His love is infinite!

I´ve been studying a lot in 3 Nephi this week.

Two scriptures really stood out to me:

Chapter 9 verses 13 and 14

I would write them out, but they are in portuguese and it wouldn´t really make a difference.

It is after the nephites have seperated themselves from one another and they have forgotten their God.

Their cities are destroyed by fires, floods, whirlwinds, earthquakes and all manner of destruction and they are left in darkness.

It says that the earth was so destroyed that those who didn´t fall into the cracks could feel the vapors of the darkness that came from them.  In the darkness they mourned for their loved ones.

Through their cries the Lord speaks to them. He names each one of their cities and explains how they were destroyed and why. And then in verses 13 and 14 he gives them hope. All of you who were saved because you were a little more just than the others, will you not return to me now?? Repent, be converted,  come unto me and I will cure you. You will have eternal life. My mercy is stretched out to you. He who comes I will recieve and you will blessed and cured.

How many times does the Lord give us warnings, chances, opportunities to follow him. To be happy, to choose better the next time. With the nephites over and over and over again he warned them. He sent prophet after prophet. Guidance after guidance. War after war. Destruciton, victory, evertyhing that he could to help and teach them and in the end they still turned away. The prophets testified of the signs that would come and they came. They saw them and finally were converted and believed. But still after time they turned away. Forgot so easily.

God warned them. Repent or there will be destruction, but they didn´t listen. As our father he doesn´t want us to hurt, but he is obligated to fulfill his word.  And as our father he still loves us.  Even after all the chances and warnings he stretched forth his arm of mercy. "Will you not return to me now?" Please, listen.

I am humbled by the patience of our Lord for each one of us. He truely is our Father. And his love is infinite.