Just as a person may have his calling and election made sure (see 2 Peter 1:1–11), a person may make his everlasting destruction sure (Helaman 13:38, see also v. 32). To make one’s calling and election sure, “the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards” (TPJS, 150). A person who has sought all the days of his or her life for things that could not be obtained, and sought for happiness in doing iniquity, will have his or her etern al destruction made sure (v. 38). Things they could not obtain (v. 38) must refer to power and glory which comes only through the priesthood. Before quoting verse 38, President Spencer W. Kimball wrote: “As we have seen, one can wait too long to repent. Many of the Nephites did.”
Samuel prayed for the Nephites to avoid destruction (v. 39). Many did but many didn’t (see 3 Nephi 8). At the time near the final destruction of the Nephites, Mormon described his people as having their destruction made sure. He recognized that “the day of grace was passed with them, both temporally and spiritually, for I saw thousands of them hewn down in open rebellion against their God” (Mormon 2:15). As the Second Coming approaches, more and more people will make their destruction sure because we know the wicked will be destroyed (see D&C 76:98–112).
The nature of our great and Eternal Head (God) is one of total righteousness. This righteousness God obtained by living eternal laws. He will not and cannot change because he is an eternal being. We can become like him (see 1 John 1:2–3; Moroni 7:48). Peter urges us to become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4), and “be ye holy for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13–16). The followers of the devil become carnal, sensual, and devilish in their nature. Abinadi warns:
But remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over him. Therefore, he is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to God; and also is the devil an enemy to God. [Mosiah 16:5]
Such a state of nature brings everlasting destruction of the body and soul.