Mormon 9 – A Warning from a Collapsing People

 Mormon 9 – A Warning from a Collapsing People

Mormon’s letter to Moroni about their situation as they fight the Lamanites is heartbreaking. The wickedness of the people—on both sides—is grossly inhumane. In many ways, the same could be said of the world today… and it seems to happen so quickly. After just a few years, everything can change. Our own world at times feels like it is unraveling at a rapid pace.

The people Mormon describes are without order and without mercy. As I looked at the Topical Guide under “Order,” I noticed how often order is tied to organization—Church, family, government, law, and Zion. These structures help hold society together. Today, we can see strain on the family, government, and law. That makes it even more important that we do our part to maintain order in the Church and in Zion and in our families.

Mormon describes the people as being “without principle, and past feeling.” That phrase stands out. When people lose principle, might makes right. Whoever is strongest or most aggressive becomes dominant, regardless of truth or goodness. It reminds me of the childhood game “King of the Hill”—the goal is simply to get to the top and stay there, pushing everyone else down. Hold your ground against all challengers.

What motivated the people in these final chapters of the Nephites? Anger and revenge. They became so consumed with destroying their enemies that they lost sight of everything else. It’s as if they were going down with a sinking ship—and were determined to take everyone else with them.

Mormon writes that many have already deserted over to the Lamanites, and many more will. That is so  painfully familiar. Today, we see many—youth, parents, even long-time members—stepping away from their covenants and turning toward opposition. It is a difficult and sorrowful thing to witness.

Then comes the counsel: be faithful in Christ, and do not let these things grieve you. That feels like the instruction for us today. Let these words teach us. Learn from them—and do not repeat them.