< 2 Nephi 9 >
v.1 And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel -
Covenants1. What is a Covenant?
3. Why They Matter Spiritually
The Book of Mormon constantly emphasizes covenants because:
5. Why They Matter for Us
The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12, 15, 17, 22)
Promises God made to Abraham
1. Faith & Obedience
We make covenants during a time of strength to guard us against a time of weakness. And so, for example, you know, you take the anti-Nephi-Lehi’s in the Book of Mormon: They made this covenant to not shed blood, but then they were moved with compassion, surely a great feeling, and if we’re just relying on our feelings, they were moved with compassion to break their covenant, and Helaman had to remind them of their covenant and say, no, no, no, you can’t break a covenant that you made before. Don’t let your feelings overrule your covenant.
Covenants1. What is a Covenant?
- A covenant in scripture is not just a casual promise — it’s a binding, sacred agreement between God and His people.
- God sets the terms, His people agree, and blessings flow when they are faithful.
- Think of it as the framework of the relationship between God and humanity.
- Identity – Covenants define who God’s people are. Israel is the “covenant people” (Deut. 7:6–8).
- Promise of Blessings – Land, posterity, prosperity, and most importantly, God’s presence.
- Continuity – From Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David → to Christ → the “new covenant” in His blood (Luke 22:20).
3. Why They Matter Spiritually
- They bind heaven and earth. A covenant is how God brings mortal humans into His eternal plan.
- They provide assurance. Even when we fall short, God remains faithful to His covenants (2 Timothy 2:13).
- They transform us. By covenant, we are not just “followers” but adopted sons and daughters (Romans 8:15–17).
The Book of Mormon constantly emphasizes covenants because:
- Nephi, Jacob, and others saw their people as part of the Abrahamic covenant — scattered, but not forgotten.
- Christ’s visit (3 Nephi 20–23) reaffirms that the covenant with Israel is still in effect.
- Personal covenants (like baptism, sacrament) are the way we enter into Christ’s atonement.
5. Why They Matter for Us
- They give direction. Covenants anchor us to God when the world shifts.
- They give hope. We know God cannot lie — He will keep His promises.
- They give purpose. Life becomes not random, but part of an eternal story of redemption.
The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12, 15, 17, 22)
Promises God made to Abraham
- Posterity (Seed) Abraham would have countless descendants, as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). This included both literal posterity (Israel) and spiritual posterity (all who come to Christ by faith — Galatians 3:7, 29).
- Land (Inheritance) God promised Abraham and his seed the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession (Genesis 17:8). This became the “Promised Land” for Israel, and symbolically points to the ultimate inheritance in God’s kingdom.
- Blessing (to all nations) Through Abraham’s seed, all nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 22:18). Christians see this fulfilled in Christ, the ultimate “seed of Abraham,” who brings salvation to all humanity. The Book of Mormon emphasizes this too — scattered Israel and the Gentiles alike are gathered into this covenant blessing.
- Have faith and obey God’s commands.
- Live righteously (“walk blamelessly”).
- Accept the covenant sign(circumcision).
- Teach his family to keep the covenant.
- Remain loyal to God alone.
1. Faith & Obedience
- Abraham had to believe God’s promises and act in faith, even when they seemed impossible (Romans 4:20–21).
- He left his homeland (Genesis 12:1–4), trusted God for a son despite old age, and obeyed in offering Isaac (Genesis 22).
- Faith + obedience = covenant loyalty.
- Genesis 17:1: “Walk before me, and be thou perfect (blameless).”
- Abraham was called to live righteously, setting himself apart from surrounding nations.
- Genesis 17:10–14: Abraham and his male descendants had to receive circumcision as the token of the covenant.
- It was a physical mark that they belonged to God’s covenant people.
- Genesis 18:19: Abraham was chosen so he would “command his children and his household after him… to keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment.”
- His role wasn’t just personal — it was generational. He had to pass the covenant down.
- Abraham left the idolatry of Ur and Haran (Joshua 24:2–3).
- His loyalty to Yahweh alone was essential — no divided devotion.
We make covenants during a time of strength to guard us against a time of weakness. And so, for example, you know, you take the anti-Nephi-Lehi’s in the Book of Mormon: They made this covenant to not shed blood, but then they were moved with compassion, surely a great feeling, and if we’re just relying on our feelings, they were moved with compassion to break their covenant, and Helaman had to remind them of their covenant and say, no, no, no, you can’t break a covenant that you made before. Don’t let your feelings overrule your covenant.
v. 24: And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned;
Stopped in our progressionThis aligns with the root meaning of the English word “dam” — like a barrier that stops the flow of water.
