“Ripening for destruction”
In Mosiah 29:25-27, King Mosiah gave the Nephites a warning. ”Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord (v. 25). Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people (v. 26). And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land (v. 27).” His warning is that if there comes a time when the majority of the people choose evil, or choose unrighteous leaders, then the time has come for destruction. This warning still applies to us today.
“And it came to pass that in this same year, behold, Nephi delivered up the judgment-seat to a man whose name was Cezoram (v. 1). For as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted (v. 2). Yea, and this was not all; they were a stiffnecked people, insomuch that they could not be governed by the law nor justice, save it were to their destruction (v. 3). And it came to pass that Nephi had become weary because of their iniquity; and he yielded up the judgment-seat, and took it upon him to preach the word of God all the remainder of his days, and his brother Lehi also, all the remainder of his days (v. 4);”
The majority of the Nephites has begun to choose evil more often than choose that which was not evil, so they were “ripening for destruction”. Nephi decided that he needed to go and preach to the people instead of remain in the judgement seat. Nephi’s brother Lehi, joined him on this mission to the Nephites.
Alma had done the same thing in his days and it had been effective in changing the hearts of the people. In Alma 31:5 we read, “And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.” Nephi knew that the gospel had the power to change hearts, and as a judge all he could do was sit and watch as the majority of the people chose things that were evil.
In D&C 15:4-6 we read, “For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you (v. 4). Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you according to my commandments (v. 5). And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen (v. 6).” The best thing that we can do “the remainder of [our] days” to help further the Lord’s work, is to teach others. Both Alma and Nephi understood this, and we should follow their examples and do what we can to be missionaries of the Lord’s gospel.
Will you remember?
With any game of memory (a game where you lay cards face down and turn them over two at a time to see if they match) the key to winning is remembering what you have seen. Helaman, the father of Nephi and Lehi, had told to his sons about the things that should be remembered.
“Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good (v. 6). Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them (v. 7). And now my sons, behold I have somewhat more to desire of you, which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our fathers (v. 8 ). O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world (v. 9). And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins (v. 10). And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls (v. 11). And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall (v. 12). And it came to pass that these were the words which Helaman taught to his sons; yea, he did teach them many things which are not written, and also many things which are written (v. 13). And they did remember his words; and therefore they went forth, keeping the commandments of God, to teach the word of God among all the people of Nephi, beginning at the city Bountiful (v. 14);”
Helaman told his sons to remember:
- To keep the commandments
- They were named (Nephi and Lehi) after their ancestors who came from Jerusalem
- The works of Lehi and his son Nephi and that their works were good.
- The words of king Benjamin (to his people) – that man can only be saved through the atonement of Jesus Christ, who would come to redeem the world
- The words of Amulek (to Zeezrom) – that the Lord would come to redeem men from their sins through repentance and that “angels” of the Lord (missionaries even) are sent to tell the people about repentance to save their souls
- To build the foundation of our faith on Jesus Christ, because that is the only way to remain strong in the face of the adversity of Satan
It is so important for us to remember the things which we have been taught as well. If we can remember these same things that Nephi and Lehi were told to remember, than we will have a strength and testimony that will not buckle under the pressures of every-day life. If we also remember the things that are most important in our lives, the covenants which we personally make with our Father in Heaven, we cannot fail. Remembrance is what will bring us the salvation that all righteous people are longing for. I am glad that I am at a point in my life where I am constantly being reminded of the Savior and His atonement. I know that without it, I am flawed in a way that prevents me from progressing eternally. I pray that I may know the ways to use the atonement in my life and to build upon the rock of the Savior, so that I can have the blessings of exaltation and eternal life.
Remembering our names
I love my name. When I was younger I didn’t feel that it was anything special, but as I have grown up some, become a parent myself, and have learned how it came to be, I have really come to love it. I love that my Dad wanted to give me my first name, that he knew that one of his children was going to have this name and that when they saw me, I was it. I love also that I have such an awesome store to go with my middle name, related to my great-grandmother. Not as her namesake, but still. I love that I had something to pass on to my first daughter and I hope that she will continue to pass it on.
Helaman named his son Nephi and Lehi, after his ancestors from Jerusalem, who sailed to the promised land. He gave them these names to be a constant reminder of examples of righteousness that they should have in their lives. I’m sure that Helaman hoped that his sons would live up to these names. We also have a name to live up to, when we join the church and take on the covenants of baptism. At that time, we take on the name of Christ, and I am sure that Heavenly Father wants us to do our best to live up to His name. He has said, “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” He wants us to work towards eternal life and immortality.
The power of God’s words
Nephi and Lehi started preaching in Bountiful (see v. 14 above). Then they went to Gid, Mulek, all the land southward, and Zarahemla (v. 15-16). Some of these places were the current lands of the Nephites, but Zarahemla was one where the Lamanites had taken over.
“And it came to pass that they did preach with great power, insomuch that they did confound many of those dissenters who had gone over from the Nephites, insomuch that they came forth and did confess their sins and were baptized unto repentance, and immediately returned to the Nephites to endeavor to repair unto them the wrongs which they had done (v. 17).” Many dissenters from among the Nephites heard their words and repented of their sins.
