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Book of Mormon (Plain English Version)/2 Nephi

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1 Nephi
Book of Mormon (Plain English Version)
by Timothy B. Wilson
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154309Book of Mormon (Plain English Version) — 2 NephiTimothy B. Wilson

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Isaiah's prophecies of last days... (compare 2 Nephi, chapter 27)

More of Isaiah's words:

"In the last days, which are the days of the Gentiles, all the Gentile nations and Jews throughout the world will be drunken with all types of sin.

When that day comes, the Lord of Hosts will visit them with thunder, earthquake, great noise, storms and devouring fire.

All the multitudes of the nations that fight Zion and distress her will not be satisfied!

All you sinners, stop and wonder, for you will shout in distress and cry. You will be drunk and stagger, not full of alcohol, but full of all types of sin--the wine of Babylon.

The Lord will allow the spirit of deep sleep to come upon the wicked, for they will close their eyes to the truth, rejecting the prophets and rulers. When the people will not listen to the prophets, the Lord hides them."

In the last days, the Lord will bring these plates to the *Gentiles, the words written by those who lived long ago.


  • Joseph Smith, and other converts of European decent, are named as "Gentiles".


Part of these plates will be sealed--parts containing a revelation from God, describing everything from the beginning to the end of the world (the vision of Jared's brother). Because of wickedness, this revelation will remain sealed.

However, the unsealed plates (the first part of The Book of Mormon), will be given to a man (Joseph Smith) who will deliver its words--the words of those who lived long ago--to another man (Martin Harris).

At first, none of the sealed plates will be translated. They will remain sealed by the power of God until the Lord reveals them. 

   When the sealed plates are translated, they will be read throughout the world by the power of Christ. From this new book (the rest of The Book of Mormon), all things will be revealed to the people of the earth--things that have been and will be among them, until the end of the earth.

When the plates are given to Joseph Smith, they will be hidden from the world. Besides Joseph, three other witnesses will see them by God's power. They will testify that the plates exist, and that the translation is true.

God will allow others (eight additional witnesses) to see the plates, who will also bear testimony of God's word to the world.

This translation will fulfill the prophecies that say the faithful forefathers' words will speak as if from the dead.

To fulfill this prophecy, the Lord God will begin to bring the words written on these plates to the world.

The Lord will establish His word with as many witnesses as He needs, and cursed are those who reject God's word! For the Lord will say to Joseph Smith, 

   "Give some of the unsealed words to another (Martin Harris), so that he may bring them to an educated man (Professor Charles Anthon) to read."

The educated man will say, "Bring me the whole book, so that I may read it."

He will say this, wanting money and glory from the world rather than to glorify God.

The first man will say, "I cannot bring you the book, for it is sealed."

And the educated man will reply, "I cannot read a sealed book." 

   Note: See Joseph Smith History 1:62-65 (Pearl of Great Price).

After this, the Lord will again give the plates and the power to translate them to Joseph, who will have little confidence, saying, 

   "I am not a scholar."

The Lord will answer Joseph,

"Scholars will not be allowed to read them, for they have rejected them. I am able to do my own work, so you will read the words I will give to you. Do not touch the sealed plates, for I will bring them to the world in my own due time. I will show all people that I am able to do my own work.

After you have translated the words that I have commanded you, and after you have shown the plates to the witnesses I promised you, hide the plates up to me again so that I may preserve the sealed words that you have not read.

For behold, I am a God of miracles. I will show the world that I am the same yesterday, today and forever, and that I work among people according to their faith.

This people speak well of me, but they do not know me. Their hearts are far from me, and they fear me according to their own false ideas.

Because of this, I will begin to do a marvelous work and a wonder among them. It will cause the wisdom of their wise scholars to vanish and their powers of reasoning to fail them.

And cursed are those who work in darkness, trying to hide their ways from me, saying, 'Who sees us and knows what we do? Surely, this new scripture will amount to nothing.' 

   Note: The "marvelous work and a wonder" was not the restoration of the gospel. It is yet to come....the coming forth of new scriptures described in 1 Ne 5:17-19, 14:1, 2 Ne 27:10, 28:27-32, Alma 37:3-4, 3 Ne 23:4, 26:6-10, and Ether 3:28, 4:4-6.

