2 Nephi 32
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This short chapter picks up where chapter 31 left off. Nephi has just taught the gate (repentance and baptism) and the path (pressing forward in Christ). Now he can tell that his readers are still unsure: I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way (v. 1).
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2 Nephi 32:1-3Feast upon the Words of Christ
1And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But, behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts? 2Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?
Nephi's people have entered the gate, and now they wonder what comes next. Nephi gently asks why they are still puzzled. He has already told them.
Nephi had promised that after receiving the Holy Ghost they could speak with the tongue of angels. Angels speak by the Holy Ghost, and so can we.
3Angels 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.
A feast is more than a snack. To feast on Christ's words is to take them in fully, with hunger and joy, and to come back again and again.
2 Nephi 32:4-7The Holy Ghost Will Show unto You All Things
4Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark. 5For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.
If we don't understand, it is usually because we haven't asked. When we ask and knock, the Holy Ghost will show us what to do.
6Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do. 7And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be.
Nephi wants to say more, but the Spirit stops him. He grieves that people won't seek truth even when it is given to them plainly.
2 Nephi 32:8-9Ye Must Pray Always
8And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.
The Holy Spirit teaches us to pray. The evil spirit teaches us not to. If you feel you shouldn't pray, you know where that feeling comes from.
9But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.
Pray always, and don't give up. Before doing anything for the Lord, pray to the Father in Christ's name so that what you do will bless your soul.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- How Can One “Feast upon the Words of Christ”?Shows how Nephi's language of feasting echoes his father's dream of the tree of life and the imagery of prophets such as Ezekiel.
- Why Must One Pray Always to Endure to the End?Looks at Nephi's teaching in verses 8–9 that prayer comes first in everything a disciple does after baptism.
- Holy GhostWho the Holy Ghost is, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and how He guides those who receive Him.
- PrayerWhy and how we pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ.
Where this echoes in Scripture
Feast upon the Words of Christ
- 2 Nephi 31:13, 20Then can ye speak with the tongue of angels… feasting upon the word of Christ.The promises Nephi now explains.
- John 6:68Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
- Jeremiah 15:16Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.
- 1 Nephi 8:12It filled my soul with exceedingly great joy.The feast of Lehi's dream.
- D&C 18:34-36These words are not of men nor of man, but of me… for it is my voice which speaketh them unto you.
The Holy Ghost Will Show unto You All Things
- Matthew 7:7-8Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
- John 16:13When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.
- 3 Nephi 11:31-39Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine.The doctrine Christ taught when He came in the flesh.
- Moroni 10:5By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
- D&C 8:2I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost.
Ye Must Pray Always
- Luke 18:1Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.
- 3 Nephi 18:19-20Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name.
- Alma 34:27Let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually.
- Alma 37:37Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good.
- D&C 10:5Pray always, that you may come off conqueror.