We Heeded Them Not

Nephi tells this part of his father's vision of the Tree of Life:  And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of ^ascorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.

One of Satan's powerful tools is ridicule and he uses it brilliantly.  Having the approval and acceptance of others is a basic human need, and when we don't get it, it can be devastating.   


This scorn can come in many ways.  Sometimes it comes from those close to us, from family or friends or acquaintances.  Other times it may be more generalized, as when national figures such as athletes or movie stars or comedians or politicians ridicule the church, or righteous standards.  Our society loves to support and praise immorality and drug use and drunkenness, while scoffing at virtue and sobriety and honesty.


But Nephi simply says, ". . . we heeded them not".  He didn't struggle with it, he just ignored it.  He later tells us that those people who paid attention to the ridicule coming from the spacious building fell away and were lost.


A lady in my ward told about someone at work who has set a goal to get her to drink a cup of coffee.  She keeps saying that it's just one cup of coffee and it won't hurt her.  So she asks her several times a day if she'd like a cup of coffee.  This sweet young woman just turns her down over and over.  She heeds her not.