No Time to be Casual

Helaman Chapter 11 --

The chapter heading states that, "Nephi persuades the Lord to replace their war with a famine."

--How would one go about persuading the Lord? That seems quite bold & you'd have to be confident (100%) in what you were asking of Him.

The was was caused by the Gadianton robbers. Was the famine a means of effecting them & stopping the war?

Verse 4 - Nephi prays that the people not be destroyed by the sword, rather a famine that they might be humbled & return & repent.

The famine killed thousands in the more wicked parts...it is interesting that they note the more wicked parts.

During/After this famine the people are humbled & Nephi prays to the Lord that the famine might cease. In his prayer he actually asked for the Lord to "hearken" unto him. Again, he is bold in his prayers. This demonstrates 2 things...
1. A close relationship
2. Extreme faith

The famine ceases. They praise the Lord & are righteous. They prosper. Strife arises over doctrinal questions -- Nephi preaches continually, putting an end to the discussions.

--It is okay to have questions regarding doctrine. That is a method of growth, but at some point you must put your trust & faith in the Lord. Seek for answers, but always trust the Lord.

I can't believe this...in verse 26 AGAIN there are dissenters. They form a secret band & search out the obliterated Gadianton robbers secrets. Why did the Lord allow this band to form?? The people just recovered from a famine & are living righteously!

Verse 34 states that this great evil which was brought upon "because of their iniquity did stir them up to remembrance."

They must not have been living as righteously as I thought. How else could they have forgotten soo quickly. The famine had JUST ended a couple of years prior.

--How can I better remember the Lord always.
--Are all trials to bring us closer to the Lord.

I am frustrated with the people of Nephi. In a matter of 12 years they have gone from wickedness to righteousness & BACK to wickedness...so much so that they are ripening for destruction. How could they have forgotten the Lord so quickly & completely? They must have been casual in their testimonies...believing outwardly, but not inwardly. The first sign of dissension was questioning doctrine. We must always trust in the Lord. He will never lead his people astray! And look at everything that could have been avoided!!!