Day 18; 2Nephi 26

 

Tonight I am only reading one chapter but it is good reading tonight.  Nephi saw our day, the coming of the Book of Mormon, the destruction of the Nephites for unbelief, the saints crying from the ground and mourning for the wickedness of the people.

I read this statement by Le Grand Richard's and wanted to share it,

LeGrand Richards

"Now, as I love the Saints for their faithfulness, I also feel remorse and sorrow for those who fail to have that kind of faith, for those who are not willing to do their part, for those who have discontinued attending their meetings. Brigham Young said that when we fail to attend our sacrament meetings and observe our prayers, the Spirit of the Lord will withdraw himself, and a spirit of darkness will come over us. Now there are a great many people in our midst who have ceased attending their meetings, and who do not observe their prayers. Some of them are near to us, some of them are dear to us, but the Lord does withdraw his Spirit.

"...And when people walk in darkness, they cannot love the brethren; they cannot love the Lord; they cannot love the people; they cannot love this great Latter-day cause, the greatest movement the world has ever known, aside from the great atonement of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." (Conference Report, Oct. 1950, p. 151) https://archive.org/details/conferencereport1950sa/page/151/mode/1up

This relates to the sorrow Nephi felt watching the destruction of his people for non-belief and disobedience.  I relate very much to what LeGrand Richards said.  I've seen it in my own life and I have also seen what the Atonement can do!  It's miraculous. 

Likening this chapter unto me

1.  Nephi explained that I must be willing to be faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and come unto Him.  Christ wants us to be with Him.

2. The Book of Mormon is for me.  It will help me understand ehat happens when we throw away precious truths, toss aside belief and obedience to Heavenly Father.  I am not only not rewarded, but will have undue suffering.  

3. Being filled with envy, anger, or anxiety and strife are not gifts of God and do not reflect my trust and belief in God.  Following false teachers and religions doesn't lead to Eternal Life with Christ.

4. Christ loves me and laid down his life for me!

5.  I am commanded to have charity and love for others!  I am commanded to keep the commandments of God, all of them.

2 Nephi 26:33 says, 

33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

So my take from Chapter 26 is that Christ visited the Nephites after his resurrection because he loved them just as much as he loved Israel.  He wants every person born to this earth to know that He loves them and died and resurrected for them.  The Book of Mormon was written for me.  It is a warning with a promise.  

The Prophets want me to come unto Christ!  Me and you!