In the Book of Mormon we read that those who believed the words of Samuel the Lamanites repented of their sins and desired to be baptized. But those who did not believe Samuel wanted to kill him. They cast stones and arrows at him, but the Lord protected himj so that none of their stones or arrows hit him and he was able to get away unharmed. Nephi showed signs and wonders and worked miracles among the people, hoping it would cause them to believe in Christ. And some did repent. But the more part of them did not believe. Helaman 16:1-8 "And now, it came to pass that there were many who heard the words of Samuel, the Lamanite, which he spake upon the walls of the city. And as many as believed on his word went forth and sought for Nephi; and when they had come forth and found him they confessed unto him their sins and denied not, desiring that they might be baptized unto the Lord. But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuel were angry with him; and they cast stones at him upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of the Lord was with him, insomuch that they could not hit him with their stones neither with their arrows. Now when they saw that they could not hit him, there were many more who did believe on his words, insomuch that they went away unto Nephi to be baptized. For behold, Nephi was baptizing, and prophesying, and preaching, crying repentance unto the people, showing signs and wonders, working miracles among the people, that they might know that the Christ must shortly come— Telling them of things which must shortly come, that they might know and remember at the time of their coming that they had been made known unto them beforehand, to the intent that they might believe; therefore as many as believed on the words of Samuel went forth unto him to be baptized, for they came repenting and confessing their sins. But the more part of them did not believe in the words of Samuel; therefore when they saw that they could not hit him with their stones and their arrows, they cried unto their captains, saying: Take this fellow and bind him, for behold he hath a devil; and because of the power of the devil which is in him we cannot hit him with our stones and our arrows; therefore take him and bind him, and away with him. And as they went forth to lay their hands on him, behold, he did cast himself down from the wall, and did flee out of their lands, yea, even unto his own country, and began to preach and to prophesy among his own people. And behold, he was never heard of more among the Nephites; and thus were the affairs of the people."
In the Old Testament we read about the importance of keeping the Sabbath Day holy. This is a sign between the Lord and every generation, and it is so important that in Old Testament times the penalty for breaking the Sabbath was death! Exodus 31:12-17 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that a soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger. The story is told of a man who angrily stormed into a fast food restaurant, pushed his way past the people waiting in line, and threw a bag of hamburgers onto the counter, screaming that he'd been given the wrong order and loudly demanding that he be given the right food immediately! The young man at the register could have become angry himself and shouted back, causing things to escalate, but instead he calmly said, "I'm so sorry, sir. Please give me a moment to redo your order. And let me give you a free apple turnover for your inconvenience." The upset man's countenance changed right away. He thanked the young clerk and apologized for his outburst. When we're faced with a confrontation with another person are we going to be a peacemaker who is a calming influence or are we going to add fuel to the fire? Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."
In the Old Testament we read about the importance of keeping the Sabbath Day holy. This is a sign between the Lord and every generation, and it is so important that in Old Testament times the penalty for breaking the Sabbath was death! Exodus 31:12-17 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that a soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger. The story is told of a man who angrily stormed into a fast food restaurant, pushed his way past the people waiting in line, and threw a bag of hamburgers onto the counter, screaming that he'd been given the wrong order and loudly demanding that he be given the right food immediately! The young man at the register could have become angry himself and shouted back, causing things to escalate, but instead he calmly said, "I'm so sorry, sir. Please give me a moment to redo your order. And let me give you a free apple turnover for your inconvenience." The upset man's countenance changed right away. He thanked the young clerk and apologized for his outburst. When we're faced with a confrontation with another person are we going to be a peacemaker who is a calming influence or are we going to add fuel to the fire? Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."
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