“Zion Prospereth”

Brant Gardner

A second category if those who are drawn into the devil’s snare are those whose accommodation to evil is not one of embracing, but one of complacency. Where those who are angry actively embrace an evil against which their portion of the Light of Christ rebels, those who are complacent have an acceptance of evil that comes from passivity rather than activity.

In this specific context, Nephi’s caution is directed at those who are associated with the apostate churches, that for all of their goodness will not have the fullness. Lacking that fullness, and being satisfied with less than the true way of the Lord, those people are inadvertently following the designs of Satan - not because they are evil, but because they are unable to see and follow the true way.

While Nephi’s context may be for an apostate world, this is nevertheless an important caution for all saints. For those who might glory in the restoration and the availability of the fullness, our passive acceptance of things as they are may yet deprive us of the benefits of the fullness that is available. The gospel is on earth to transform us, and this requires our active participation, not our passive acceptance, nor a vain glorying in the fact of the restorations. As the Lord reminds us:

D&C 58:27-29

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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