False and Vain and Foolish Doctrines
I was going to write about something else but tonight I felt prompted strongly to write about this.
As discussed in earlier posts Nephi is the first record keeper and really the first main character in The Book of Mormon. After Nephi's family separates into the "Nephites" and the "Lamanites" Nephi becomes the primary ruler and teacher of his people. In one of the last recorded sermons that Nephi gives to his people he prophecies about "the last days". The "Mormon" church is really called "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" meaning that it is the church that Christ's saints, or followers, will belong to in the last days before his second coming. It also means that it is the church that Christ himself will establish to usher in the last dispensation (the last time that his truths will be dispensed to the world) before his second coming. In relation to this time (the time that we are now living in). Nephi said this:
"For it shall come to pass in that day...they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost...and they deny the power of God,the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today...Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us. And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God - He will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the Kingdom of God. Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.
"For behold, at that day shall he [Satan] rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.
"And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion...and thus the devil cheateth their souls.
"For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have." (2 Nep 28:3-30)
It's crazy how Nephi knew this nearly 2600 years ago. I guess that's what made him a prophet.
We live in a time of ideas. Because of modern technology and communication the spread and transfer of ideas is greater now that in any other period of earths history. Because of the abundance of the wealthy, people have more time to think about ideas than in any previous era. Universities and secular academia are drenched in the influence of the philosophies of men. Today's modern society scoffs at the idea of God and the ideas of right and wrong are next to go. As Nephi said we live in a time when people are angry about "that which is good". We live in a time where good is considered evil and evil considered good.
I am grateful for scripture like The Holy Bible and The Book of Mormon that teach undiluted true doctrine. I am grateful for a God who communicates with his children through prayer and personal revelation; who can direct our paths. I am grateful for a God who speaks to his children through prophets who protect and preserve precious truths that can help my family be safe from the evil influences of the world.
Thanks Nephi.
