Shawn Broderick: 1 Nephi 14:3

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

1 Nephi 14:3

Verse 3 is very interesting. It took me a little pondering to kind of get the gist of it, but I'm not sure if I still understand the meaning.

It seems that the great and abominable church has dug a pit for the people of God, the true followers of Christ. Perhaps when they took out plain and precious parts of the Bible was contributed to the digging of the pit. Anyway, they dig a pit to trap the good people of the earth and ensnare them in it. Fortunately, there are other verses that discuss this practice of wicked people (see Psalms 57:6, Matthew 7:1-2, 1 Nephi 22:13-14, Doctrine and Covenants 10:25-27, Doctrine and Covenants 109:25).

The purpose of the pit is revealed in the next phrases. The pit dug by the great and abominable church, which consists of the devil and his followers, is to lead away the good souls down to hell. Anything that is good is of Christ. Anything that is not is of the devil, and if you seek after it, you are falling into the pit and going down the path to hell. The devil makes many things out to be bright and twinkling, but these are just imitations. Take care to see if the fruits are good or bad. Pay attention to your feelings about the thing. Watch the church leaders for the example. This advice will help you to not fall into the pit.

The angel prophesies that the pit that has been dug to ensnare the righteous, will be filled by those who dug it. The followers of the devil will be miserable and he does not support them at the last day (see Alma 30:60), even thought he might promise you that he will, or that there is no devil or sin. Finally, those that fell into their own pit will be cast off to hell, and if the devil does not support them in the last day, hell will be a lonely place because they will know that they could have kept the truth and be saved, but did not.

(Hopefully this wasn't too depressing of an entry. I know that Heavenly Father loves us an will do all He can to help us to be saved. We just have to listen to Him and turn to Him, and that is an encouraging thought.)

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To the Reader...

This entry and the ones that follow are directed to you, the reader, whoever you might be. I want you to consider yourself my friend. These entries are going to be about things that I feel are very important for you to know. They are about things that can affect your life here on earth and into the hereafter.

First, I wanted to state here my reason for setting this up. I read a talk given by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles that mentioned a purpose that blogging can have. It can be used to let other's know what I believe to be true in this life, religiously speaking. I agreed with what he said so much, that I had to do it. Thus, the page you are reading now. Here is a link to that talk:

Elder Ballard's Commencement Address--Brigham Young University Hawaii (December 2007)

I know that there are many out there who are searching for truths in life, stable principles to believe in and hold on to, and if they do they can be truly happy. I know that those truths and principles are found in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

As you may know, Jesus Christ was a person that lived a long time ago and He taught good things to the people of His day. But what did he say? How can those things said so long ago affect a person today? I can tell you now, that the things He said and did 2,000 years ago will help enrich our lives if we even experiment on His teachings.

One of the first steps is to find faith in Him. This video is a good introduction to some of the things He taught and did so many years ago. It also helps us believe that what He said is true.

Finding Faith in Christ Video (from JesusChrist.lds.org)

I know that Jesus Christ lived on the earth and that He lives today. I know that what He taught is true. I know that if I pray to my Father in Heaven in the name of Jesus Christ, I am speaking to someone who cares about me and my life here on earth. I have felt a special peace and assurance when I do so. You can too, friend. Now, you try it and see for yourself. Ask God if He is there and aware of you.

Next, you might want to know more about what Jesus Christ has said to the people He mingled with. There have been several texts that have survived the two millennia since He died and was resurrected. His mortal life was lived in Jerusalem and its surrounding area in what some term the Old World. A record of his words is contained in the Bible. Here is a link to the King James Version:

The Old Testament (beginning at the creation of the world to about 400 B.C.)
The New Testament (beginning at the birth of Christ to about the death of the 12 apostles)

You may ask, if Jesus lived in the Old World, what about the inhabitants of the New World? Do they not deserve His teachings? At the time of the Old and New Testaments in the Old world, the New World, the ancient Americas, did have the words of Jesus Christ. Just as Jehovah spoke to the prophets in the Old Testament, He called prophets in the New World and spoke to them. Even Jesus Christ, Himself, appeared to the inhabitants of the New World after his resurrection and ascension into heaven in the Old World. You may ask, where is this record? Not many have heard of this record. It is called:

The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ (beginning at 600 B.C. to 400 A.D.)

If you click on the link it will take you to the text. Since it may be new to you, I recommend that you ask God, the fountain of all truth, if it is true. Here is the challenge from the last prophet who wrote in it:

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

(Moroni 10:3-5)

You can pray, with sincerety, about anything and God will answer your prayer through the Holy Ghost. The key is to do sufficient investigation and then kneel down in a quiet, secluded place with your question in mind, perhaps about if the Book of Mormon is true. Then talk to God and ask Him as if He was a loving Father, which He is, if what you've read was true. He will answer you with a warm feeling inside that it is, if it is. This warm feeling is the Holy Ghost communicating Heavenly Father's message to you. I know this is true. This is the first part of the amazing this I created this blog about. If you have questions, just let me know. You could also click on the link below and then click on the "Ask a question" link in the upper right corner. You could even request a hard copy of the Bible and Book of Mormon for yourself, free of charge and shipping.

Ask a Question (mormon.org)

Thanks, friend, for stopping by. Have a great day!

Shawn Broderick

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

1 Nephi 14:3

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