We have now reached 210 AD. Numerous different churches
spread throughout the land. They claimed to teach correct principles; however,
they denied many parts of the gospel. This led to wickedness throughout the
land.
The scriptures warn about the consequences of apostasy. “Where
there is no vision, the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18).
“When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness,
and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done
shall he die” (Ezekiel 18:22).
“And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness;
yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had
commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost”
(1 Nephi 8:23).
“Déjà vu in the latter days! Some members don’t realize they
are falling into the same snare when they lobby for acceptance of local or
ethnic ‘tradition[s] of their fathers’ (D&C 93:39) that are not in harmony
with the gospel culture. Still others, self-deceived and in self-denial, plead
or demand that bishops lower the standard on temple recommends, school
endorsements, or missionary applications. It isn’t easy being a bishop under
that kind of pressure. However, like the Savior who cleansed the temple to
defend its sanctity (see John 2:15–16), bishops today are called upon to boldly
defend the temple standard. It was the Savior who said, ‘I will manifest myself
to my people in mercy … if my people will keep my commandments, and do not
pollute this holy house’ (D&C 110:7–8).”[1]
Many who were not faithful and worthy members of Christ’s
church joined these false churches.
“And now behold, this is the commandment which I give unto
you, that ye shall not suffer any one knowingly to partake of my flesh and
blood unworthily, when ye shall minister it;
“For whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily
eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul; therefore if ye know that a man is
unworthy to eat and drink of my flesh and blood ye shall forbid him” (3 Nephi
18:28-29).
The churches prospered, through iniquity and the power of
the devil. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye
will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth,
because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his
own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44).
Nephi saw “this great and abominable church; and I saw the
devil that he was the founder of it” (1 Nephi 13:6).
Another church, which denied Christ, persecuted those who
were part of Christ’s true church. They
hated them because many miracles were done among those who belonged. “It must
be emphasized that this people did not dwindle in unbelief, but willfully
rebelled against God (hubris) at the
very time when his gospel was preached among them with incredible power (4
Nephi 1:38). As the text states, some ‘did persecute the true church of Christ,
because of their humility and their belief in Christ; and they did despise them
because of the many miracles which were wrought among them’ (4 Nephi 1:29).”[2]
They attempted to control the three Nephites. They were
thrown into prison, but, through the power of God, the prison was destroyed.
Earlier in the record, Mormon referred to this event.
“And they were cast into prison by them who did not belong
to the church. And the prisons could not hold them, for they were rent in
twain.
“And they were cast down into the earth; but they did smite
the earth with the word of God, insomuch that by his power they were delivered
out of the depths of the earth; and therefore they could not dig pits
sufficient to hold them” (3 Nephi 28:19-20).
Once freed, the three continued their labors. “Significantly,
the power of the word of God over natural elements can be transferred to
individuals, a common theme in scripture. When this happens, the word of God is
often characterized as the release of a power not intrinsic to the person
speaking. In many of these instances the power of the word of God is tied
directly to miracles.”[3]
In spite of their failures, they continued to attempt to
kill them. They cast them into fiery
furnaces and walked out, experiencing no harm. They were cast into a den of
wild beasts. The three played with the beasts like they were their pets. Once
again, no harm was done to them.
[1] Which
Way Do You Face? Elder Lynn G. Robbins, October 2014 General Conference.
[2] Hubris and Atē: A
Latter-day Warning from the Book of Mormon, Richard D. Draper,
Maxwell Institute website.
[3] The
Word of God, Leslie A. Taylor, Maxwell
Institute website.
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