O That We Had Repented

It was interesting to me as I read 3rd Nephi chapter 8 how the Lord comes through with his promises when it comes to both blessings and cursings. When the great destructions in the 3rd Nephi come to pass it's only then that the people wish they had repented. But it was a case of too little too late. And yet we read in chapter 10 verse 14 where it says that "he that hath the scriptures, let him search them because all of these deaths".. . were a fulfillment of prophecy.

What can we learn for our day. I think people, likewise, are ignoring the consequences of poor decisions. Then when those consequences hit they wish they had repented. It's my hope that none of us will be in that position - that we will chose the right and let the positive consequences follow.

Did Not Sin Ignorantly

We learn in 3 Nephi chapter 5, how after the Lord helped the Nephites destroy the

Gadianton robbers that the people were so humbled and grateful that "there was not a living soul among all the people who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets."(chapter 5 verse 1). We go on to read that, "they did forsake all their sins, and their abominations, and did serve God with all diligence day and night." (verse 3).

What righteous people they were - all of them. And yet we turn the page (seven years later) and we read that the majority gave in to the temptations of the devil and "did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught to them; therefore they did willfully rebel against God."(2 Nephi 6:18)

There are two lessons I take away from these verses for our day. First, like the Nephites, if we sin we do it willfully because we've been taught better and are under greater responsibility and thus greater condemnation if we sin. Second, I'm amazed at how quickly these people who had

such great testimonies (remember they did not doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets) fell away and fell to temptation.

It makes me realize that we have to work on our spirituality every day. But I also know that when we do that is when we feel the greatest peace and happiness.

3 Nephi 9:14

Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I recieve; and blessed are those who come unto me. What a unique scripture this is of how we must come unto Jesus. That if we come unto him he will extend his arm of mercy to us and will grant us eternal life. Through him we will all be blessed and we can inherit the kingdom of God. He is the light and life of the world. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. The Father and the son, our savior and redeemer. He healed the sick, the dead he raised, he suffered the attonement willingly and died for us on Calvary's Hill. It is not just our responsibility to come unto Jesus Christ alone. We have been challenged to invite all to come unto him so that they may also partake of the many marvelous blessings he bestows upon us. For it is his work and his glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. And the only way for this to happen is to be missionaries and invite, invite, invite all to come unto Christ the Savior. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

3 Nephi 3:14

"...he caused that fortifications should be built round about them, and the strength thereof should be exceedinlgy great." I think we all should 'cause exceedingly great fortifications' to be built in our own lives. At General Conference, we were, as always instructed to pray often, study our scriptures, and bear our testimonies. We wouldn't be getting told this all the time if it weren't important! These are our latter-day fortifications, and we want them to be as strong as possible so we can stand as witnesses of God.

Wickedness Never Was Happiness

The scripture I want to comment on is similar to the famous "wickedness never was happiness" quote from Alma. Another witness of that theme comes in slightly different words but a similar meaning in Helamn 13:38:

"... And ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head."

Don't we see this in the world today? People think that immorality, drugs or other sins will bring them happiness. There may be some momentary pleasure, but it doesn't bring real, lasting happiness - in fact, it usually brings sorrow and misery. I have a strong testimony that the one and only path to true happiness lies in living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Helaman 13:29

"...how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?" That is a very good question. A lot of times, doing spiritual things like studying the scriptures and watching conference may not seem very interesting. But the way I like to think of it is, that even if it's not necessarily interesting, it's in your best interest to do it. Our life here on Earth won't last forever, and we need to actually be able give ourselves credit for trying, and being examples of the believers, and being member missionaries. In our little everyday decisions of whether or not to pray, or study our scriptures, and so much more, we are choosing- either darkness or light.

And Thus We See

It's good for us to try to spot the lessons the experiences of the people in the Book of Mormon teach us. In several parts the author helps us along by telling us, "and thus we see." In other words, "here's the point of the story and the lesson to be learned." One of those is in Helamn 3:27.

"And thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name."

The previous chapters talk about how the people we blessed after turning to the Lord after being humbled by wars. The point of including that experience of the people in the Book of Mormon is to teach us the lesson of verse 27.

And it's just as true today. We may not have been faced the wars and trails the Nephites faces, but if we pray to the Lord with a sincere heart, with real intent, he will year and answer our prayers, just as he did for the Nephites.