3 Nephi 7 – The Nephites begin to contend and break off into tribes.  I've written in the margin “think about gangs”.  Even though they aren't waring against each other, there is a lot of strife in the land “because they did yield themselves unto the power of Satan.”  (v5)

The Nephites became Apostates.  What happens when a member of the church becomes an apostate?  This is something I am watching in my personal life and this chapter helps to bring it into focus.  Here are some of the points I picked out:

• Great contention in the land (families?) (v5)
• Secret combinations (lies, lies, lies) (v9)
• United in hatred of those who had entered into a covenant (v11)
• Flattered the dissenters (v12)
• Hearts turned from God and they stoned the prophets (v14)

As I watch a daughter transform before my very eyes.   There is a tremendous amount of contention between family members.  I see her embracing “friends” over family where just a short time ago, nothing was more important to her than being with family.  I don't know when truth is being spoken.  There seems to be real contempt for those who keep their covenants. 

Since I've experienced some of these things in my life before gaining my own testimony, I understand the “flattered the dissenters” portion of this transformation.  You become friends with those who require nothing of you to be your friend.  It is so flattering to have “friends” who do not judge.  Oh what a trap!

But we don't have our dissenters stoning prophets, you might say.  I disagree.  When the words of the prophets are blatantly disregarded, it is in effect the same.  If we know a prophet has counseled us to do even the simplest thing, and we choose blatantly to disregard it, it is as if we stoned the prophets. 

How does the prophet Nephi deal with this? 

• Grieved (oh that's the easy one)
• Began to testify boldly regarding repentance and remission of sins (a little harder)
• Testified of faith on the Lord Jesus Christ

There is more in this chapter.  Some repent.  Some do not.  So how does this apply to me today?  I've already drawn the parallel between the dissenting Nephites and a loved one.  My task is to not withhold my testimony.  The grieving is a constant.