It
is 31-32 years since the birth of Christ in the Nephite's history, and the state of the Nephites is worth
examining since we’ve been told this period of time in history parallels our
own as far as the righteousness of the people is concerned. We also have been told we can expect similar
things to happen in our day before the coming of the Lord.
The
first thing that impressed me was the mention of tribes, their covenants within
their tribes and their respect of each other as tribes to live and let
live. Is this not a perfect description
of the gangs we deal with in our cities today?
Does this not also describe the mafia, the terrorists, and those who
would cause us harm throughout the world?
They were united in their hatred toward the believers. The terrorists of the world seem to be united
in their hatred toward the United States.
Where did their power come from?
Satan! The same can be said of
the gangs, tribes and terrorists of today. After all, Satan is the father of lies.
I’ve
written in my margin that goodly portions of the Nephites at this time are
dissenters. This is one very good reason
to guard our families that we do not have children who break off from the truth
and associate with the dissenters of our time.
Why is that? The reason is
twofold. For one, it is very hard to
break away from evil once it has been embraced. This knowledge is from personal experience and observation. The second reason comes directly from the Book of Mormon. The dissenters, aka apostates, were more
diligent in their hatred toward the people of God, thus causing tremendous
havoc among the believers. Their hatred
became so intense that they stoned the prophets and cast them out from among
them (v14). We’ve been told to liken “stoning” and “killing” the prophets to discounting, disbelieving and going
against the teachings of our prophets today.
Angels
visited Nephi daily (v18). I just read
Pres. Packer’s last conference talk (April 2014) this morning and he doesn’t mince words
that he bears the same testimony as Joseph Smith, “. . . for we saw Him,
standing on the right hand of God” (D&C 76:23). Does
that not tell me that he (Pres. Packer) is being taught by not only the Savior but by angels? Because angels had visited Nephi, he began to
testify, boldly, repentance and remission of sins through faith on the Lord
Jesus Christ. Certainly Pres. Packer’s
talk was filled with this same boldness.
“And
the people saw it, and did witness of it, and were angry with him because of
his powers;. . .(v20). I’m sad to say
those who fall away from the church have seen, witnessed (served missions) and
now are angry.
Miracles
were not uncommon (v22), yet the falling away was increasing. Because of the miracles, many people were
coming unto Christ as well. There was a
great growth in the Church. We can say
the same of the Church today.
So
what does all this mean? Well, if we
parallel this period of time in history with our own (as we’ve been told we can do),
it cannot be long before our Savior returns to the earth in His Glory and
majesty and “. . .and all men shall see it together. . .(Isaiah 40:5). Every knee shall bend and tongue shall speak
in worship before Him. What a glorious
day that will be! My goal is to endure
to this day whether it is on this side of the veil or that I pass onto the
other. It really matters not. How I pray for the courage, strength, health
and voice to be able to be left standing when He returns.
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