Sunday lessons and some thoughts

As we study the Book of Mormon and the writings of Nephi I have had a couple of thoughts.  I keep thinking about Laman and Lemuel, and that they eventually were "beyond feeling."  The result of insincere repentance, where you repent and then go back to the same sin over and over, is that it becomes more and more difficult to feel the spirit subsequently, until you are beyond feeling.  Along with this there is the scripture of the flaxen cords.  It is talking about how the Devil works. 

• 22 And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.
  

If Satan can get you to do little things, leading you with a flaxen cord, then he can get you to do greater sins, and bind you with his strong cord.  Bit by bit he leads people away from the spirit, and repentance and healing.

I am encircled about eternally in the arms of His love.
2 nephi 1 15 But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.
These are the words of Lehi.  He has just talked to his sons about being faithful.    Then he provides a terrifi  lecture on the need for oposition in all things.  It would be worthwhile to study these scriptures which are part of the leson.

False Teachings of the World              Lehi’s Teachings

There is no good or evil.                      2 Nephi 2:5.

There is no law.                                    2 Nephi 2:5.

There is no Christ.                               2 Nephi 2:6.

There is no existence after this life.     2 Nephi 2:10.

There is no God.                                  2 Nephi 2:14

Life has no purpose.                            2 Nephi 2:25.

Our actions are determined by

genetics and environment.                   2 Nephi 2:26–27.

Conditions Before Partaking of the Fruit                     Opposition Experienced After Partaking of the Fruit

 (2 Nephi 2:15–16)  (2 Nephi 2:23).                (2 Nephi 2:23)  (2 Nephi 2:21).

 (2 Nephi 2:19; Moses 2:29).                           (2 Nephi 2:19).

 (2 Nephi 2:23).                                                           (2 Nephi 2:23).

 (2 Nephi 2:22).                                                          (2 Nephi 2:22; Moses 6:48).

Nephi quoted Isaiah extensively.  In fact Isaiah is the most quoted of all the Old Testament prophets, with half of its chapters appearing in the Book of Mormon.  There are keys to understanding these scriptures. 

Keys to Understanding Isaiah

Liken all scriptures unto us. 6) 1 Nephi 19:23   7) 2 Nephi 11:2, 8

Know concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews .  8)  2 Nephi 25:1

Know the judgments of God.  9) 2 Nephi 25: 3

Know concerning the regions round about Jerusalem.   10) 2 Nephi 25:6

Be filled with the spirit of prophecy.  11) 2 Nephi 25: 4  12) Revelations 19:10

The Book of Mormon increases our understanding of Isaiah

This move is from the course, and compares Nephi building a boat, to the call to reach out to others, doing fellowshipping or missionary work.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9t-5_PeCrg