2 Nephi 33
People in this chapter
Nephi has been writing for a long time. He began these plates about thirty years after leaving Jerusalem (2 Nephi 5:30–31), and now he is old. He has told his family's story, recorded his visions, copied Isaiah, and taught the doctrine of Christ. This chapter is what he wants to say last.
Tap any highlighted phrase to jump to the commentary that unpacks it.
2 Nephi 33:1-5The Words Which I Have Written in Weakness
1And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men. 2But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.
Nephi says he is a better speaker than writer. When someone speaks by the Holy Ghost, the Spirit carries the words unto the hearts of the listeners.
The Holy Ghost carries truth unto the heart, but a person can harden their heart so the Spirit has no place there. Then the words get thrown away as things of naught.
3But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry. 4And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal. 5And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the truth; wherefore, no man will be angry at the words which I have written save he shall be of the spirit of the devil.
Nephi prays for his people all day and cries over them at night. He knows God hears him and will consecrate those prayers for their good.
Nephi's words were written in weakness, but God would make them strong. Why? Because the record speaketh of Jesus and helps people believe in Him and endure to the end.
Nephi's record is plain about sin. He says only someone under the influence of the spirit of the devil will be angry at words that invite them to do good.
2 Nephi 33:6-9I Glory in My Jesus
6I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.
To glory in something is to rejoice in it and boast of it. Nephi glories in plain speaking, in truth, and most of all in Jesus.
7I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat. 8I have charity for the Jew—I say Jew, because I mean them from whence I came. 9I also have charity for the Gentiles. But behold, for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.
Nephi has charity for three groups: his own people, the Jews, and the Gentiles. He hopes to meet many of them spotless at Christ's judgment seat.
Nephi's hope for every group has one condition: that they be reconciled unto Christ, enter the gate, and stay on the path to the end.
2 Nephi 33:10-15Face to Face before His Bar
10And 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. 11And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.
Nephi says that if you doubt these are Christ's words, Christ Himself will show you at the last day. Nephi and every reader will stand face to face before Him.
12And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day. 13And now, my beloved brethren, all those who are of the house of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust: Farewell until that great day shall come. 14And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day. 15For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen.
Nephi's last prayer is that many of us, if not all, will be saved. He says farewell as the voice of one crying from the dust, a voice still speaking to us today.
Those who reject God's goodness and His words hear an everlasting farewell. Nephi's words will stand as a witness at the judgment.
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.
- Why Did Nephi End His Sacred Record with His Testimony of the Redeemer?Looks at how Nephi, aware of his weakness as a writer, closed his record with one last personal witness of Jesus Christ.
- Book of MormonThe Church's overview of the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ and how each reader can gain a witness of it.
- CharityCharity, the pure love of Christ, which Nephi says he has for his people, the Jews, and the Gentiles (vv. 7–9).
Where this echoes in Scripture
The Words Which I Have Written in Weakness
- Ether 12:23-27I give unto men weakness that they may be humble… then will I make weak things become strong unto them.Moroni's worry about weak writing, and the Lord's answer.
- 2 Nephi 25:26We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ.Why the record speaks of Jesus.
- 1 Nephi 16:2The guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.Why plain truth can make people angry.
- D&C 50:21-22He that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.The Spirit carrying the word from teacher to hearer.
I Glory in My Jesus
- 2 Nephi 4:17-19, 31O wretched man that I am!… O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul?The question verse 6 answers.
- Jeremiah 9:23-24Let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me.
- Alma 26:16Who can glory too much in the Lord?Ammon glories in the Lord the same way.
- Moroni 7:47Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20We pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Face to Face before His Bar
- Moroni 10:27, 34Ye shall see me at the bar of God… to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah.Moroni ends the book with the same appointment.
- Isaiah 29:4Thy speech shall be low out of the dust.The image behind "the voice of one crying from the dust."
- John 10:27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
- Moroni 10:4-5By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
- D&C 1:38Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.The words of His servants are His words.