In 3 Nephi 1:9 it says;
"Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet."
This is those who don't believe in God taking away the religious freedom of those who are believers of God. As I have been reading all these war passages of scriptures in the past few weeks I have come to know for myself that these things will also come to pass in the days leading up to the Second Coming. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and for all the teachings and truth contained in it. I am grateful to Heavenly Father for His love and mercy and for letting us know through the scriptures what will happen when we stop believing in God and when we walk away from the truths of the gospel and from our covenants. I am grateful for God's warnings to us.
In his talk Revelation for the Church, Revelation for our lives, President Nelson stressed the importance of personal revelation and of having the Holy Ghost with us to help and guide us in these last days so we will not fall for the deceptions and flattering words of those who want to entice us away from God. I like these quotes from the talk:
It is important to recognize the deceptions and flattering words from those who will try to entice us away from God.
The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children.
Through the manifestations of the Holy Ghost, the Lord will assist us in all our righteous pursuits.
We can pray to our Heavenly Father and receive guidance and direction, be warned about dangers and distractions, and be enabled to accomplish things we simply could not do on our own. If we will truly receive the Holy Ghost and learn to discern and understand His promptings, we will be guided in matters large and small.
Through personal revelation, you can receive your own witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this is the Lord’s Church. Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true.
I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that “if thou shalt [seek], thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.”
Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work.
In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.
My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation.
President Nelson also talked about how we can resist the voices of deception:
We live in a world that is complex and increasingly contentious. The constant availability of social media and a 24-hour news cycle bombard us with relentless messages. If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation.
I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek. Every blessing the Lord has for you—even miracles—will follow.
Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work.
IN 3 Nephi 3 The leader of the Gadianton robbers, Gaddianhi demands that Lachoneus and his people surrender themselves and their lands. Gaddianhi was polite and used flattering words in his letter. Lachoneus recognized this flattering and smooth way of talking and was not deceived and did not fall for his persuasions and attempt to overthrow their democratic government and destroy their religious freedom. Lachoneus was not frightened by the threats and persuasions to join the cause of Gaddianhi.
Lachoneus had his people fortify themselves.
3 Nephi 3:12 - He asked his people to pray to the Lord for strength
3 Nephi 3:13 - He gathered his people together in one place with food and provisions
3 Nephi 3:14 - He built fortifications around them with exceendingly great strength and placed guards round about to protect and watch them day and night.
3 Nephi 3:15 - He asked his people to repent of their iniquities and pray that God would deliver them out of the hands of the Gadianton robbers.
3 Nephi 4: 8-10 - When the Nephites saw the armies of Giddianhi and their terrible and evil appearance they fell to the ground and prayed to be protected. They Nephites were not afraid of the robbers but they the Nephites feared God and with the strength of God they received the army of Giddianhi
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