“That by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.” 2 Peter 1:4
In his last letter, Peter gave a staircase of eight qualities, from faith to charity. Each one is part of who Jesus is, and through His power we can climb toward becoming like Him.
Near the end of his life, Peter wrote that Christ’s “divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” Through “exceeding great and precious promises,” we “might be partakers of the divine nature.” Then he gave a list, each step added to the one before: “Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”
“If these things be in you, and abound,” Peter promised, we will not be “barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and “if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” Knowing he would soon die, he reminded the Saints that he had been an eyewitness of Christ’s “majesty” on “the holy mount.”
Who’s who
Peter: an Apostle near the end of his life
The Saints: who had obtained “like precious faith”
Jesus Christ: whose divine nature we can share
Where and when
A farewell letter to believers, possibly written from Rome.
Watch for the Savior
Watch how each quality is added to the one before.
Eight stops from divine power to the day star. Scroll, or tap a number on the map.
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The story, plainly
Four scenes: a farewell letter, one step at a time, a helping hand, and His hand. Look for the Savior in each one.
Read it plainly
The words that trip people up
Tap any dotted word for its meaning. The scripture stays exactly as written.1
2 Peter 1:4“Meaning: sharers, people who have a part in. of the divine nature”
2 Peter 1:5“giving all Meaning: steady, eager effort.”
2 Peter 1:6“to knowledge Meaning: self-control.”
2 Peter 1:8“neither be Meaning: empty, without fruit. nor unfruitful”
2 Peter 1:13“as long as I am in this Meaning: tent; here, his mortal body.”
2 Peter 1:16“Meaning: cleverly, as a trick. devised fables”
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Look closer
Small details tell the story. Some cards are details in the text; others share insights from Church leaders, Church resources or outside sources. Each card says which.
0 of 9 turned
All nine. The lamp, the lily, the book, the scale, the hourglass, the praying hands, the clasped hands, the heart and the stairs. 2 Peter 1
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Where are you?
At the bottom, tired on the stairs, getting a hand, or giving a hand. Which feels most like you right now?
A next step for you
Your choice is saved only on this device.
Try it
Climb the ladder
Peter lists eight steps, each added to the one before. Tap them in order, from the bottom step to the top.
2 Peter 1:5–7
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Their world, their words
A little background helps us see why Peter wrote this list and who he wrote it for. Outside sources are labeled.
Church resource · Student manual
A farewell letter
Verses 12–15 show “that Peter meant this letter to be a farewell message to his readers.”7
Written knowing he would soon die.
Church resource · Student manual
An eyewitness
Peter’s witness rested “on his firsthand experiences with Jesus Christ, including his witness of the Savior’s Transfiguration.”7
He had seen Jesus in glory.
Scripture · Doctrine and Covenants 4
The same list today
In 1829 the Lord gave a similar list: “Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.”2
Qualities for anyone who serves.
Scripture · 1 Corinthians 9
Like an athlete
Paul used a related word for athletes: “Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.”5
Self-control for a bigger prize.
Word study · Greek
aretē ἀρετή · “virtue” (2 Peter 1:5)
Bible Hub: “moral goodness, i.e. virtue.”8Outside · lexicon
The same word is in verse 3: God “called us to glory and virtue.”1
Not just avoiding too much, but being master of yourself.6
What the text does not say
Peter doesn’t say we climb by our own strength, or that we must finish one step before starting the next. He starts with what God gives: “his divine power hath given unto us all things.” We grow in all these qualities together, through Jesus Christ.1
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Look to Him
Every step on Peter’s ladder describes Jesus. He is the pattern, and His power is what lifts us.
“The virtues outlined by Peter are part of the divine nature, or the Savior’s character.”
“… become as God is, enjoying to the full every characteristic, perfection, and attribute which he possesses.”
Elder Bruce R. McConkie, quoted in the student manual7
“I would exhort you to go on and continue to call upon God until you make your calling and election sure for yourselves.”
The Prophet Joseph Smith, quoted in the student manual7
Jesus (3 Nephi)
Even as I am
“Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” 3 Nephi 27:27
Mormon (Moroni)
Filled with this love
“Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ.” Moroni 7:48
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Seek Him today
A question to ask in prayer
Which step on Peter’s ladder does Heavenly Father want me to work on next? 2 Peter 1:5
Ask Him which quality to add, then ask for His help. His divine power makes the climb possible.
Try it today
One step up the ladder each day. It saves on this device, one day at a time.
0 of 7 today
This week:0 of 7 days
Seven days of climbing. Come again tomorrow.
A quiet moment
“Partakers of the divine nature.”
Read 2 Peter 1:3–7 slowly. Picture Jesus at the top of the stairs, reaching down. Which step is He helping you with right now? 2 Peter 1:3–7
A verse to hold
Talk about it
What is the first step on Peter’s ladder?
What is the top step?
Why did Peter write this letter near the end of his life?
How do these eight qualities describe Jesus?
Open
For adults and deeper study
Go deeper
Longer readings, harder questions, and where to study next. Each one says what it is before you click.
Prophet
President Ezra Taft Benson, “Godly Characteristics of the Master” (1986)
A step-by-step look at each quality in 2 Peter 1, with stories from President Benson’s own father.6
Everything on this page as a 11-page letter-size PDF: the map, scenes, cards, activity, word studies, tracker, Go deeper and sources. For home, class or a quiet Sunday.
The Ladder of Divine Nature is part of the Scripture Story Sketch Notes for the New Testament, set alongside Come, Follow Me for November 15–21, 2027 (1 and 2 Peter).
Independent study notes from Weak Things, not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. The teachings are in 2 Peter 1; the insights in “Look closer” are labeled by source.
