Satan and his influence

This week we read in the beginning of 3 Nephi. 3 Nephi 2:1-3 says,  

“And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen— 

Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and deceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing.

And it came to pass that the people began to wax strong in wickedness and abominations; and the did not believe that there should be any more signs or wonders given; and Satan did go about, leading away the hearts of the people, tempting them and causing them that they should do great wickedness in the land.”

I think this scripture is very interesting. A lot of times we look at the scriptures and say, oh well that was their lives and that time, and we don’t have the same things going on now. However, I know that every story in the Book of Mormon was put there for a reason and that we can use some part of each story in our lives. This one is especially prominent. The Nephites were becoming more and more wicked, and the same thing is happening today. I believe that these scriptures help to teach us that we need to make sure we’re always watching for the influence of Satan, and know that miracles and revelation will always be present. If we don’t do that, we will not be able to survive in this increasingly wicked world.