Helaman 13
Helaman 13
How humbling it should have been for the Nephites to have a Lamanite preach to them- but it wasn't They were so filled with they could not see it. They could not see the prophesying of one of their own, let alone a Lamanite.
There are many themes, most themes, in the Book of Mormon that applies to us today. In vv 24-29 we learn that the Nephites cast out those who tell they they should repent and follow the Lord, but embrace those who say there is no sin, therefore no punishment. Today there a millions in the world that just "don't want to be told what to do" by God or one of his leaders on earth. They figure God will love them no matter what. They disregard the fact that God might, and does, have laws and commandments. They heed the people who teach that if they are being kind and love God, that is enough. They take sin and iniquity out of the equation, and people follow them.
Of course they do, it's easy. Accountability, obedience and sacrifice are hard; especially if it doesn't always make sense to us. Luckily, there are still prophets today that are willing to stand before us and teach and prophesy. We just need to listen, embrace and follow.
Verse 38 also was very interesting. "...for ye have sought all the day of your lived for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of the that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head." THERE IS NO JOY IN SIN There can be pleasure, and perhaps even masked happiness, but there is, and never will be, joy in sin.
That seems to be a concept many refuse to believe. I don't know one person that doesn't want to be happy. But I know many who are too proud and stubborn to do what it takes to have joy.
TOMORROW: Helaman 14
How humbling it should have been for the Nephites to have a Lamanite preach to them- but it wasn't They were so filled with they could not see it. They could not see the prophesying of one of their own, let alone a Lamanite.
There are many themes, most themes, in the Book of Mormon that applies to us today. In vv 24-29 we learn that the Nephites cast out those who tell they they should repent and follow the Lord, but embrace those who say there is no sin, therefore no punishment. Today there a millions in the world that just "don't want to be told what to do" by God or one of his leaders on earth. They figure God will love them no matter what. They disregard the fact that God might, and does, have laws and commandments. They heed the people who teach that if they are being kind and love God, that is enough. They take sin and iniquity out of the equation, and people follow them.
Of course they do, it's easy. Accountability, obedience and sacrifice are hard; especially if it doesn't always make sense to us. Luckily, there are still prophets today that are willing to stand before us and teach and prophesy. We just need to listen, embrace and follow.
Verse 38 also was very interesting. "...for ye have sought all the day of your lived for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of the that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head." THERE IS NO JOY IN SIN There can be pleasure, and perhaps even masked happiness, but there is, and never will be, joy in sin.
That seems to be a concept many refuse to believe. I don't know one person that doesn't want to be happy. But I know many who are too proud and stubborn to do what it takes to have joy.
TOMORROW: Helaman 14
This is such a parallel with what is going on in our country, our world, today. There are many so caught up in their own selfish desires. The misconception that pleasure or an adrenal rush equates to joy and happiness. It's not that they don't want to be happy, they simply don't understand what true happiness is.
ReplyDeleteThere are SO many good and righteous people, trying to do the best they can. They seek after positive things. Serve and bless others. I believe it is those people who are keeping some of the fire and brimstone at bay just like Zarahemla.
I had a scarey experience yesterday which, not only humbled me to the power and influence of the Lord in my life, but made me incredibly grateful for the power and influence of the Lord in the life of another.
We have the power within us to make a difference for another. All we have to do is listen to the spirit and speak up when told to do so. Sometimes our words are the very thing the Lord has chosen to use to save another person from themselves. Just like Samuel, sometimes we are called to stand on the wall.
"But I know many who are too proud and stubborn to do what it takes to have joy." Well said.
ReplyDeleteBut I know many who are too proud and stubborn to do what it takes to have joy.