33 And
great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after
they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and
those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.
34 These
are the words of my father: For as many as heeded them, had fallen away. (1
Nephi 8:33-34)
I had two thoughts when I read this recently. First, it is
significant that Nephi takes the trouble to quote his father’s words about
those who were influenced by the scorn coming from the great and spacious
building in Lehi’s dream. Lehi
didn’t say, “As many as heeded them fell away shortly thereafter.” He says, “As
many as heeded them, had fallen
away” (emphasis added). So heeding the scorn is not the cause of falling away;
it is a symptom.
This tells us that if we have found ourselves heeding the
scorn of the world, we have already fallen and need to be reconverted. (We may
not have left the church, but our hearts have left.) It’s kind of shocking, but
should help us see things as they are so we can repent and recommit with full
purpose of heart.
The second thing I thought is that while the great and
spacious building sticks in our minds as a place, it is also an attitude, one
of scorn, mocking and pride. While we might have a hard time self-identifying
pride, it might be easier to notice when we are mocking or expressing scorn for
others. I get the impression it is a dangerous attitude to have. It makes us
feel clever and witty because it takes analysis skills sometimes, but it can
easily be born of ignorance as well.
Mocking was a big part of my sense of humor when I was a
teen, but I found it was leading me to say mean things, and it also got in the
way when there was an opportunity to have spiritual experiences. So I chose to try
to cultivate humor in other more positive directions.
I do think scorn and mockery feeds pride. So I think it’s a good idea to
beware of scorn and mocking just as much as we beware of pride.
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