In the Book of Mormon we read that a little pride began to enter into the hearts of those who belonged to the church. When they became lifted up in pride, they began to persecute their brethren. The humble people who were being persecuted fasted and prayed often, waxing stronger and stronger in their humility and in their faith. Their souls were filled with joy as they yielded their hearts to God. Helaman died and his son Nephi reigned in his stead. He, like his father, kept the commandments of God. Helaman 3:33-37 "And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church—not into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God— And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction. Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. 6 And it came to pass that the fifty and second year ended in peace also, save it were the exceedingly great pride which had gotten into the hearts of the people; and it was because of their exceedingly great riches and their prosperity in the land; and it did grow upon them from day to day. And it came to pass in the fifty and third year of the reign of the judges, Helaman died, and his eldest son Nephi began to reign in his stead. And it came to pass that he did fill the judgment-seat with justice and equity; yea, he did keep the commandments of God, and did walk in the ways of his father."
In the Old Testament we read about the obedience of Abraham. The Lord told him to leave his land, his family, and his father's household for a land that the Lord would show him. And he was asked to make all these drastic changes to his life at the age of 75! The Lord told Abraham that He would bless him and make his name respected. He would bless those who blessed him and curse those who cursed him. And all the families of the earth would be blessed because of him. Abraham did all that the Lord commanded him. Sometimes the Lord asks us to do difficult things, make sacrifices, or leave all that is familiar to us and tread on unfamiliar ground. But if we're obedient and do as we've been commanded to do, our blessings will be more than we can imagine. We need to trust in the Lord and do whatever He asks. Genesis 12:1-5 "Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that if Christ had not risen from the dead, there would be no hope of anyone raising from the dead. Our faith would be in vain and we would remain in our sins. If we could only hope of Christ in this life, we would be most miserable. But Christ did rise from the dead, and so will all men because of Him! Those who have perished are not lost. 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept."
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In the Old Testament we read about the obedience of Abraham. The Lord told him to leave his land, his family, and his father's household for a land that the Lord would show him. And he was asked to make all these drastic changes to his life at the age of 75! The Lord told Abraham that He would bless him and make his name respected. He would bless those who blessed him and curse those who cursed him. And all the families of the earth would be blessed because of him. Abraham did all that the Lord commanded him. Sometimes the Lord asks us to do difficult things, make sacrifices, or leave all that is familiar to us and tread on unfamiliar ground. But if we're obedient and do as we've been commanded to do, our blessings will be more than we can imagine. We need to trust in the Lord and do whatever He asks. Genesis 12:1-5 "Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that if Christ had not risen from the dead, there would be no hope of anyone raising from the dead. Our faith would be in vain and we would remain in our sins. If we could only hope of Christ in this life, we would be most miserable. But Christ did rise from the dead, and so will all men because of Him! Those who have perished are not lost. 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept."
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