Mormon Chapter 8: Greater Things

Mormon has been killed by the Lamanites at the beginning of chapter 8, as his son, Moroni, takes over the writing of the “sad tale of destruction of [his] people” (Mormon 8). Moroni spends much of chapter 8 bearing his testimony of The Book of Mormon and the power that is found within. “Whoso recieveth this record,” he writes, “and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these” (Mormon 12). Next to the phrase “greater things,” a footnote is listed with several scriptures which include instances in which the words that were spoken were forbidden from being written, for the Lord sought to “try the faith of [His] people” (3 Nephi 26:11). Someone once explained to me that the reason why certain information is sometimes withheld from us is so that we are not held accountable for those things which we misunderstand. Perhaps this is an example of such a time. As our faith in The Book of Mormon grows, so will our knowledge and understanding, which will lead to the revelation of principles we would have otherwise not been ready to receive.

Towards the end of the chapter, Moroni calls out the hypocrites and asks why it is that so many seek praises of the world? It’s a great question, and one which he does not provide an answer for. It may be because of the instant gratification and succor that the world’s praises provide, particularly today, in the era of iPhones and technology. Man is so fearful of criticism, and other men are so much louder than the whisperings of the Spirit. It’s so much easier to ignore his guidance and follow the shouts of man. 

Mormon 7: "That ye may believe..."

With the Nephite people destroyed, in Mormon chapter 7, Mormon turns his attention to the Lamanites and attempts to bring them unto the Lord. His approach in doing so is interesting, though chapter 7 makes no mention of how it was received. It’s very direct and to the point; as far as I can tell, he makes no attempt to adapt the language he uses so that it is more culturally potent for the Lamanite people. Furthermore, considering the Lamanites literally just obliterated the Nephite people in the last chapter, he is incredibly blunt in his calls to repentance.

He begins by declaring the Lamanites as being of the house of Israel, suggesting to me that they had no idea of their origins or of the genealogy of their forefathers. It’s possible that in Mormon’s time, they hadn’t a clue that the Nephites were descended from the same genealogical line. How might a knowledge of their heritage have changed things? Who knows? It’s possible though, that knowing they were descended from a covenant and choice people may have led Lamanites to repentance and the Gospel. Or perhaps it would have prevented them from slaughtering the Nephites, as they may have viewed them as brotherly?

When urging the Lamanites to accept the Savior, he mentions that “ye must come to a knowledge of your fathers” (Mormon 7:5). “Ye must come,” he writes, not, "I will drag you along.” If we want to gain a knowledge of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the truths it contain, and of the restoration, we must work and study; search, ponder and pray.

Finally, in verse 9, Mormon writes, “This is written for the intent that ye may believe [Christ’s gospel]” (Mormon 7:9). The Book of Mormon was written for our benefit. We were provided the scriptures so that we could gain a greater knowledge of the potential for joy and a better sense of who Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are. “If ye believe [Christ’s gospel],” he continues, “ye will believe [The Book of Mormon],” (Mormon 7:9). Christ’s gospel, whether laid out in The Book of Mormon  or in The Bible, is exactly the same. The Bible and the Book of Mormon work in tandem to enhance one another and fill in missing gaps that were created due to the shortcomings of man.
(written Wednesday, December 28, 2016)

Mormon 6: Last Struggle at Cumorah

How must a commander feel when he knows with certainty that all of those whom he marches into battle will die? How does he cope with the fact that his entire people; a people whose civilization once covered the land and whose culture dominated all others; will be completely wiped from the earth in one “last struggle?” (Mormon 6:6). How does he fake confidence? How does he reassure his soldiers? How does he not break down and weep over the prospect of the destruction of all that he knows and at one point or another likely held dear? How does he stand among his troops and look them in the eye, knowing that they will most certainly perish?