But I, the Lord of Hosts, will show them that I know all their works. For can they whom the Lord created and established say that He has no understanding? I will show the people of the world that soon Lebanon--the Jewish settlements--will be turned into a fruitful field and esteemed as a forest."

Isaiah's words:

For in the last days, those blinded by living in spiritual darkness--deaf to the voice of the Spirit--will listen to the words written in this book and will see the Lord's light and truth.

The humble will be given an increase--their lands of inheritance, and their joy will be in the Lord.

The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel, for as surely as the Lord lives, they will see their terrible enemy brought to nothing.

Also, those who mock others, look for a chance to sin, will be cut off from the land. Those who trick people in their words, making them law breakers, entrapping those who stand up for righteousness, who reject justice for money, will be destroyed from the face of the land.

Then the Lord who redeemed Abraham will say to Israel's descendants, 

   "You will no longer be ashamed or afraid."

His children will be with Him, fearing the God of Israel and sanctifying His name--the Holy One of Jacob.

Then those who were in spiritual darkness will come into the light, and those who complained ignorantly will learn doctrine.

Nephi prophecies of last days... (compare 2 Nephi, chapter 28)

My brothers and sisters, I, Nephi, have spoken to you as the Spirit has prompted me, for I know these prophecies of Isaiah will come to pass.

All the words of Mormon will be very valuable to all people, especially to our descendants--a branch of Israel's household.

In the last days, people who do not know the Lord will create churches and claim they are the Lord's. Their priests will argue with one another, teaching according to their learning, for they will not allow the Holy Ghost to inspire their words.

They will deny the power of God--the Holy One of Israel--by saying, "Listen to me because God does not speak today. He has already done His work and has given His power to His children. If others say the Lord does miracles, do not believe them. God does not do miracles today. His work is done."

Many will say, "Eat, drink and be merry, for life is short. Fear God, but not too much because He will justify a little sin. Lie a little. Use the law to take advantage of people. Sue your neighbor. There is nothing wrong with this. If we are guilty, God will scold us for awhile and then save us in His kingdom."

Many will teach these false, vain and foolish doctrines. Being proud, they try to hide their works of darkness from the Lord, and the blood of the saints will cry from the ground against these people.

Because of their pride, false teachers and doctrine, they will become corrupt. By spending their money on their fine churches and fine clothing they will rob the poor. Because they will think so well of themselves, in their pride, wickedness and immorality, they will persecute the humble and poor in heart.

They will hold their heads up high and all will go astray, except for a few of Christ's humble followers.

But even these humble followers will make many mistakes, being taught according to the concepts of men, and not of God.

The wise, the well-educated, the rich, and they who are so proud of their accomplishments, who preach false doctrines and are not chaste, who distort the right way of the Lord, 

   "will be cursed with a great cursing," says the Lord God Almighty,
   "for they will be cast down from my presence."

Cursed are those who favor the unjust over the just.

Cursed are those who reject goodness, saying it is worthless! For in the last days, the Lord God will speedily visit the people of the earth, and those who are fully ripe in sin will not survive. 

   "But if the people of the earth repent of their wickedness, they will not be destroyed," says the Lord of Hosts.

But that great, abominable church, the whore of all the earth, must tumble to the dust with a great fall!

The devil's kingdom must be shaken, giving its members good reason to repent. Otherwise, the devil will surely grasp them with his everlasting chains and incite them to anger, and to die in their anger.

For in the very last days, the devil will rage in people's hearts, inciting them to become angry with anything that is good.

The devil will pacify others, giving them a false sense of security. Those pacified will say, "All is well here in Zion because we are so prosperous."

But in reality, the devil is cheating them--carefully leading them to hell.

The devil will tell them what they want to hear. Things like, "There's really no devil or hell."

He will whisper these lies into their ears until he grasps them with his awful chains, and at last he will obtain power over them forever. The devil's captives will be held by his power--death and hell.

All who have been seized must stand before God's throne to be judged according to their works. After being judged, they must go into the place prepared for them where their souls will be in endless torment, like a burning lake of sulfur.

Because of this terrible, final judgment, cursed are those who are at ease in Zion! Cursed are those who say, "All is well," and who listen to men's counsel, denying God's power and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Cursed are those who say, "We have already received the gospel. We don't need any more," and with little faith in Christ, tremble with anger as God's truth is preached to them.

Those who have faith in Christ gladly receive more truth, and cursed are those who will say, "We have already received the word of God. We have enough. We don't need any more."

