Skip to main content

"In So Much Mercy," 2 Nephi 4:20-27

2 Nephi 4:20-27

Nephi's optimism is based on one profound argument: "If the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow...?" (vs. 26) The depth, breadth, and scope of such optimism embraces all.

I was reading in the morning paper about the passing of Elder Worthlin and one particular observation noted that he strove to live his life according to the knowledge that he possessed. This thought seems to be akin to the feelings that Nephi is feeling here. It is motivation to me to live my life more in harmony with the knowledge that the Lord has blessed me with.

With so many evidences of the Lord's influence in one's life -- Nephi has a long personal list (see verses 20-25) -- the compelling argument becomes "why" (vs. 27).

  • Why should I allow myself to commit sin?
  • Why should I give temptations the time of day in place of peace and contentment?
  • Why should I ever let anyone get me angry?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

"The Lord Seeth Fit to Chasten His People," Mosiah 23:19-24

Mosiah 23:19-24 There are footnotes on the word "chasten." I've found the reference in Deuteronomy 11:1-8 speaks directly to me. Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway. And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the Lord your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm... But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the Lord which he did. Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it; ( vs. 1,2,7,8 ) The admonition to be diligent in all commandments is particularly more applicable to those who know and have witnessed the power of His almighty hand.

"A Space Between Death and the Resurrection," Alma 40:15-21

Alma 40:15-21 https://www.lds.org/scriptures/tg/resurrection?lang=eng The New Testament, after the Resurrection of Christ, is replete with testimony by the apostles of the reality of that very thing. I took a pause from this study to reflect over in John 6 . At least twice within that passage, the phrase "the resurrection of the just" had been added back into the passage in the Joseph Smith Translation. No man can come unto me, except he doeth the will of my Father who hath sent me. And this is the will of him who hath sent me, that ye receive the Son; for the Father beareth record of him; and he who receiveth the testimony, and doeth the will of him who sent me, I will raise up in the resurrection of the just. ( JST - John 6:44 ) Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up in the resurrection of the just at the last day. ( John 6:54 ) Why, among other doctrines, does the adversary or the world want to suppress...