1 Nephi 14

This chapter is chilling to me. Nephi's tour of the span of man continues to the end of man. He is shown that there are only two churches on the earth. The saints of God (in other words, the Gospel of Jesus Christ), shall be in all nations and his people are persecuted by the great and abominable church. He's told not to write all that he sees because the Apostle John was shown the same thing and instructed to write it. This would be the Book of Revelation in the New Testament.

I will never forget the first time I read this chapter and realized there are only two churches. That is a sobering thought. Even though there is some truth in all of them, Satan has twisted the doctrine and truths such that it is a stumbling block for the children of men. Oh the craftiness of Satan! Because of this, there are wars and rumors of wars continually upon the earth. Satan keeps the children of men angry with each other and they dig a pit for the destruction of men and it is “filled by those who digged it. . .” v3.

It is not difficult for me to see this in the world. When I watch the news, it is plain to me that the world is being destroyed by itself! People are waring and deceiving each other to the point of destruction. The power of the Lamb of God descends upon the covenant people who are scattered upon the face of the earth and they are armed with righteousness and the power of God! V14 You see this as you read reports from saints who are serving missions throughout all the world. They have no need to fear. The Lord is their guide and protector. This verse is one of great comfort and if one is not of a covenant relationship with the Savior, it is time to be there. It is obvious the rain falls on the righteous as well as the wicked, but as we keep our covenants, we can see how the Lord blesses these trials that come to our good, and those with eyes to see, understand.

So how does this apply to me today? I must hold strong to the covenants I have made with the Lord, returning to the temple frequently to renew them and doing all in my power to help others do the same. Who are those others? They are my children, grandchildren and those with whom I have stewardship over in my calling for now. The day will come when it is those with whom I have been called to serve on a mission. So how do I teach? Example. That is the only way I know how. I will follow the teachings, and whenever opportunity to help someone else comes, I will do so.