Sunday, February 16, 2020

Internal Consistency in Jacob's Sermon -- "learn[ing] ... the name of your God"

In 2 Nephi 6, at the outset of Jacob's sermon to the Nephites, he says this:

4 And now, behold, I would speak unto you concerning things which are, and which are to come; wherefore, I will read you the words of Isaiah. And they are the words which my brother has desired that I should speak unto you. And I speak unto you for your sakes, that ye may learn and glorify the name of your God. (2 Nephi 6)
This sermon continues over two days. The first day includes long quotations of Isaiah, and a masterful overview of the plan of salvation in chapter 9, wherein he references the name of God six times:

23 And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.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; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it....41 O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name....49 Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God....52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice. (2 Nephi 9)
In the night, between the two days of the sermon, Jacob receives the name of God:

3 Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ—for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this should be his name—should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God. (2 Nephi 10)

It is worth noting that this is the first time the name "Christ" appears in the small plates.