REL A 121: Book of Mormon Midterm 2

Assyria and Babylon

• Assyria is identified as a tool used by the Lord to humble Israel (2 Nephi 20).
• Assyria will threaten Jerusalem but eventually face destruction by Babylon (2 Nephi 20).
• Babylon's fall symbolizes the collapse of Satan's kingdom in the last days.
• The destruction of Babylon is witnessed by Isaiah in 539 BCE.

Isaiah's Insights

• Christ will emerge from the lineage of Jesse, highlighting his Davidic heritage.
• Isaiah emphasizes peace as a key feature of the Lord's millennial reign.
• Isaiah's writings will hold great significance for future generations, particularly in the last days (2 Nephi 25).
• Key keys to understanding Isaiah include knowledge of Jewish prophecy, the Spirit of Prophecy, and familiarity with surrounding regions.

Nephite Prophecies

• Nephi is the speaker in 2 Nephi 25 and 2 Nephi 26, where he conveys vital prophecies about Christ’s appearance to the Nephites.
• The Nephites are foretold to face destruction due to their wickedness (2 Nephi 26).

The Book of Mormon's Role

• The Book of Mormon is prophesied to "speak out of the ground," including revelations from the dead (2 Nephi 26).
• In the last days, the earth will be filled with iniquity (2 Nephi 27).
• A sealed book will be presented, revealing the words of past civilizations (2 Nephi 27).

Future Challenges and Responses

• The future will see contention among churches (2 Nephi 28-30).
• The doctrine of “eat, drink, and be merry” is criticized for promoting moral laxity (2 Nephi 28-30).
• There will be opposition to the goodness and truth brought forth by the Book of Mormon (2 Nephi 28-30).

Doctrine of Christ

• The doctrine of Christ summarized in 2 Nephi 31 includes faith, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.
• Nephi’s last words express his hope for the salvation of his people (2 Nephi 33).

Jacob's Leadership

• Jacob becomes the spiritual leader following Nephi but does not assume kingship (Jacob 1).
• The people begin to indulge in pride and sexual sins, prompting Jacob to call them to repentance.
• Jacob gathers the people to the temple after receiving a divine mandate to do so (Jacob 1).

Abominations Addressed

• Jacob identifies two major abominations: pride and sexual sin, emphasizing their destructive nature.
• He critiques the wealthy for flaunting their status and urges the pursuit of God's kingdom over materialism (Jacob 2).

Allegory of the Olive Tree

• The longest chapter, Jacob 5, recounts the allegory of the olive tree, illustrating God's divine love and care for Israel.