Heavenly Father loves His children!

Ether 9

A lot of history in one short chapter but it shows the pride cycle ever so clearly.  The kingdom passes from father to son numerous times.  For a while they were righteous, but evil crept into the lives of the rich and famous, they live riotous lives.  Heth kills his father, Com, with his own sword to get reign of the land.  This apparently was done right in the open.  How would you feel about him for your leader?  Gheez!

They killed the prophets by throwing them in pits to let them perish.  The Lord caused a dearth and poisonous serpents came onto the land and poisoned many.  Then the serpents caused it so people could not go south anymore.  Some did make it before then.  Who were they?  Well, after all this destruction, the people were humbled again and cried to the Lord for help.  Isn’t it interesting how things have to get really bad before wicked people will realize they need to change?  And what does the Lord do when they do repent?  He shows his power unto them in preserving them from famine.  God is quick to turn things around for the truly humble.

If this isn’t evidence that the Lord really does love his children, I don’t know what is.  We all love our children.  It’s a natural thing.  We want to give to them the things they need and we are quick to forgive. 

So what is today’s lesson?  If nothing else, it is to avoid the “Pride Cycle” like the plague.  The world is becoming more and more wicked.  Certainly there are wicked leaders in the world and probably even our nation.  We can only do so much there; but we can control ourselves and how we respond to the wickedness.  We can remain humble by serving God, keeping his commandments and being a light to those who see dimly the blessings that come from living righteous lives.