Keep on keeping on

Mormon 5

Mormon leads the Nephite people again in battle.  He tells of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and that its purpose is to bear witness of Jesus Christ.  The Lamanites will be dark, filthy and loathsome people and receive the gospel from the Gentiles in the latter days.

I wonder if Mormon was like we are today a little.  We see what’s going on around us – the corrupt government, evil businessmen and the crumbling of the family.  We see gangs, and underground evil; wars and rumors of wars.  We know what the final outcome is going to be just like Mormon knew the Nephites were going to be eradicated.  We know in the end that Christ will come and be our king.  Mormon knew that the gospel would be restored through his efforts to keep the records, and he knew that Christ would reign again.   

I feel sad our wonderful world is in self-destruct mode.  I like our world and all its beauties.  I really like the freedoms we enjoy and the opportunities to make decisions.  It is a sad thing to know that the world will become so wicked that we too will become obliterated as the Nephites were.  Our hope is in the return of Jesus Christ.  If we can keep our heads above the evil flooding the world, we will be privileged to usher in our Savior’s second coming.  That is something to look forward to and worth the trouble of dealing with the evil that surrounds. 

Did I receive any new marching orders for this day?  Probably nothing new; just keep on keeping on.

If it's so simple, why is it so hard?

Mormon 4

War and carnage continue – the wicked punish the wicked.  This period of time is the most wicked in the entire history of the Nephite nation and according to the records Mormon has, the entire world. 

This part of the Book of Mormon is so sad.  What is it that gets into the hearts of men – and women – that causes them to lose all sense of reason?  They didn’t need to be at war.  Why couldn’t they live in peace?   What caused the Nephites to go against the Lamanites?  It says in v4 that had they not done so, they would not have been destroyed.  The key to this question is in v5.  The wicked punish the wicked.  They “. . .stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed.”

How does one go about stirring up the hearts of men?  What exactly does that look like and do we see it today?  I suppose the conflicts I don’t understand in Iran and surrounding areas could be similar.  Their wars are because of injustices perceived on both sides and to my simple mind, I could see them destroying and obliterating themselves if the other nations of the world would let them do so.  Why?  Hate!  Generations of hate and misunderstandings. 

Do we see it closer to home?  I see it in the political world.  No, we haven’t gotten to the point of bloodshed yet, but as I see things heat up over political divisions, it’s not hard to imagine it could go there. 

I can see families with serious rifts in them.  Frequently, it is perceived injustices that create these rifts.  My data base is small, but I have seen those who have lost the spirit in their lives go about stirring up drama in their families for simple, petty reasons. 

So where am I going with this?  I really don’t know other than it is a very sad thing when the Spirit of the Lord ceases to dwell in the hearts of men – whether it be a nation or a family.  Destruction is imminent whether it be unto bloodshed or the destruction of a unit such as a family.  We see the end results on the news every day. 

So how do we avoid this destruction on a personal level?  Here I fall back on the Sunday School answers again, but they are truth.  Keep the commandments of God.  Follow the prophets.  Be anxiously engaged in doing good at all times.  If it’s so simple, then why is it so hard?

Nevertheless, I know. . . .

Mormon 2

Mormon leads the Nephite armies and it’s not a pretty scene.  The Nephites mourn, but it is not enough to bring them to repentance. 

This really is a sad tale Mormon has to tell.  He’s about 15 when he is given charge of the Nephite armies.  He says he was “large in stature”.  He must have been!  I can’t imagine the responsibility that was upon his shoulders.  He says in v18 that he wrote more detail about the wickedness and abominations in the plates of Nephi.  I’m guessing that is part of what is contained in the 116 pages of lost manuscript during the translation of the Book of Mormon.  It is fascinating to me how the Lord provided the information we really needed and it managed to stay in tact. 

At the time Mormon is writing, he is now 32 years of age.  He’s had over 16 years of leading a group of people who do not live the gospel in any form.  How did he keep it from wearing him down?  I marvel at Mormon’s righteousness.  He is someone I would like to know personally.  Even amidst all the blood and carnage and wickedness that surrounded him on both sides, he says “I know that I shall be lifted up at the last day.”  How did he know?  He had to have been living so close to the Lord that angels did surround him in his extremities.  He says he knew the three disciples.  I’m sure they ministered to him as he says later.  Did they “hang out” and talk with each other about the mysteries of heaven?  Were they friends that provided the human need we all have to interact with those like us?  Wouldn’t it be interesting to peek into this part of Mormon’s life?

In spite of their differences and wickedness, the Lamanites and Nephites eventually agreed to a treaty and divided the land between them.  I can’t help but wonder what that round table must have looked like.  How did they arrive to that conclusion?  I have so many unanswered questions that are really of no real consequence, but just of a curious mind. 

