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His Loving Kindness and His Long-suffering, 1 Nephi 19:6-17

1 Nephi 19:6-17

This is a pivotal prophecy at this point in the Book of Mormon. Nephi's testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ is expressed in here in profound terms. He references ancient prophets of whom we have no record except in the Book of Mormon (Zenock, Zenos, and Naum).

Nephi transitions his discussion from an account of his making records to a discussion on the mission of our Savior by discussing what he esteemed to be that which was sacred. Nephi points out that to some people that which is sacred, some people will esteem as of no worth. Truly, such disregard for sacred things are what causes men to forget the Lord God and His counsels (see vs. 7).

As a result of such apathy, the Lord God was called to suffer in ways unimaginable for the sins and the sufferings of His people. Christ the Lord did so, not casually or apathetically, but fully aware because of His loving kindness and long-suffering.

Then is an interesting statement. Nephi says that the Lord would visit His people. Then it rests with the people how the Lord would visit them. Some receive his voice, and receive him gladly. Others will need the reminder of thunderings and earthquakes to cause them to remember the Lord.

All things are relative to their relationship with the Lord. The earth at His sufferings and death, trembles because of "the God of nature suffereth"-- the very being that holds all creation in His hands. The House of Israel more especially is cursed and blessed according to their relationship with Him. I wish that I could find a better way to express this truth. It is true that what happens to us in this life is relative to our relationship with God.
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