“A Great and Spacious Building”

Bryan Richards

This building stands in the air because it has no foundation. Its architect is Satan who would never design a stable foundation for any of the buildings in his kingdom. Rather, the building is precariously perched in anticipation of its imminent fall, for 'the devil will not support children at the last day' (1 Nephi 11:36, Alma 30:60). It rightfully floats on the other side of the terrible gulf which separates the righteous from the wicked—separated by the word of the justice of the Eternal God. Although the separation is dramatic in the symbolism of the dream, oftentimes the scoffers can be right amongst the righteous. The saints must be careful not to sympathize with the scoffers.

Harold B. Lee

"Unfortunately, some are among us who claim to be Church members but are somewhat like the scoffers in Lehi's vision—standing aloof and seemingly inclined to hold in derision the faithful who choose to accept Church authorities as God's special witnesses of the gospel and his agents in directing the affairs of the Church." (Conference Report, Apr. 1971, p. 91 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p.34)

Neal A. Maxwell

"We see a few around us who simply can't stand to be separated from the 'politically correct' multitudes in the great and spacious building. These multitudes are 'in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit' ("1 ne. 8:26"1 ne. 8:271 Nephi 8:26-27). The 'finger of scorn' has its own way of separating the faithful from those who have little or no faith (see "1 ne. 8:331 Nephi 8:33).
"Like Lehi, the faithful in our time will endure the pointing fingers of scorn from the world and '[heed] them not,' even when the ironical fact is that some of those pointing fingers of scorn once grasped the iron rod."(Lord, Increase Our Faith, p.99.)

Glenn L. Pace

"Even though a person may have a testimony and want to do what is right, it is difficult not to be drawn to that great and spacious building. From all appearances, the people in the building look happy and free and seem to be having a great time. But don't mistake telestial pleasure for celestial happiness and joy. Don't mistake lack of self-control for freedom. Complete freedom without appropriate restraint makes people slaves to their appetites. Don't envy a lesser and lower life." (Spiritual Plateaus, p. 81.)

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