Points to Ponder in 2 Nephi 20-25

To accompany the Come Follow Me curriculum for March 4-10

You would also enjoy reading the following chapters from the Book of Mormon Institute Student Manual:

And you may enjoy any or all of the following short videos:

If you would like a Kahoot game related to this material which you could use for personal study or use with your family or your class, click here: https://create.kahoot.it/share/2-nephi-20-25/f9cd8867-d8f9-4395-92e7-f957205bad36. To use it with a group, after clicking on this link, you will need to log into Kahoot, creating a free account if you have not done so previously, then click on the blue “Start” button. Some of the Kahoot questions may presuppose that the player has read through the suggested answers to the following Points to Ponder and at least has browsed the Institute student manual as well.

1. Once again, don’t worry about understanding everything in these Isaiah chapters. As you did previously, look for the “diamonds” among the “rocks.” Just mark at least one or two favorite passagse in each of this week’s chapters from Isaiah (2 Nephi 20-24) and explain why you selected them.

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

2. If you’ve had a hard time understanding Isaiah, what verse in 2 Nephi 25 could help you feel better?

3. What three things does Nephi tell us in 2 Nephi 25 would help us understand Isaiah’s writings better?

4. What, in your opinion, are the most impressive prophecies Nephi makes in 2 Nephi 25 about the future?

5. What are some practical applications of Nephi’s teaching that “that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do”? (25:23)

Healing the sick?
Learning another language?
Deciding whom to marry?
Teaching a Sunday School class?

Possible Answers to Points to Ponder in 2 Nephi 20-25

1. Mark at least one favorite passage in each of this week’s chapters from Isaiah (2 Nephi 20-24) and explain why you selected it.

Here are some possibilities:

20:1-2—Wo to those who rob the widows and fatherless

20:12-13, 33—Wo to the proud

20:21—Promise that a remnant of Israel shall return to the Lord.

21:1-4—Birth of Christ

21:6-8—Millennial peace

21:9—Earth full of the knowledge of the Lord as waters cover the sea

21:11-12—Gathering of Israel; ensign

22:2-3, 5—Lovely symbolism—with joy drawing water out of the wells of salvation. Singing

23:9-11—Signs preceding the 2^nd Coming

23:12—A man to be more precious than fine gold

24:1—Strangers to be joined to Israel

24:2—Israel returns to their lands (plural) of promise.

24:3—Rest from sorrow, fear, and hard bondage—but not from work per se

24:7—Millennial peace

24:15—Wo to the proud again

24:12-16—Satan and his end

2. If you’ve had a hard time understanding Isaiah, what verse in 2 Nephi 25 could help you feel better?

V. 1—It was hard for the Nephites to understand, too, and they lived much closer to Isaiah’s time.

3. What three things does Nephi say would help us understand Isaiah’s writings better?

(1) be taught after the manner of the things of the Jews (v. 5), (2) have the spirit of prophecy (v. 4), and (3) live in the times that his prophecies are fulfilled (v 7-8).

4. What, in your opinion, are the most impressive prophecies Nephi makes in 2 Nephi 25 about the future?

Your choice. Some possibilities could be:

The future restoration of the Jews to their homeland (11)

Coming of Christ, and his crucifixion and resurrection (12-13; 19)

Subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and scattering of the Jews (14-15)

Second restoration of the Jews (and other Israelites) from their lost and fallen state when they begin to believe in the Messiah (16-17)

Preservation and coming forth of the Book of Mormon (21-22)

5. What are some practical applications of Nephi’s teaching that “that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do”?

Healing the sick?

We need to consult the doctor when appropriate and take available medicine in addition to exercising faith.

Learning another language?

We need to study diligently in addition to hoping for a measure of the “gift of tongues.”

Deciding whom to marry?

We need to get acquainted with prospective candidates and carefully examine their qualities and goals and not expect the Lord to give us inspiration out of the blue.

Teaching a Sunday School class?

We need to prepare well in addition to asking the Lord for help.