In the Book of Mormon we read that Abinidi began to prophesy among the wicked people. He told them that if they did not repent, the Lord would visit hem in His anger and deliver them into he hands of the enemies. He would be slow to hear their cries, and would not hear their prayers unless they repented in sackcloth and ashes and cry mightily unto Him. Mosiah 11:20-25 " And it came to pass that there was a man among them whose name was Abinadi; and he went forth among them, and began to prophesy, saying: Behold, thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me, saying, Go forth, and say unto this people, thus saith the Lord—Wo be unto this people, for I have seen their abominations, and their wickedness, and their whoredoms; and except they repent I will visit them in mine anger. And except they repent and turn to the Lord their God, behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea, and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be afflicted by the hand of their enemies. And it shall come to pass that they shall know that I am the Lord their God, and am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of my people. And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God. Yea, and it shall come to pass that when they shall cry unto me I will be slow to hear their cries; yea, and I will suffer them that they be smitten by their enemies. And except they repent in sackcloth and ashes, and cry mightily to the Lord their God, I will not hear their prayers, neither will I deliver them out of their afflictions; and thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me."
In the Old Testament we read about how David pleaded with the Lord for forgiveness after he had gone in to Bathsheba. He asked the Lord to create in him a clean heart and renew in him a right spirit. When we have sinned, we often have trouble changing our sinful attitudes and desires--but God can change our hearts if we'll humbly plead with Him. Psalms 51:1-3, 7-12 "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that if the blind lead the blind, they'll both fall into a ditch. I think this refers not just to those who are physically blind, but to those who are spiritually blind. Sometimes people will preach things that we'd like to believe, but which are not sound doctrine. Maybe they're telling us that something we know is wrong is really okay. If someone cannot clearly see the path they should follow, we should not allow them to lead us. Matthew 15:14 " Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."
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