Seeing the American Gentiles, and their weaknesses in the last days, Nephi provides a warning about certain unrighteous behaviors that will bring spiritual and physical ruin.
“…The Lord hath commanded that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain; that they should not envy; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish.” (2 Nephi 26:32)
Questions:
-What does it mean to take the name of the Lord in vain?
-Are you surprised that Nephi lists the casual or mocking use of the name of God among such things as murder and stealing?
-If, as the scriptures attest, the Holy Ghost testifies of God, what happens when a person makes a mockery of God’s name? Will the testimony of the Spirit withdraw from that person?
-What happens to a person spiritually if God’s Spirit withdraws from them? Will that person be more prone to feel malice and envy?
-How often does a terrible thing such as murder occur in the absence of such things as lies, malice, envy, and sexual promiscuity?
Messages of the Book of Mormon 