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?