2 Nephi 26 Nephi must have been so sad, when in a vision he learned the future of his people. Before the Savior visited the Nephites, there would be “great wars and contentions” for many generations 2 Nephi 26:1–2. Another thing he say was the destruction of the wicked between the time of Christ’s death and His ministry among the Nephites 2 Nephi 26:3–7. Those preserved at the Savior’s coming would be the ones who listened to the prophets and loved their words 2 Nephi 26:8.)
The righteous Nephites and their posterity blessed with peace and righteousness for nearly four generations 2 Nephi 26:9. Sadly, during the fourth generation, his people would begin to forget. They would choose darkness and unrighteousness; they would meet a “speedy destruction” 2 Nephi 26:10. The cause of this destruction was their prideful choice to follow the adversary 2 Nephi 26:10–11.
Nephi tells us that the adversary leads people to destruction with flaxen cords 2 Nephi 26:22. Flaxen cord is made of thin, light strands that are unnoticeable to the prideful. Once the sinful person gets used to “flaxen cords” they are bound with “strong cords” that are very difficult to break. “The first wrongdoing is like a single strand of flaxen thread; it is easily broken and thrown aside. But each time the wrong is repeated another strand is intertwined around the first, and on and on it goes until an almost unbreakable cord of multi-strands is woven. ‘The chains of habit,’ said Samuel Johnson, ‘are too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken’” (Carlos E. Asay, The Road to Somewhere: A Guide for Young Men and Women [1994], 88).
The Savior uses no trickery or darkness to lead people to salvation. All His invitations are out in the open in the light 2 Nephi 26:23–27, 33. He invites all to “partake of his salvation”2 Nephi 26:24.
Nephi warned against priestcrafts, which are using the gospel of Jesus to manipulate other for their own honor and monetary gain 2 Nephi 26:29; Alma 1:16. When certain priests were selling indulgences to fund cathedrals or their own pleasures, they were practicing priestcrafts. When television evangelists, tell people to send in money to repent, they are practicing priestcrafts. There are many other examples in the world today. We can counteract these conditions, when we choose to live the gospel, bear testimony of Jesus, and treat others with charity 2 Nephi 26:30–31; 3 Nephi 18:24; Moroni 7:45–47.
“Therefore, let us beware of false prophets and false teachers, both men and women, who are self-appointed declarers of the doctrines of the Church and who seek to spread their false gospel and attract followers by sponsoring symposia, books, and journals whose contents challenge fundamental doctrines of the Church. Beware of those who speak and publish in opposition to God’s true prophets and who actively proselyte others with reckless disregard for the eternal well-being of those whom they seduce. Like Nehor and Korihor in the Book of Mormon, they rely on sophistry to deceive and entice others to their views. They ‘set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion’ (2 Nephi 26:29)” (M. Russel, Ballard, Ensign, Nov. 1999, 63).
“I hope we can all overcome any differences of culture, race, and language...In my experience, no race or class seems superior to any other in spirituality and faithfulness...Spiritual peace is not to be found in race or culture or nationality but rather through our commitment to God and to the covenants and ordinances of the gospel” (James E. Faust, Ensign, May 1995, 61, 63).
