2 Nephi 32

I have never really understood 2 Nephi 32. After you enter in by the way (2 Nephi 31), the Holy Ghost will tell you all things that ye should do. Nephi says nothing about any commandments or laws to be obeyed. The Holy Ghost will show you what you are to do.




Since Christ answers the ends of the law by offering himself a sacrifice for sin, unto all those who have a broken heart and contrite spirit, this would mean that after you have entered in by the way, justice has no claim on you. Instead of following a prescribed set of rules, it appears that you are supposed to be listening to the Holy Ghost to know what to do next. These would be your personal commandments.




So, I am relying wholly on Christ's merits who is might to save. I have decided to follow my savior. I am walking meekly with all lowliness of heart on this earth. This is all in 2 Nephi 31.




Now what? Nephi says to follow the Holy Ghost until Christ manifests himself to you in the flesh.




I have been reading 2 Nephi 31 and 32. I read it or listen to it over and over. This, Nephi says, is the doctrine of Christ. Reading this leads to more questions. What is it that they needed to repent of? What exactly does it mean to do what Christ would do? When exactly are we in the strait and narrow path? After you have been baptized by fire and the Holy Ghost? How does this kind of baptism happen over time?



The answers are: We are repenting of being ornery, unkind and not very nice. From being proud. There might also be repentance of any of the ten commandments. What we do to follow Christ is to suffer all manner of unkind things people say. We learn how to be meek and lowly of heart. We continue the cycle of repentance, working on changing the inward man. We know we are in the strait and narrow path when we finally turn our lives over to God and God accepts our offering. You know your offering is accepted by the feelings you have. You feel joy and love and gratitude when you take the sacrament or when praying or whenever. You want to follow the Savior. You are now the path. You have been and continue to rely completely on Christ who is the author and finisher of your salvation. You may even receive a voice telling you that your sins have been remitted. But, the feeling of joy, gratitude and peace are enough to know. Are you done (Chapter 31)? No. The commandments ( promptings) you receive from the Holy Ghost must be followed. The Holy Ghost will tell you all things that you are to do. Jesus, in his own due time, will come and appear unto you in the flesh and you will do all things that He tell you to do.



This is what I remember from what I read. What is interesting to me is that there isn’t any Law involved in the Doctrine of Christ. The Christian is under grace, not under the law. But, he does keep the commandments (the standard set by the Church) as he asks for the Holy Ghost to tell him specifically what he should be working on next - perhaps a higher principle (gospel law). Perhaps to server another. I would love to be able to speak with the tongue of angels when teaching a class, talking with my children, home teaching or any conversation that I am having. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?



Nephi says that he has been as clear as he can get. If you don’t get it, than you haven’t asked and you choose to remain in darkness.