“They Durst Not Lay Their Own Hands Upon Him”

Bryan Richards

History repeats itself in the lives of the Lord's servants. Nephi's detractors lacked the integrity to act according to their wicked beliefs. This is a common pattern among those who seek primarily for the praise of men. Herod wished to kill John the Baptist, but 'when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet' (Matt 14:5). Similarly, the popularity conscious chief priests and Pharisees were paralyzed in the presence of the Savior, 'when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet' (Matt 21:46). Certainly, their actions amply demonstrate that 'they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God' (Jn 12:43).

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