Comments on 2 Nephi 27 v1 Nephi resumes the subject from 26:18 after the parenthesis of 26:19-33. All nations upon the earth, both Gentile and Jew, will be filled with iniquity in the last days, cp. Mormon 8:27-41, D&C 45:24-33. v2-5 Nephi continues the Isaiah quotation from the preceding chapter (cf. 26:18), and quotes Isa. 29:6-10 staying pretty close to the KJV. In general, the intent of Nephi's quotation is established by 26:24-33. The Gentile churches are fighting against Zion so they are left spiritual unfed (v. 2-3). They are staggering about as though they are drunk as a result of their iniquities (v. 4). They have deliberately rejected the prophets of the Lord, so they are spiritually blind (v. 5). v3 "all the nations that fight against Zion", the KJV has "Ariel". Nephi omits this and inserts "Zion" to make it fit the Gentile context. His use of "Zion" instead of "Ariel" isn't a gross emendation as that same title is employed by Isaiah in the very next verse, cf. Isa. 29:8. See also D&C 84:2 for an equation of Mount Zion with New Jerusalem. v6-23 Nephi now expands considerably upon Isa. 29:11-12 by casting it into the context of the writings of the Lehites being manifested to and rejected by the Gentiles. The quoted fragments of Isa. 29:11-12 are spread throughout these verses. See the parallel of Isa. 29 with this chapter below for a comprehensive treatment of the use of Isa. 29:11-12 in there verses. The Lord brings the words of the Nephites to the Gentiles in the form of a book (v. 6). The book contains a revelation concerning the earth from the beginning to the end (v. 7), but is sealed up because of the wickedness of the Gentiles (v. 8). The book shall be delivered to man (v. 9), but the sealed portion will remain sealed unto the Lord determines (v. 10) it is to be made manifest to all people (v. 11). The book will be hidden from the world in general, but three witnesses will be chosen to see the book and testify of its truthfulness (v. 12). A few others will see it, but it will not be made manifest to the world in general (v. 13). The Lord chooses how many witnesses as He pleases, and woe to those who reject his word (v. 14). However, the Lord will tell the man to whom he gave the book to write the words of the book and deliver them through an agent to a learned man. The learned man will request the book be brought to him (v. 15) so that he might promote himself and become famous (v. 16). The agent informs him he cannot because the book is sealed (v. 17), and the learned man responds that he than cannot read it (v. 18). Thus shall the Lord deliver the words to him that is not learned (v. 19), because the learned of the world reject Him (v. 20). The unlearned man may read the portions of the book that are not sealed. In so doing the Lord will do His own work (v. 21), because He performs miracles among man according to their faith, the same as He ever has (v. 23). Then after the unlearned man reads the unsealed portion, the book will be hidden up again until the time the Lord sees fit to reveal it (v. 22). v7 Regarding the quantity of plates that are still sealed up, H. Donl Peterson, a professor emeritus of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University, stated: We are not told specifically how many of the Book of Mormon plates were sealed, but Elder Orson Pratt stated that it was two- thirds of them. This figure has been widely accepted because of the popularity of Elder Pratt's writings (see Journal of Discourses 3:347). David Whitmer, one of the three special witnesses who actually saw the plates is reported to have said that "about the half of the book was sealed" (Poulson 2). Elder George Q. Cannon wrote that one-third of the plates were sealed (25), while the Prophet Joseph Smith simply stated, "The volume was something near six inches in thickness, a part of which was sealed" (History of the Church 4:537). If the highest estimate is correct and two-thirds of the plates were sealed, that would mean there are the equivalent of 1,062 pages sealed since there are 531 pages in the current Book of Mormon. That would make a total of 1,593 possible pages had the whole set of plates been translated. Since Moroni engraved the sealed-portion plates as well as 51 pages in the Book of Mormon, his total of 1,113 pages written would be about 70 percent of the total plates delivered to Joseph Smith. If the smaller estimate is correct, then the numbers would be lower with about 266 pages sealed, making a total of 797 pages. Moroni would then have written 317 pages, or approximately 40 percent of the plates handed to Joseph Smith (see Peterson 47). However much Moroni wrote, he clearly fulfilled a very important writing assignment, possibly even larger than father. This quotation excerpted from pages 242-243 of the _Fourth Nephi Through Moroni, From Zion to Destruction, Papers from the Ninth Annual Book of Mormon Symposium_, 1994, Edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Regarding the contents of the still sealed portion, it is largely a matter of speculation. This verse states "in the book shall be a revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof". We know from Moroni's comments in Ether 4:4 and Ether 5:1 that he had access to the 24 gold plates of Ether, from which he made the abridgement. In Ether 4:6-7 the Lord offers the full account to the Gentiles when and if they are clean before him. Thus, we might assume they are part of the sealed portion or that Moroni transcribed them in full onto the sealed portion of the plates. We might also assume from Alma 37:3-7 that the sealed portion contains the Brass Plates from Laban. v11 Compare 29:12-14, 30:15-18. v12-13 obviously refer to the three and eight witnesses whose testimonies are printed along