Post by Jacob –
Nephi referred to my older brothers acting with “much rudeness” when we were on the ship. I would like to comment on that experience. Nephi needed a better word than rude. Rude doesn’t even come close to describe their behavior. I don’t remember with great detail because I was so young, but I will never forget how fearful the experience was for Joseph and me.
Laman and Lemuel have fought against God’s teachings and rebelled against my parents and Nephi so many times, that it almost became common place. This time however, with my parents getting so old and the rebellion of my brothers reaching a climax, with all my young heart I feared for the very lives of my parents. Because we were so dependent on my mother for our care, Joseph and I were brought to tears and prayers that no young child should ever have to experience. It was such a horrifying experience, I will never forget the feelings of utter despair.
This was part of what my father was talking about when he said my afflictions would be consecrated for my gain. Even in my heart I want to give my brothers the benefit of doubt, thinking maybe they didn’t know better. My father corrected me on that thought quite clearly.
This is basically what he taught me. Men are taught sufficiently that they know good from evil. We have received the law. Because of that, no flesh is justified and by the law men are cut off. By the temporal law we were cut off and by the spiritual law we perish and become miserable forever. Yet, through the Holy Messiah redemption comes because He is full of grace and truth.
He offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sin, to answer the claims of the law for those of us who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit. But those are the only ones for whom His sacrifice will satisfy the demands of the law.
That is why it is so important that we teach this to everybody. They all must know that nobody can dwell in the presence of God without the merits, the mercy and the grace of the Holy Messiah who will give His life and die, then take up His body by the power of the spirit and bring about the resurrection for the dead. He of course will be the first. My father says since the Holy Messiah is the firstfruits unto God, He will make intercession for all the children of men and they that believe in Him will be saved. Now because of this intercession, when they come to God, they will stand in His presence to be judged of Him according to His holiness and truth. Therefore it is He who will answer the ends of the law, unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed which is in opposition to the happiness which is affixed – which answers the ends of the atonement.
I will talk more about the opposition in more detail in a future post. For now I want you to know there is a perfect plan designed by a loving Father in Heaven that requires our having experience with good and evil to make it possible to return and live with Him.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:1 – 10)
