Thursday, October 29, 2015

1 Nephi 7:15

15  Now behold, I say unto you that if ye will return unto Jerusalem ye shall also perish with them.  And now, if ye have choice, go up to the land, and remember the words which I speak unto you, that if ye go ye will also perish; for thus the Spirit of the Lord constraineth me that I should speak.
            -We never have the right to remove a person’s agency from them (thus Nephi does not stop them) but we sure can illustrate the consequences that certain decisions will result in.  We can also bring up the situation where the decision must be made and the vacillation cease!  This is what Nephi does:  “if ye have choice” it is also what Joshua did:  “choose ye this day…”.  This has an interesting effect:  those who are pushing for a path contrary to God’s,  infrequently have the courage to follow through with their ways because a person who does not follow the Lord is deficient of courage.  It takes great courage and integrity to follow God.  To be sure, Satan’s hosts will be those of weak character and whose strength is placed upon unsure foundations.

     “if ye will return unto Jerusalem ye shall also perish with them.”
            -Nephi is simply stating the consequence of an action.  Laman and Lemuel have complete freedom to return to Jerusalem…  deep inside they are not sure if they are correct or if Jerusalem is, in fact, going to be destroyed.  They are in hell:  they cannot believe but neither can they disbelieve. 

     “if ye have choice, go up to the land”
            -Nephi is saying, in essence:  choose already, choose ye this day!  You have your agency.  Stop whining and go back to Jerusalem.  You will see that what I have told you is true.  Here is their opportunity.  Why didn’t they seize it?  Nothing was keeping them…

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