Page:PlainBookOfMormon.pdf/88

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Lord. But His will be done, for His ways are righteous forever. He has said,

If you keep my laws, you will prosper in the land. Otherwise, you will be cut off from my presence.’

My soul longs to have joy in you -- to leave this world with gladness because of you.

Arise from the dust, my sons. Be men, determined to be of one mind and one heart, united in all things so that you and your descendants will not come down into captivity -- that you may not be cursed by a displeased and just God -- that your bodies and souls will not be eternally destroyed.

Awake, my sons! Put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off those chains that bind you. Learn to know God as you arise and walk uprightly before Him.

Stop rebelling against Nephi, for he has seen glorious things and has kept the commandments from the time we left Jerusalem. He has been an instrument in God's hands to lead us to this promised land. If not for him, we would have all died of hunger in the wilderness.

Yet you have tried to kill him, and he's suffered great sorrow because of you.

I fear for him, that he'll suffer again because of you, for you've accused him of seeking power and authority over you. I know he hasn't done this. He only seeks God's glory and your eternal well-being.

You've complained that his words are sharp, that he's been angry with you, but his sharpness is the power of God's word. What you call anger was the truth that he could not keep from speaking, which boldly told you of your sins.

Only God's power within Nephi could compel him to command you. He himself did not command you. The Lord's Spirit commanded you.