2 Nephi 25

(Below is a list of questions and quotes that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)

Because of Jesus Christ, we can be saved by grace after all we can do. Through the saviors atonement, we can receive a remission of our sins.  We are always warned by prophets before iniquity destroys us.

1-8. Why were the writings of Isaiah hard to understand? What five things can you find in these verses that are keys to understanding Isaiah?

4. What is the spirit of prophecy? (See Revelations 19:10) How do you think the spirit of prophecy could help you better understand the Scriptures, particularly the words of Isaiah?

"The spirit of prophecy refers to the spirit of revelation. This means that when you diligently and prayerfully study the Scriptures and seek to understand their meaning, you can have the spirit of revelation, and the Holy Ghost will enlighten your mind and your understanding.... As you grow in your knowledge and testimony of the Savior, your understanding of the Scriptures – including the teachings of Isaiah – will increase and you will better understand how the teachings relate to you." – Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home-study Seminary Students [2012], 68

5. Nephi delights in the words of Isaiah? How do you feel about the words of Isaiah? What can you do so that you may be able to come to delight in them as well?

9-20. What warnings has the Lord sent us in your day about coming destructions? What do you think you should do to prepare for the things that are prophesied for the future?

23-26. What reasons do you find in these verses as to why believing in Jesus Christ is the right way?

23. Ponder the meaning and application of grace in your life. How well do you understand it? How grateful are you for it? What is the relationship between the Lord's grace and your efforts to live the gospel? What does the phrase all we can do mean to you?

"The word Grace, as used in the scriptures, refers primarily to the divine help and strength we receive through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ… Through grace, made available by the Saviors  Atoning sacrifice, all people will be resurrected and received immortality... The phrase after all we can do teaches that effort is required on our part to receive the fullness of the Lord's grace and be made worthy to dwell with him. The Lord has commanded us to obey His gospel, which includes having faith in him, repenting of our sins, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end… In addition to needing grace for your ultimate salvation, you need this enabling power every day of your life. As you draw near to your heavenly father in diligence, humility, and meekness, he will uplift and strengthen you through his grace." – True to the Faith: A GospelReference [2004], 77-78

"Repentance means striving to change. It would mock the Savior’s suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross for us to expect that He should transform us into angelic beings with no real effort on our part. Rather, we seek His grace to complement and reward our most diligent efforts (see 2 Nephi 25:23). Perhaps as much as praying for mercy, we should pray for time and opportunity to work and strive and overcome. Surely the Lord smiles upon one who desires to come to judgment worthily, who resolutely labors day by day to replace weakness with strength. Real repentance, real change may require repeated attempts, but there is something refining and holy in such striving. Divine forgiveness and healing flow quite naturally to such a soul, for indeed “virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; [and] mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her own” (D&C 88:40)." - D Todd Christofferson, GC, October 2011

"Salvation and eternal life would not be possible if it were not for the Atonement, brought about by our Savior, to whom we owe everything. But in order for these supreme blessings to be effective in our lives, we should first do our part, “for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” Let us with faith, enthusiasm, dedication, responsibility, and love do all that is within our reach, and we will be doing all that is possible to achieve the impossible—that is, to achieve what for the human mind is impossible but with the divine intervention of our loving Father and the infinite sacrifice brought about by our Savior becomes the greatest gift, the most glorious of realities, to live forever with God and with our families." -  Jorge F. Zeballos, GC, October 2009

"Nephi taught, “For we labor diligently … to persuade our children … to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Ne. 25:23). And what is “all we can do”? It surely includes repentance (see Alma 24:11) and baptism, keeping the commandments, and enduring to the end. Moroni pleaded, “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ” (Moro. 10:32).We are not saved in our sins, as by being unconditionally saved through confessing Christ and then, inevitably, committing sins in our remaining lives (see Alma 11:36–37). We are saved from our sins (see Hel. 5:10) by a weekly renewal of our repentance and cleansing through the grace of God and His blessed plan of salvation (see 3 Ne. 9:20–22)." - Dallin H Oaks, GC, April 1998

25. What does the word reconciled mean?

26. In what ways do you worship a review Jesus Christ? What activities show others that you believe in and worship Jesus Christ? What can you do to better worship the Savior with all your might, mind, and strength?

28-30. How does the sacrament help you remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ?