Why did most not look at the Brass serpent that would save them and what did the Brass serpent represent? 2 Nephi 25:23 in Literary and Rhetorical Context Daniel O. McClellan 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. Why did most not look at the Brass serpent that would save them and what did the Brass serpent represent? The Lord will not again forsake his people. “After all we can do” means clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick and giving “succor [to] those who stand in need of [our] succor” (Mosiah 4:15)—remembering that what we do unto one of the least of God’s children, we do unto Him (see Matthew 25:34-40; D&C 42:38). The way too simple / easy and represents Jesus Christ. (2 Nephi 26:11) 5. To understand just how unclear Nephis words are, a few interpretive questions, none of which has any obvious answer, might be asked: 1. Ellipsis in original). Shall Be As When God Overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah: In 2 Nephi 23:19-22 we find a prophecy of the destruction of Babylon. Based on what Burton said, the phrase “after all we can do” as described in 2 Nephi 25:23 is a direct reference to “individual salvation,” also known as exaltation, eternal life, and godhood. Perhaps he means “preposition of contrast/concession,” which includes words like “in spite of” and “despite.” An example of a preposition of separation would be “from” or “off.” I don’t think that’s what he really means. And I agree with the same conclusion. At a recent church meeting where I spoke about The Miracle of Forgiveness evangelistic approach described in a chapter found in Sharing the Good News with Mormons (Kregel, 2018), two young male LDS missionaries approached my table and we began to talk. Its walls were, for height and width, one of the wonders of the world. Here is what she told me: After taking a college and graduate level grammar course, I’ll admit I had to google “preposition of separation,” but after reading up on it, I don’t think it means what he thinks it means. (2 Nephi 25:23, 26) There is no other way to be saved than through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. According to the English dictionary contemporary with Joseph Smith and the production of the Book of Mormon, the meaning of “after” as a preposition has the following meanings: After I have arisen, I will go before you into Galilee. . This is a classic statement of how grace applies to us. 2 Nephi 25:23 “For we labor d iligently 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.” . The idea that “after” means “in spite of” may very well have originated with BYU professor Stephen E. Robinson. “Elder B.H. (25) 2 Nephi 25:23 – A comment. He further explains the future of the Jews as well as the restoration of the gospel in the last days. But all of these blessings are ours on one condition, and this is spoken of by Nephi, when he said: ‘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.) 2 Nephi 25:30. All the pain and travail of previous generations will be turned to joy. 17-18. To walk after the flesh; to live after the flesh. To request a free subscription, please visit here. 2 Nephi 25:23-26. I was unaware that the church newsroom had doctrinal tidbits in there (thanks CV75 for pointing in that direction) and as I was browsing I came upon the entry for Grace. As much as I think he wishes it did. Other leaders have agreed with Lee’s interpretation of the verse, including: Apostle David A. Bednar (after citing 2 Nephi 25:23): “Certainly, ‘we believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel’ (Articles of Faith 1:3)” (David A. Bednar, “Therefore They Hushed Their Fears,” Ensign (Conference Edition), May 2015, p. 49). . Nephi’s statement “it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23) has been the source of much discussion among Latter-day Saints. — 2 Nephi 25:23. [Arthur A. Bailey, "What Modern Revelation Teaches About Adam," in The Ensign, January 1998, pp. 2 Nephi 25:23-26. And what is "all that we can do?" Ellipsis in original). Robinson is correct that “none of us actually does all he can do.” This seems to be the crux of the matter and the reason why he wishes to change the meaning of the word “after.” When commentators have a doubt about the way a biblical verse ought to be understood, the original Greek and Hebrew can be studied to determine a passage’s meaning. In traditional Mormonism, grace is provided to all humanity because of obedience accomplished in Mormonism’s preexistence (i.e., all human chose Jesus rather than Lucifer to be the savior