What do I take from reading this morning?  If nothing else, it is to realize the Lord will strengthen us in our righteous desires even if we are surrounded in a sea of wickedness, as was Mormon.  We can do it.  And we can also say, as did Mormon, “nevertheless, I know that I shall be lifted up at the last day.”

Seems simple, then why is it so hard?

Mormon 1

Mormon is a young boy (10), and Ammaron gives him charge to continue the history of the people when he reaches the age of 24.  Why Mormon?  Ammaron told him it was because he was a sober child and quick to observe.  Those are traits we should all try to develop.  War commences between the Nephites and Lamanites.  Both sides are so wicked the Lord removes the three disciples.

This is one very sobering chapter given the state of our country currently, and given the knowledge we have that our time parallels the Nephite history.  I believe this is the first time I ever noticed the Lamanites and Nephites referred to as “parties” (v9).  Even though there were many tribes, they all identified themselves to one of the two parties.  Could this be compared to our current “parties” of Democrats and Republicans?  Yikes!  I just can’t see us as a country going to war to defend our different positions.  But I do believe the scriptures, and it isn’t that big of a stretch given the passion of some as to their beliefs.  This is a little troubling.

All the people are so wicked that Mormon is even forbidden by the Lord to preach.

The land was cursed for their sakes.  They couldn’t hide their treasures in the earth because they became “slippery” (v18).  Sorceries and witchcrafts and magic and the power of the devil was upon all the land. 

Clyde and I have talked about treasures becoming slippery.  Many people in today’s economy have put their life savings into what they considered were safe places, only to wake in the morning to find they had been robbed by evil and conspiring men.  There is risk in any place we put our money to use for when we are old.  Banks are insecure.  The Stock Market is definitely insecure.  Real estate is only as secure as the laws created by evil men.  We are in a precarious place currently. 

This could be disturbing news.  But we know the final chapter, and in the end we know which side will win.  The Savior will return to the earth there will be peace again.  Oh, a lot of things have to happen to reach this point, but the goal is to stay on the Lord’s side.  How grateful I am for scriptures and modern-day revelation that make this clear.  The real treasure that cannot be taken from us is our testimonies of the truthfulness of the gospel and the Lord’s plan of salvation.  Our temple covenants and our families are our real treasures.  Only we can cause them to be taken from us by not keeping our covenants and the commandments.  Seems simple, then why is it so hard? 

The awful demon of pride!

4 Nephi

I have written at the top of this book:  It was the best of times; the worst of times.  The Nephites prospered in the land and were a righteous people.  They lived the law of consecration and were a happy people.  Then pride began, and some decided they wanted to be Lamanites.

As I was talking with Clyde at breakfast this morning, I said, “What would that be like to be the first person to say ‘I think I’ll go back to being a Lamanite’?”  I admit I am powered by guilt.  I think that one would just about do me in.

I have a post-it note at the end of this chapter that is so powerful.  The quote is by President  Kimball.  “May I suggest three fundamental things we must do if we are to “bring again Zion”, three things for which we who labor for Zion must commit ourselves.  First, we must eliminate the individual tendency to selfishness that snares the soul, shrinks the heart, and darkens the mind.  Second, we must cooperate completely and work in harmony one with the other.  There must be unanimity in our decisions and unity in our actions.  Third, we must lay on the altar and sacrifice whatever is required by the Lord.  We begin by offering a “broken heart and a contrite spirit”.  We follow this by giving our best effort in our assigned fields of labor and callings.  We learn our duty and execute it fully.  Finally, we consecrate our time, talents, and means as called upon by our file leaders and as prompted by the whisperings of the Spirit. [Ensign, May 1978, p81]

Bruce R. McConkie said “The awful demon of pride – manifest here in clothing and jewelry and indifference to the needs of others – proved to be the death knell to the Nephite Zion.  Once a people begin to focus on themselves they are no longer in a position to focus on the needs of others.  The laws of consecration and stewardship can operate only among a pure people, among a people who seek the interest of their neighbors and do all things with an eye single to the glory of God.  In the absence of the proper motives, classes and cliques and castes soon arise. “  BOM Commentary, Vol 4, p205

What do I take from reading this morning?  It doesn’t take long for pride to creep into the soul of man.  All that needs to happen is that we think on ourselves more than we think of others.  Do I?  Does this mean I should take back the new outfit I bought yesterday?  I hope not.  Then I look at Pres. Kinball’s quote.  I think I need to keep a balance.  That said, it’s off to the temple.  Today is my day to play the organ!