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| The Prodigal Son Feeding Swine - Bartolome Esteban Murillo |
Often the false teachings are used to justify sin 2 Nephi 28:7–9. The saddest rationalizations people use today to excuse sin is one that otherwise good people use. "Well I can always repent." The Lord doesn't look upon sin with a wink and a nod, because "we are only human." And then there is the one, "Learning by experience and “committing a little sin” is actually good 2 Nephi 28:8.“The idea that one is better off after one has sinned and repented is a devilish lie of the adversary. Does anyone here think that it is better to learn firsthand that a certain blow will break a bone or a certain mixture of chemicals will explode and sear off our skin? Are we better off after we have sustained and then healed such injuries? I believe we all can see that it is better to heed the warnings of wise persons who know the effects on our bodies” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Sin and Suffering,” in Brigham Young University 1989–90 Devotional and Fireside Speeches [1990], 151).
Many people of these last days are filled with pride 2 Nephi 28:12–15). Pride makes some reason it is a good thing to rob hard working people for their own gain 2 Nephi 28:13. Some disguise these actions with a sort of Robin Hood heroism, when their real intent is to enrich their purses and pad their wallets. They look down on others that are different from them. If we have any sense at all, we will look at the eventual outcome of pride among the Nephites prejudices, poverty, utter destruction 2 Nephi 26:10–11. Pride a stumbling block to spiritual growth, because we are only teachable if humble.
We see today the pure rage many people have against the word of the Lord 2 Nephi 28:20, 28. The words of God inspire “stir [many] up to anger against that which is good,” because it indites them in their sin. We are all born with the Light of Christ, to know the difference between right and wrong. Although we may deny this Spirit, it dwells in us. Those that fight against the truth have varying degrees of guilt over their wrong doing, which causes shame and pain. They are angry that this gets in the way of their 'pleasure.' Any reminder of God, such as Christmas decorations or the Ten Commandments make these feelings of rage and anger surge to the surface of their otherwise perfect facade.
These people feel uncomfortable, when jolted out of their state of “carnal security” 2 Nephi 28:21. "To have carnal security is to find security in following the appetites of the flesh or trusting in worldly objects or ideas." The adversary lulls many including the seemingly righteous into a state of carnal security to keep us from repentance. He is subtle and careful to “leadeth them away carefully” 2 Nephi 28:21.
“Thomas R. Rowan … said: ‘Author and commentator Malcolm Muggeridge once told a story about some frogs who were killed without resistance by being boiled alive in [a] cauldron of water. Why didn’t they resist? Because when they were put in the cauldron, the water was tepid. Then the temperature was raised ever so slightly, … then a bit warmer still, and on and on and on. The change was so gradual, almost imperceptible, that the frogs accommodated themselves to their new environment—until it was too late. The point that Mr. Muggeridge was making was not about frogs but about us and how we tend to accept evil as long as it is not a shock that is thrust on us abruptly. We are inclined to accept something morally wrong if it is only a shade more wrong than something we are already accepting...This gradual process was foretold by ancient prophets” James E. Faust, Ensign, May 1989, 32.
The adversary uses flattery to trick some people into believing that there is no devil and no hell 2 Nephi 28:22. Studying scripture and particularly the Book of Mormon will aid our spiritual alertness and help us avoid becoming “at ease in Zion” 2 Nephi 28:24.
“The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention 2 Ne. 3:12. It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time” Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1975, 64.
