King Noah was about to let Abinadi go.
Yeah, he was a lazy and wicked man.
But Abinadi had just spoken with clear power from God.
“King Noah was about to release him, for he feared his word; for he feared that the judgments of God would come upon him.” (Mosiah 17:11)
But his priests, the friends he had chosen to surround himself with, added pressure.
They found accusations against Abinadi.
They got angry.
And this brought Noah back into his prideful anger, leading Noah ordering Abinadi to be tortured and then burned to death.
We are all responsible for our own actions.
But the people we surround ourselves with can make a huge difference.
This is easy to see when a wayward child is influenced by a group of their peers.
But it’s a little harder to see in myself.
Who am I surrounded by?
Family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers…
But what about the other influences on my mind too?
Social media accounts, TV shows, podcasts, books…
How are they affecting me?
Am I being subtly nudged toward complaining, making fun, judging harshly, or doubting?
Is my support system supporting my most important goals in life?
I’m not just saying to only surround myself with “members of the Church”, but doing my best to ensure that the people I willingly interact with the most are kind and have good intentions, no matter their religious affiliation.
And I think the flip side is just as equally worth considering—
Am I being a righteous support system to others – encouraging and loving and accepting and uplifting the best that I can?
“Find good friends. Be good friends. Support one another wherever you are. Stand with holy people.” – Gary E. Stevenson
We know we are in control of our own actions.
But Noah’s choices of friends tipped the scale in a dire direction.
And a kind, supportive, loving friend can make all the difference.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
One Response
This brings to my remembrance the words of Psalm 1:1-3. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Nuff said.