As I finished reading the Book of Mormon this time around, something struck me more than usual. I like to read books as though I were the author, and try to figure out why they wrote certain things in certain ways, and what they meant by certain things they wrote. As I read the end of Moroni, I found the 7th chapter to be especially interesting, considering the position that Moroni was in when he wrote it. After all of his family and friends had died, as he wondered alone in the wilderness fearing death at the hands of the Lamanites, he wrote a chapter about hope and charity. The words are not his, but are a direct quote from his father. I think it no coincidence that Moroni includes, multiple times, the kind words of his father directly to him; I think doing so was a source of comfort to him, and I think he wanted to show the world what a good father looks like.
The words of Mormon, written by Moroni in Chapter 7 of the Book of Moroni are especially poignant when viewed from the eyes of the lone Moroni. I assume these words were very special to Moroni; that he treasured them. I assume he read them often in his difficult situation. I am grateful he felt to share them with the rest of us, that we may have them as a source of comfort as well.
To have hope is such a gift. We need not be abounding in wealth to have hope. Nor do we need to be in the depths of poverty to benefit from it. I do not believe a human can live without hope of some sort. The hope Mormon refers to is the hope of Christ. Hope in a better life. With this hope, nothing is ultimately sad, because life is just part of the process to get us a better life. Death and sickness and suffering, while not to be underplayed, are not as hard to endure when we have hope in Christ, and hope for a better life. I have this hope. I know He lives.
Showing posts with label Mormon Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mormon Church. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
A Consistent Theme
As I have read the Book of Mormon this semester, I have come to realize that there is a common theme in almost all of the stories: the wicked will be destroyed. A slightly less noticeable theme, which goes hand in hand with the first is that the wicked generally don't believe themselves to be wicked. At least not at first. By the wicked realize they are wicked, it is generally too late. The Jaredites killed each other off so quickly, there was barely time to think. By the time Coriantumr was ready to repent, his people were already destroyed, and it was too late to save anyone. Perhaps this is another reason that men should not procrastinate the day of their repentance. The Nephites would not admit they were wicked until nearly the end. When they admitted they were wicked, they were so hardened that they were proud of their wickedness. The wicked rarely see the warning signs as warning signs. They see them as coincidence.
What about now? I don't believe that every natural disaster and every recession and every war and every bad thing that happens is a sign to us from God that we are wicked and that we need to repent. But, I also don't believe that none of them are. Mormon tells us that the wicked bring their curse upon themselves. I can't help but think that, at least in part, our world's current economic situation is a sign for us, especially considering the way it was brought on. I don't pretend to understand all of the factors that contributed, but I do understand enough to know that much of the crisis was brought on by greed and a desire to live beyond our means. I believe that the problems are much deeper than our banks' balance sheets. We may come out of this recession soon, but we will fall right back if we don't change; our economy simply cannot depend on artificial wealth created by inflated credit. The nations cannot prosper if the citizens of nations do not change. Our times may not be a sign from God that we are growing wicked as a people, but just in case it is, I'm going to take a look at how I live.
What about now? I don't believe that every natural disaster and every recession and every war and every bad thing that happens is a sign to us from God that we are wicked and that we need to repent. But, I also don't believe that none of them are. Mormon tells us that the wicked bring their curse upon themselves. I can't help but think that, at least in part, our world's current economic situation is a sign for us, especially considering the way it was brought on. I don't pretend to understand all of the factors that contributed, but I do understand enough to know that much of the crisis was brought on by greed and a desire to live beyond our means. I believe that the problems are much deeper than our banks' balance sheets. We may come out of this recession soon, but we will fall right back if we don't change; our economy simply cannot depend on artificial wealth created by inflated credit. The nations cannot prosper if the citizens of nations do not change. Our times may not be a sign from God that we are growing wicked as a people, but just in case it is, I'm going to take a look at how I live.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Lessons from War
In the Book of Mormon, in the latter half of the the Book of Alma, the text is consumed by the subject of war. There are two large wars between the Nephites and the Lamanites in the last decade of history of the Book of Alma.
These are the things I have learned as I studied these wars.
The first war was much smaller and much more short-lived. It is contained entirely within the two chapters of Alma 43 and 44. The war is short in great part because the Nephites are prepared and the Lamanites are unprepared. The Lamanites came to battle with no armor at all. Alma 43:20 says "Now the army of Zerahemnah was not prepared with any such thing; they had only their swords and their cimeters, their bows and their arrows, their stones and their slings; and they were naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins . . ." The Nephites, however, had prepared themselves for battle with strong armor. From the surprise of the Lamanites in seeing the strong armor, it appears that this wasn't a common practice before.
Between the two wars there is a time of prosperity for the Nephites. Moroni spends this time fortifying the cities of the Nephites, especially the cities that had before been weak.
The Lamanites returned to war approximately two years later. It is interesting to note the manner in which they came: "yea, and they had also prepared themselves with shields, and with breastplates; and they had also prepared themselves with garments of skins, yea, very thick garments to cover their nakedness." (Alma 49:6)
If we take the position that the Lamanites represent evil, or temptation, we can see evil progressing. The Lamanites came the first time expecting to defeat the Nephites because of their large army, but they were disappointed because of their lack of armor. When they came the second time, they knew they would be unable to defeat the Nephites if they again came unprepared. Temptation learns.
