Pop quiz: who destroyed the Nephite government three years before the sign of Jesus' death?
It's not the Gadiantons. At this time in the Nephite history, there weren't any as they'd all been executed or converted six years earlier. The correct answer is lawyers, lower judges and their friends destroyed the government.
Today's equivalents are politicians, senior government officials, the Judiciary (have to put the lawyers somewhere), and their cronies, family and friends. It should be no surprise then, to a student of the Book of Mormon, who is changing the government in radical ways that take away our rights, and liberties. I'll bet you're surprised. Not.
It's one of those not so subtle proofs showing the content of the Book of Mormon is far beyond something an 1829 farm boy, school teacher or minister could ever dream up. Its insights into our day are so prescient, the contents of this chapter ought to be alarming.
Someone once said history repeats itself and if you don't learn from the past, you'll get the full brunt of its lessons the hard way. Actually, history rhymes. But the themes and lessons are no less dangerous or painful to endure when they come. It's fortunate we have the warning of 3 Nephi 7 because it gives us time to prepare.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
3 Nephi 6 - Our Day
In the keynote address of the April 1987 General Conference, President Benson said, "The record of the Nephite history just prior to the Savior's visit reveals many parallels to our own day." This chapter is the meat of that statement. As such it contains material that is cause for great concern with just a dash of hope.
The hope comes from showing what we must to do to remain faithful in such a wicked environment. In verse 13, he observes only charity: not returning railing for railing, being kind in the face of persecution is the only way the righteous remained so.
The rest of the chapter tells of wickedness being so prevalent and Satan's power over the people so great, the church is broken up. Eventually, it exists only among a few of the Lamanites. Later, when God wants to warn the people, He must choose righteous men since the church no longer has an effective voice.
We live in such days: we have many businesses, lawyers and a level of material wealth the world has not seen. Wickedness abounds and as Isaiah wrote, today that which God says is good is now considered evil. Debauchery and lasciviousness is considered acceptable entertainment. (50 Shades of Gray, anyone?)
Our government is disconnected from reality... many of us are. In my previous post, I commented on Giddianhi's letter. It's an outrageous declaration of beliefs not grounded in reality or sound thinking. But how different is it from what comes out of Washington DC?
The only safe path forward, is courageous, yet humble and committed adherence to Jesus Christ and His teachings.
The hope comes from showing what we must to do to remain faithful in such a wicked environment. In verse 13, he observes only charity: not returning railing for railing, being kind in the face of persecution is the only way the righteous remained so.
The rest of the chapter tells of wickedness being so prevalent and Satan's power over the people so great, the church is broken up. Eventually, it exists only among a few of the Lamanites. Later, when God wants to warn the people, He must choose righteous men since the church no longer has an effective voice.
We live in such days: we have many businesses, lawyers and a level of material wealth the world has not seen. Wickedness abounds and as Isaiah wrote, today that which God says is good is now considered evil. Debauchery and lasciviousness is considered acceptable entertainment. (50 Shades of Gray, anyone?)
Our government is disconnected from reality... many of us are. In my previous post, I commented on Giddianhi's letter. It's an outrageous declaration of beliefs not grounded in reality or sound thinking. But how different is it from what comes out of Washington DC?
The only safe path forward, is courageous, yet humble and committed adherence to Jesus Christ and His teachings.
Monday, July 27, 2015
3 Nephi 4-5 The Great Siege
These chapters finish one of the better known and interesting "battle" stories of the Book of Mormon. The one where the Nephites and Lamanites retreat to the center of their land, hunker down behind their fortress walls and outlast the Gadiantons. Since the story is well known, I wont spend a lot of time on retelling it, but I am going to comment on some of its "interesting" aspects.
First off is the letter from Giddianhi to Lachoneous. In the Book of Mormon, Mormon includes two letters from two different bad guys. The first is from Amoron where he agrees to swap prisoners with Captain Moroni. The other is this letter where Giddianhi demands the unconditional surrender of Nephites. What's common between the two is how they show the best way to get people to follow you is convince them they're victims. Once you do that, then you promise to redress their wrongs if they do what you say.
