Our next installment in the Sunday School schedule brings us to 2 Nephi 31–33, in which Nephi, finished with quoting Isaiah and adding his own prophesies, now expounds the fundamental doctrines of Christ and leaves his prophetic witness. This segment of Nephi’s writings can be outlined as follows:

• Nephi’s Addition to his Record
• Importance of Baptism
• Enduring to the End
• The Doctrine of Christ
• The Necessity of Prayer
• Nephi’s Conclusion
• Nephi’s Last Goodbye

The essence of Nephi’s words is captured in his admonition to his readers:

“Ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: ‘Ye shall have eternal life.’” (2 Nephi 31:19–20)

These chapters are some of the most poignant of Nephi’s writings, and carry with them some very signficant teachings. Let’s explore some of what he has to say.

Nephi teaches of the doctrine of Christ.
In an attempt to illustrate to path the path to God, Nephi emphasizes the need to emulate and follow Christ, and do as he did. This idea is presented in conjunction with the symbolism of rebirth in Christ that is embodied in the ordinance of baptism. Nephi explains that Jesus himself would be baptized, and that those who wish to follow Christ must strive to become the person that he is.

“And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!” (2 Nephi 31:5)

Nephi teaches that we must press forward and endure to the end.
When Nephi mentions the concept of enduring to the end as a prerequisite for the receipt of eternal life, a variety of ideas come to mind. “Enduring to the end” is often cited as an integral step of the gospel, but it is rarely articulated as anything beyond that. In his book “Following Christ,” LDS theologian Stephen E. Robinson explains:

“Enduring faithfully to the end does not just mean ‘coping’ successfully with our problems or suffering affliction with stamina, although some have been called upon to do these things in order to endure. Certainly it has little to do with overcoming personal obstacles or achieving personal goals. Rather it means staying put in the kingdom by holding on to Christ and to his church without altering our commitment—no matter what. Neither ‘enduring’ nor ‘being faithful’ means being perfect or living from our baptism until our death without sinning…” (Following Christ, p. 65.)

Nephi speaks of the importance of feasting on the words of Christ.
Adding to his original statement that we must feast upon the words of Christ, Nephi says:

“Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” (2 Nephi 32:3)

From this, it seems clear that scriptures are of little no value unless they are used as a directive for our behaviors and actions, and even attitudes.

Nephi declares that people will believe his words if they believe in Christ.
In what seems to be an effort to express the universality of Christ’s teachings, Nephi states that those that believe in Christ will embrace his words—all Christ centric teachings lead people to do good.

“And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.” (2 Nephi 33:10)

Nephi expresses his devotion and gratitude for Jesus
Finally, Nephi sings praises to the Lord, and while accepting his mortal flaws, revels in the truth of God which brings prospects of deliverance from hell:

“I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.” (2 Nephi 33:6)