3rd Nephi's Prayer for Our Generation

3rd Nephi's Prayer for Our Generation:

And it came to pass that Nephi went throughout all the land of the New Zion,

thus pondering the state of affairs of the people of this Chosen Generation. 

And it came to pass as he was thus pondering--

being much cast down because of the iniquity of the people.

Those that were chosen to be brought down in this dispensation. 

Their murdering and their secret works of darkness

and their plundering and all manner of iniquities--

amazed at how quickly the children of Man forget the lessons of their fathers. 

Yea they are like unto the Lamanites of old who rebelled

because of the traditions of their fathers,

and like unto the Nephites who waxed strong in iniquity because of their riches and prosperity. 

How they do strive to prosper in a land for their own means. 

Placing all manner of importance in that gain of material things. 

They wax strong temporally, as Satan slowly binds them with the chains of desire

for those things which can not bring happiness. 

And it came to pass that Nephi did cry unto the Lord, saying:

O Lord, do not suffer that this people shall be destroyed by unrighteous desire;

but let them be plagued by creditors, and financial hardship,

let them fear for their employment to stir them up in remembrance of the Lord their God,

and perhaps they will repent and turn unto thee, with humble heart and contrite spirit. 

Then they shall remember the words of their fathers,

"Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land".

O Lord, do not suffer that this people shall be lost to desire by the natural man,

and tempt not one another by immodest dress and physical enticing;

but rather curse them with ravages of age, poor vision, and failing bodies. 

Smite them with an unforgiving sun that will blister and peel their skin.

Then shall they seek to cover themselves and cease to be a temptation upon others,

and with those that look with lust in their eyes upon someone other than their spouse,

cause a blindness that brings them to remembrance of the vows which they have taken one with another.

O Lord, do not suffer that this people shall be left standing in the field when thou appears again clothed in glory,

pierce them to their core so that they realize the error of their thinking when they say,

"All is well in Zion" yet they refuse thy Holy Callings, and fail to give aid to a neighbor. 

Strike them with fear and trembling to bring to remembrance the sin of omission for those acts left undone.

O Lord, do not suffer that this people shall be utterly destroyed from within,

by the wicked and those that act as agents of the devil;

instead let those righteous feel an outpouring of thy love

and buoy them up in their afflictions, strengthen their spirit and their faith

that they be like unto Moroni, Helaman and Alma. 

Raise them up to be servants unto thee, to speak with power unto the converting of thousands. 

Let them falter not in their belief nor in their faith but let them remember the lessons of their fathers

and the blessings upon the righteous.  Give unto them the courage to act and the power to speak with authority,

unto the fulfilling of thy promise of the great work which shall roll forth in these Latter Days. 

Grant unto them the desire to cleanse the inner vessel first then the outer.

O Lord, inasmuch as they repent, have mercy upon their souls,

wilt thou turn away thine anger, yea, thy fierce anger,

and cause that they may know peace and joy after their trials.

And Now, O Lord, wilt thou grant as I have desired as I mourn for the iniquity that abounds from within--this thy chosen people. 

Grant unto me my hearts desire which is to see all thy sons and daughters returned to thee. From thy humble servant

who has witnessed much grant this last desire that they endure to the end and pay heed to the voices from the dust.

O Lord I am ready to return to thee, nevertheless Not my Will, but Thy Will be done.

~Leland Vance