What did Nephi see among the nations of the Gentiles? (1 Nephi 13:4-5)

Aloha! Brothers and sisters, we are always reminded to prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ. Our prophets, apostles, and leaders have seriously and actively engaging themselves for this cause. They also are fervently asking us to repent and serve this church wholly. You might ask the question why? Why can’t we just mind our own selves and leave others to think for their own? Why is there missionary work? Why is there home teaching and visiting teaching? Why do we even bother? My topic is very sensitive especially to those who are currently investigating the church and who are having doubts about its foundation. And because of this, I would like to divide my talk in three questions. These are: What did Nephi see, What do we have to be the true Church, What can we do to help?

* What did Nephi see?

One of the vivid answers we can find in the scripture is found in 1 Nephi 13:4-5. This scripture block is very sensitive to those who will read the Book of Mormon and is one of the reasons of commotion. Allow me to read it to you, quote,

“And it came to pass that I saw among the nations of the Gentiles the formation of a great church. And the angel said unto me:

“Behold the formation of a church which is most abominable above all other churches, which slayeth the saints of God, yea, and tortureth them and bindeth them down, and yoketh them with a yoke of iron, and bringeth them down into captivity.”

Let me continue the next verse, “And it came to pass that I beheld this great and abominable church; and I saw the devil that he was the founder of it.”

These verses have mentioned that among us today, a church which is abominable above all churches will be built and the great opposition is the founder. Again, allow me to show my sincerest humility especially to our non-member friends, that we are here to help you understand what is in this church and what the gospel can offer you and your family. We are not here to judge or to condemn members of the other churches but to help them experience the blessings that we experienced in our lives. We are your friends – your brothers and sisters – and will guide you through along the path of understanding.

* What do we have to be the true Church?
In the Introduction of the Book of Mormon, it is said that the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel. We believe in the Bible to contain the words of Christ but this church possesses an additional account of the divinity and the atonement of Jesus Christ. Because of this, our testimony of the blessings of the gospel grows. Our understanding of the atonement is far developed than any other person in this earth. Additionally, we hope for the comforting promises of the Plan of Salvation and the guiding context in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end). We have the fullness of how a person can be saved.
Second, we have living prophets and apostles who are the special witnesses of Jesus Christ. I know that they personally talk to and see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Moreover, this church believes in Revelation that without it, we will be left astray and this church will be a church of man, not of God. Therefore, we have a testimony that this church is run by Jesus Christ through his living servants today.
Third, the priesthood, or according to President Brigham Young, is the government of this church. If we are to widen our view, what more can we ask if we have the power of God in our worthy young men and elders of this church. Furthermore, it is freely given to those who prepare to receive it. I know that every member is blessed from such power and I know that it is the reason why this church is steadily moving forward and exponentially.

* What can we do to help?
In closing, I would like to share the story in Lehi’s dream. Most of us are already familiar with what happened, but right, my intention is to dig deeper through the words in the said dream. In 1 Nephi 8, Lehi discovered the Tree of Life. He described it to be the sweetest and the whitest that he had ever tasted and saw. He said that it brings so much joy in his life. But did he just keep that feeling for himself? He definitely did not. In verse 15, after he saw Sam, Nephi, and Sariah, he said,
“And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit.”
Everyone is our brothers and sisters, our family, in hawaiian, OHANA. Therefore, we have to call and invite everyone to know this church. But it’s not just for the sake of doing it, rather, with compassion and love towards others. As what Lehi did, invite them with a LOUD VOICE. Don’t give up and don’t be frustrated in doing it. One day, I know that they will thank you for the effort you put in to have them know of this Church.

TESTIMONY…..