Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 5:50-52

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 5:50-52

"And it came to pass that they did go forth, and did minister unto the people, declaring throughout all the regions round about all the things which they had heard and see, insomuch that the more part of the Lamanites were convinced of them. because of the greatness of the evidences which they had received.

And as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred and the traditions of their fathers.

And it came to pass that they did yield up unto the Nephites the lands of their possession."

The government is breaking down. It was ruled by the voice of the people and the people that chose evil are more numerous. They could not be governed by law or justice. They are ripe for destruction. Nephi is weary of their wickedness and gives up the judgment-seat. With his brother Lehi they go from city to city to preach the word of God. They preach with such power that Nephite dissenters are converted and seek to repair the damage they have done. Then they go to the land of Nephi to preach the gospel and 8,000 repent and are baptized.

At this point the Lamanites cast them into prison and when they come to slay them, they see Nephi and Lehi are surrounded by fire. They are not harmed, nor the walls but it surrounds them. Then the people in the prison are overshadowed by a cloud of darkness, and an awful solemn fear comes upon them. Then they hear a voice above the cloud of darkness calling them to repent. It is a still voice of perfect mildness, as if a whisper but it did pierce them to their very souls. Even though the voice is mild it shakes the earth and caused the walls of the prison to tremble. It calls them to repentance three times and speaks marvelous words that cannot be uttered.

One person in the prison was a Nephite by birth and had belong to the church of God before he dissented. He turns to look at Nephi and Lehi and sees their faces shine exceedingly, even as the face of angels. He calls others to look and tells them they are speaking with angels. The men begin to cry unto the voice and have faith in Christ. The darkness is lifted and all three hundred of them are now encircled by a pillar of fire. They are filled with a joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. The Holy Spirit of God comes down and enters their hearts and they are filled with fire. Then they hear the voice again that testifies of Christ and peace. They are bidden to go forth and marvel not, neither should they doubt. They go and declare these things throughout all the regions. A great number of Lamanites are convinced to the point they lay down their weapons of war. They lay down their hatred and false traditions of their fathers. Then they yield up to the Nephites their lands and possessions.

What war could not restore because of the wickedness of the people, the preaching of the word of God could. This is a marvelous event. I cannot do justice to the retelling of these events, they are powerful and the spirit is so strong when I read them. How I wish I was there to witness whatever Nephi and Lehi saw as the faces shined exceedingly as angels and were circled about by fire. Just to read it second hand makes me weep because I believe.

Day 342 Tami Fitzgerald Harris