The righteousness of Moroni and the Nephites is exhibited here, because, while temptation was progressing, so were they. The Lamanites were again disappointed because of the strength of the fortified Nephite cities.
Progression is a principle of the Gospel of Christ. If we do not progress, we will be unable to overcome future temptations, even if we have been able to overcome those of the past, because temptation is progressing, too.
Another interesting lesson from these wars is that our greatest strengths can become our greatest weaknesses. The cities were further strengthened by Moroni with "works of timbers", towers, and other fortifications. After a description of their fortification, we read that the people became wicked and were driven out of those fortified cities by the Lamanites. Now, the strongholds that once belonged to the Nephites belonged to the Lamanites. This is one of the reasons the second war lasted so long. The Nephites feared to attack the Lamanites in their strongholds. The strength of the cities had not changed, just who was in control.
If we allow ourselves to lose our strongholds, we sometimes find these strengths become our greatest weaknesses. If we allow Satan into our lives and allow God to be driven out, our strengths do not change, just who is in control.
These are the things I have learned as I studied these wars.
The first war was much smaller and much more short-lived. It is contained entirely within the two chapters of Alma 43 and 44. The war is short in great part because the Nephites are prepared and the Lamanites are unprepared. The Lamanites came to battle with no armor at all. Alma 43:20 says "Now the army of Zerahemnah was not prepared with any such thing; they had only their swords and their cimeters, their bows and their arrows, their stones and their slings; and they were naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins . . ." The Nephites, however, had prepared themselves for battle with strong armor. From the surprise of the Lamanites in seeing the strong armor, it appears that this wasn't a common practice before.
Between the two wars there is a time of prosperity for the Nephites. Moroni spends this time fortifying the cities of the Nephites, especially the cities that had before been weak.
The Lamanites returned to war approximately two years later. It is interesting to note the manner in which they came: "yea, and they had also prepared themselves with shields, and with breastplates; and they had also prepared themselves with garments of skins, yea, very thick garments to cover their nakedness." (Alma 49:6)
If we take the position that the Lamanites represent evil, or temptation, we can see evil progressing. The Lamanites came the first time expecting to defeat the Nephites because of their large army, but they were disappointed because of their lack of armor. When they came the second time, they knew they would be unable to defeat the Nephites if they again came unprepared. Temptation learns.
The righteousness of Moroni and the Nephites is exhibited here, because, while temptation was progressing, so were they. The Lamanites were again disappointed because of the strength of the fortified Nephite cities.
Progression is a principle of the Gospel of Christ. If we do not progress, we will be unable to overcome future temptations, even if we have been able to overcome those of the past, because temptation is progressing, too.
Another interesting lesson from these wars is that our greatest strengths can become our greatest weaknesses. The cities were further strengthened by Moroni with "works of timbers", towers, and other fortifications. After a description of their fortification, we read that the people became wicked and were driven out of those fortified cities by the Lamanites. Now, the strongholds that once belonged to the Nephites belonged to the Lamanites. This is one of the reasons the second war lasted so long. The Nephites feared to attack the Lamanites in their strongholds. The strength of the cities had not changed, just who was in control.
If we allow ourselves to lose our strongholds, we sometimes find these strengths become our greatest weaknesses. If we allow Satan into our lives and allow God to be driven out, our strengths do not change, just who is in control.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
My Witness
I have had the opportunity hundreds of times to verbally testify of the spiritual things I know to be true. Although these opportunities are important and valuable, they are fleeting. I would like to record this witness, that it may be permanent, and in hopes that it may be of value to any who might read it.
I know of only one way to arrive at any conclusion about things spiritual in nature, and that is by the spirit of God(See John 4:24). I know by the power of God that He exists, and that Jesus Christ is His son. I know that they have created a plan to save all man kind, and that plan is sufficient to save all man kind. I know, too, that our salvation depends on our obedience to the laws of God; the parameters of the plan.
I know that this plan has been revealed by God to man through prophets since the beginning of human history. Seeing as I believe in God and the creation, I believe that human history began with the creation of Adam.
I know that Joseph Smith was called by God to be a prophet in these latter days, and that God's plan of Salvation was given to man through Joseph Smith. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, as is the Bible. I have exercised my faith in these things and have not been disappointed.
I don't know that anyone will ever read this; but, anyone who has questions about or is interested in the things I have said here is welcome to email at smfoote@gmail.com.
I know of only one way to arrive at any conclusion about things spiritual in nature, and that is by the spirit of God(See John 4:24). I know by the power of God that He exists, and that Jesus Christ is His son. I know that they have created a plan to save all man kind, and that plan is sufficient to save all man kind. I know, too, that our salvation depends on our obedience to the laws of God; the parameters of the plan.
I know that this plan has been revealed by God to man through prophets since the beginning of human history. Seeing as I believe in God and the creation, I believe that human history began with the creation of Adam.
I know that Joseph Smith was called by God to be a prophet in these latter days, and that God's plan of Salvation was given to man through Joseph Smith. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, as is the Bible. I have exercised my faith in these things and have not been disappointed.
I don't know that anyone will ever read this; but, anyone who has questions about or is interested in the things I have said here is welcome to email at smfoote@gmail.com.
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