To spurn or Embrace - Choice is mine!

3 Nephi 29 & 30

I think it is Nephi who is warning us! He is telling us that when the Book of Mormon comes forth, (and it has or I wouldn't be writing this), that the gathering of Israel and all the promises that attend it have begun. His counsel to those who reject latter-day revelations and gifts.

This is a sobering chapter in the Book of Mormon. If you read it and are not on track, it stings. When you read it and you are on track, you ache for those of your loved ones who come under the category of “non-believer”.

In v5, Nephi says “Wo unto him that spurneth at the doings of the Lord; yea, wo unto him that shall deny the Christ and his works!”

To spurn means tread or trample, scorn, decline, reject the words of the Lord. To contend with the ways of God.

“Wo” - just the very sound of this word makes you now it's not a good thing. I can't find the definition in the Webster Dictionary, however Mormon 9:26 says he who denies the things of the Lord will wonder and perish. This is enough definition for me to know he who spurneth the doings of the Lord is not in a good place.

V7 tells what those who spurneth can expect: “. . . shall become like unto the son of perdition, for whom there was no mercy, according to the word of Christ!” I can think of nothing more frightening and demeaning than to be consigned to be in the same camp as Satan who is the son of perdition. I suppose we can deny this all we want, but at the end of the day, what the Lord has promised will be fulfilled. We've seen enough prophecies already come forth that there really is no room for doubt. All we can hope for is that we and those of our loved ones who don't get it will get it before it is too late.

Chapter 30:2 gives us further warning and invitation: “Turn, all ye Gentiles from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings. . . and be filled with the Holy Ghost. . .that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the House of Israel.”

I love it when I see a pattern in the scriptures. This verse is Article of Faith #4 – aka the First Principles of the Gospel: Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism and receive the Holy Ghost. There are numerous places in the scriptures where, in so many words, this is placed. Do you think it might be important? Is it pretty simple? I think so.

So how does this apply to me today? I'd like to say “carry on”, but there is always room to improve and I need to pray that God will show me my weaknesses that they can become strengths.