Some Things They May Have Guessed Right – Helaman 16:15-16

15 Nevertheless, the people began to harden their hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them, both of the Nephites and also of the Lamanites, and began to depend upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom, saying:
16 Some things they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken.
(Helaman 16:15-16)

It’s amazing how confident people can be in their rejection of the truth. At the beginning of this chapter, Mormon tells us that Nephi prophesied of specific events, so that the people would know, when those events actually occurred, that his words were true (Helaman 16:5). Just a few verses later, “there were great signs given unto the people, and wonders; and the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled” (Helaman 16:13). Yet, as we read in the passage above, in response to this increased evidence of the truth of the words of the prophets, the people redoubled their efforts to justify their disbelief. They dismissed the prophecies which had now been fulfilled (“Some things they may have guessed right, among so many…”), and yet with no evidence they affirmed, “we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass.” They were like Laman and Lemuel, who were sure that their brother Nephi was lying to them, and who attributed the miracles they had seen to their brother’s “cunning arts” (1 Nephi 16:38).
Today, I will strive to see clearly and evaluate accurately the evidence I receive of the truth. I will seek the guidance of the Spirit to see things as they really are and will strive to humble myself to accept the truths I learn rather than trying to rationalize them away.