1Nephi 8:33

33  And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building.  And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of ^ascorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.

     “great was the multitude”

            -why are so many attracted to the building while so few pursue the path and the tree?

            -furthermore, why is the one activity of those who have entered the building of temporal glory to scorn and mock those who partake of the fruit?  Why do they not spend their time in quiet contented self-fulfillment?  Why are they obsessed with other’s condition.

    “strange”

            -this adjective is used several times in this description by Nephi to signify evil or avoidable places.  Other possible synonyms could be:  unfamiliar, curious or even exciting.

    “the finger of scorn”

            -scorn: 1. contempt or disdain.  2. derision
                            contempt:  a feeling that someone is inferior and undesirable .

            -the definition of scorn (and contempt) is very insightful.  The feeling driving those in the building and also being decoded by the objects of such scoffing, is one of pride, self-aggrandizement and superiority.  One of the greatest threats to the peaceful cohabitation of man to man is the cultural and racial superiority of one people to another.  Not only on earth though  -in the pre-mortal life Lucifer also tried to establish his pre-eminence to Christ and his elevated position when he said, “Give me thy honor” and “the glory by mine because, surely, I will do it.”

    “pointed the finger of scorn at me”

            -how are we the recipients of this pressure in real life?  What is the present day manifestation of this ridicule?

     “we heeded them not”

-we can’t even give them a start, not even a thought.  Give NO heed!  And get the temptation out of the way.

-see comments for verse 25:  “cast their eyes about…”

 -a temptation is as powerless as a butterfly to an elephant but when we consider the “virtues” or “attractions’ of the temptation then the temptation grows to be as powerful as a black hole.  It sucks us in until all personal power to direct our own path is gone and we (our will, our desire, our actions) are dictated to by the temptation It all begins when we allow it audience even just a tiny bit!  To once and forever rid yourself of the pressures and enticements coming from the great and spacious buildings you should never heed it the first time.  Once you do, it becomes an exponentially more difficult thing to escape.  Nephi did not ever have to worry about getting out of the building or even returning to the tree or regaining the path because he never gave heed to voices/influences he knew to be wrong  --see verse 34!