So in 2 Nephi 9:24, Jacob is teaching that:
Stopped in our progressionThis aligns with the root meaning of the English word “dam” — like a barrier that stops the flow of water.
So in 2 Nephi 9:24, Jacob is teaching that:
- Those who reject Christ’s covenant (faith, repentance, baptism, endurance)
- Are cut off from the progression that leads to eternal life and exaltation.
v. 28: O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
Winnie the Pooh: Those who are clever, who have a Brain, never understand anything.
Winnie the Pooh: Those who are clever, who have a Brain, never understand anything.
v. 30: But who unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.
Riches and RighteousnessSo the real issue isn’t wealth itself, but where the heart rests — what we love most.
How to avoid letting our hearts become “upon our treasures”:
Remember the True Source of All Blessings
“When thou hast eaten and art full… beware lest thou forget the Lord.” — Deuteronomy 8:10–14
- The antidote to pride and self-sufficiency is gratitude and remembrance.
- When we remember that every ability, opportunity, and material blessing ultimately comes from God, our hearts naturally turn away from the treasure and toward the Giver.
Use Wealth (or Resources) to Bless Others
“But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good.” — Jacob 2:18–19
- Service redirects attachment. When our purpose for earning, saving, or creating is to lift others, the treasures become tools rather than idols.
- Giving breaks the chain of selfishness — it keeps the heart soft.
Keep a Spiritual Perspective Through Daily Worship
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth…
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” — Matthew 6:19–21
Jesus connects our heart and our treasure— what we regularly think about, worship, and invest in.
Daily prayer, scripture, and worship help recalibrate our desires so our “treasures” become spiritual ones (relationships, compassion, truth, faith).
Practice Humility and Dependence
“Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God.” — 1 Nephi 17:35
“The meek shall inherit the earth.” — Matthew 5:5
Humility reminds us that wealth, prestige, or intellect do not equal worth.
Jacob’s warning in 2 Nephi 9 fits into his larger sermon on pride versus meekness— we avoid “hearts upon treasures” by nurturing a meek, teachable heart.
Seek “Heavenly Treasure” — Things of Eternal Value
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.” — Galatians 5:22
- As we develop those Christlike traits, our joy shifts from owning to becoming.
- That change of focus — from having to being — is the real cure for hearts set upon treasure.
Riches and RighteousnessSo the real issue isn’t wealth itself, but where the heart rests — what we love most.
How to avoid letting our hearts become “upon our treasures”:
Remember the True Source of All Blessings
“When thou hast eaten and art full… beware lest thou forget the Lord.” — Deuteronomy 8:10–14
- The antidote to pride and self-sufficiency is gratitude and remembrance.
- When we remember that every ability, opportunity, and material blessing ultimately comes from God, our hearts naturally turn away from the treasure and toward the Giver.
Use Wealth (or Resources) to Bless Others
“But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good.” — Jacob 2:18–19
- Service redirects attachment. When our purpose for earning, saving, or creating is to lift others, the treasures become tools rather than idols.
- Giving breaks the chain of selfishness — it keeps the heart soft.
Keep a Spiritual Perspective Through Daily Worship
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth…
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” — Matthew 6:19–21
Jesus connects our heart and our treasure— what we regularly think about, worship, and invest in.
Daily prayer, scripture, and worship help recalibrate our desires so our “treasures” become spiritual ones (relationships, compassion, truth, faith).
Practice Humility and Dependence
“Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God.” — 1 Nephi 17:35
“The meek shall inherit the earth.” — Matthew 5:5
Humility reminds us that wealth, prestige, or intellect do not equal worth.
Jacob’s warning in 2 Nephi 9 fits into his larger sermon on pride versus meekness— we avoid “hearts upon treasures” by nurturing a meek, teachable heart.
Seek “Heavenly Treasure” — Things of Eternal Value
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.” — Galatians 5:22
- As we develop those Christlike traits, our joy shifts from owning to becoming.
- That change of focus — from having to being — is the real cure for hearts set upon treasure.
v. 39: Remember to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.
S.M.I.L.E
Spiritually minded is life eternal
S.M.I.L.E
Spiritually minded is life eternal