1 Nephi 8:26-28
river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.
27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had
come at and were partaking of the fruit.
28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.
These verses remind me of a few of my favorite scriptures. When I was sixteen years old, I moved from Utah to McKinney, Texas. I was one of three LDS girls at my high school when I moved to Texas. I often consider how much of a strength that these scriptures could have been to me as I struggled at that time of my youth. I was put down for my faith by some who could not even begin to explain what I believe. These individuals were those in the world, or " the great and spacious building " that were laughing at me as I was "partaking of the fruit ".
Sadly, I didn't understand back then, that others thinking I was strange, and the act of " pointing their fingers " at me, or putting me down for my opposing choices, was actually something that I should have been very proud of, and thankful for.
When we are ridiculed for our faith in Jesus Christ's church, or when other's put us down for making good choices, we can and should, with firm hearts be thankful for the witness that it is....
that we match the bill that Jesus Christ says that His people should be:
Titus 2:14
- New Testament
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Deuteronomy 14:2
- Old Testament
For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
1 Peter 2:9
- New Testament
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people ; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Exodus 19:5
- Old Testament
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people : for all the earth is mine:
Acts 7:52
- New Testament
Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted ? and they have slain them which
shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and
murderers:
Matthew 5:10
- New Testament
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.
Matthew 5:12
- New Testament
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted
they the prophets which were before you.
The scriptures are clear; We are supposed to be different than those whom are in the
world. I would pose the question that if one desired to fit in, or did not feel that they were peculiar, they might need to consider what they are not doing, that Jesus Christ would
want them to do?
I continue to be thankful daily that I know that I am peculiar as I belong to Him,
and as I am a member of His church on the earth.
As evil progressively grows, those who desire to be righteous will stand out even more.
The persecution will continue, and all the while, we can remember that we are pleasing
to God as we are aware that being pointed out as usual, or being attacked, is exactly what
He told us would happen as His people. We should not be surprised as we suffer in
someway for our beliefs.
I hope and pray for us all to never be ashamed of the great gift that we have been
given in the gospel as that will cause us to slip away from Him.
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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