"Wherefore, it hath been told them concerning the destruction which should come upon them, immediately after my father left Jerusalem; nevertheless, they hardened their hearts; and according to my prophecy they have been destroyed, save it be those which are carried captive into Babylon." (2 Ne. 25:10)
Prophets always have had to contend with the hardened hearts of the very people whome they try to serve. In an April 1978 general conference address, President Spencer W. Kimball said, "Various excuses have been used over the centuries to dismiss these divine messengers. . . .
"We wonder how often hearers first rejected the prophets because they despised them, and finally despised the prophets even more because they had rejected them. Even so, why else is the record of rejection so complete? The cares of the world are so many and so entangling, even very good people are diverted from following the truth because they care too much for the things of the world. . . .
"Simple truths are often rejected in favor of the much less demanding philosophies of men."
President Kimball said, "Of course, rejection of the holy prophets comes because the hearts of people are hardened, as people are shaped by their society."