2 Nephi 26:23

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Reference Search: 2 Nephi 26:23

23 For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness.

Quote for Discussion

Among the things that Nephi makes clear is that the Lord works in plainness, in truth, and in goodness for the benefit of the world, whereas the devil deals in deception and cunning, appealing to people’s pride and physical appetites until he captures their souls in chains and destruction. This is not a pretty prospect, but it is a fair warning that our enemy is clever and will employ every deceptive and devilish means to accomplish his desires.

In this selected portion of Nephi’s prophecy, possibly more than in any other place in the scriptures, particular detail is given about the devil’s manner of operation and about how he carefully traps people. It may seem strange that a book of God would contain so much about the devil and his ways, but it is necessary in order that mortals might recognize evil when they see it and know how to prepare against it. The Book of Mormon not only shows us what the gospel of Christ is, but it also shows us what it is not.

Robert J. Matthews, “Two Ways of the World,” Studies in Scripture, Vol 1 p. 149-150