This past week in our class we’ve been studying 2 Nephi 28-33. In a couple of these chapters we learn about how Nephi prophecies about these last days and the false doctrines and sinful practices that will be surrounding us during these days.
As we’ve studied these scriptures, we have discussed in our weekly gathering what we can do to not be deceived in these latter days and how we can stand against these false doctrines and sinful practices.
Each week as we study the scriptures, we have a group of videos that we are able to watch to help us learn from leaders in the church. There are a couple of videos that I watched this week that help me to understand what we can do to not be deceived.
The first talk that I watched was by Boyd Baggett and is called “Feast Upon the Words of Christ”. In this talk, he mentions that his favorite scripture is 2 Nephi 32:3 where it says to feast upon the words of Christ. He then references a talk that Pres. Benson gave during General Conference in April of 1975. In his talk, Pres. Benson mentions that the 2nd purpose of the Book of Mormon is that it will expose the enemies of Christ. And that it will confound false doctrines and lay down contention. Pres. Benson goes on to explain that the Book of Mormon will help to fortify the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies and doctrines of the devil in our day.
In our weekly gathering we discussed what it means to feast upon the words of Christ. We recognized that feasting upon the words of Christ means for us to read the scriptures as often as possible. In a recent meeting taught by our Stake President, he encouraged us to read from the Book of Mormon every day. He testified that as he has committed to reading each day that he has been able to feel the Spirit guide him in his life. I believe that reading the scriptures each day will give us the strength necessary to persevere in these last days and to be able to identify those false doctrines that Nephi prophecies about. This will also help us to know of the sinful practices around us each day so that we might be able to distance ourselves from them. This will allow us to stand as followers of Christ and share our beliefs with all those around us.
The second video I watched that I think will help us in our everyday lives is titled “Enemy Territory”. This is a story told by President Boyd K. Packer where he relates to us how he was protected during World War II by listening to a prompting of the Spirit. He testifies to us that if we will live our lives worthily and if we will heed the promptings from the Holy Ghost that we will be watched over and protected.
This is a great blessing for us to be able to have in our everyday lives as we strive to live our lives in accordance with the Gospel. As we diligently strive to read the scriptures each day and as we strive to live worthily, I know that we will have the power to be able to withstand the many forces against us in these latter days.