2008 Gospel Doctrine Lesson 8: “O How Great the Goodness of Our God”

2 Nephi 6–10

2 Nephi 9 contains a discourse by Jacob, one of Nephi’s younger brothers, about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which is the central event in the plan of salvation. To understand the teachings in this chapter, it is helpful to understand the terms temporal death and spiritual death. For an explanation of these terms, see Bible Dictionary, “Death,” 655.

• • What did the Savior do to overcome temporal death and spiritual death? (See 2 Nephi 9:5–7, 12, 21–22; see also Luke 22:44; Mosiah 3:7; D&C 19:16–19.)
• • According to Jacob, what are some of the things we must do to be “saved in the kingdom of God,” or permitted to dwell in God’s presence forever? (See 2 Nephi 9:18, 21, 23–24, 39, 41, 50–52.)
• • What are some attitudes and actions that prevent us from receiving all the blessings of the Atonement? (See 2 Nephi 9:27–38.)
• • Jacob prophesied that the Nephites’ descendants would “perish in the flesh because of unbelief” and that the Jews in Jerusalem would crucify the Savior and be scattered because of their sins (2 Nephi 10:2–6). What will the Lord do for these people when they believe in Him and repent of their sins? (See 2 Nephi 10:2, 7–8, 21–22; see also 1 Nephi 21:15–16; 2 Nephi 9:1–3, 53; 30:2.) How does this apply to us individually?

Consider how individual words and phrases in the following verses enhance the meaning of Jacob’s discourse:

2 Nephi 9:10	2 Nephi 9:28
2 Nephi 9:14	2 Nephi 9:39
2 Nephi 9:18	2 Nephi 9:51

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Invite family members to discuss what the Savior has done for them individually and for the family.

Comments

[Stan]

I was particularly touched by the part in D&C 19: 17 where it says that He suffered for us so that we could avoid suffering. Specifically, if we don't repent, we will suffer like Christ -- and it says that this suffering caused Christ, even God, to tremble because of pain and to bleed at every pore. This type of pain comes from spiritual death, from a complete separation from God. I am not sure I have felt this pain completely, even though I am sure that I have been separated from God at times in my life. I suppose that this pain could manifest itself more completely in the afterlife, when we fully understand the significance of our separation from God -- that it is eternal at that point. I suppose that if I were more spiritual and had more fully experienced the feeling of being with God (i.e., not separated), I could understand it better now.

Jacob says that in order to be saved, we must "endure the crosses of the world." What are these crosses other than the ridicule, or the criticism, of those who criticize God's laws? The thing which I must bear then is the scorn of those who find some doctrine or other politically incorrect. It has always been a feature of the true Church and of true prophets that their laws and their warnings are contrary to the tide of popular opinion and to the current of the world. If the church were not doing unpopular things -- if everything it did met with whatever morality men chose for that day -- it might be easier to be a member because there would be no criticism. But it would be an indication that the Church itself had gone astray. And this is not the case.

In 2 Nephi 9:21 it says that Christ suffered for men women and children. I had never thought about the fact that He suffered for children. Since those under 8 are incapable of sin, His suffering for them must be something other than what we typically think of as the atonement. I assume it means he suffered their suffering: their physical hunger, the abuse they experience, the completely disfunctional home environments they live in. He suffered what they suffer so that they could have someone who understands their experience. So that later in life as they try to overcome the consequences of their childhood abuse and suffering, there is someone they can turn to who can help them.

It is a curious thing how learning can lead many of us away from God. Jacob warns that when men are learned they think they are wise and hearken not unto the counsels of God. Then he says to be learned is good if you hearken unto God. What is it about being "learned" that causes us to stop listening to the counsels of God? I remember when I first thought I had achieved a certain level of education, some time during my undergraduate years, applying some of the same critical thinking skills to the talks of general authorities. I suppose what happens is that we approach God's word with the same critical thinking as we approach the words of men, rather than with any degree of humility or self-examination. When we do that, we are in danger of justifying ourselves rather than comparing ourselves against a higher standard, because we give ourselves permission to disagree, or to simply ignore those things we do not find palatable.