The Lord God said to me, 

   "I will give only a few precepts at a time. Those who heed what I give them will be blessed with wisdom, and I will give them more.

   But I will take the gospel out from among those who say, 'We have enough.'

   Note: The Lord gives more (3 Nephi 26:8-9, Ether 4:7), and takes away (3 Nephi 16:10-13, Ether 12:35), depending on how we heed His words.

Cursed are those who put their trust in man's teachings, unless they are taught by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Cursed are the Gentiles, because even though I will continually extend my arm (protective covenants) toward them, they will deny me.

But if they will repent and come to me, I will receive them.

The Lord warns the Gentiles through Nephi... (compare 2 Nephi, chapter 29)

I will begin to do a marvelous work among the Gentiles, remembering the covenants that I made to Israel's descendants, and I will deliver my people a second time. 

   Note: This marvelous work is yet to come (2 Nephi 27:11, 21-23, Ether 4:15, D&C 103:15-18).

I will remember the promises that I made to you, Nephi, and also to your father, Lehi. My promise was that I would not forget your descendants.

I will remember them by bringing them the words of their forefathers (the entire Book of Mormon), which will go with power throughout the earth and become a standard to Israel's descendants.

Because these words will have power, many Gentiles will say, "We already have a Bible, so there cannot be any more."

Oh fools, who have their Bible from the Jews, my ancient covenant people.

Do the Gentiles thank the Jews for the Bible?

Do they remember the pain the Jews suffered, and their work and diligence before me in bringing salvation to the Gentiles?

No, they do not remember these things, but instead the Gentiles curse the Jews. They hate them and do not make any effort to recover them.

But everything the Jews have suffered will be done to the Gentiles, for I, the Lord have not forgotten my people.

You fools who will say, "We already have a Bible. We do not need more scripture."

How did you get your Bible except from the Jews?

Don't you realize that there is more than one nation, and that I, the Lord your God, created all people and remember them?

I rule the heavens and the earth and will bring my word to all nations.

Why do you fear to receive more of my word?

Don't you know that the testimony of two nations is a greater witness to you that I am God, who remembers one nation like another? I speak the same words to one nation that I do to another. When the two nations meet together, their testimonies will also join together.

I will do this to prove that I am the same yesterday, today and forever, and that I speak according to my own pleasure.

Just because I have chosen one group of people to speak to, do not think that I cannot choose another, for my work is not finished, and it never will be.

Do not think you have all my words because you have a Bible, or that I have not caused more to be written. For I command all people everywhere to write the words I speak to them, and I will judge the world according to their works--according to what I have commanded to be written.

I will speak to the Jews, to the Nephites, to the ten tribes, and to all nations, and they will all write their own scriptures.

In the last days, these groups will exchange and have one another's scriptures...The Holy Bible, the complete Book of Mormon, and other ancient scriptures of those who have been led away.

Then my people--members of the house of Israel--will be gathered home to the lands of their possessions.

My word will also be gathered into one book.

I will show those who fight my word, and my people, that I am the same God who covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his descendants forever.

Nephi prophesies of last days... (compare 2 Nephi, chapter 30)

Now my beloved brothers and sisters, do not think that you are more righteous than the Gentiles, for unless you keep God's commandments, you will all perish as well.

What I said earlier does not mean that the Gentiles will be completely destroyed. All the Gentiles who repent are the Lord's covenant people, and all the Jews who do not repent will be cast off. The Lord only makes covenants with those who repent and believe in His Son, the Holy One of Israel.

Now I will prophesy more about the Jews and the Gentiles:

After The Book of Mormon is published by the Gentiles, and the plates are again hidden, many will believe its words. The Gentiles who believe that The Book of Mormon is true (LDS Gentiles) will take its message to the rest of our descendants, the Lamanites, who will then know about us--how we came from Jerusalem, and that they are descendants of the Jews.

Like their forefathers, they will come to know the gospel of Jesus Christ. They will rejoice, knowing that God has blessed them. They will come out of their spiritual darkness, and in only a few generations they will become a pure (white) and delightful people.

Then the scattered Jews will begin to gather. Those of them who believe in Christ will also become a delightful people.

After this, the Lord God will begin His work among all nations, kindreds, tongues and people to restore Israel's descendants throughout the earth.

And with righteousness the Lord God will judge the poor. With fairness He will chastise those who persecute the meek, and by His servant's command, He will cause the wicked to be destroyed.

