Simple, but not without effort

Helaman 12

Moroni gives his commentary on the condition of men, their unstableness and what they can look forward to at the Day of Judgment. 

This is a sobering chapter.  How does Moroni describe the people? 

• Life is easy
• They are prospering
• They are vain
• Evil
• Devilish
• Iniquitous
• Slow to do good
• Quick to hearken to Satan
• Hearts are set on vain things
• Prideful
• Boastful
• Ignore righteous counsel

 What means does the Lord use to get our attention?

• Afflictions
• Terror
• Famine
• Pestilence

 It would seem to me that the Lord is currently trying to get the attention of the people – us!  The list is there folks.  Have we been terrorized the last ten and a half years?  We certainly have.  Have we experienced afflictions?  It is all around us.  What about famine?  We are teetering on the brink of famine if we don’t get the weather we need to sustain agriculture.  There are diseases afflicting the crops that can grow.  If that’s not bad enough, there are genetically engineered foods that are being incorporated into our diets that we have no idea what they are going to do to us.  Yes, I would say the Lord is trying to get our attention?

There is one key phrase in this chapter that boils the reason for the troubles.  REMEMBER HIM!  All the Lord wants is that we will remember him.  In verses 23-24 he will bless us according to our efforts to bless others, aka “grace for grace” (v24). 

Obviously, we can bear the afflictions if we will do good to others and heed the counsel of the Lord in all things.  Seems simple; yet it requires constant effort.