I cannot even begin to imagine how Mormon must have felt as he prepared the Nephites for their final battle at Cumorah. The amount of faith he must have had in the Lord, though, is nothing short of incredible. I’m not sure how else one explains his ability to lead an army doomed before it even reaches the battlefield. At the end of the chapter, he discusses the “anguish” of his soul “because of the slain of [his] people” (Mormon 6:16). He wonders how it is possible that the Nephites could have turned their backs on Jesus even after he stood among their forefathers? Where did they go wrong? How could they be so blind and stupid?

After declaring that their destruction can be attributed to their wickedness and arrogance, he states, “But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return” (Mormon 6:20). I wonder if this is a coping mechanism for Mormon; if he’s basically saying, “Welp, can’t change the past, so time to move on,” and if he’s basically trying to avoid dwelling on the death and destruction that lay before him? If so, perhaps his acceptance and desire to move forward provides an answer to the questions in the top paragraph.

Additional thoughts…

• Mormon writes to the Lamanite king requesting that the next battle occur by the hill Cumorah. He mentions in verse 4 that at Cumorah, the Nephites “had hope to gain advantage over the Lamanites” (Mormon 6:4). Hope is the word that stood out to me as I read this sentence; the hill Cumorah = hope. While I understand that it’s likely Mormon was directed by the Spirit to gather at Cumorah so that the Plates of Nephi could be hidden there, I think there’s something to the fact that he mentions that the hill provided the Nephites with hope. Cumorah is a beacon of light for the world. It provided an ideal location for which the Plates could be hidden, and is a key location in the restoration of the Gospel. I’ve only had the opportunity to visit once, and I was rather young at the time, but I remember a strong feeling that it was indeed a very sacred site. I’d bet that it has always been a sacred site, even at the time of the Nephites and the Lamanites, and that the armies that had gathered there felt a similar feeling. 
• In verse 7 it’s mentioned that the wives and children of the Nephites were filled “with that awful fear of death which fills the breast of all the wicked” as the Lamanite armies marched towards them (Mormon 6:7). I’ve never been close to death, and have never been filled with fear as it approached. Still, as I read this verse, I couldn’t help but wonder if it provided insight for a very specific moment in which every single Nephite understood that they would all perish. With fear filling their hearts “did they await to receive them,” Mormon writes, as though they were paralyzed by it. I guess the ultimate point is that the wicked know they are behaving wickedly; they know right from wrong. While they may deny such a fact, as the dark scepter of death falls upon them, they recognize their evil, and more importantly, the fact that it is too late for them to change their ways. 

(Written Tuesday, December 27, 2016)

Mormon 5: "I was without hope..."

“But behold, I was without hope,” Mormon proclaims in verse 2 of Chapter 5, after mentioning that he was convinced by the Nephites to once again lead their armies (Mormon 5:2). Upon reading this, I couldn’t help but wonder what Mormon’s reasons may have been for returning as commander of the Nephite armies. He explains that his lack of hope stemmed from the fact that the Nephite people “repented not of their iniquities,” and that they refused to turn to God for assistance in their struggle against the Lamanites (Mormon 5:2). Given that he knew that the Nephite armies were destined for destruction, why bother to help them? Was it the Christlike thing to do? Could it be that he felt that providing the Nephite people some sense of hope, and showing them compassion, was proper and right? Or perhaps it was pride in his nation and its culture, despite the shortcomings of his people? He was called to serve his countrymen and felt obligated to do so. Or maybe he believed the Nephite cause was more just and more worthy than the cause of the Lamanites?

Regardless of his reasoning, I have no doubt that he consulted with the Lord before agreeing to return to the Nephite army, yet he makes no mention of it. He does however, state that he “did repent of the oath” made regarding his resignation and refusal to fight alongside the Nephites (Mormon 5:1). Now, I do have a tendency to overthink nearly everything, and this may be such a moment, but I wonder if the word “repent” was not chosen by Mormon on accident. We know from Chapter 3 that when Mormon prayed for the Nephite people, he did so “without faith” (Mormon 3:12). He was clearly frustrated with their refusal to accept the Gospel, and who could blame him? Yet maybe praying with “without faith” led to a lapse in judgement and an inability to recognize the Lord’s desire for him to continue his service to the people, requiring him to repent. Maybe he allowed his will to take precedence over the Lord’s; for without Mormon’s service at the head of the army, it’s not difficult to imagine that the “Book of Mormon” would be quite different. If Mormon wrote as a spectator, he would have written from a very different perspective and it’s entirely possible that the things which were required of him to write for latter-day generations may not have been included in the book.

