Helaman 3

The Nephites enter into a brief time of peace and they spread outward into the land northward. Helaman, who is both prophet and chief judge, has two sons, Nephi and Lehi, named of course after the first Nephi and Lehi. The people become so righteous at this time that even their leaders are astonished. I love these verses:

27 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.

28 Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.

29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked—

30 And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out.

I think those verses are beautiful. Unfortunately for the righteous, the wicked start to persecute them, but here is what it says about the righteous:

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 sancitification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

I think we can all find ways in which we can better yield our hearts unto God. I know we don't face constant persecution like these Nephites, but we do face a lot of stress and other things that try to tear us down. But if we can yield our hearts to God and stay firm in the faith, we will be blessed like the Nephites to know that we will live with God again.

-Tori