Read: 2 Nephi 28-30
Mark: 2 Nephi 28:15
"There are at least three dangers that threaten the Church within, and the authorities need to awaken to the fact that the people should be warned unceasingly against them. As I see these, they are flattery of prominent men in the world, false educational ideas, and sexual impurity." --President Joseph F. Smith
To ponder:
What are you doing to avoid being deceived?
As I was reading through Chapter 28, I was thinking, boy, I know a lot of people who are like the people Nephi is describing! And, then I read that President Joseph Fielding Smith said of verses 7 and 8, that Nephi is not talking about the people of the world...he is talking about the members of the Church! Yikes!
ReplyDeleteThe word "wo" is used many times throughout this Chapter! Wo is a term that is used to express grief, distress and regret for a condition of ruin. It seems that in these scriptures the people are bringing the wo upon themselves by their behavior. Do we do this as well? I know that we do! This just reminds me of the importance of doing our very best every single day, no matter the situation, and that we can't slip even a little bit.
Next, I read verses 21 and 22 (still in 2 Nephi 28), and I saw all of these words: pacify, lull away, cheat, lead carefully down, flatter away, whisper, grasp--and I realized these are all the ways that Satan works to deceive us! So how do we avoid being deceived? I think we avoid deception by doing exactly what we are doing--reading, studying and pondering the scriptures each day, thinking about them as we go throughout our busy lives and life 'happens' to each one of us, we pray and we stay close to our Heavenly Father's teachings and commandments, we follow the words of the Prophet, and we love and strengthen each other.
Today's reading was wonderful and again, I love every word of these scriptures! :)
Something I found written in my scriptures next to 2 Nephi 28:30 said that we are always in flux--we're either moving forward or falling back spiritually. We need to keep out hearts and mind open constantly to know which way our testimony is moving. We have to have a hunger for more knowledge and a thirst for further truth. And we need to be aware of those whisperings of the devil who is looking to ensnare us! Oh man... I have so many thoughts for today's reading!
ReplyDeleteOkay, so to answer today's thought/question, I think it's really easy to be deceived, even (and might I even dare to say especially?) for members of the church! As a for-instance, say that a family wants to be "in the world but not of the world" so they never really branch out much from their comfort zone. They're being deceived because they don't have opportunities to share the gospel that way! Or, say that a member finds out that one of their good friends did something we know to be a sin, so then they never talk to that person again. They're being deceived, because Christ would never turn away! I think that there's a fine line between righteousness and over-zealousness that sometimes makes members easier to deceive than others! Whenever I have a feeling in my heart, especially for something I'm passionate about, I have to keep a close watch on it to make sure I'm not letting Satan get hold of me. Especially since I know that I struggle with being quick to judge or with making mountains out of molehills. I tend to overreact! But by reading and praying and trying to feel my Savior's love for others I do much better and see things more clearly.
I thought chapter 29 was so interesting! We have to show more respect and gratitude for the Jewish people, because they are still God's chosen people! They did bring the Bible to us, and Christianity really doesn't give them much credit. Verse 5 made me think, very sadly, of the Holocaust and the many trials they have endured. And verse 7 reminds me that there is truth everywhere in the world that God has given his various nations of people. There might even be other writing that we haven't seen yet! And I've no doubt that originally other religious texts were from God but have now become tainted with the philosophies of men (Torah, Quran, etc). I'm so grateful for the restored gospel and for the translation of The Book of Mormon into so many languages across the globe! I believe, when reading verses 11-12, that whether or not we're aware of it that every single religion actually worships the same God. I'm so curious how everything will play out in the end. it's going to be one interesting ride!
OH HOLY COW! Okay, so my mind has just been BLOWN--I read my thought I just typed out loud to Joseph and then read 2 Nephi 29:11-12 out loud to him. In verse 11 it says "... for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written." Verse 12 continues "...and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it."
DeleteSo my mind-blowing thought is that every single devout person of every single world religion will be saved. Like, truly 100% exalted. Because we're judged on what's been written FOR US. So Hindu's who never eat beef and Muslims who always say their prayers and Jews who continue to worship will all be able to receive their fullness of glory! We know that the truth will one day be restored to the whole earth. Right now our church is still relatively small, but when Christ comes again we will be doing temple work left and right with lines out the doors! But until then, all those people everywhere in the world who don't have the truth can still be true and faithful according to the religious texts that they DO have!
I mean, I always knew that, but for whatever reason tonight it just makes even more sense and is even more wonderful to me than ever before! Wow... God is so amazing!
Jenny, thanks for sharing this! I did not know this nor did I pick up on this while I was reading. That is so true! And makes so much sense to me!!!
DeleteNot to be totally contradictory, but I'm not sure this is the case. All of 28 talks about the false churches that are built up to men and not to God. They are built up in pride. And many will be led away because of the false doctrines taught to them in these false churches. I do think that people who do the best they can with what they have will be given mercy - if they never have the chance to learn truth, but seek it where they can, they will prosper in the end. They must all accept Christ in the end. They cannot go on in blindness. Ignorance will not save us. They will be taught the truth and they must receive it to be exalted. In 29 he speaks of the Bible and how he has visited all of his people and they would have kept record as well (like the Book of Mormon). I do not believe he is saying that all can be saved as long as they have a book they believe in. He is saying that his words have been recorded in many books and by THESE books all will be judged. He is merciful, but also just. There is one God and one Law. Verse 11 - "they shall write the words which I (emphasis on I) speak unto them, for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world. every man according to their works, according to that which is written" - we will all be judged for our works and how they line up with his words and his words only. Many will not have his words in this mortal life, but they will in the next. We will be judged by the words of his that we do have - this world has his words in two books - the Bible and Book of Mormon (and all the Ensigns) - the other books are sealed at this time - at least to the general public. Anyway, that's what I think is being said here. It is harder than your thoughts above, but there is room for mercy and justice in it.
DeleteTo keep from being deceived, Nephi seems to be saying listen to the Holy Spirit's prompting. Man cannot be trusted. Studying scriptures, prayer, and fellowship with others like minded will keep you from being deceived.
ReplyDeleteI just read Jenny's posts which I'm trying not to do before I respond! Wow! Very mind blowing. I agree. It makes so much more sense. We will all come together. I've always believed we are worshipping the same God but I never thought abt the gospels like that. It makes sense.
Thank you.
To keep from being deceived I study my scriptures, pray, listen to the words of the prophets and the promptings of the spirit. I question everything, ponder everything and take it up with the Lord. I have to be careful that the ideas I have are not my own, or are my own but guided by the Spirit and are true. I must be sure that once I have gained a testimony of something that when question or doubt arises I doubt my doubts first. I can still consider and grow, but if I follow the same steps each time, I can only ever grow stronger in my testimony of that which is true.
ReplyDeleteI also must keep the commandments and repent when I stumble. I cannot expect to just believe and do nothing. As many as will keep HIS commandments (not just anyone's) will not perish. Keeping the commandments will protect us.