For the time will soon come when the Lord will cause a great division among the people. He will destroy the wicked and spare His people, even if He must destroy the wicked with fire. He will do this through His righteousness and faithfulness. After the wicked are destroyed by fire, wolves will live in peace with a lambs. The leopard will lie down next to a young goat, the calf and a young lion, and a little child will lead them all.


Cows and bears will feed together, their young ones sleeping nearby. The lion will eat straw like the ox, and a toddler will play near a snake's nest.

They will not hurt or kill in all His holy nation because as the waters cover the sea, the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.

All people of all nations will have knowledge of all things.

All secrets will be revealed, all works of darkness will be shown in the light, and all sealed records will come forth.

Everything ever revealed to people in the past will be revealed at that day, and Satan will not have power over people's hearts for a thousand years.

Nephi speaks of Christ's baptism... (compare 2 Nephi, chapter 31) 

   Note: Nephi's prophecies (2 Nephi 25:7, 30:17) were not directed to the people of his day, but to future members of the house of Israel.

Now I, Nephi, end my prophesying to you, my beloved people. I can only write a few of the things that I know will happen and a few of the words of my brother Jacob.

What I have written so far is enough, except that I must speak a few words about the doctrine of Christ. I will speak as plainly as I can, just as I spoke when I prophesied.

My soul delights in plainness, for this is how the Lord works among His children. He gives us His light by speaking to us in our own language, according to our own understanding.

Remember the prophet, John the Baptist, whom the Lord showed me, who will baptize the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world? Now if the Lamb of God, being holy, needs to be baptized, how much more do we need to be baptized, being unholy?

I ask you, my beloved brethren, how will the Lamb of God fulfill all righteousness by being baptized? Even though He is holy, He will show all people that He will humble Himself before the Father with a mortal body, witnessing to His Father that He will be obedient and keep His commandments.

After being baptized with water, the Holy Ghost will come upon Him in the form of a dove. This sets the example to all people, showing them just how straight the path, and how narrow the gate through which they should enter.

For Christ said to all, "Follow me."

And how can we follow Jesus unless we keep the Father's commandments?

The Father said, "Repent and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son."

And the Son's voice came to me, saying, "The Father will give the Holy Ghost, as He did to me, to all who are baptized in my name. So follow me and do what you have seen me do."

I, Nephi, know that you must sincerely follow the Son, with honest intentions, not trying to deceive others before God as a hypocrite.

If you follow the Son, repenting of your sins, witnessing to the Father that you are willing to take the name of Christ upon you, by baptism, by following your Lord and Savior down into the water according to His word, then you will receive the Holy Ghost.

Then the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost will come, and you will be able to speak as the angels, shouting praises to the Holy One of Israel.

The Son's voice also came to me, saying,

"If you repent, witnessing to the Father that you are willing to keep my commandments by being baptized, and receive the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and speak with the tongue of angels, and after all this deny me, then it would have been better for you if you had never known me."

I also heard the Father say, 

   "Yes, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. Those who continue in righteousness throughout their lives will be saved."

Now, my beloved brothers and sisters, because of what I have heard, I know that unless you follow the example of the Son of the living God by continuing in righteousness throughout your lives, you cannot be saved.

So do the things your Lord and Redeemer will do; be baptized as He will be. His baptism was shown to me so I could tell you how to repent, be baptized and receive a remission of your sins by fire and the Holy Ghost.

And then you are on the straight and narrow path, having entered at the gate. By being baptized, you obey the Father's and the Son's commandments and are promised the gift of the Holy Ghost, who witnesses of the Father and of the Son.

After you have been baptized and have received the Holy Ghost, have you done everything? No, you have not, for you could not have done these things without relying entirely upon Christ--having an unshakable faith in Him, who is mighty to save you.

You must keep your faith in Christ strong, having a perfect brightness of hope, loving God and all mankind.

If you keep your faith strong by feasting on Christ's words, and continue in righteousness throughout your life, then the Father will say, 

   "You shall have eternal life."

This is the only way and name given under heaven by which God's children can be saved in His kingdom.

This is the doctrine of Christ--the only true doctrine of God the Father, of His Son, Jesus Christ and of the Holy Ghost, who are as one God forever. Amen.

