One Question Leads to Another

Some days my scripture study leads me down a rabbit hole of questions. One thought sparks another, and before long I'm trying to fit together pieces of a plan that is far bigger than I can fully comprehend.

That happened this morning in 2 Nephi 25.

As I read Nephi's words, I stopped at verse 3 and asked myself, Why did Nephi write?

For the same reason I do.

He wanted his posterity to know truth. He wanted them to understand God, His plan, and the importance of developing a testimony of their own. He wrote so future generations would know where to turn.

Verse 8 tells us that these words would be of great worth in the last days. Those days are now. We see nations rising against nations and a growing urgency to gather the Lord's people.

That phrase always gives me pause. Aren't we all God's children?

Then Nephi warns, "Wo unto them that fight against God and the people of his church" (v. 14). As I pondered that verse, I thought of people I have known who once seemed firmly rooted in faith but have since walked away. It makes me cling more tightly to the simple things that strengthen testimony—prayer, scripture study, temple worship, and obedience. We cannot afford to become spiritually lazy.

Then my thoughts wandered to another question. What about those who never hear the gospel? How can the gathering be fair if so many live and die without knowledge of Jesus Christ and His restored Church?

Almost immediately, my mind went back to the temple. Just yesterday we were sealing families together through priesthood power restored to the earth. The gathering is not happening only on this side of the veil. It is happening there as well. I thought of my parents, both gone now, and imagined them continuing the work of teaching and sharing truth. The gathering of Israel is moving forward on both sides of the veil, just as the Lord promised.

Then Nephi brought me back to the answer I needed:

"We labor diligently to write... to persuade our children... to believe in Christ" (v. 23).

A few verses later he explains what that means:

"We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ... and we write... that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins" (v. 26).

There it is!

My opportunities to teach my children are not what they once were. But I can still write.

I can write of Christ. I can write of faith. I can write of the experiences that have taught me to trust Him.

Someday, perhaps when I'm no longer here, one of my children or grandchildren may read these words and remember where to look.

That is why Nephi wrote.

And that is why I write.