In the Book of Mormon we read that Alma prophesied to Helaman and told him to write down what he said, but not make it known until it was fulfilled. Alma prophesied that 400 years after Christ would come the Nephites would dwindle in unbelief. Then they would see wars, pestilences, famines and bloodshed until they would become extinct. This would come about as a result of their sin and iniquity, especially since they would sin against such great light and knowledge that they had once possessed. It is always bad to commit sin, but it is worse when a once enlighted people sin against what they know. Where much is given, much is expected. Alma 45:9-14 "But behold, I have somewhat to prophesy unto thee; but what I prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known; yea, what I prophesy unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy is fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say. And these are the words: Behold, I perceive that this very people, the Nephites, according to the spirit of revelation which is in me, in four hundred years from the time that Jesus Christ shall manifest himself unto them, shall dwindle in unbelief. Yea, and then shall they see wars and pestilences, yea, famines and bloodshed, even until the people of Nephi shall become extinct— Yea, and this because they shall dwindle in unbelief and fall into the works of darkness, and lasciviousness, and all manner of iniquities; yea, I say unto you, that because they shall sin against so great light and knowledge, yea, I say unto you, that from that day, even the fourth generation shall not all pass away before this great iniquity shall come. And when that great day cometh, behold, the time very soon cometh that those who are now, or the seed of those who are now numbered among the people of Nephi, shall no more be numbered among the people of Nephi. But whosoever remaineth, and is not destroyed in that great and dreadful day, shall be numbered among the Lamanites, and shall become like unto them, all, save it be a few who shall be called the disciples of the Lord; and them shall the Lamanites pursue even until they shall become extinct. And now, because of iniquity, this prophecy shall be fulfilled."
In the New Testament we read that after Paul healed a crippled man, the crowd who saw this wanted to worship him and thought that he and Barnabas were Hermes and Zeus. Paul explained that they were humans like they were, and that they were proclaiming the good news of a God who made heaven and earth and everything in them. He gives us everything we have, satisfying us with food and happiness. But even with all this they could barely keep the crowds from sacrificing to them. Then Jews arrived and won the crowds over. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. When the disciples surrounded him, he got up and entered the city again. How fickle those crowds were--going from worshiping Paul and Barnabas as gods to wanting to stone them! Acts 14:8-19 "And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead."
In some verses with a thought booklet, Peter asked Jesus what would become of John. Jesus replied basically by saying it was none of his business and instructed Peter to follow Him. Instead of being concerned about what other people should or shouldn't be doing, we need to mind our own business, focus on the Savior, and follow Him. John 21:20-22 "Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me."
In the New Testament we read that after Paul healed a crippled man, the crowd who saw this wanted to worship him and thought that he and Barnabas were Hermes and Zeus. Paul explained that they were humans like they were, and that they were proclaiming the good news of a God who made heaven and earth and everything in them. He gives us everything we have, satisfying us with food and happiness. But even with all this they could barely keep the crowds from sacrificing to them. Then Jews arrived and won the crowds over. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. When the disciples surrounded him, he got up and entered the city again. How fickle those crowds were--going from worshiping Paul and Barnabas as gods to wanting to stone them! Acts 14:8-19 "And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead."
In some verses with a thought booklet, Peter asked Jesus what would become of John. Jesus replied basically by saying it was none of his business and instructed Peter to follow Him. Instead of being concerned about what other people should or shouldn't be doing, we need to mind our own business, focus on the Savior, and follow Him. John 21:20-22 "Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me."
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