2 Nephi 4:33-35

Brant Gardner

Nephi, being who he was, references Isaiah 40:4: “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.” It is possible that when Nephi references trusting in the arm of flesh, he intends the reader to reflect on 2 Chronicles 32:8: “With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles.”

Verse 35 references James 1:5: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally.” Clearly, that verse in James was not on the plates, and this particular reference must be ascribed to the translation rather than the original text.

Nephi ends this poetic excursion noting that “my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God.” That is a plea that is punctuated with his final amen.

Book of Mormon Minute

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