How did they do that?

Ether 5&6 – Moroni tells us of the three witnesses in Chapter 5. Also, that in the mouth of three witness are all things are established.

This is something to think about with anything. I especially like verse 5: “. . . if it so be that they repent and come unto the Father in the name of Jesus, they shall be received into the kingdom of God”. Does it get any simpler? I think not.

I also like the fact that we will stand before God alongside Moroni at the last day, aka judgment. (v6)

Chapter 6 gives me so many things to ponder I don't even know where to begin. After the stones were lit by the finger of the Lord, the people of Jared are ready to launch their barges into the sea. They commend themselves unto the Lord their God. (v4) This is such a fascinating thought to ponder. Although light is a big thing and it was good that they could see, how did they manage to keep from being thrown all over the barge as it was being tossed on the waves of the sea? If that's not big enough, add to that the livestock that is also aboard these barges. For a few days? I can see that one. But this was for 344 days! How did they stay sane? The wind never did cease (v8) but they did thank and praise the Lord all the day long as they sang praises (v9). The faith of these people staggers my imagination. There is also the matter of hygiene – not only their own, but that of the animals. How did they dispose of the waste and how did they keep the stench down? I've camped out before. I know the efforts that go into waste disposal. Some day I would really like to see this for myself.

Once they reach the promised land and years pass away, it is time for Jared and his brother to die as well. They ask the people what they would have of them before they die. A king! Of all things, they desire a king. Obviously, they do not have the books and history to remind them of what an awful thing is an unrighteous king. This is what is amazing to me though. The brother of Jared is still quite compliant to whatever it is that Jared asks of him. (v24) Is this out of love for his brother? He knows the damage a king can do, yet he says, “Choose ye out from among our sons a king. . .” I wonder if he said that with a sad countenance?

We are in perilous times in our nation today and although we didn't choose a king, per se, our president has decided he wants to be our king. This is his goal as he has manipulated the affairs of the nation into a position to make it happen. If the people of this nation are stupid enough to elect him a second time, we will not be able to get rid of him. Do our young people who are so happy with his entitlement programs have any idea that this is the “fall” this boat is headed toward? Heaven help all of us. The brother of Jared said in verse 23 “Surely this thing leadeth into captivity.” And there you go – a modern-day example of just that. We are losing our freedoms and ability to make changes just as we are about to see happen to the Jaredites. Oh, so much can be learned from these accounts.

So how does this apply to me today? I will continue to be a voice unafraid of the opinion of others when it comes to speaking truth. I will continue to value my freedom of choice and do everything in my power to see that it is not taken away by the conspiring hearts of evil men and women.