Complacency

I was reading in the second book of Nephi this morning and had come to one of the most oft quoted passages by missionaries (at least the combative ones) - chapter 28. Many times on my mission I saw the fulfillment of these verses through the investigators and members of other churches. It was always amazing to me to see how accurate, if not word-perfect, they would be in citing (albeit unintentionally) words of an ancient prophet without having ever read them. Today, however, I was impressed by a new application of the verses.

"And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men;
"Behold, hearken ye unto my precept; if they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work," (2 Nephi 28:5-6).

As if they had been written anew these verses lept off the page and into my mind illuminating past encounters; not with investigators and non-members, but with the membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Certainly I've seen this referenced to support why the Christian churches at large do not have miracles claiming those died out with the ancient apostles. Yet look at what is said by many right around us today!

I have heard several times from the mouths of members that shortly after the Church was restored the day of mighty miracles had ceased. They insist that it is no longer needed. Contrast that with the words of Moroni:

"And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not...and the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way and know not the God in whom they should trust," (Mormon 9:19-20).

How sad is it then if our lives have no miracles! They come by our faith and devotion to the "only true God, and Jesus Christ whom [he] has sent," (John 17:3). This is not to say that angels will visit us daily and new scriptures will be put into our hands on a regular basis. It does mean, however, that miracles should be occurring frequently in our lives to some degree. Births of children, sustaining through difficult and trying times, fulfillment of promises whispered long ago are all examples of miracles that can happen to each of us.

The chapter of course didn't stop there.

"There shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God - he will justify in committing a little sin; yea lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.
"...They have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted.
"...they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are puffed up.
"....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!
"....Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!
"...that saith: We have received, and we need no more!
"...for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have," (2 Nephi 28:8, 11, 13, 16, 25, 27, 30).

How many people in our lives have we met or known who are caught in these sins? How many of us suffer from at least one of these problems? Isn't it strange to think of "robbing the poor" because we wear fine clothing or feeling at ease since "all is well?" It shouldn't be.

Paraphrasing President Kimball - Our lives are like our shoes - to be worn out in service. The law of consecration demands we give our all to the work and glory of God. We are returned what is needed. Holding on to riches and fine things of the world could very well cost us our eternal glory. Brigham Young once said, "The worst fear that I have about [members of this Church] is that they will get rich in this country, forget God and his people, wax fat, and kick themselves out of the Church and go to hell. This people will stand mobbing, robbing, poverty, and all manner of persecution, and be true. But my greater fear for them is that they cannot stand wealth; and yet they have to be tried with riches."

There is a disturbing tendency among all of us to sit back and enjoy the ride when life seems to be going well. We plateau, so to speak, for ages and don't move until we reach the other end and notice ourselves descending (if we notice at all). It is dangerous to sit back and say "all is well" for it is our duty and privilege to continue progressing infinitely until that glorious day when we are lifted up to our God and King. Yet this cannot and will not happen if we are complacent in our lives.

We cannot excuse our sins in the least degree. Others doing something does not create the freedom for us to do the same. Consequences exist regardless of peer pressure. We cannot look upon those we deem Peter Priesthoods and Molly Mormons with hostility without casting ourselves down to Hell. Regardless of their "apparent" attitudes, they are trying to do what is right and to mock and demean them only destroys our own souls.

It all boils down to this, and this was the big theme I saw while reading: we cannot sit idly by and hope we are going to Heaven in the end. Salvation is free, but at what cost? Shall we take the gift of the resurrection and just ignore the other proffered to us by Christ? Exaltation is not a free ride and will not be given to any, but those who have faithfully endured to the end and sacrificed for the kingdom of God. Those remaining on the spiritual couch of life will find that they are unfit to exercise any power in the next life past what they have done here.

I sincerely hope and pray that I will not be numbered among those unworthy to stand at the last day. My prayers are also with my family and friends that they too may find the strength of character needed to overcome the world and it's lies. Even those I know not yet or not well enough I yearn for their success in this school called life. All of us are capable and have the chance, I hope we take it. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.