In the Book of Mormon we read that many efforts were made to restore the Lamanites to the truth, but these efforts were in vain for they hated the Nephites and delighted in war and bloodshed. But the Nephites trusted in God to fortify them against their enemies. Jacob 7: 24-25 "And it came to pass that many means were devised to reclaim and restore the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth; but it all was vain, for they delighted in wars and bloodshed, and they had an eternal hatred against us, their brethren. And they sought by the power of their arms to destroy us continually. Wherefore, the people of Nephi did fortify against them with their arms, and with all their might, trusting in the God and rock of their salvation; wherefore, they became as yet, conquerors of their enemies."
In the Old Testament we read about how the people again turned to wickedness after the death of Jehoiada. They again served idols and trespassed against the commandments of the Lord. The Lord sent Zechariah to testify against them and try to bring them to repentance, but they refused to listen to him and slew him. 2 Chronicles 24:17-21 "Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass. Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you. And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the Lord."
A verse with a thought booklet gives us a simple two-word instruction from Jesus: "Follow me." The story is told of a lady who was in a caravan of cars traveling from her church to a women's retreat two hours away. She settled in behind a white SUV, exiting the freeway where it did. It was only then that she discovered she'd been following the wrong car and was not heading toward her destination. If we follow the wrong people we may go down the wrong paths in life and find that in the end we're no where near our destination of eternal life. But by following Jesus we'll never be lead astray and can be assured of getting where we want to go. Matthew 4:19 "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
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