helaman 14

hel 14
samuel the lamanite prophecies of Christ's birth and death. these prophecies must have been given or spread in all the land because it is by these prophesies that the wicked later decide to kill the believers if the sign is not given.

verse 16 is interesting. we are considered dead to God, disinherited, except for the intercession of Christ. i had never thought about it like that. it's not a new concept but i hadn't thought of it like this. 

imagine the sorrow of a Father knowing that His children were all dead. it explains why He and Christ were willing to give up so much. it had to be done so that we don't have to die. 

this mortal, lineal comparison makes it more clear to me. i know what the deaths in my family have caused, i can't imagine suffering it without the knowledge of eternity. God would have faced that without the plan of salvation for the billions of His children. 

i better understand His sorrow for the sins of the world. it's like His children committing suicide. what great pains do we inflict on our Heavenly Parents? it brings new meaning to doc & cov 18:16 - "And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" imagine the great joy of a parent who has seen their child dying and then brought back to life. such is the joy of our Parents. 

i understand better now.