Why did the Nephites “marvel” at Nephi’s accusations?

Thomas R. Valletta

“The intolerant and unjust who have religion have often convinced themselves that God loves them because they do religious things. They are spiritually oblivious, or as God says to the wealthy, lukewarm members of the church in Laodicea, ‘[thou] knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked’ (Rev 3:17). The Nephites in the book of Helaman are a great example of this phenomenon. When Nephi severely chastised them, they marveled. In spite of their gross wickedness, they were shocked that he thought they were wicked (Hel 7:14–15)” (Hansen, “Terrifying Book of Helaman,” 170).

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