Persecution of Their Brethren

Listening to the Book of Mormon this morning, this scripture resonated with me when I heard it.

Helaman 3:33-35

33 And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church—not into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God— 

34 And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction. 

35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

Even though this scripture was recorded over 2000 years ago, it is exactly what is happening today.  Persecution from nonmembers can be expected to some degree.  But persecution by those who "professed to belong to the church of God" tends to be more severe and somewhat shocking at first.  Especially when the persecution is directed towards "their brethren".

Sadly, it is becoming much more common place as once strong, solid members of the church are dropping like flies.  Deceived by Satan's cunning lies.

It's a wicked world we live in and getting worse.  In order to survive spiritually, it takes much daily effort.  President Nelson said:

"We live in a world that is complex and increasingly contentious.... If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation.

"... in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.

"My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation." -- Russell M. Nelson, April 2018 General Conference

The Book of Mormon warns us of what happens when we aren't diligent in living the Gospel.  It's uncanny how the Book of Mormon parallels exactly what's happening in our world today.  It certainly was written for our day.

We also have a living prophet to warn us of pitfalls ahead.  Our Prophet just warned us of what we need to do to survive spiritually in these troubled times.  We must increase our spiritual capacity and learn how to receive revelation by using the great gift of the Holy Ghost which we've been given.

If we don't, we won't survive spiritually.  We will drop like flies like many of our fellow saints.

Elder Holland warned that persecutions will increase.  It's disconcerting when your own family members persecute you.  But that's the reality of these last days. Helaman's ancient words of warning are becoming more and more pertinent as we near the Lord's second coming.

The Prophet Joseph Smith said in the Wentworth letter (March 1, 1842):

"Persecution has not stopped the progress of truth, but has only added fuel to the flame. It has spread with increasing rapidity."

"persecutions may rage, ... but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent,... till the purposes of God shall be accomplished..."

As members of the Lord's true church, we will continue to face increasing persecutions from not only nonmembers but also from our own brethren.

May we heed the Prophet's counsel to increase our spiritual capacity that we may be strong enough to withstand the persecutions and subsequent adversity we will certainly face.

May we be like the church members of old who "yielded their hearts unto God" and became "firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ".  Despite the persecutions of their brethren. And perhaps because of them.

That's my two cents.