Ways the people of Nephi responded to the prophets:
V 2 Those that did not believe the words of Samuel
the Lamanite threw stones and shot arrows at him to try to take his life. He
was protected by the Lord and they were unable to harm him.
V 6 They went to
their leaders the captains and asked that Samuel be captured, bound, and “away
with him”.
V 15 They relied on
their own strength and their own wisdom.
V 18 They doubted the words of the prophets
concerning the coming of Christ.
V 20 They believed prophecy to be a wicked tradition
handed down from their fathers, so they did not listen to their words.
V 20 They lacked faith, taught others to only
believe what they could see with their own eyes, “for we cannot witness without
own eyes that they are true.”
V 21 They were suspicious of their leader’s motives.
V 22 Their
hearts were full of foolish and vain imaginations. They allowed Satan to lead them in their
thoughts and actions. Satan led them to do iniquity through rumor and
contention which promoted the people to have hard hearts against that which was
good and that which was to come to pass.
Why the wicked part of the people responded to the
prophets in those ways:
V 10 The people fought against righteousness as
they remained in their pride and wickedness.
V 11 The people
began to be more hardened in iniquity
& did more that was contrary to the commandments of God.
V 15 The people
began to harden their hearts.
Ways I can avoid following the more wicked part:
1.
Avoid pride: By definition President Ezra Taft Benson
characterized pride in this way, “Pride is essentially competitive in nature.
We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in
the spirit of ;my will and not thine be done.” As the Primary Chorister I get
to sing with primary children every Sunday. One of the songs we sing is, I Will
Follow God’s Plan For Me, which says I will hold fast to his word and his love.
I believe by studying scripture, applying it to myself, then trusting in God’s
plan for me and his love, I can overcome the human tendency to have pride.
2.
Avoid contention: Elder Russell M Nelson teaches
that the “Scriptures repeatedly warn that the father of contention opposes the
plan of our Heavenly Father. Satan’ method relies on the infectious canker of
contention.” Contention is so easy! Being a peacemaker takes unselfishness and
compromise.
3.
Avoid iniquity: Elder Richard G Scott taught
about the conditions of repentance by quoting guidelines published in The
Miracle of Forgiveness by President Kimball. Within this list of guidelines
is the counsel to abandon sin, including the resolve not to repeat sin. “Abandonment
of sin is an unyielding, permanent resolve to not repeat transgression. By
keeping this commitment, the bitter aftertaste of …sin need not be experienced
again.” My plan it so avoid sin, both
old and new.
4.
Develop a heart like his. I maintain a top ten
book list. One of the books on my list is called A Heart Like His by
Virginia Pierce. This book suggests to the reader the idea that we can develop
a heart within ourselves like our Savior Jesus Christ. It is written with both inspiration
and encouragement to live a better way. It is probably time for me to read again
as a reminder. Alma 5:26-28 asks if I
have experienced a mighty change of heart and if I currently stand blameless
before God? Have I repented through the blood of Christ? Am I free of pride?
Then reminds me to prepare quickly as the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand.
So much to do. I will move forward from where
I am today and make progress.
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