2 Nephi 2 and Daniel 3

Han-a-niah, Mishe-el, and Az-a-riah alias, Shadrach, Meshach, and A-bed--ne-go would not kneel down and worship the idol the king had built, and commanded that everyone should worship. (I found this interesting because many of the Jews in Jerusalem had been worshiping idols). The king asked them why they would not worship his idol and he rehearsed unto them the punishment of being burned in a fiery furnace. They answered, "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king" (Daniel 3:17). The king was angry and he had the furnace heated 7 times hotter than usual. The mighty men that threw these three young men into the furnace died from the heat. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were delivered. The king said that "there is no other God that can deliver after this sort" (vs. 29).

Jacob, Lehi's firstborn in the wilderness, also suffered many afflictions. This was not at the hand of a king but his own brothers. Lehi told Jacob that God would consecrate his afflictions for his gain (2 Nephi 2:2). Jacob had seen his Redeemer; "And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh..." (vs. 4). Shadrach, Meshach, and A-bednego also beheld His glory while in the fiery furnace; It was reported to the king "...Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God" (Daniel 3:25). "Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah..." (2 Nephi 2:8). "And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil..." (vs. 5). "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man, And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil...And now, my sons (and daughters), I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit" (vs. 27-28). The creation, the fall, Adam and Eve, and opposition in all things, are also spoken of in this chapter and I cannot begin to do it justice. This is a powerful chapter. As I read about the creation and also about prophets testimonies I thought about those who deny the creation and call it creationism; I felt to listen to Alma's testimony and echo with him, "...For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come. An now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only. But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true...Ye have testimony of all...the holy prophets...yea, all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator" (39-44).