Mosiah 2:36-37

[pam]

Mosiah 2Â*

36 And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved—

37 I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples.

Quote for Discussion

Bruce R. McConkie

“Those saints who traverse the path of rebellion ordinarily do so by defying the will of God in lesser things, and then as their consciences and feelings become hardened, increasing rebellion becomes the established order. For a member of the Church to use tea, coffee, tobacco, or liquor is to rebel against the Lord and his law. Wilful absence from sacrament meeting is a type of rebellion; so likewise is wilful failure to pay an honest tithing.

“The degree of condemnation attending rebellion depends upon the nature of the defiance and the light enjoyed by the rebel. The Lord's anger is kindled against all the rebellious. (D. & C. 56:1; 63:2.) In due course they shall be pierced with much sorrow (D. & C. 1:3, 8) and cut off from the land of Zion. ‘The rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim.’ (D. & C. 64:35-36.)

Those who have a perfect knowledge of the truth and who then come out in open rebellion will become sons of perdition. ‘That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.’ (D. & C. 88:35.)” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 619)