1 Nephi 16

After having answered several sincere questions from his elder brothers, Nephi then logically explains why not everyone is allowed to return to live with our Heavenly Father –

“Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also.” 1 Nephi 15:33

So the truth is –

“… the kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy.” 1 Nephi 15:34

Being so called “filthy” at that time, Laman and Lemuel respond –

“…Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear.” 1 Nephi 16:1

Nephi truthfully answers –

“…the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.” 1 Nephi 16:2

This is not so amongst those who have a testimony and are converted to gospel of Christ or in other words, a change of heart for Nephi explains –

“…if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth, and say: Thou speakest hard things against us.” 1 Nephi 16:3

The key is –

“…I, Nephi, did exhort my brethren, with all diligence, to keep the commandments of the Lord.” 1 Nephi 16:4