“And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the Lamanites with such great power and authority, for they had power and authority given unto them that they might speak, and they also had what they should speak given unto them (v. 18 )—Therefore they did speak unto the great astonishment of the Lamanites, to the convincing them, insomuch that there were eight thousand of the Lamanites who were in the land of Zarahemla and round about baptized unto repentance, and were convinced of the wickedness of the traditions of their fathers (v. 19).” They were extremely successful among the Lamanites, because they were completely led by the spirit in what they should say.
In Alma 17:2-3, we learn how the sons of Mosiah and Alma were able to be such powerful teachers of the gospel. ”… yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God (v. 2). But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God (v. 3).” We can be great teachers also, if we prepare ourselves to have the spirit through diligent scripture study, prayer and fasting.
Why should we bother in being great missionaries? In D&C 18:15-16 we read, “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father (v. 15)! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me (v. 16)!” Because we are that we might have joy, and we have been promised a greater joy in the amount of souls that we help to bring to the gospel.
“Encircled by fire”
“And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did proceed from thence to go to the land of Nephi (v. 20).” They had just had great success in Zarahemla and now they went to Nephi. The first that happened when they arrived, was that a Lamanite army took them and threw them into the same prison that had held Ammon and his brothers (v. 21). They went without food and were about to be killed (v. 22). ”And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi were encircled about as if by fire, even insomuch that they durst not lay their hands upon them for fear lest they should be burned. Nevertheless, Nephi and Lehi were not burned; and they were as standing in the midst of fire and were not burned (v. 23). And when they saw that they were encircled about with a pillar of fire, and that it burned them not, their hearts did take courage (v. 24). For they saw that the Lamanites durst not lay their hands upon them; neither durst they come near unto them, but stood as if they were struck dumb with amazement (v. 25).” They were encircled by fire, and the Lamanites could not touch them, but stood there, unable to speak because of their amazement.
“And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did stand forth and began to speak unto them, saying: Fear not, for behold, it is God that has shown unto you this marvelous thing, in the which is shown unto you that ye cannot lay your hands on us to slay us (v. 26). And behold, when they had said these words, the earth shook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison did shake as if they were about to tumble to the earth; but behold, they did not fall. And behold, they that were in the prison were Lamanites and Nephites who were dissenters (v. 27). And it came to pass that they were overshadowed with a cloud of darkness, and an awful solemn fear came upon them (v. 28 ). And it came to pass that there came a voice as if it were above the cloud of darkness, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my servants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings (v. 29).” As they stood there, Nephi and Lehi told them that the power of God protected them, and then they heard a voice tell them to repent.
“And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul (v. 30)—And notwithstanding the mildness of the voice, behold the earth shook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison trembled again, as if it were about to tumble to the earth; and behold the cloud of darkness, which had overshadowed them, did not disperse (v. 31)—And behold the voice came again, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; and seek no more to destroy my servants. And it came to pass that the earth shook again, and the walls trembled (v. 32). And also again the third time the voice came, and did speak unto them marvelous words which cannot be uttered by man; and the walls did tremble again, and the earth shook as if it were about to divide asunder (v. 33).” Three times, they heard the voice and the walls of the prison shook with the power of God.
The Lamanites were not able to move because of fear (v. 34). Aminadab, a dissenter, saw the shining faces of Nephi and Lehi talking to angels of God. He told the rest of the Lamanites to look and they all saw what he saw and he told the people what they were seeing (v. 35-39). The Lamanites wanted to know how to have the cloud of darkness removed (v. 40). ”And Aminadab said unto them: You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you (v. 41).” They all started to pray to God, and the cloud went away (v. 42). Then they saw that a pillar of fire was around them, and Nephi and Lehi were with them, but nothing around them burned (v. 43-44). The were filled with joy (v. 44).
“And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words (v. 45). And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying (v. 46): Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world (v. 47).” They were filled with the spirit and the voice of the Lord spoke to them.
When they looked to see who spoke, they saw angels come down from heaven to minister to them (v. 48 ). About 300 people witnessed these things and were told not to doubt what they saw (v. 49). “And it came to pass that they did go forth, and did minister unto the people, declaring throughout all the regions round about all the things which they had heard and seen, insomuch that the more part of the Lamanites were convinced of them, because of the greatness of the evidences which they had received (v. 50). And as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred and the tradition of their fathers (v. 51). And it came to pass that they did yield up unto the Nephites the lands of their possession (v. 52).” A great number of Lamanites were converted to the gospel, because of the mission of Nephi and Lehi and the spirit they brought with them.
God will use us as instruments in his hands, if we are willing and able. There is power in us, through the priesthood and the covenants we make with God, to do marvelous things as well. This is the proof that the word of God is stronger than the sword, because Moronihah was only able to gain back half of the Nephite lands, but the word of God, converted the lost Nephites, as well as the Lamanites who returned the land to the Nephites. If we pray, search the scriptures, fast, and have faith in the power of God to declare the gospel, we will be able to bring others to Christ.
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