2 Nephi 25-26
Here we go!
You did it! You read through the Isaiah chapters! If that is your first time, we’re so proud of you!
Isaiah was all about Jesus Christ! So, of course, the first message of these chapters is a Christ-Centered Message (Which is Our Missionary Purpose - to invite all to come unto Him and receive the restored gospel)!
"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ..." (2 Nephi 25:26).
We all need to pray and study and obey so that Christ can become and remain the center of our daily ministries despite any challenges, difficulties and afflictions we might face. Filling our minds and hearts with testimonies of His Atonement will bring joy to all of us and our friends.
From PMG, Jesus’s atoning sacrifice provides the way for us to become cleansed of sin and sanctified as we repent. It also provides the way to satisfy the demands of justice (see Alma 42:15, 23–24). The Savior said, “I … have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–17). If not for Jesus Christ, sin would end all hope for a future existence with Heavenly Father.
In offering Himself as a sacrifice for us, Jesus did not eliminate our personal responsibility. We need to have faith in Him, repent, and strive to obey the commandments. As we repent, Jesus will claim on our behalf His rights of mercy of His Father (see Moroni 7:27–28). Because of the Savior’s intercession, Heavenly Father forgives us, relieving us of the burden and guilt of our sins (see Mosiah 15:7–9). We are spiritually cleansed and can ultimately be welcomed into God’s presence.
There are so many great verses about Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon that it is difficult to pick a favorite. It is, after all, Another Testament of Jesus Christ!
But if we could pick any set of verses to convince someone of the unbelievable mercy and grace, love and devotion, glory and majesty, of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we might pick these from 2 Nephi 26 -
24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.
25 Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.
26 Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
27 Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.
28 Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.
2 Nephi 26:24–28
A second important theme for us as missionaries is Diligent Labor and Persuasion (The Focus of Our Work): "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ..." (2 Nephi 25:23).
It is real work to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and even more to be a full time missionary! We honor you for your willingness to serve Him! Every act of daily preparation and teaching is sacred devotion, defined by loving invitations as we fulfill our missionary purpose each day, while leaving the ultimate results in the hands of the Lord.
Finally, there is a theme of Universal Love for All of God’s Children (The Scope of Our Work): "...and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." (2 Nephi 26:33).
As we fulfill our missionary purpose, inviting all to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, we will be given the love and the strength to overcome our cultural bias’ and recognize God’s love for and patience with everyone, including ourselves!
Realizing this will make you so grateful for our merciful Savior, and it will also increase your patience and compassion for each other.
We love you all, Elders and Sisters, so very much! Love each other and have a great Sunday!
Help where you can in the branches as there is so much work to be done. But also have charity in your hearts and recognize the great efforts of these new Solomon Island members to follow the Savior and to become a part of His Kingdom here on Earth!