with the BofM. v15-18 refer to the now infamous exchange between Martin Harris and the Professor Charles Anthon. v20-23 is a quotation of the Lord regarding the matter of the revelation of the Nephite record and the sealing of some portion of it. That Nephi would include such a quote bolsters his acontextual usage of this section of Isaiah in applying it to the Gentiles. It is like a divine stamp of approval. v20 "thou shalt read the words", the "thou" referring to "the man that is not learned" in v. 19, the one whom the plates are delivered to. v21 "I am able to do mine own work", cp. v. 23, 29:9, Ezek. 34:11-16, D&C 52:11, D&C 88:73. v24-35 Nephi resumes the Isaiah quotation and quotes Isa. 29:13- 24 staying quite close to the KJV. Verse 24 sets the context of the quote by casting it as a conversation between the unlearned man who is to read the book and Lord. The general message is that just as ancient Israel rebelled against the Lord, so too are the present Gentile churches rebelling against Him. As such, the Lord will do a great and marvelous work among them to confound them (v. 26-32). The meaning of v. 33-35 changes somewhat in this context as the purpose of bringing forth the Nephite record is to both enlighten the Gentiles who will listen as well as redeem the natural remnant of Israel that is embodied in the latter-day descendants of Lehi (cf. 1 Ne. 13:30-42). Parallel of 2 Nephi 26-27 & Isa. 29 2 Ne. 27 Isa. 29 -------- ------- 1 But, behold, in the last days, or in the days of the Gentiles-yea, behold all the nations of the Gentiles and also the Jews, both those who shall come upon this land and those who shall be upon other lands, yea, even upon all the lands of the earth, behold, they will be drunken with iniquity and all manner of abominations- 2 And when that day shall come they shall be visited of the Lord 6 Thou shalt be visited of the of Hosts, with thunder and with LORD of hosts with thunder, and earthquake, and with a great noise, with earthquake, and great noise, and with storm, and with tempest, with storm and tempest, and the and with the flame of devouring flame of devouring fire. fire. 3 And all the nations that fight 7 And the multitude of all the against Zion, and that distress nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night her, shall be as a dream of a night vision; yea, it shall be unto them, vision. even as unto a hungry man which 8 It shall even be as when an dreameth, and behold he eateth but hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he awaketh and his soul is empty; he eateth; but he awaketh, and his or like unto a thirsty man which soul is empty: or as when a thirsty dreameth, and behold he drinketh man dreameth, and, behold, he but he awaketh and behold he is drinketh; but he awaketh, and, faint, and his soul hath appetite; behold, he is faint, and his soul yea, even so shall the multitude of hath appetite: so shall the all the nations be that fight multitude of all the nations be, against Mount Zion. that fight against mount Zion. 4 For behold, all ye that doeth iniquity, stay yourselves and 9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; wonder, for ye shall cry out, and cry ye out, and cry: they are cry; yea, ye shall be drunken but not with wine, ye shall stagger but drunken, but not with wine; they not with strong drink. stagger, but not with strong drink. 5 For behold, the Lord hath poured 10 For the LORD hath poured out out upon you the spirit of deep upon you the spirit of deep sleep, sleep. For behold, ye have closed and hath closed your eyes: the your eyes, and ye have rejected the prophets; and your rulers, and the prophets and your rulers, the seers seers hath he covered because of hath he covered. your iniquity. 11 And the vision of all is become 6 And it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall bring forth unto you the words of a book, and they shall be the words of them which have slumbered. 7 And behold the book shall be unto you as the words of a book sealed; and in the book shall be a that is sealed, which men deliver revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof. 8 Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and abominations of the people. Wherefore the book shall be kept from them. 9 But the book shall be delivered unto a man, and he shall deliver the words of the book, which are the words of those who have slumbered in the dust, and he shall deliver these words unto another; 10 But the words which are sealed he shall not deliver, neither shall he deliver the book. For the book shall be sealed by the power of God, and the revelation which was sealed shall be kept in the book until the own due time of the Lord, that they may come forth; for behold, they reveal all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof. 11 And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth. 12 Wherefore, at that day when the book shall be delivered unto the man of whom I have spoken, the book shall be hid from the eyes of the world, that the eyes of none shall behold it save it be that three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of God, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered; and they shall testify to the truth of the book and the things therein. 