2 Nephi 5

(July 26, 2015)

                When we hear of those being cut off from the Lord, we often have the mental picture of someone being forcibly cast out never to be able to return.  But being cut off, I believe, means something different and that is shown in this chapter.  In this chapter, we read that the actions of Nephite accomplish the fulfillment of the prophecy that the Lamanites would be cut off.  But all Nephite did was to leave (taking the scriptures with him).

                This, to me, indicates that being cut off amounts, ultimately, to nothing more than being placed in a position where you are incapable of hearing the word of the Lord.  Perhaps that is self-imposed (you are unwilling to listen to the word of the Lord) or perhaps not (as the Lamanites were in a position where the word of the Lord could not be found).

                So long as we listen for and can find the word of the Lord, however, we are not fully and permanently cut off.