The following table comes from Chapter 7: 2 Nephi 1-3 in the Book of Mormon Study Manual:
|
Prophecy in 2 Nephi 3 |
Possible
Fulfillments |
|
“A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice
seer unto the fruit of my loins” (verse 6). |
The Lord said Joseph Smith Jr. was to “be called a seer, a
translator, a prophet” (D&C 21:1)
and that Joseph was appointed to stand at the head of this dispensation (see D&C 110:16; 112:32). |
|
“He shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins” (verse 7). |
There are
millions of descendants of the Book of Mormon people who recognize Joseph
Smith as the prophet of the Restoration. |
|
“He shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins … ,
which shall be of great worth unto them” (verse 7). |
Many of
the children of Lehi have been blessed by the light of the gospel that was
restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith. |
|
“He shall do none other work, save the work which I shall
command him” (verse 8). |
Joseph Smith’s life focused upon doing the will of the Lord. For
example, in the beginning of his ministry he was commanded to translate the
Book of Mormon: “And you have a gift to translate the plates; and this is the
first gift that I bestowed upon you; and I have commanded that you should
pretend to no other gift until my purpose is fulfilled in this; for I will
grant unto you no other gift until it is finished” (D&C 5:4). |
|
“He shall be great like unto Moses” (verse 9). |
Moses gathered Israel from Egypt to the promised land. Joseph
Smith was given keys by Moses to gather Israel: “Therefore, I will raise up
unto my people a man, who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of
Israel” (D&C 103:16).
This is one of many ways that Joseph was like Moses. |
|
“I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins”
(verse 11). |
Joseph Smith translated and gave the children of Lehi the record
of their ancestors (see D&C 3; 5; 10),
as well as many other revelations. |
|
“The fruit of thy loins … shall grow together, unto the
confounding of false doctrines” (verse 12) |
The Book of Mormon and other modern revelations give plain and
authoritative clarification on many principles and doctrines of the gospel in
the Bible (see D&C 20:8–15; 42:12). |
|
“Out of weakness he shall be made strong” (verse 13). |
A humble
farm boy became the prophet of the Restoration. |
|
“They that seek to destroy him shall be confounded” (verse 14). |
As promised by the Lord (see 3 Nephi 21:10),
the Prophet Joseph Smith was preserved until he had accomplished his mission
(see D&C 121:16–22). |
|
“His name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the
name of his father” (verse 15). |
Joseph Smith Jr., the third son of Joseph Smith Sr., was named
after his father (see Joseph Smith—History
1:4). |
|
“For the thing [the gospel and its ordinances], which the Lord
shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people
unto salvation” (verse 15). |
It is through the Restoration of
the Church and the Lord’s ordinances that the Prophet Joseph Smith showed us
how to obtain eternal life. |
Further Reading: