January 10, 2011

I read Helaman 5 which is an astounding account of a really incredible spiritual experience that happened among the Lamanites as a result of Nephi and Lehi's missionary work. At the very beginning of the chapter it says that those people who chose evil were more numerous than those who chose good. Nephi was weary because of all the iniquity and he left the judgment seat to preach the gospel with his brother because of what he remembered his father teaching them. I wonder if, in our country, I will live to see a day when there are more who are choosing evil rather than good. I really admire Nephi and Lehi's example of their decision to dedicate their lives to missionary work. It is a reminder of what is most important. I am amazed at their success, especially among the Lamanites and those Nephites who had dissented. The two of them converted 8,000 Lamanites!! It reminds me of Wilford Woodruff in these latter days who was also an incredible missionary, baptizing thousands. But apparently there were those who were still not convinced because Nephi and Lehi were thrown into prison. 

I absolutely love the account of what happened to them while they were in prison, along with about 300 Lamanite and Nephite dissenters whose initial intention was to kill Nephi and Lehi. What stood out to me as I read the account this time was the way the voice of the Spirit was described. "It was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect milkdness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul" (verse 30). In verse 46 it says the voice was "a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper." I love the voice of the Holy Ghost and am very grateful for the times when I am privileged to hear this beautiful voice. It fills me with such peace and a wonderful thrill. It really does "pierce to the very soul."