We are free to choose—and are rewarded accordingly: We can break ourselves against the commandments or we can be blessed by keeping the commandments. We know right from wrong. We may know with a perfect knowledge good from evil, for the Spirit of Christ is given to all mankind and that which inviteth to do good or to persuade to believe in Christ is of God (see Moroni 7:15–17). If we keep the commandments, we are blessed both temporally and spiritually and can enjoy a state of never-ending happiness (see Mosiah 2:41). Let us never forget that the use of our agency will determine our destiny (see 2 Nephi 2:27). We are both responsible and accountable. We can choose to obey and enjoy eternal life.
In this context, Elder Bruce R. McConkie invokes the words of Nephi, son of Lehi, to confirm the atoning mission of the Savior:
Nephi sets the stage for an understanding of the doctrine that true believers worship Christ, as well as the Father, in these words: “We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” (2 Nephi 25:26.) Remission of sins and consequent salvation come because of Christ! Hence, our worship of him: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” (Revelation 5:13.) And worship! “[My words] are sufficient to teach any man the right way,” Nephi continues, “for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not… . And Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.” (2 Nephi 25:28–29.) (The Promised Messiah: The First Coming of Christ [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1978], 562)
President Ezra Taft Benson, just as all of the Lord’s prophets, fulfilled his commission to declare the word of the Lord to the world and preach repentance to the nations. Note the tone of the following pronouncement, which is striking in its similarity to the approach used by Samuel the Lamanite two millennia ago:
The great and dreadful day of the Lord is near at hand. In preparation for this great event and as a means of escaping the impending judgments, inspired messengers have gone forth to the nations of the earth carrying this testimony and warning.
The nations of the earth continue in their sinful and unrighteous ways. The unbounded knowledge with which men have been blessed has been used to destroy mankind instead of to bless the children of men as the Lord intended. Two great world wars in the past twenty-five years, with fruitless efforts at lasting peace, are solemn evidence that peace has been taken from the earth because of the wickedness of the people. Nations cannot endure in sin. They will be broken up, but the kingdom of God will endure forever.
Therefore, as a humble servant of the Lord, I call upon the leaders of nations to humble themselves before God, to seek his inspiration and guidance. I call upon rulers and people alike to repent of their evil ways. Turn unto the Lord, seek his forgiveness and unite yourselves in humility with his kingdom. There is no other way.
If you will do this, your sins will be blotted out, peace will come and remain, and you will become a part of the kingdom of God in preparation for Christ’s second coming, which is near at hand. But if you refuse to repent or to accept the testimony of his inspired messengers and unite yourselves with God’s kingdom, then the terrible judgments and calamities promised the wicked will be yours. (A Labor of Love: The 1946 European Mission of Ezra Taft Benson (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1989), 243–244)