2 NEPHI 11-24

We divided these chapters into four subjects: (1) the scattering of Israel, (2) the gathering of Israel, (3) the Millennium and (4) prophecies about Jesus Christ.

With the scattering their were natural consequences to their sins. We learned that many sins were being committed such as listening to soothsayers, marrying outside of the covenant, worshipping idols, not worshipping God, prideful, preying on the poor, drunkenness, calling evil good and good evil, and cursing God. Do we see any of these sins today? The natural consequences to their sins were: hiding from the Lord, idols destroyed, wicked will perish, all their finery will be taken away, no knowledge of God, all sinners will suffer whether rich or poor, and will be in darkness. Do we suffer from these natural consequences to our sins? Do we sometimes hide from the Lord because of our shame (do not want to pray) and we know the Holy Ghost cannot dwell with us in our sins (be in darkness). But, throughout all of this we read that the Lord's hand will still be stretched out....we just need to reach for it.

We learned that the gathering has commenced. We discovered that The Book of Mormon is a good gathering tool. President Benson said, "We must not forget that the Lord Himself provided the Book of Mormon as His chief witness. The Book of Mormon is still our most powerful missionary tool. Let us use it." 2 Nephi 2:10-12 taught us that a root of Jesse (Joseph Smith) will stand for an ensign of the people. Gentiles will seek this ensign. It also taught that the Lord will recover His people a second time (first time they were saved with Moses) and they will be come all around the world. Elder Maxwell made the following statement: "President Brigham Young noted....that as the Church extended and expanded into the nations of the world..., so in like manner and simultaneously would the power of the adversary rise...In such dramatic circumstances you will need those virtues which President George Q. Cannon ascribed to those of the latter days: courage, determination, and 'obedience to God under all circumstances.' ALL THE EASY THINGS THE CHURCH HAS HAD TO DO HAVE BEEN DONE. FROM NOW ON IT IS HIGH ADVENTURE!" What can we do to help with the gathering?

During the Millennium we found out that everyone on the earth will be holy. We will not need to worry about door locks, prisons Satan, a strong military, national elections, poverty or pornography. Christ will be the leader of our government. The animals will change. The wolf will dwell with the lamb, etc. This can be figurative or literal. Literal...just like it states -- figurative the wolf, lion and leopard representing the powerful, aggressive people and the lamb, kid and calf may represent peaceful and meek people. Do you want to be there? If so, what are we doing to become a "holy" person?