After baptism come the Holy Ghost... (compare 2 Nephi, chapter 32)

My beloved brethren, why do you wonder about what to do after you are baptized?

Do you remember me telling you that after you received the Holy Ghost you could speak with the tongue of angels? Now, how could you do this unless it were by the Holy Ghost?

Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, so they speak Christ's words. This is why I told you to heed Christ's words, which will tell you everything that you should do.

If you cannot understand what I have told you, it is because you do not ask God for the answer.

If you do not ask, you will not come into the light, but will die spiritually in the dark.

Again I tell you, if you are baptized and receive the Holy Ghost, He will tell you what to do at all times.

This is all I will say about Christ's doctrine for now. More of His doctrine will be given when He comes to teach you Himself; doctrine that you should obey.

The Spirit stops me from telling you any more. I can only sorrow because people are so stubborn and refuse to believe. They will not search out knowledge or understand great knowledge when it is given to them in plain words.

Brothers and sisters, I, Nephi, know that you are still wondering what to do. I am sorry to say that if you were listening to the Spirit, you would know that you must pray, for it is the evil spirit who teaches you not to pray.

You must always pray, never forgetting to pray to the Father in the name of Christ before doing anything for the Lord. If you do this, He will bless all that you do, so that it will benefit your soul.

Nephi's weak writing to be made strong... (compare 2 Nephi, chapter 33) 

   I, Nephi, cannot write everything that my people were taught.

CLICK HERE to play a recording of a reading with music of chapter 33 "My name is Nephi..." RIGHT CLICK HERE to save .mp3 file of this recording on your hard drive (5.3 mb) 

   Author of this web site, Tim Wilson, writes: In November 1994, our early morning Seminary Teacher for the Branson, Missouri First Ward, Sister Finch, asked me to come to class dressed as Nephi and read the entire 33rd chapter of 2 Nephi.

   I didn't care to dress up in a bathrobe, so I recorded my voice (slowed down a bit for deepness). While listening to my voice playback, I recorded an orchestral score on the fly (using a combination of string sounds, triggered by a MIDI keyboard). I added a few more tracks (choir voices, violin, oboe, bells, etc) and then mixed the voice and music together.

   I like the way it turned out. I hope you can feel Nephi's intensity and plea to all the house of Israel, and to all people living in the last days. To read along, open a 2nd browser page (Ctrl-N) before playing.

I am not a very good writer. I'm a much better speaker than a writer, because when one speaks by the power of the Holy Ghost, that power goes right to the hearts of those who hear. But many people harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, giving it no place in them. Because of this, they do not value the written word.

I consider what I have written to be of great value, especially to my descendants. Every day I pray, and at night I weep over them because of what they will do. I cry to my God in faith, knowing that He will hear me.

I know the Lord will answer my prayers by blessing my people, for even though my writings may be weak, they will be made powerful through the Holy Ghost when they are read by my descendants. They will persuade them to do good and will give them knowledge of their ancestors.

My writings will speak of Jesus in order to persuade my descendants always to believe in Him, and thereby gain eternal life.

My words are harsh against sin because they are the simple and plain truth.

Only those filled with the devil's spirit will be angry with my writings. I glory in plainness, in truth, and in my Jesus because He has redeemed my soul from hell.

I have charity for my people, great faith in Christ, and faith that I will meet many souls, spotless and sanctified, at His judgment-seat.

I have charity for the Jews--the people of my heritage. I also have charity for the Gentiles, but no hope for any of them unless they are reconciled to Christ and stay on the straight path that leads to eternal life.

I speak to my descendants, to the Jews, and to all the people of the earth. If you believe my words, then you will believe in Christ, for He has given me the words that I now write to benefit you. These words teach all people, in all places, to do good.

If you think my words are not Christ's words, then judge them for yourselves. But I know that at the last day Christ will show you with power and great glory that these are His words.

Before His bar, we will stand face to face, and then you will know that He commanded me to write these things in spite of my weakness.

I pray to the Father, in the name of Christ, that many of us, if not all, will be saved in His kingdom on that great and last day.

To all you descendants of the house of Israel, and to all people throughout the earth, I speak as one calling from the dust. Farewell, until that great day arrives.

And you who will not accept God's goodness, who will not respond the words of the Jews, my words, or the words of the Lamb of God, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words will condemn you at the last day.

Because the Lord commanded me to write, what I seal on earth will be brought against you at His judgment bar. Amen.

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