2 Nephi 20-25

For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

2 Nephi 25:23

DOCTRINE OF GRACE

Why is the doctrine of grace so foreign to us?

Why are there so many different interpretations among us about grace? What is so confusing about grace?

Why is it easy for Latter-day Saints to recite from memory and explain the doctrine in the epistle of James, Faith without works is dead, but difficult to proclaim Paul’s writing in his epistle to the Ephesians, For by grace are ye saved through faith; ... Not of work, lest any man should boast?

What Is so Amazing about Grace?, Camille Fronk Olson, November 10, 2009, https://speeches.byuh.edu/ joseph-smith-lecture/what-is-so-amazing-about-grace

2 NEPHI 20: 3-4

Judah has relied on Assyria for help. Israel has relied on Syria. Neither have turned to God, but instead they trust in the powers and ideas of the world. As a result, when the world (embodied by Assyria in this case) turns against them, Judah will have nowhere to hide and no other source of help. That worldly glory they thought they could trust in will be nothing, and having abandoned God, they will not find help from Him. Instead, their destruction would be so great that as they fall in battle, they will fall even under those who are already slain or those who are being taking prisoner.

Kerry Muhlestien, PhD. Learning to Love Isaiah, pg. 91

2 NEPHI 20: 22

The last part of this verse could be translated literally as “consumption is decided, overflowing with righteousness,” which seems to convey the sense that God has decreed a destruction that overflows with a righteous judgment but also overflows in such a way that it creates the conditions where righteousness will flourish.

Kerry Muhlestien, PhD. Learning to Love Isaiah, pg. 97

PURPOSE OF THE BOOK OF MORMON

The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time.

President Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Jan. 1988, 3.

READ 25:23-30

Does Nephi give you any hints about what “all we can do” means? 

Does he give you reason to believe that we are saved by grace?

DOCTRINE OF GRACE

Recognizing our overwhelming need for the Savior, does anything remain for us to do? Prophets in every era are direct and unequivocal in their reminders that we have a role. Remember the essence of grace reflects not only a gift given, but a gift humbly received. Choosing to accept His grace is at the heart of all we can do. In all His magnanimous offering, the Lord will not force us to accept Him or His enabling power. For there is a God, and he hath created all things, ... both things to act and things to be acted upon" (2 Nephi 2:14). We are not mindless robots killing time until someone programs us to conform to Christ's law. We are more than empty vessels waiting to be filled. We are free to choose to come to Christ. Our role is therefore neither a passive one nor independent of Christ's enabling power. The grace of Jesus Christ actually enables us to do and become all that the Lord envisions for us.

What Is so Amazing about Grace?, Camille Fronk Olson, November 10, 2009, https://speeches.byuh.edu/ joseph-smith-lecture/what-is-so-amazing-about-grace

MORE ON GRACE

Bruce C Hafen. The Savior's gift of grace to us is not limited in time after all we can do. We may receive his grace before, during, and after the time when we expend our own efforts.

Robert Millet. Mercy is not getting what we deserve; grace is getting what we don't deserve.

Brad Wilcox. Christ could change us with the wave of a hand, but he knows that strength too easily achieved is not valued or enduring.

D Todd Christofferson. MPS 2013. After here does not refer to sequence or chronology. It means beyond or above. The Lord will provide all that is needed beyond our capacity to accomplish in repenting and becoming reconciled to God. His aid is not reserved or delayed until the end but is constantly with us in the journey. 

D. Todd Christofferson I am under no illusion that this can be achieved by our own efforts alone without His very substantial and constant help. “We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” And we do not need to achieve some minimum level of capacity or goodness before God will help—divine aid can be ours every hour of every day, no matter where we are in the path of obedience. But I know that beyond desiring His help, we must exert ourselves, repent, and choose God for Him to be able to act in our lives consistent with justice and moral agency. My plea is simply to take responsibility and go to work so that there is something for God to help us with.