13 And there is none other which shall view it, save it be a few according to the will of God, to bear testimony of his word unto the children of men; for the Lord God hath said that the words of the faithful should speak as if it were from the dead. 14 Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to bring forth the words of the book; and in the mouth of as many witnesses as seemeth him good will he establish his word; and wo be unto him that rejecteth the word of God! 15 But behold, it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall say unto him to whom he shall deliver the book: Take these words which are not sealed and deliver them to another, that he may show them unto the learned, saying: Read this, I to one that is learned, saying, pray thee. And the learned shall Read this, I pray thee: and he say: Bring hither the book, and I will read them. 16 And now, because of the glory of the world and to get gain will they say this, and not for the glory of God. 17 And the man shall say: I cannot bring the book, for it is sealed. saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: 18 Then shall the learned say: I cannot read it. 19 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that the Lord God will deliver again the book and the 12 And the book is delivered to words thereof to him that is not him that is not learned, saying, learned; and the man that is not Read this, I pray thee: and he learned shall say: I am not saith, I am not learned. learned. 20 Then shall the Lord God say unto him: The learned shall not read them, for they have rejected them, and I am able to do mine own work; wherefore thou shalt read the words which I shall give unto thee. 21 Touch not the things which are sealed, for I will bring them forth in mine own due time; for I will show unto the children of men that I am able to do mine own work. 22 Wherefore, when thou hast read the words which I have commanded thee, and obtained the witnesses which I have promised unto thee, then shalt thou seal up the book again, and hide it up unto me, that I may preserve the words which thou hast not read, until I shall see fit in mine own wisdom to reveal all things unto the children of men. 23 For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith. 24 And again it shall come to pass that the Lord shall say unto him that shall read the words that shall be delivered him: 13 Wherefore the Lord said, 25 Forasmuch as this people draw Forasmuch as this people draw near near unto me with their mouth, and me with their mouth, and with their with their lips do honor me, but lips do honour me, but have removed have removed their hearts far from their heart far from me, and their me, and their fear towards me is fear toward me is taught by the taught by the precepts of men- precept of men: 26 Therefore, I will proceed to do 14 Therefore, behold, I will a marvelous work among this people, proceed to do a marvellous work yea, a marvelous work and a wonder, among this people, even a for the wisdom of their wise and marvellous work and a wonder: for learned shall perish, and the the wisdom of their wise men shall understanding of their prudent perish, and the understanding of shall be hid. their prudent men shall be hid. 27 And wo unto them that seek deep 15 Woe unto them that seek deep to to hide their counsel from the hide their counsel from the LORD, Lord! And their works are in the and their works are in the dark, dark; and they say: Who seeth us, and they say, Who seeth us? and and who knoweth us? And they also who knoweth us? say: Surely, your turning of things 16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay. But behold, I the potter's clay: for shall the will show unto them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that I know all their works. For shall the work say of him that made it, he made me not? work say of him that made it, He Or shall the thing framed say of made me not? or shall the thing him that framed it, he had no framed say of him that framed it, understanding? He had no understanding? 28 But behold, saith the Lord of Hosts: I will show unto the children of men that it is yet a 17 Is it not yet a very little very little while and Lebanon shall while, and Lebanon shall be turned be turned into a fruitful field; into a fruitful field, and the and the fruitful field shall be fruitful field shall be esteemed as esteemed as a forest. a forest? 29 And in that day shall the deaf 18 And in that day shall the hear the words of the book, and the deaf hear the words of the book, eyes of the blind shall see out of and the eyes of the blind shall see obscurity and out of darkness. out of obscurity, and out of darkness. 30 And the meek also shall 19 The meek also shall increase increase, and their joy shall be in their joy in the LORD, and the poor the Lord, and the poor among men among men shall rejoice in the Holy shall rejoice in the Holy One of One of Israel. Israel. 31 For assuredly as the Lord liveth they shall see that the terrible one is brought to naught, 20 For the terrible one is brought and the scorner is consumed, and to nought, and the scorner is all that watch for iniquity are cut consumed, and all that watch for off; iniquity are cut off: 32 And they that make a man an 21 That make a man an offender for offender for a word, and lay a a word, and lay a snare for him snare for him that reproveth in the that reproveth in the gate, and gate, and turn aside the just for a turn aside the just for a thing of thing of naught. nought. 33 Therefore, thus saith the Lord, 22 Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: Jacob shall not the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. face now wax pale. 34 But when he seeth his children, 23 But when he seeth his children, the work of my hands, in the midst the work of mine hands, in the of him, they shall sanctify my midst of him, they shall sanctify name, and sanctify the Holy One of my name, and sanctify the Holy One Jacob, and shall fear the God of of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. Israel. 35 They also that erred in spirit 24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn they that murmured shall learn doctrine. doctrine. Copyright © 2001 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.