The Testimony of Two Nations is a Witness

As I read 2 Nephi 29 this morning, I felt in my heart what a wonderful time in history this is to be alive.  I have heard people say that before but have never really felt it.  I remember President Hinckley saying it time and time again, and yet I always felt it was more scary than wonderful. 2 Nephi 29:1-2 speaks of the "marvelous work" the Lord will be doing as he remembers the covenants he has made unto the children of men by, among other things, bringing forth the words of the Nephites.  The Lord then goes on to say that people will reject the words because they feel they already have all the words of God in the Bible.  And so we see the scary and the wonderful together, but for some reason the wonder has won out for me today and for that I am grateful.

2 Nephi 29:7-9 is a direct response to those who reject additional scriptures given to us by our Heavenly Father.  It says:

"Know ye not that there are more nations than one?  Know ye not that I, the Lord you God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nation of the earth?  Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word?  Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another.  And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.  And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever..."

These are great and logical scriptures.  I love the clarity of the reasoning laid out for us about why the Bible and Book of Mormon were written and given to us--"two nations is a witness" and "I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever."  I marked them, excitedly thinking of my friend, who kindly handed back the Book of Mormon I had given her, explaining that she believes the Bible to be the only scriptures given to us by God.  I didn't argue with her, but I felt sorry that she was missing out on so many powerful testimonies.  I think, maybe, if the same thing happened again tomorrow, I could put the Lord's reasoning into my own words and speak a little bit about it.  I do realize that you can never convince someone through logic and reasoning.  Spiritual things are taught by the spirit, but if I keep a prayer in my heart perhaps next time the spirit can convey something to the heart of my friend when given more to work with than my silence.