How many of us believe we have faith strong enough to die for that conviction of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
There is an interesting story in the Book of Mormon where a group of people (the Nephites) die for their beliefs rather than deny Jesus Christ.
“. . . and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me.
For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.
And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ;”
(Book of Mormon | Moroni 1:1–3)
It must have taken great faith to say I will not deny Jesus is the Christ, and then be put to death!
In a previous statement Mononi’s father (Mormon), speaks how wicked the Nephites were!
(See Mormon 4:11-12) There are many prophesies to the inhabitants of this land promising deliverance if only His laws are kept!
It is interesting to note that the Nephites had enough faith to die for their conviction of the Gospel but not enough faith to “live” the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Like the ancient inhabitants of this land, those promises hold true for us, if we will but “live” the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (See Ether 2:10-12)
Are we, “living” our faith?
Scripture References & Web Links
Bible Link: http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt?lang=eng
Book of Mormon: http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng
Quotes
(New Testament | Matthew 7:21–23) KJV
21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(Book of Mormon | Ether 2:10–12)
10 For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off.
11 And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.
12 Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.
(Book of Mormon | Mormon 4:11 - 12)
11 And it is impossible for the tongue to describe, or for man to write a perfect description of the horrible scene of the blood and carnage which was among the people, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites; and every heart was hardened, so that they delighted in the shedding of blood continually.
12 And there never had been so great wickedness among all the children of Lehi, nor even among all the house of Israel, according to the words of the Lord, as was among this people.
There is an interesting story in the Book of Mormon where a group of people (the Nephites) die for their beliefs rather than deny Jesus Christ.
“. . . and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me.
For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.
And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ;”
(Book of Mormon | Moroni 1:1–3)
It must have taken great faith to say I will not deny Jesus is the Christ, and then be put to death!
In a previous statement Mononi’s father (Mormon), speaks how wicked the Nephites were!
(See Mormon 4:11-12) There are many prophesies to the inhabitants of this land promising deliverance if only His laws are kept!
It is interesting to note that the Nephites had enough faith to die for their conviction of the Gospel but not enough faith to “live” the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Like the ancient inhabitants of this land, those promises hold true for us, if we will but “live” the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (See Ether 2:10-12)
Are we, “living” our faith?
Scripture References & Web Links
Bible Link: http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt?lang=eng
Book of Mormon: http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng
Quotes
(New Testament | Matthew 7:21–23) KJV
21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(Book of Mormon | Ether 2:10–12)
10 For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off.
11 And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.
12 Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.
(Book of Mormon | Mormon 4:11 - 12)
11 And it is impossible for the tongue to describe, or for man to write a perfect description of the horrible scene of the blood and carnage which was among the people, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites; and every heart was hardened, so that they delighted in the shedding of blood continually.
12 And there never had been so great wickedness among all the children of Lehi, nor even among all the house of Israel, according to the words of the Lord, as was among this people.
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