taking the road less traveled makes all the difference

Lot And His Daughters Fleeing The Destruction Of Sodom And Gomorrah, Raffaello Sanzio of Urbino

Prophesying about the last days, Nephi describes further many events to occur in the last days. Many events described by him have been fulfilled in this dispensation. We are blessed to have the hidden parts of Isaiah come forth in the most wicked era of the world. If we compare 2 Nephi 27 and Isaiah 29 we discover some of the “plain and most precious” parts that have been “taken away” from the biblical record. Darkness and apostasy will cover the earth in the last days. The Book of Mormon with the missing parts of Isaiah will come forth. Three witnesses will testify of it, meaning. A learned man will say he cannot read the sealed book (gold plates.) The Lord will do a marvelous work and a wonder.

Causing unrighteous men to remove the prophecies of the Restoration, the adversary schemed to “pervert the right ways of the Lord that [he] might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men” (1 Nephi 13:27)

“I know of nothing in the history of the Church or in the history of the world to compare with our present circumstances. Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which surrounds us now. Words of profanity, vulgarity, and blasphemy are heard everywhere. Unspeakable wickedness and perversion were once hidden in dark places; now they are in the open, even accorded legal protection. At Sodom and Gomorrah these things were localized. Now they are spread across the world, and they are among us” (“The One Pure Defense” [an evening with President Boyd K. Packer, Feb. 6, 2004], 4, www.ldsces.org).

During its translation a portion of the symbols on the gold plates were shown to a learned man, who authenticated them (2 Nephi 27:15; Joseph Smith—History 1:63–65.) This man wanted to see the book likely to gain financially from it 2 Nephi 27:16.

Finally, Isaiah prophesied that the power of the Book of Mormon would be manifest in people’s lives (2 Nephi 27:26, 29–30, 35). The power of the Book of Mormon has changed me greatly since my conversion 35 years ago this coming March 26. Of course all people mature to some degree or another in 35 years. However, one great thing I've learned among many, many others has changed my life immeasurably. In my family, the predominant belief is that people are born a certain way, which is pretty much set for life. I grew up hearing, 'Ginger has a bad temper.' Personalities are not inborn sentences. We have choice. Just because little Ginger had some instances of temper as a tiny child, does not condemn me to a life of uncontrollable temper. Just because my family history is rife with mental and physical illnesses does not doom me to walk that road. I can choose how I respond and my level of health. Certainly, the traditions of my family were difficult to overcome, and I'm still striving to do so. Nevertheless, of several cousins, I believe I'm the only one that didn't become addicted to mind altering substances. Choosing joy over negativity, I'm allowing Jesus to show me the wonders of this life. Although I may have learned a bit too late, I'm working to repair damage to my health from improper eating and avert further degenerative disease through proper diet and exercise. Because I've learned of the doctrine of free agency, I won't settle for the status quo. I won't be as Lot's wife. I am taking the road less traveled; it's making all the difference.