"And also in the reign of Shule there came prophets among the people, who were sent from the Lord, prophesying that the wickedness and idolatry of the people was bringing a curse upon the land, and they should be destroyed if they did not repent.
And it came to pass that the people did revile against the prophets, and did mock them. And it came to pass that king Shule did execute judgment against all those who did revile against the prophets.
And he did execute a law throughout all the land, which gave power unto the prophets that they should go whithersoever they would; and by this cause the people were brought unto repentance.
And because the people did repent of their iniquities and idolatries the Lord did spare them, and they began to prosper again in the land. And it came to pass that Shule begat sons and daughters in his old age."
Ether 7:23-26
I like this selection because it is an example of when God warned the people and things turned out okay... even though they rejected them at first, because they were free to travel around and preach, eventually the people repented. So many other times in the scriptures, people reject the prophets and then they are lost.
I think this happens in our lives too, in a way. We read or listen or feel in another way what God wants us to do, or just the general good advice from the Lord, through his prophets or through the scriptures, or through more direct inspiration or revelation, and sometimes at first we ignore it or reject it. But over time, if we keep hearing it, we finally let it through... and I think that it is really fortunate for us that God gives us that time and space to repent and change.
Today, let's not drag our feet, but make changes in our lives now, remembering and listening and being grateful to God for his mercy to us so far. Life with God is SO much better than life without. Let's remember that, and take whatever steps we can to draw closer to him.
