Helaman 7

Nephi has been preaching in the cities north of Zarahemla. But they have rejected him to the point that he is forced to return to Zarahemla only to find that city in deep spiritual trouble. He has a roof top area of his home where he goes to pray and while he is praying, the people who are passing by on the road below can hear him. They are so curious about what he saying and gather to listen. Many of them run to find others to come and listen with them. They can't figure out why Nephi is so broken hearted for his people and this shows how far away from gospel principles the people have strayed. When Nephi finishes praying and sees all the people, he asks them how they could have fallen so far. Then he prophesies three things. One, all of the cities of the Nephites will lost. Two, they will not have power to defend themselves. And three, the Lamanites will be preserved but they will be utterly destroyed unless they repent. The failures of one generation often lead to greater failures in future generations. This is true about nations and it's true about people. Whether we like to think about it or not, our belief or unbelief is not something that is only about ourselves. Our lives are intertwined with those around us and with our families especially, we forge paths that others will follow, sometimes to our great joy, and sometimes to our great sorrow. It is important to love those around us. But even the wicked often love those close to them. What is more important is that we love those around us enough to be sure our lives are based on righteous principles so that we do our best to set the kind of example we would want them to follow.