I hope you enjoy some insights from my Come Follow Me 2 Nephi 6-10. (If you missed last week’s insights for Come Follow Me 2 Nephi 1-5 click here). Save this pin to read later.
Follow The Prophets!
“And now I, Jacob, would speak somewhat concerning these words. For behold, the Lord has shown me that those who were at Jerusalem, from whence we came, have been slain and carried away captive.”
2 Nephi 6:8
One of the key Prophecies of Lehi was that Jerusalem would be destroyed. In 587 BC Nebuchadnezzar II laid siege and destroyed the holy city. Jacob talking to the children of Lehi told them that this event had already occurred, something that would not be verifiable by the people until over 100 years later when they came upon the Mulekites who had fled at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem.
The Lord ALWAYS warns the people before He pours out destruction, repeatedly we have been warned about the coming trails and our need to be righteous, but we have no need to fear!
“God will protect the faithful regardless of all the tribulations that will come upon the wicked. Did he not save Noah’s family from the Flood? Did he not save Lehi’s family from destruction at Jerusalem?”
Mark E. Petersen
Submitting To Persecution.
“I gave my back to the smiter, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting.”
2 Nephi 7:6
The pathway of discipleship is a thorny path. It is the path of the wine-press. Jesus did not say “Do as I said not as I do.” He said, “Come, follow me.” And if his pathway led Him to His Gethsemane and Golgotha it is to be expected that we will have our personal Gethsemane and Golgotha.
But unlike the Savior who had to walk His path alone, experiencing the full effects of divine withdraw, we will never have to. Christ is always there with us to carry us. All he asks is that we turn to Him and accept His atoning grace via repentance.
“Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so.”
Jeffrey R Holland
Pleading Our Cause.
“Thus saith thy Lord, the Lord and thy God pleadeth the cause of his people; behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again.”
2 Nephi 8:22
When we think of pleading before God often we think of a court where we are the defendant pleading before a judge to justify themselves or beg for mercy. But in reality, the one who’s pleading is actually Jesus Christ’s pleading to God the Father. He has even told us what He will tell the Father:
“Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.”
D&C 45:4-5
It reminds me of the words of my favorite sacrament hymn.
“At the throne I intercede;
Reverently and Meekly Now, Hymn #185
For thee ever do I plead.
I have loved thee as thy friend,
With a love that cannot end.
Be obedient, I implore,
Prayerful, watchful evermore,
And be constant unto me,
That thy Savior I may be.”
The Danger Of A Lie.
“Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell.”
2 Nephi 9:34
Most people think they are honest, they don’t tell any black lies that are vindictive, but in reality, Marvin J. Ashton defined lying as “a lie is any communication given to another with the intent to deceive.”
Whether it is a white lie, a black lie, a false testimony, or simply telling someone “I am busy” for a date when the truth is “I am not interested” a lie is a lie and it will draw us to Satan, the father of lies and away from the God of truth.
“Do we understand the gravity of the sin of dishonesty? It is not only unchristian, it is anti-Christian—it is anti-Mormon—it is anti-Christ!”
Elder Mark E. Petersen.
Repent.
“For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations they would repent, and know that he be their God.”
2 Nephi 10:4
As a nation, we have the choice to follow God or be destroyed. Make no doubt, if we reject the God of this land our destruction is ensured. We reject him when as a people we legalize, normalize, and condone sin. Four times in Ether 2 alone God swears He will destroy us if we do not repent and return.
“Listen! Can you hear his call? He is saying even now, ‘O America, America, how often will I yet gather you—if you will but come.'”
Mark E. Petersen
Doug
Sunday 9th of February 2020
Thanks for allowing me to benefit from your labour of love.