I've wondered why Mormon included these letters and stories. The best answer I can think of is this stratagem will be used on us. For us to recognize it and see it for the evil it is, he included these letters. Once you recognize the pattern, it's easy to spot it in just about any political movement. It goes like this: for your money, I will fix <fill in the blank for the fear du jour> for you. Gullible sheep that we are, enough fall for this that con men of all flavors continue doing it.
The other tidbit I find interesting is Mormon's comment about who he is: a "pure" descendant of Lehi. Imagine having a thousand year long bloodline where both mother and father come from the same person. I can only guess, but the number who could make that claim by Mormon's day was probably pretty limited and put him, so far as lineage is concerned in a very elite group. Remember the aristocracy of their culture? By birth, Mormon was an elite of the elite.
To his credit, it didn't go to his head, but it was probably his geneology as much as anything that got him the position of commander of all Nephite armies. It's something to think about. He sets a great example, one that is stressed over and over again: listen to and follow the spirit. That I would do as well.
First off is the letter from Giddianhi to Lachoneous. In the Book of Mormon, Mormon includes two letters from two different bad guys. The first is from Amoron where he agrees to swap prisoners with Captain Moroni. The other is this letter where Giddianhi demands the unconditional surrender of Nephites. What's common between the two is how they show the best way to get people to follow you is convince them they're victims. Once you do that, then you promise to redress their wrongs if they do what you say.
I've wondered why Mormon included these letters and stories. The best answer I can think of is this stratagem will be used on us. For us to recognize it and see it for the evil it is, he included these letters. Once you recognize the pattern, it's easy to spot it in just about any political movement. It goes like this: for your money, I will fix <fill in the blank for the fear du jour> for you. Gullible sheep that we are, enough fall for this that con men of all flavors continue doing it.
The other tidbit I find interesting is Mormon's comment about who he is: a "pure" descendant of Lehi. Imagine having a thousand year long bloodline where both mother and father come from the same person. I can only guess, but the number who could make that claim by Mormon's day was probably pretty limited and put him, so far as lineage is concerned in a very elite group. Remember the aristocracy of their culture? By birth, Mormon was an elite of the elite.
To his credit, it didn't go to his head, but it was probably his geneology as much as anything that got him the position of commander of all Nephite armies. It's something to think about. He sets a great example, one that is stressed over and over again: listen to and follow the spirit. That I would do as well.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Charity Never Faileth - Meaning of...
This is slightly off topic, but the idea came with such force, I wanted to share it with you all. While preparing for my lesson in High Priests, I came across the expression "charity never faileth." Normally, I would have blown right past that and not given it any more thought, but the question came to me... "what does it mean?"
For me, I'd always thought it meant that charity is an eternal virtue, as in, it's what motivates all who are citizens of the Celestial Kingdom. Because that's how they live and act, then charity is a concept, a behavior or attitude that is eternal.. it never faileth. And then the question came to mind... but what does the word "fail" mean?
So, to the dictionary I went, wondering if there was some obscure meaning which may provide a new nuance to the expression. Instead I was drawn to the very first definition: to be unsuccessful in achieving a goal. And then the ah-hah moment. Charity will always work! If you want to touch or raise or improve someone else, use charity: it always works!
For me, I'd always thought it meant that charity is an eternal virtue, as in, it's what motivates all who are citizens of the Celestial Kingdom. Because that's how they live and act, then charity is a concept, a behavior or attitude that is eternal.. it never faileth. And then the question came to mind... but what does the word "fail" mean?
So, to the dictionary I went, wondering if there was some obscure meaning which may provide a new nuance to the expression. Instead I was drawn to the very first definition: to be unsuccessful in achieving a goal. And then the ah-hah moment. Charity will always work! If you want to touch or raise or improve someone else, use charity: it always works!
Saturday, July 25, 2015
3 Nephi 2-3 Gidgidoni
In these two chapters we have the run up to what I call, "The Great Siege." In it the Nephites and righteous Lamanites gather into the center of their lands to outlast the Gadiantions. I'll talk about that in my next post, for now there are a few interesting tidbits I want to mention.
One that jumped out at me is Mormon's commentary on the Nephite Chief Captain, Gidgidoni. Did you know it's only recently that this name has been found by archeologists in the Old World? It's recently been seen inscribed on Neo-Assyrian cuneiform tablets. These were the people who carried the Northern Kingdom of Israel into captivity. The empire ceased to exist about 607 BCE. Do you think maybe refugees from its collapse may have ended up in the Southern Kingdom by or about the time Mulek and company left? And do you think, maybe, just maybe the name came to the New World that way?
