Follow the Prophet

3 Nephi 2 & 3

Some days it is very hard to stop myself at one chapter and thus it was this morning.  Sometimes they seem so short. 

Wickedness abounds.  Nephites and Lamanites unite against the Gadianton robbers.  The converted Lamanites become white and are called Nephites.

Time moves on after the birth of Christ and there were some who forgot the miracle they had witnessed.  They somehow figured they had imagined it or that somehow man had created the phenomenon.  And Satan began to get possession of their hearts (v2).  At this point, those who were weak began to believe that the doctrine of Christ was foolish and vain. 

We see this today.  People who have been abundantly blessed somehow forget the miracles they have witnessed or the times they have felt the Spirit and they imagine it to be something else.  It is a sad thing to witness.

In Chapter 3, I’ve written in the margin that this chapter is Satan’s letter to youth.  Actually, it is a letter from Giddianhi, the Gadianton leader, to Lachoneus.  Oh the arrogant and pompous lies he tells!  He uses many of Satan’s weapons:

• Flattery (v2)
• Intimidation (v3)
• Lies that generate fear (v4)
• Arrogance and threats (v6)
• Boasts (v8) 

This is just a few.  Where do we see these same things today?  We are constantly witnessing similar tactics in the form of gangs, terrorists, etc.

Lachoneous didn’t flinch.  Instead, he sent a proclamation to the people to gather themselves together (unite).  He is not secretive about it as was Gaddianhi.  He tells the people to arm themselves with guards.  He fortifies them, calls them to repentance and tells them to pray (v14-15).  How do we fortify today?  With personal prayer and scripture, family prayer and scripture, FHE, temple attendance and being strictly obedient to our covenants. 

Lachoneous put chief captains over all the armies.  Where do we see that today?  We have Regional Representatives, Stake Presidents and Bishops as our chief captains. 

Lachoneous put a chief captain over all the other captains – Gidgiddoni.  A prophet?  He did not contend.  Instead, he was a great prophet among them.  They did as Gidgiddoni told them to do.  They prepared for worse case (war), and they were strengthened.  We can count on a similar attack from the armies of Satan.  It can come in many different forms.  We need to protect our children from the day they are born.  Teach them that they are strong and Heavenly Father’s chosen spirits to be here at a time when their talents will best be used.  We can do this.  We need to listen to our prophet for our marching orders, pray continually, study the scriptures,  - - basically, we must keep our arsenal at the ready at all times because we know not when the enemy will see his chance to flatter, discourage, intimidate or threaten our safety.

As a side note, have we ever seen one of our prophets contend with the barrage of untrue comments coming from the media and other sources?  Even when it seems it would be appropriate, they always respond with unflinching love and encouraging words.