Comments on 2 Nephi 28 This chapter is largely an attack on the Gentile churches. But, Nephi's intent is to show why the words of the book, referred to in the previous chapter, will be of great worth to the Lehite remnant and the other remnants of Israel, per v. 2. The book will be of great worth to the natural remnants because the Gentile churches will all be so corrupt, and they will scattered among them. This chapter follows a pretty standard OT prophetic pattern of indictment, then judgement, then warning, as follows: Introduction (v. 1-2) A - (v. 3-14) Indictment B - (v. 15-16) Judgement C - (v. 17) Warning A - (v. 18-22) Indictment B - (v. 23-31) Judgement C - (v. 32) Warning The indictments contain detailed lists of sins the Gentile churches commit. The Judgement oracles are laden with emphatic woes cast out upon the unrepentant Gentiles. And the Warnings close off by informing the Gentiles that the Lord will be merciful and not destroy the Gentiles if they repent. The first parallel (v. 3-17) characterizes the Gentile churches as eminently human and carnal in nature. However, the second parallel (v. 18-32) makes it plain that Satan is underneath the Gentile churches acting out his part as deceiver. v1-2 See 29:1-2 for a more verbose discussion of the same subject. v3-14 Compare Mormon 8 for another list of sins the Gentile churches will be guilty of in the time the book comes to light. v5-6 While I have never heard or heard of anyone actually saying what these verses present as quotes, the fact is the way the Gentile churches behave this quote is representative and implicit. Many Gentile churches today simply operate by public opinion, making no effort to seek inspiration or even acknowledge the possibility of revelation. They insist the Bible is all there is, and generally ignore it's teachings anyway. Thus, democracy and popular culture replaces theology and the Scriptures. v9 "seek deep", Nephi borrows phraseology from Isa. 29:15. The "deep" is commonly equated with hell in the OT. v12-13 Nephi's intent is probably to draw on the context of the false teachers described in Isa. 28. v21 "Zion", Nephi makes reference to Zion twice in v. 21 and once in v. 24. Nephi is apparently referring to the Gentile churches, and not the restored LDS Church, given the overall context of the revelation and rejection of the book in both ch. 27 and 29. Nephi uses the title "Zion" in 1 Ne. 13:37, and Jacob does so in 6:12-13, and quotes the Lord using it in 10:12-17. There the term "Zion" is presented as a dichotomy to the church of the devil or "the whore of all the earth" (cf. 10:17). I would assume the intent is to shed greater light on the subject of v. 14. There are humble followers of Christ among the Gentile churches, but many of them are seduced by the devil's deceit. v25 "All is well!", the message here of "All is well!" is one given in deceit, as in Hela. 13:28. The people sin, and rather than call them to repentance, the false prophet lies to them and tells them they aren't in sin. v27-30 These verses explain why a person does not want any more Scripture or revelation from God, because he is "built upon a sandy foundation [and] trembleth lest he shall fall". Being "built upon a sandy foundation" means you hear the word of God, but do not do the word of God, cf. Matt. 7:26-27. Naturally, a person who does not do the word of God does not want more of the word of God telling him what to do, as it only condemns him more. v28 "angry because of the truth of God", cp. 1 Ne. 16:1-2. "built upon the rock...built upon a sandy foundation", this is a concept we would typically equate with a NT setting (cf. Matt. 7:24-27), but it has its source in the OT, as Proverbs 10:25 indicates: As the whirlwind passeth, so [is] the wicked no [more]: but the righteous [is] an everlasting foundation. (KJV) When the storm passes the wicked man is gone, But the righteous is an everlasting foundation. (JPS) For the foundation of rock, cf. Num. 24:21-22, 2 Sam. 22:2-3, 1 Kings 5:15-17, Ps. 31:2-3, Ps. 62, Ps. 87:1, Isa. 28:16. For the unstable foundation swept away by the flood, cf. Gen. 6:17, Job 22:15-16, Isa. 28:22, Jer. 46:6-8, Amos 8:8, Nahum 1:8. Note Jacob uses the language and symbolism of Isa. 28:16 and equates the corner stone of Christ with the only sure and safe foundation, cf. Jacob 4:15-17. Also compare Hela. 5:12. v30 paraphrases Isa. 28:13. This verse starts a quotation of the Lord that continues through to 29:14. Copyright © 2001 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.