12 And it came to pass that they saw that the people would harden their hearts, therefore they departed and came over into the land of Middoni. And they did preach the word unto many, and few believed on the words which they taught.
Ultimately, the refusal to listen and hearken is what is called hardening our hearts. That is the heart of the matter. Because the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind. If we don’t want to know the truth, we must harden our heart against it. But what does that mean? What are we hardening, and what are we hardening it against? Is it our figurative heart? Is it somehow associated at all in some way with our physical heart?
Ultimately, we hardening our heart against the witness of the Holy Ghost. We grieve the Spirit, that member of the Godhead who surely rejoices in anyone who allows him to enter their "home" and receive a testimony of the truth.
So they walked away again, now doubt grieving the Spirit. Few believed, but to those few who did how blessed they were! And what joy we are promised in the kingdom if we bring just one soul to God.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!
And surely they brought many!!!
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