It's interesting how different things seem to stand out more at certain times in your life. Lately I have noticed how much apostasy and degeneracy occurred in The Book of Mormon and how accurately it relates to our day. It's no coincidence that The Book of Mormon authors chose to relate so many stories and warnings about apostasy. Apostasy is rampant in our day, the very elect are dropping like flies. I've seen it firsthand. Many people I know or know of -- who were once very active in the Church with seemingly strong testimonies -- have gone completely apostate.
It's very sad but it also shows the deceptive, cunning ability of The Father of Lies. One thing I've learned is -- wisdom has nothing to do with age or secular education. In fact those are often the people who fall hardest because they think they know more. Which brings to mind the Scripture I listened to yesterday that stood out to me:
"O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!
"Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish.
It's very sad but it also shows the deceptive, cunning ability of The Father of Lies. One thing I've learned is -- wisdom has nothing to do with age or secular education. In fact those are often the people who fall hardest because they think they know more. Which brings to mind the Scripture I listened to yesterday that stood out to me:
"O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!
"Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish.
"But behold, if the inhabitants of the earth shall repent of their wickedness and abominations they shall not be destroyed, saith the Lord of Hosts." -- 2 Nephi 28:15-17
Anytime there are three wos in a row, you better pay attention. The Lord means business. There is no mincing of words in that scripture. It's a very powerful warning to apostates and anyone who chooses not to follow the Lord's commandments. Especially to those who preach against Him and His Gospel.
There are those who choose not to believe the scriptures precisely because of these prophetic warnings. It's just more convenient that way. They can sin and rationalize their guilt away. But nonetheless that doesn't change the law.
The law of gravity applies to all regardless of whether they believe it or not. We all know what would happen if someone who doesn't believe in the law of gravity were to challenge that law by jumping off a building. The same applies to the laws of God. They apply to everyone, not just believers.
I stated that wisdom has nothing to do with age or secular knowledge. I know plenty of old people and learned people who are very stupid. No, wisdom comes from hearkening to the Lord and obeying His commandments.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." -- Psalms 111:10
President Marion G. Romney back in 1983 said that the word fear in this instance means profound reverence. Therefore, profound reverence for the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
President Marion G. Romney went on to say, "In soundly judging—which is a function of wisdom—the inspiration of the Lord can and often does compensate for unknown facts—that is, for lack of knowledge. For example, if a stranger at the crossroads, not knowing which way to turn, can receive inspiration from God, his decision will be as wise as if he had known all the facts. Why? Because God “knoweth all things.” Inspiration from him is an expression of total wisdom."
"The conclusion of the whole matter is: Wisdom is in short supply in the world today because men do not know God, not even all those who preach of him. Until mankind comes to a knowledge of God, we will continue in our distraction, regardless of how much other knowledge we acquire.
"The Lord, knowing all things, foresaw our present state, and long ago, speaking about us through his prophet, Isaiah, declared, “The wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” (Isa. 29:14; see also 2 Ne. 27:26.) Confirming the fact, He has said in our day that the wisdom of men has perished and their understanding has come to naught. And he has specified the reason for their loss of wisdom, their forsaking of him:
“They have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant;
“They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world.” (D&C 1:15–16.)
"The Lord has also told us clearly many times where our wisdomless course will take us. And I assure you that that condition will be neither comfortable nor pleasant." -- President Marion G. Romney, Converting Knowledge into Wisdom, July 1983 Ensign
That last paragraph goes back to the original scripture that inspired this post (2 Nephi 28: 15-17). It also backs up the posts I have done where I have concluded that sin makes you stupid.
I will reiterate that neither age nor knowledge conveys wisdom. Wisdom is gained by receiving a knowledge of God and applying it through obedience to His commandments.
That's my two cents.
Anytime there are three wos in a row, you better pay attention. The Lord means business. There is no mincing of words in that scripture. It's a very powerful warning to apostates and anyone who chooses not to follow the Lord's commandments. Especially to those who preach against Him and His Gospel.
There are those who choose not to believe the scriptures precisely because of these prophetic warnings. It's just more convenient that way. They can sin and rationalize their guilt away. But nonetheless that doesn't change the law.
The law of gravity applies to all regardless of whether they believe it or not. We all know what would happen if someone who doesn't believe in the law of gravity were to challenge that law by jumping off a building. The same applies to the laws of God. They apply to everyone, not just believers.
I stated that wisdom has nothing to do with age or secular knowledge. I know plenty of old people and learned people who are very stupid. No, wisdom comes from hearkening to the Lord and obeying His commandments.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." -- Psalms 111:10
President Marion G. Romney back in 1983 said that the word fear in this instance means profound reverence. Therefore, profound reverence for the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
President Marion G. Romney went on to say, "In soundly judging—which is a function of wisdom—the inspiration of the Lord can and often does compensate for unknown facts—that is, for lack of knowledge. For example, if a stranger at the crossroads, not knowing which way to turn, can receive inspiration from God, his decision will be as wise as if he had known all the facts. Why? Because God “knoweth all things.” Inspiration from him is an expression of total wisdom."
"The conclusion of the whole matter is: Wisdom is in short supply in the world today because men do not know God, not even all those who preach of him. Until mankind comes to a knowledge of God, we will continue in our distraction, regardless of how much other knowledge we acquire.
"The Lord, knowing all things, foresaw our present state, and long ago, speaking about us through his prophet, Isaiah, declared, “The wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” (Isa. 29:14; see also 2 Ne. 27:26.) Confirming the fact, He has said in our day that the wisdom of men has perished and their understanding has come to naught. And he has specified the reason for their loss of wisdom, their forsaking of him:
“They have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant;
“They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world.” (D&C 1:15–16.)
"The Lord has also told us clearly many times where our wisdomless course will take us. And I assure you that that condition will be neither comfortable nor pleasant." -- President Marion G. Romney, Converting Knowledge into Wisdom, July 1983 Ensign
That last paragraph goes back to the original scripture that inspired this post (2 Nephi 28: 15-17). It also backs up the posts I have done where I have concluded that sin makes you stupid.
I will reiterate that neither age nor knowledge conveys wisdom. Wisdom is gained by receiving a knowledge of God and applying it through obedience to His commandments.
That's my two cents.
Problem is, the apostates simply mock the scriptures and warnings. Like you said, "Wo, wo, wo..." three in a row, is pretty serious. Apostates don't look to the future, they "live in the here and now" as is so quoted by them. They mock any reference to future events ("you're always living for some future event, and not living in the here and now..." such as judgement day). Judgement day, which sounds so unreal and distant to some, will be all too real in the near future. Just because someone looks towards a future event, and is careful about better choices here and now, doesn't mean they aren't living in the here and now. It just means they are hopefully making wiser and better choices here and now, while looking to the future. It's not rocket science people. But to some it may be.
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