“And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.” (1 Nephi 8:33). In Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life, there were many in the great and spacious building who went to great lengths to make any kind of argument or persuasion or cajolery or mocking or shaming that they could think of to persuade those who chose to partake of the fruit of the Tree of Life to abandon their efforts. But the truly faithful heeded them not, while those who listened to the mocking and the scorn abandoned the joy they felt when they partook of the fruit and were ultimately lost and destroyed. We can see two examples in the scriptures of those who gave heed to the words of their enemies, and those who heeded them not. In Alma 47 we read of an army of Lamanites led by a man named Lehonti that were so determined not to be dragged into yet another war that they defied their king and fortified themselves at the top of a mountain so that no one could compel them to fight. Three times Amalakiah pleaded with Lehonti to come down but Lehonti and his men were fixed in their minds and heeded not the words of their enemy. Then Amalakiah came almost to the camp and asked Lehonti to come just a little way down and to bring his guards. Lehonti gave heed to this reasonable request and this was the beginning of the end for Lehonti and the freedom from warfare that his men sought. Most of them would be killed in the bloody war that followed, all because they gave heed to a man they knew was evil and was willing and eager to destroy them. In Nehemiah 4, we read of the efforts of Nehemiah and the Jews at Jerusalem who began the great work of rebuilding the temples and walls of Jerusalem. Their enemies in Samaria and beyond mocked them and conspired against them. But Nehemiah and his people were engaged in a great work and they heeded their enemies not. They kept their eyes fixed on the Lord and His power to save them. And even if they had to hold a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other, they finished their work. It can be discouraging when our enemies relentlessly assail us with doubts and cruel mockeries, and it can be very hard not to get angry or defensive or depressed when the constant barrage never seems to let up. But as loud as the whole would is shouting at us to give up our great work, the still small voice of the Spirit can cut through all of that noise and give us strength and hope and courage to continue and to heed not their ceaseless babble. Let us learn from the examples of both Lehonti and Nehemiah and give no place in our mind or our hearts for the words of the enemy of our souls but instead allow the sweet and pure love of Christ to sustain us.
