Death Is Not the Monster

Thoughts from 2 Nephi 9

As I read 2 Nephi 9 this morning, my mind kept circling one persistent question. Scripture often speaks of entire nations turning to God or entire peoples falling away from Him. We are watching it happen in the world around us today.

But what about the one?

What about the individual swept away in sin? The person who never knew truth? The soul who never had the chance?

As I pondered that question, I realized I may already know the answer. Isn’t that why we labor so earnestly in temple work? To bring gospel ordinances to those who never had the opportunity to choose them in mortality? What mercy from a Father who does not forget even one soul.

This chapter makes my mind wander in the best possible way.

Jacob teaches that Jesus Christ will return and deliver His covenant people. I read those words personally — me, my family. I believe that promise. I even wonder if I may witness it in my lifetime, when scales of darkness fall and people finally see clearly.

Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I love Him deeply and pray daily that I may serve Him to my dying breath.

One small footnote stopped me for several minutes today. Alma 34:10 speaks of “a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man.”

At first I thought, Wait… wasn’t Jesus a man?

Then it settled into place. The sacrifices they understood were offerings of something else for sin. But Jesus willingly offered Himself. His own life. That is what made His sacrifice infinite and eternal.

And then Jacob’s words ring out:

“O how great the goodness of our God…”

Because of Christ, we escape the monsters of death and sin. Without Him, where would any of us be? We are imperfect people trying to find our way through a fallen world, and yet God, in His goodness, created a path home.

Today I feel especially grateful to know there is life after death.

Death is not the monster.

Clyde’s brother is facing serious heart problems right now, and many of the men in their family have died from heart disease. Mortality reminds us how fragile life is. But 2 Nephi 9 reminds me that death is not the end and not the enemy Christ could not conquer.

Verse 12 answers it beautifully:

“Through the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.”

Jesus alone could open that door.

I cannot explain exactly how resurrection works, though I have spent many hours studying and pondering it. But I believe it. There is too much witness in scripture and too much confirmation from the Spirit to deny it.

I love verse 14 as well — perfect knowledge, cleanliness, joy, freedom from guilt. Somehow it reminds me of the washing ordinances in the temple.

This chapter is filled with warnings and promises concerning the life to come. Warnings to the proud, the learned, the rich, and the sinful. But also answers — real answers — for those wondering what happens after death.

If someone asked me where to begin reading about resurrection and eternal life in the Book of Mormon, I would point them to 2 Nephi 9.

How blessed we are to have this knowledge. This life is more than survival. It is our opportunity to join the cause of Christ and help bring eternal life to all of God’s children who will receive Him.

And I love Jacob’s simple truth in verse 39:

“To be spiritually-minded is life eternal.”

Spiritual-minded. S.M.I.L.E.

I think I’ll remember that.