of the world). But it doesn’t say that. He cites from Ephesians that salvation is a “gift of God: not of works,” yet he still says “we will never deserve more than we receive.” Works “alone” can’t save us, he says, as “grace is an absolute prerequisite.” So, in other words, it is not by grace alone but grace and works (“saved by grace after all we can do”). Read the verses* 300. As Pres. The use of 2 Nephi 25:23 as raw material for theological reflection about the relationship between grace and works creates no end of trouble for Mormons, although many of us seem unaware of the difficulties. Baptism the gate to the strait and narrow path. Book Review: The Divine Gift of Forgiveness by Apostle Neil L. Andersen. “We are saved by grace behind in place after all we can do”—this doesn’t fit. Deuteronomy 6:14. Thread Status: Not open for further replies. 25:232 Nephi 25:23 to be a preposition of separation rather than a preposition of time. « Previous 2 Nephi 25 Next » This word often precedes a sentence, as a governing preposition. Rather, we seek His grace to complement and reward our most diligent efforts (see 2 Nephi 25:23). Misinterpreting this verse and changing its natural (and traditional) meaning only leads to confusion for those who aim is to understand what the Book of Mormon is saying. 2 Nephi 31:17-21. Spencer raises five excellent questions from the reading of 2 Nephi 25:23 that highlight the verse’s ambiguities and, consequently, its difficulty for interpretation. @Deadworm, I thank you for your words and presence on this forum. When it comes to support of “preposition of time,” the second definition seems to fit. 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. As we continue to study Nephi and Isaiah this week- there are several excellent topics for lessons. (2 Nephi 25:17) 3. Thank you! As we talked, I referenced 2 Nephi 25:23. 2 NEPHI 25:21 – 26:11 MESSAGE TO THE CHILRDEN OF LEHI 25:22 the nations who shall possess them shall be judged . Thread Status: Not open for further replies. Father Lehi the heavens open and “he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day” (1 Nephi 1:9). But what Nephi is actually writing here is a very Pauline-like statement to his children and brethren that even after all they can do under the law of Moses, which they must … MAYBE, maybe, maybe “even after” works, but “after” by itself does not. Emphasis mine). “The simple essence of all you need to know about the Atonement is to be found in the teachings of the great prophet Nephi when he said, ‘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). By his grace, we live and breathe. Hey Friends! (25) 2 Nephi 25:23 – A comment. Keep the commandments of God or perish. 2 Nephi Chapter 25 « Previous Next » ... 2 Ne 25:23-30 . Romans 8:1. 2 Nephi 25:23 in the Book of Mormon states: “it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” Many Mormons say this verse doesn’t teach that salvation is based on grace and works. According to; as, consider a thing after its intrinsic value. It denotes logical separateness rather than temporal sequence. The B of M teaches ‘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 we are saved after all we can do’ (2 Nephi 25:23). Posts Tagged ‘2 Nephi 25:23 vs. Ephesians 2:8-9’ Mormon Dilemma 154. How important to the interpretation of . (2 Nephi 25:4) 2. 2 Nephi 25:26 by LDS Scripture of the Day | posted in: Book of Mormon | 0 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. Your generous support makes the work of MRM possible. We are saved by grace “apart from all we can do,” or “all we can do notwithstanding,” or even “regardless of all we can do.” Another acceptable paraphrase of the sense of the verse might read, “We are still saved by grace, after all is said and done” (pp. 25:23 at the end. 25:23. is the use of the word . Read the verses* 300. The Savior’s blood, His atonement, will save us, but only after we have done all we can to save ourselves by keeping His commandments. He looked at me and smiled. Hey Friends! 25:23 at the end. Math. Cited in The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, pp. LDS 2 Nephi 25:23 Discussion in 'Debate Other Religions & Faiths' started by Hammster, Aug 2, 2016. (Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye in Holy Places: Selected Sermons and Writings of President Harold B. Lee, pp. Have originated with BYU professor Stephen E. Robinson is, moving behind, following ; search! Only confess that Jesus is the Christ and then they are not kind. 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