2 Nephi 25

I, Nephi, have some commentary to make regarding these words of Isaiah. I recognize that many of his words are hard to understand for those who do not comprehend the nature of prophesying among the Jews. I have not previously spoken a great deal about the prophecies of the Jews because so much of their works lie in the realm of darkness, and so many of their actions are ones of abomination. But now I write these thoughts onto my plates so that future generations of people and nations will know what Isaiah has predicted, and also know that they are true prophecies from the Jews. Like Isaiah, I too grew up in Jerusalem and understand the ways of the Jews.

You, my people, are also children of Israel and so I give you this prophecy. As Isaiah’s prophecies are fulfilled, everyone will understand them, including my own descendants, and Isaiah’s words will be of great value to them in the latter days.

Even though many generations of Jews have been destroyed because of their failure to follow God’s rules, God has always warned them beforehand, as he did to my father before we left Jerusalem. Because they didn’t listen to God, they were destroyed or carried away as slaves to Babylon. My prophecy is also that they will return again to their land and be subject to more wars, until the day comes when Jesus Christ appears to them in the flesh. Because their hearts are hardened, they will reject and crucify him. But three days after he is laid in the grave, he will rise again from the dead and all of those who believe in him will be saved in the kingdom of God. I have seen this day, and this prophecy is the delight of my heart. I further predict that, after Jesus Christ has arisen, Jerusalem and Babylon will again be destroyed, and the Jews who have opposed God will be scattered among all nations of the earth.

Many generations will pass and the scattered Jews will be tormented by the nations to which they have fled, until such time as they believe in Jesus Christ and recognize him as the true and only Messiah. At that time God will again gather and restore them. There is only one Messiah spoken of by the prophets, and he is the one whom the Jews will reject. Any other Messiahs will be false. This true Messiah will come to Israel six hundred years after my family left Jerusalem, and according to the prophets his name will be Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I say that these things are true and that there is no one who can save man except this Jesus Christ of whom I have spoken.

Now then, God has promised me that these things that I write will be kept and preserved, to be handed down from generation to generation so that the promises made to Joseph1 of Egypt will be fulfilled, and that his descendants will never perish as long as the earth stands. In waiting, we observe the laws of Moses and look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of the law. In so doing, we will work diligently to write, to persuade our children and brothers to believe in Jesus Christ, and to be reconciled to God, because it is only by his grace that we are saved. By talking of Christ, rejoicing in Christ, preaching of Christ, and prophesying of Christ, our children will know where to look for the remission of their sins.

These words I speak will stand as testimony against your stubbornness, because they show you the right way to believe in Christ; by denying him, you would also deny the prophets and the law of God. Bow down before him, worship him with all your might, all your mind, all your strength, and all your soul. If you do this, you will not be cast out.