephi 16:5

The scriptures contain a treasure trove of first-hand witnesses of Deity. The Bible itself teaches that Abram, Moses, Adam. Amos, Stephan, Ezekiel are just a few who SAW God. The Book of Mormon also testifies and teaches that man can see God also, Nephi, Lehi, Jacob, Alma, Ether, Moroni, Lemoni, just to name a few!

So what about our day? Has God suddenly changed? Or does He still reveal Himself?

"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father" Joseph Smith (D&C 76:22-23)

The Virgin Birth.

“Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign—Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
2 Nephi 17:14

Many churches have forsaken the idea that Christ was born of the Virgin Mary. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we hold true to the biblical account that is supported by the witness of the Book of Mormon.

Do we understand the details? No, we don’t. And honestly, we do not need to know the details! We know enough that we can gain a witness from Deity that it is true. Knowing that one day all things will be revealed and explained.

"Obsessive focus on things not yet fully revealed, such as how the virgin birth or the Resurrection of the Savior could have occurred or exactly how Joseph Smith translated our scriptures, will not be efficacious or yield spiritual progress. These are matters of faith." Quentin L. Cook — “Obsessive focus on things not yet fully revealed, such as how the virgin birth or the Resurrection of the Savior could have occurred or exactly how Joseph Smith translated our scriptures, will not be efficacious or yield spiritual progress. These are matters of faith.”
Quentin L. Cook

A God Who Speaks

“The Lord spake also unto me again, saying”
2 Nephi 18:5

Anyone who reads the Bible comes across countless passages like the above one. Where God spoke directly to His Prophets or Apostles. The question is then posed: “What about our day? Does God still speak? Or Did he change? Does He not love us as much as those of yesteryear?”

God forbid! I refuse to believe in a dead gospel and church! Christ is alive, He still speaks! And His chosen Prophets and Apostles still say “thus saith the Lord” and declare the mind, will, and admonition of the Lord!

I add my testimony to that of Elder Theodore M. Burton. “true apostles and prophets now live who can and do say, ‘Thus saith the Lord!'”

"true apostles and prophets now live who can and do say, 'Thus saith the Lord!'" Elder Theodore M. Burton.

The Prince of Peace.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
2 Nephi 19:6

Jesus Christ has many titles. One of my favorites is the Prince of Peace. He alone holds the power to bring peace to the world. The further we stray from Him and His gospel the further from peace we will fall. Both personally, as families, nations, and the world.

Remember, as the world degrades to war and slander, we can, and must lift the ensign of peace!

"Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is called the Prince of Peace, and his message is a message of peace to the individual and to the world." Franklin D. Richards — “Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is called the Prince of Peace, and his message is a message of peace to the individual and to the world.”
Franklin D. Richards

Protected Statuses.

“Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and to her idols?”
2 Nephi 20:2

The Lord will not protect the wicked. In this verse The Lord is telling Isaiah, will I not destroy the wicked whether they live in Samaria or Jerusalem? They were swept off for their rebellion.

The only protection we gain from the Lord are from obedience. The minute we forsake the God of this land, we forsake His protections. And when we have ripened in inquiry He will destroy us.

"Never before has the land of Zion appeared so vulnerable to so powerful an enemy as the Americas do at present. And our vulnerability is directly attributable to our loss of active faith in the God of this land, who has decreed that we must worship Him or be swept off" Ezra Taft Benson — “Never before has the land of Zion appeared so vulnerable to so powerful an enemy as the Americas do at present. And our vulnerability is directly attributable to our loss of active faith in the God of this land, who has decreed that we must worship Him or be swept off”
Ezra Taft Benson

The Rest of Christ.

“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and his rest shall be glorious.”
2 Nephi 21:10

The root of Jesse is Christ. For most Jews, they thought the Messiah would come and be THEIR Savior. But Isaiah is telling them that the Gentiles shall flock unto the ensign of Christ and find “rest” or Salvation in Him also.

Only by coming unto Christ can we find Salvation. And the doors of Salvation is open to anyone in any nation!

"O Jerusalem! O America! O England, and all other countries! The Lord says to all, “Come unto me, … and I will give you rest” Mark E. Petersen — “O Jerusalem! O America! O England, and all other countries! The Lord says to all, “Come unto me, … and I will give you rest”
Mark E. Petersen

Christ, The God of the Old Testament.

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.”
2 Nephi 22:2

There is only one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ. Salvation ONLY comes through Him. There is no other way or means by which it can come. He is Jehovah the God of the Old Testament, He is Jesus Christ the promised Messiah and Savior of the world. The only Begotten of the Father who is our advocate with God the Father.

"All men in all ages are saved by the same power, the same laws, the same Savior. And that Savior is Christ.... He is the Lord Jehovah; he is the Great I AM; and beside him there is no Savior." Bruce R. McConkie — “All men in all ages are saved by the same power, the same laws, the same Savior. And that Savior is Christ…. He is the Lord Jehovah; he is the Great I AM; and beside him there is no Savior.”
Bruce R. McConkie

Abortion.

“…they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eyes shall not spare children.”
2 Nephi 23:18

Arguably the greatest sin in the last days has been the legalization and normalization of abortion. The resulting effects have been infanticide that makes the Holocaust pale in comparison.

Almost 1.5 BILLION children have been murdered worldwide in the past 38 years. The total amount of people that were killed during WW2 was 80 million. That is almost 1/20th of how many have died from abortion! The Servants of the Lord have been clear about this sin.

"As a servant of the Lord, I dutifully warn those who advocate and practice abortion that they incur the wrath of Almighty God." Russell M. Nelson (April 1985 Reverence for life). — “As a servant of the Lord, I dutifully warn those who advocate and practice abortion that they incur the wrath of Almighty God.”
Russell M. Nelson (April 1985 Reverence for life).

Lucifer

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! Art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations!”
2 Nephi 24:12

Satan is real. He is just as real as is Jesus Christ and God. He was with us in Heaven before the foundations of the world, he learned the plan, he knows what God foreordained us to do in heaven. From this knowledge, he gains his power. We must realize and be prepared to resist his efforts to cause us to fall like him!

"You must know that Lucifer will oppose you, and be prepared for his opposition. Do not be surprised. He wants you to fail." James E Faust — “You must know that Lucifer will oppose you, and be prepared for his opposition. Do not be surprised. He wants you to fail.”
James E Faust

Saved By Grace.

‘For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”
2 Nephi 25:23

I recently asked an Evangelical, “how is one saved?” he replied, “through grace.” When I inquired what that meant, he further explained that when you accept Christ and repent, you are saved by grace.

He is right, being saved from sin requires two things, accepting Christ (faith) and repenting of one’s sins. Jesus Christ taught that to repent is to “confess” and “Forsake” one’s sin. (D&C 58:43). This is what most Christian Churches teach. This is all that is necessary to be saved from sin into the terrestrial kingdom.

*Do not confuse being saved into a Kingdom of Glory with meaning you will enter into the highest degree of Heaven, they are not the same thing. That requires works.

“His grace is the enabling power that allows access into God’s kingdoms of salvation. Because of His grace, we will all be resurrected and saved in a kingdom of glory.”
Dieter F. Uchtdorf