A few other observations…

·         Verses 17 & 18 explain that at one point, the Nephites were a “delightsome people,” who followed Christ. At the time in which Mormon was writing, however, they were led by Satan. I couldn’t help but feel Mormon’s pain as I read these verses. The word “delightsome” is such a unique and special description. It evokes a very specific image in my mind; one of laughter and joy and song, like in a Disney animated feature. To go from being Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah’s Mr. Bluebird to being led by Satan...well, dang; that is a mighty, mighty change. Unfortunately, I imagine it was one that was not too difficult for Satan to bring about. He mostly used pride, an all too effective tool.

·          In Verse 19, Mormon mentions that “The Lord hath reserved [the Nephite’s] blessings which they might have received in the land for the Gentiles.” This seems to suggest, I think, that the Nephites had an opportunity to reap the blessings of America and blew it. More important though, are the principles taught here: 1) The Lord’s work will be accomplished regardless of our poor decisions and refusal to act as He would have us act, and 2) We must accept the blessings that the Lord hopes to provide us. We cannot passively move through life and expect that the Lord will give without acknowledgement, gratitude, and request. We must put forth an effort if we desire the Lord to make up for our shortcomings and to provide for us.

·         Mormon asks the Gentiles in Verse 23, “Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?” He issued this statement as a warning, but given the trials I’ve faced in the last few months, I read it with comfort and gratitude. The Lord’s hand is guiding my life, of that I have no doubt. While acknowledging that fact has never been difficult for me, I don’t know if I’ve ever really thought about what it means. It's only now, at a moment in which I dislike the path which He has laid for me, have I recognized the importance of faith in the fact that He does indeed have a plan designed specifically for me. This plan will not require me to experience challenges without purpose, and He will never abandon me. I am “in the hands of God,” and though it may be difficult to see now, the struggles I have are for my own good. The comfort which that sentence brings is nothing short of miraculous. It's also a sentence of great hope; the perfect way to end a post which started with a statement of hopelessness.

Mormon Chapter 4--Wickedness sweeps the land

I never really understood why it is that the authors of The Book of Mormon decided to go into detail regarding the many battles which took place over the many centuries in which the book was written. Recently, however, I think it's starting to make sense. Early in Mormon 4, Mormon writes that the Lamanite armies over take the Nephites "while they were yet weary," resulting in Lamanite possession of the City of Desolation. Just as the Nephites were weakened in their weariness, so too are we weakened when we are weary. Often in life, we find ourselves burdened with multiple trials and difficulties at once, which compound and multiply to weaken our resolve and make us more susceptible to temptation. It's crucial that in times of crisis, we recognize our Heavenly Father's love for us, and we recognize the power of and take comfort in the Savior's Atonement. He is always there to help lift our burdens, and through him we can be strengthened and withstand the Adversaries attacks.

One other point that stood out to me in Chapter 4 can be found in verse 5, which reads,

"But behold, the judgements of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed."

What a fascinating point. God does not stir the hearts of man unto anger; He is love and peace and hope. While the unjust will not go unpunished, He does not manipulate the agency of others in order to enact consequences for them. Instead, wickedness will destroy wickedness. Those who behave in a destructive manner will find destruction as a result of their actions. It's like lifetime smokers; if you've smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for your entire life, you have a significantly higher chance of dying from lung cancer than a non-smoker. God isn't punishing you for disobeying the Word of Wisdom however, rather, you are punishing yourself. You are responsible for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and if you choose not to, then you will suffer the consequences.