"No longer droop"

Finding Comfort in the Infinite Atonement

"And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy? 

Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul." - 2 Nephi 4:27-28

Throughout the book of 1st Nephi, we read the story of a strapping, young, courageous boy who heeded every command from the Lord. He seemed a perfect example and diligent leader. Second Nephi chapter 4 humanizes Nephi as we see his sorrow and emotion after the death of his father. He preaches through a clear cycle that we can apply to ourselves when we experience sadness. 

First, Nephi emphasizes his righteous desires that his "soul delighteth in the things of the Lord" (v.16). He begins the next verse with the contrasting phrase "nevertheless" as he proclaims his personal weakness and mourns his "iniquities" (v.17). The next few verses contain several repitions of the phrase "He hath" followed by blessings that God had given to Nephi (v.20-23). Then Nephi re-evaluates his sorrow and questions "why should [his] heart weep?" (v.26) or "why should [he] yield to sin?" (v.27). This is followed by great conviction in the motive to "awake" and "no longer droop in sin" (v.28). He ends by pleading for redemption from God and delivering the testimony of what he knows.

This formula can aid any of us in hard times. We must realize our situation- good and bad- then re-evaluate and re-invigorate ourselves to the cause, while seeking help from and praising God.

In his supplication to the Lord, Nephi asks "O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul?" (v.31). The only way to true redemption and freedom from our guilt is through Jesus Christ and the Atonement. Our savior came down to earth and subjected himself to the will of men and of God. He willingly died and took all our sins upon Him. Christ "fell on his face" in Gethsemane and cried "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matthew 26:39).

The word Gethsemane literally means "oil press." This picture shows part of an ancient oil press:

From https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBubevmqroQnp0qj5ro2cyZR5oZjvnJQ8IPR4LFkMJgRjEqBSsFbLNl_INZ5VmZ26z8o7ThIY2VuSq_lY7I4wDEzTCpabZcdo22iJYb4jQwH6g7j-xCKNv9vPiN6rKy0cJXVHrH6HJ9KDn/s320/olive+press+1 

This contraption would be pulled around by an animal to crush the olives in the basin and extract their oil. Christ was an olive in the oil press as He bore the inexplicable burden of all sins and pains of everyone. He knows how we have felt at our lowest times, and He knows so much more. He took upon himself the pains of spiritual death (DC 76:107,88:106) so that we would not suffer. His atonement applies infinitely to all who ever have lived or will live. Because of Him we can be saved someday, but also because of Him we can receive comfort in our darkest times here. We can be like Nephi and find comfort in Him. He is our redeemer and savior, and through Him we can be saved. He knows us and our sorrows, and can heal us of them.