1 Nephi 14:2-17

This outlines a lot of information about a division between the Lamb of God and the devil and his children. I will try and outline and rearrange this information with some of my own thoughts interspersed.

1) The followers of the Lamb of God are among “the house of Israel”, and are involved in “a great and a marvelous work among the children of men.” The church of the Lamb of God is involved in bringing “peace and life eternal”. Although I believe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to have the complete, restored priesthood and organization of God, any organization involved in bringing peace and life eternal is part of the Church of the Lamb of God. This includes so many organizations, and I rejoice in their efforts. I want my kids to be involved in as many of these organizations as possible, and have appreciation for the good in all churches.
2) It does not say that there are followers of Satan, but it mentions a “great and abominable church” who is founded by the devil and works to bring captivity unto the children of men.
I have thought a lot about the choices I have made under the influence of my family, friends, church leaders, and the spirit. If it weren’t for these influences I do not think I would have been able to be where I am at today. I would have chosen an uncertain and different path. The choices I did make have allowed me to be free from captivity. It is easy to see how the Word of Wisdom frees us from captivity in the addictions of  Tobacco and Alcohol, but my parents also raised us not to drink caffeine and to avoid addictive substances in general. I was also encouraged to get an education, which has opened many opportunities for me, and has led me directly to my current career. As a father, I still fall short on so many levels, but If I had addictions on top of my current weaknesses I think it would make it harder. My phone is perhaps an addiction that is distracting me, I need to do better there.
3) Repentance is the way out of captivity, and Satan will not uphold his people in the end. The works of captivity are digging holes that will be filled by those who dug them. The fallacy of corruption and injustice is that it serves one group over another, but in reality, it leads to “destruction, both temporally and spiritually”

I want to break the cycle by teaching my kids to recognize good and promote and be a part of it, and recognize evil and understand and shun it.