2 Nephi 32:1-6 The words of Christ

‘Rather than providing detailed instructions for newly baptised Christians, Nephi suggests they should look to the words of Christ for guidance noting that those words can come through angels and humans who are moved by the Holy Ghost, and apparently  through the Holy Ghost directly. The words of Christ are not limited to what is found in the scriptures. (Grant Hardy, The Annotated Book of Mormon)

2 Nephi 32:2 The tongue of angels

“Nephi explained that angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, and you can speak with the tongue of angels, which simply means that you can speak with the power of the Holy Ghost. It will be quiet. It will be invisible. There will not be a dove. There will not be cloven tongues of fire. But the power will be there” (Boyd K Packer, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost: What Every Member Should Know,” Ensign, Aug. 2006, 49–50).

2 Nephi 32:3 Feast upon the words of Christ

‘As important as it is to leave home every day with a full charge on your cell phone, it is far more important to be fully charged spiritually. Every time you plug in your phone, use it as a reminder to ask yourself if you have plugged in to the most important source of spiritual power—prayer and scripture study, which will charge you with inspiration through the Holy Ghost (see D&C 11:12–14 It will help you know the mind and will of the Lord to make the small but important daily choices that determine your direction. Many of us immediately stop whatever we are doing to read a text message—should we not place even more importance on messages from the Lord? Neglecting to connect to this power should be unthinkable to us (see 2 Nephi 32:3)’ (Randall L Ridd, General Conference, April 2014)

“The scriptures form the first element of this framework for personal revelation.See  2 Nephi 32:3] Feasting on the words of Christ, as found in the scriptures, stimulates personal revelation. Elder Robert D. Hales said: “When we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures.”[Robert D. Hales, “Holy Scriptures: The Power of God unto Our Salvation,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 26–27.]

The scriptures also teach us how to receive personal revelation.” Elder Dale G Renlund, General Conference, October 2022)

2 Nephi 32:5 all things what ye should do

“There is no end to the adversary’s deceptions. Please be prepared. Never take counsel from those who do not believe. Seek guidance from voices you can trust—from prophets, seers, and revelators and from the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, who “will show unto you all things what ye should do.”” (President Russell M Nelson, General Conference, October 2023)

2 Nephi 32:7-9 Personal revelation

‘Revelation is promised us through our faithfulness; so, also, is knowledge pertaining to the mysteries and government of the Church. The Lord withholds much that he would otherwise reveal if the members of the Church were prepared to receive it. When they will not live in accordance with the revelations he has given, how are they entitled to receive more? The people in the Church are not living in full accord with the commandments the Lord has already required of them.

We find ourselves, therefore, much like the Nephites when Nephi spoke of revelation: ‘And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be.’

We have little occasion to clamor for more revelation when we refuse to heed what the Lord has revealed for our salvation. However, the authorities are directed by revelation, and this is apparent to all who have the spirit of discernment. The Lord has not forsaken his people, although they have not always put their trust in him.’ (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:283)

Note: ‘Pray unto the Father in the name of Christ’ sets the standard for LDS prayer, though this formulation is not in the Bible. (Grant Hardy)