1 Nephi 17

The complaining of Laman and Lemuel continues. They talk of how foolish Nephi and Lehi are and you have to wonder why they didn't just go back? They weren't be forced to leave Jerusalem. Anytime along the way, they could have returned and returned much quicker than it had taken them to get where they were. When they say they know that the people in Jerusalem are righteous and keep the commandments, it is obvious they don't see that their wickedness is the same. And their anger will continue to increase until Nephi and his people will have to flee for their lives. I admire Nephi's courage when he tells them that they are murderers in their hearts and just like the people in Jerusalem. This man is no wimp!

Nephi says something I think is very important when he says to his brothers, "... and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words." Understanding religious truth is a feeling. It isn't uncommon for religions who fight against the church to attack prayer. I can remember reading an evangelical tract that said, "Do not pray about these things. You cannot trust your feelings." The Savior said to pray always. In Matthew, the Savior chastises unbelievers for not understanding with their hearts so they can be converted and he can heal them. When we listen with our hearts instead of our heads, we not only find truth, but we feel it is true. But first, we have to learn to trust our feelings so we can recognize the promptings of the still small voice. Truth will always feel good. Falsehood will not.