(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.)
The Atonement of Jesus Christ delivers all mankind from physical death brought by the Fall. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can overcome the consequences of our sins if we repent. Through the Atonement we are freed from the effects of the Fall and can overcome our sins and receive eternal life. By choosing to come to The Lord and live according to His will, we can receive the full blessings of the Atonement. When we succumb to temptation and don't repent we become proud, carnally minded and spiritually dead. When we come unto the Lord we become spiritually alive and filled with the hope of salvation.
Second Nephi nine is "one of the most enlightening discourses ever delivered in regard to the atonement… It should be carefully read by every person seeking salvation." – Joseph Fielding Smith
"I wish to speak about the greatest event in all history. That singular event was the incomparable Atonement of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. This was the most transcendent act that has ever taken place, yet it is the most difficult to understand. My reason for wanting to learn all I can about the Atonement is partly selfish: Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement. Such acceptance requires a continual effort to understand it more fully." – James E Faust, GC, October 2001
6. What event brought both physical death and spiritual death upon mankind? How thankful are you for the Fall of Adam?
7. What does the word infinite mean?
"When the prophets speak of an infinite Atonement, they mean just that. It's a fax cover all men, the earth is self and all forms of life thereon, and reach out into the endless expanses of eternity." – Bruce R McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 64
7-9. What would happen to your body without the atonement?
"If our separation from God and our physical death or permanent, moral agency with me nothing. Yes, we would be free to make choices, but what would be the point? The end result would always be the same no matter what our actions: death with no hope of resurrection and no hope of heaven. As good or as bad as we might choose to be, we would all end up 'angels to a devil.'" – D Todd Christofferson, Ensign, June 2009
"Why would it be that one would remain forever subject to Satan in the spirit world if there had been no resurrection? Would this also be true of a good man, one who had lived a life of morality and decency? Jacob's testimony was firm and his doctrine sound: had Christ not risen from the dead, we would all spend eternity in hell and eventually become servants of the father of lies. The resurrection was the physical proof of our Lord's Divine Sonship, the outward evidence that he was all he and his anointed servants said he was – the Messiah. If Jesus did not have the power to rise from the tomb – power to save the body – he did not have power to save the soul, the power to forgive sins." – Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 1:240
10. What two elements make up the monster Jacob talks about? What comes to mind when you picture a monster? What is so frightening about the condition that this monster symbolizes?
10. Why do you think Jacob would compare physical death and being separated from God to an awful monster?
"I man walking along the road happens to fall into a pit so deep and dark that he cannot climb to the surface to regain his freedom… This was precisely the condition that Adam placed himself and his posterity in, when he partook of the forbidden fruit. All being together in the pit, none could gain the surface and relieve the others. The pit was banishment from the presence of the Lord and temporal death, the dissolution of the body. And all being subject to death, none could provide the means of escape. Therefore, in his infinite mercy, the Father heard the cries of his children and sent his Only Begotten Son, who was not subject to death nor to sin, to provide the means of escape. This he did through the infinite Atonement and everlasting gospel." – Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1954–56, 1:126–27
13-18. What will happen to your memory when you come before God for judgement? Why will that be a joyful time for some and a frightening time for others?
15-16. What spiritual anguish or torment will your sins bring upon you if you don't repent?
20-24. What is the world's way of taking care of soon? How do you justify or rationalize sin? What are some examples of things people sometimes say to justify their sins? What happens to the Sands we try to justify or rationalize away? What happens to the Sands that we allow the atonement of Jesus Christ to take care of?
21-24. What can you do to more fully feel the cleansing power of the Saviours Atonement? Are there things the Lord would have you repent of? How can you better hearken to His voice?
23. How does renewing baptismal covenants through the sacrament help you come to The Lord and receive the blessings of the Atonement? What do you think it means to have perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel? What are some ways you currently show faith in The Lord?
23. What's most you do so the Atonement will take care of your sins? What blessings await you if you do? How do you feel about your Savior and His precious gift of the atonement?
27. What is the state of those who transgress or sin?
27-39. What actions or attitudes will distance you from the Savior? He can these actions or attitudes keep you from coming to Christ and receiving the full blessings of his Atonement? What does the word wo mean? Why are all these woes directed toward those who know the commandments but refuse to repent and obey them?
28. How will an education help you? What danger is there in great learning? What do you think the difference is between learning and wisdom? What have you or are you doing to make the most of educational opportunities? What future plans do you have for education? What do you think the statement when they are learned they think they are wise means? What are the dangers of thinking we are wiser than a parent, church leader, the prophet or your Heavenly Father?
"You face great challenges that lie ahead. You're moving into a world of fierce competition. You must get all the education you can. The Lord has instructed us concerning the importance of education. It will qualify you for greater opportunities. It will equip you to do something worthwhile in the great world of opportunity that lies ahead. If you can go to college and that is your wish, then do it. If you have no desire to attend college, then go to a vocational or business school to sharpen your skills and increase your capacity." – Gordon B Hinckley, GC, April 1997
29. What do you need to remember as you seek education? What are some ways you can include the counsels of God in your education? How does diligent scripture study help you live according to this principle?
30. What would the Lord have you do with your riches? What sorts of treasures should you seek after? What are treasures of the heart?
31-32. What is the difference between a person who is deaf or blind and a person who will not hear or will not see?
33. Who are the uncircumcised of heart? How does taking your covenants to heart help keep you humble and obedient?
38. What do you think it would feel like to return to God and behold his face and remain in your sins? Would wo be a good description of that feeling?
39. Are you a product of the Fall or the Atonement? Using this verse what acronym can you come up with for the word SMILE? What do you think it means to be spiritually minded? How does being spiritually minded lead to eternal life? What can you do to become more spiritually minded? What does it mean to be carnally minded? How does being carnally minded lead to death? What can you do to control your thoughts and actions? Are there any television shows or movies you shouldn't watch? Is there any music you should not listen to?
"You smile when you are happy, and there is no other way to eternal happiness then being spiritually minded." – New Era, February 1998
"Each of us, with discipline and effort, has the capacity to control his thoughts and his actions. This is part of the process of developing spiritual, physical, and emotional maturity… We plead with people everywhere to live in accordance with the teachings of our Creator and rise above carnal attractions that often result in the tragedies that follow moral transgression." – Gordon B Hinckley, GC, April 1987
41. What do you think or means to come unto The Lord? Why do you think it is important to know that Jesus is the keeper of the gate? What does it mean to you that the way to the Savior is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course?
"Let us seek to become such true believers in Christ. Let us make our way, righteously and resolutely, notwithstanding our weaknesses, to the beckoning City of God. There, the sole and self assigned gate keeper is Jesus Christ. He awaits us not only to certify us, but because His deep divine desire brings Him there to welcome us. If we acknowledge Him now, He will lovingly acknowledge us then." – Neal A Maxwell, New Era April 1994
45. What does it mean to turn away from your sins? What can help you turn away from your sins?
42-52. What actions or attitudes will help you come unto Christ?
51. What are some examples of spending money for that which is of no worth or working for that which cannot satisfy? How does avoiding evil eye Trivial Pursuit help you come to the Lord? How can you better balance how you spend your time in various activities? What are some ways you can feast upon that which perisheth not? What do you think Jacob meant when he said 'let your soul delight in fatness'?
52. Why do you think it is important to follow the counsel given to give thanks and let your hearts rejoice as you strive to come to the Savior?
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