LDS Alive in Christ

The scriptures testify, abundantly so, of the proclivity of humankind to sin. This is even true for those who have been given significant Spiritual experiences. One would suppose that those who have been so blessed would never sin again, but the scriptures and church history provide a different prospective. Prophets and church leaders are subject to sin and error just like the rest of us.

For example, Nephi, the son of Lehi appears to be a near perfect man. He does everything his prophet father asks of him, even with the intolerable burden of two older brothers working against his every effort. Nephi’s propensity for goodness is matched by his older brother’s propensity for wickedness. However, the impression of Nephi perfection is diminished when he reveals the turmoil going on in his heart when he says, “notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am!  Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.  2 Nephi 4:17-18

Actually, I’m relieved that Nephi revealed this part of his mortal experience. It helps me relate to him and gives me hope. I think Nephi made many errors in the way he dealt with his brothers. If he would have been more kind to them things might have turned out a little better.

Other Book of Mormon prophets emerged from a life of sin to become examples of the power of the atonement.   The father son prophets, Alma Senior and Junior were wicked men. The scriptures even characterize Alma Junior and his buddies, the four sons of the Mosiah, as the vilest of sinners. These boys were the sons of prophets and yet they wandered as far from the faith of their fathers as one can possibly imagine. Continue reading →