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Nephi prophesied that in the last days people would deny the power of God and teach false, vain, and foolish doctrines (2 Nephi 28:3–9; see also 2 Nephi 26:20–21). How was this condition prevalent in Joseph Smith’s time? (See Joseph Smith—History 1:5–6, 19, 21.) How is it prevalent today?
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How did Nephi describe the false teaching that people would use to justify sinning? (See 2 Nephi 28:7–9.) What are some of the rationalizations people use today to excuse sin? What are the dangers of not worrying about “committing a little sin”? (2 Nephi 28:8).
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Nephi also foresaw that people in the last days would be filled with pride (2 Nephi 28:12–15). What was the eventual result of the pride of the Nephites? (See 2 Nephi 26:10–11.) How is pride a stumbling block to our spiritual growth? How can we overcome pride?
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Nephi taught that pride would lead many to “rob the poor” (2 Nephi 28:13). How might a desire for “fine clothing” or other luxuries cause us to neglect the poor? In what ways can we help those who are less fortunate, both physically and spiritually?
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According to Nephi, how would many people react to the word of the Lord in the last days? (See 2 Nephi 28:20, 28.) Why do the words of God often “stir [many] up to anger against that which is good”?
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Nephi prophesied that Satan would pacify the people and “lull them away into carnal security” (2 Nephi 28:21). What is carnal security? (The word carnal refers to the flesh. To have carnal security is to find security in following the appetites of the flesh or trusting in worldly objects or ideas.) How can the contentment of carnal security keep us from repentance? What does the phrase “leadeth them away carefully” (2 Nephi 28:21) suggest about Satan’s tactics?
Elder James E. Faust shared the following analogy: “Thomas R. Rowan … said: ‘Author and commentator Malcolm Muggeridge once told a story about some frogs who were killed without resistance by being boiled alive in [a] cauldron of water. Why didn’t they resist? Because when they were put in the cauldron, the water was tepid. Then the temperature was raised ever so slightly, … then a bit warmer still, and on and on and on. The change was so gradual, almost imperceptible, that the frogs accommodated themselves to their new environment—until it was too late. The point that Mr. Muggeridge was making was not about frogs but about us and how we tend to accept evil as long as it is not a shock that is thrust on us abruptly. We are inclined to accept something morally wrong if it is only a shade more wrong than something we are already accepting’” (National Press Club Forum).
After sharing this analogy, Elder Faust said, “This gradual process was foretold by ancient prophets” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 40; or Ensign, May 1989, 32).
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How did Nephi describe the ways that Satan would “flatter” some people? (See 2 Nephi 28:22.) Why do you think Satan would want us to believe that there is no devil and no hell? How can studying the Book of Mormon help us be spiritually alert and avoid becoming “at ease in Zion”? (2 Nephi 28:24).
President Ezra Taft Benson said: “The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12.) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1975, 94–95; or Ensign, May 1975, 64).