But behold, I was without hopes, for I knew the judgments of the Lord which should come upon them; for they repented not of their iniquities but did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who had created them.
In all struggles, large or small, I should call upon Him.
And there never had been so great wickedness among all the children of Lehi, nor even among all the house of Israel, according to the words of the Lord, as were among this people.
I should live ever according to the words of the Lord.
"Being a leader in the Church should never diminish our 'looking to God' time."
Behold, I had led them - notwithstanding their wickedness, I had led them many times to battle - and I had loved them according to the love of God which was in me with all my heart. And my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for them. Nevertheless it was without faith because of the hardness of their hearts.
I should try to see the world through the eyes of God and feel the love He feels.
And it came to pass that in the three hundred and forty and fifth year the Nephites did begin to flee before the Lamanites. And they were pursued until they came even to the land of Jashon before it were possible to stop them in their retreat.
I should turn away from the voice that calls me to inner contention.
And it came to pass that my sorrow did return unto me again. And I saw that the day of grace was past with them, both temporally and spiritually, for I saw thousands of them hewn down in open rebellion against their God and heaped up as dung upon the face of the land. And thus three hundred and forty and four years had passed away.
As long as I don't harden my heart and shut Him out, His grace can still work in me to redeem me.
And it came to pass that the war began to be among them in the borders of Zarahemla by the waters of Sidon.
I should have my borders prepared against the attacks of the adversary.
Now the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites were called Lamanites; and the two parties were Nephites and Lamanites.
Names have great power. I should be careful by what name I identify the people and things in my life.
And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them.
When I trust that He will provide for my needs, I will feel safe sharing my goods and substance.
Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations and your idolatries, and of your murders and your priestcrafts and your envyings and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people which are of the house of Israel.
When I choose His path, I don't have to be sad and alone.
Woe unto him that spurneth at the doings of the Lord. Yea, woe unto him that shall deny the Christ and his works.
I should do what He would do and become part of His doings.
And thrice they were cast into a furnace and received no harm.
When harm comes my way, I can, with His help, choose not to receive it.
And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire from whence they can no more return because of the justice of the Father.
Whatever my trouble or burden, He can help me recover and return from it.
Behold, I were about to write them all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbid it, saying: I will try the faith of my people.
I need to learn gospel truths for myself and thus have a testimony of them.
Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel with the statutes and judgments.
I should remember to folow His rules so that I can have happiness.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house. And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
I should ask for His help and notice how He answers and take that knowledge forward to the next asking.
And when Nephi had brought forth the records and laid them before him, and he cast his eyes upon them and saith:
I should look at the scriptures whenever I feel prompted.
For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee. Neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
He will show me kindness by helping me feel peace whenever I ask for His help to feel it.
And I will cut off the cities of thy land and throw down all thy strong holds.
He is my only safe place of refuge.
"The Spirit of truth leads men to righteousness, but we must have a desire to seek truth and to take the time to form spiritual habits and respond to spiritual impressions if we are to keep our souls alive - and is not now the time to begin?