It makes me wonder how Joseph Smith knew nearly two hundred years ago it was an authentic, time period appropriate name? Then again, the critics will tell you it was probably Sidney Rigdon who knew it, since he was after all a "much smarter person." Whatever... My point is: NO ONE in Upstate New York in 1829 knew of it. So was it just a lucky guess? I think not.
The other interesting thing about him is his resume, he was a prophet before he was made commander of the Nephite armies. What strikes me about this is it shows Alma the Elder and his progeny weren't the Nephites' only religious voices. While they were part of the Nephite aristocracy, they weren't all of it. I think it's interesting Mormon had to point this out to the reader. It indicates that in his day, that was not the case. It's another evidence that in the Nephite and Lamanite culture, there was an aristocracy wherein religious, political and military power were often combined in one person and that it was "normal" for them.
Not once, does Mormon ever comment on how odd that was according to our way of thinking. In fact, in an essay Orson Scott Card wrote about the challenges of writing a fictional "history" that claims to be authentic, Card observes most authors will point out the differences from what is normal to explain it to the reader to prove to the reader, "these people are different." Mormon did it with the comment about prophets being appointed military commanders when the people were righteous. To him, that was a significant enough difference from the norm that he needed to explain it. The BIG difference for us is the aristocratic nature of their society, yet on that sense, Mormon is silent. If Joseph had made it up, he would have commented on that, but you NEVER see anything about that in the book.
It's another subtle evidence the Book of Mormon is what it claims to be, the abridged history of an ancient culture that existed here in the Americas.
NOTE: Sorry about the earlier mix up on the book's name. This should have been, and now is about 3 Nephi, not Helaman.
One that jumped out at me is Mormon's commentary on the Nephite Chief Captain, Gidgidoni. Did you know it's only recently that this name has been found by archeologists in the Old World? It's recently been seen inscribed on Neo-Assyrian cuneiform tablets. These were the people who carried the Northern Kingdom of Israel into captivity. The empire ceased to exist about 607 BCE. Do you think maybe refugees from its collapse may have ended up in the Southern Kingdom by or about the time Mulek and company left? And do you think, maybe, just maybe the name came to the New World that way?
It makes me wonder how Joseph Smith knew nearly two hundred years ago it was an authentic, time period appropriate name? Then again, the critics will tell you it was probably Sidney Rigdon who knew it, since he was after all a "much smarter person." Whatever... My point is: NO ONE in Upstate New York in 1829 knew of it. So was it just a lucky guess? I think not.
The other interesting thing about him is his resume, he was a prophet before he was made commander of the Nephite armies. What strikes me about this is it shows Alma the Elder and his progeny weren't the Nephites' only religious voices. While they were part of the Nephite aristocracy, they weren't all of it. I think it's interesting Mormon had to point this out to the reader. It indicates that in his day, that was not the case. It's another evidence that in the Nephite and Lamanite culture, there was an aristocracy wherein religious, political and military power were often combined in one person and that it was "normal" for them.
Not once, does Mormon ever comment on how odd that was according to our way of thinking. In fact, in an essay Orson Scott Card wrote about the challenges of writing a fictional "history" that claims to be authentic, Card observes most authors will point out the differences from what is normal to explain it to the reader to prove to the reader, "these people are different." Mormon did it with the comment about prophets being appointed military commanders when the people were righteous. To him, that was a significant enough difference from the norm that he needed to explain it. The BIG difference for us is the aristocratic nature of their society, yet on that sense, Mormon is silent. If Joseph had made it up, he would have commented on that, but you NEVER see anything about that in the book.
It's another subtle evidence the Book of Mormon is what it claims to be, the abridged history of an ancient culture that existed here in the Americas.
NOTE: Sorry about the earlier mix up on the book's name. This should have been, and now is about 3 Nephi, not Helaman.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Helaman 16 - 3 Nephi 1 - The Futility of Signs
If you think signs will make lasting converts, think again. If you doubt my words, these two chapters are all the proof I need. Many stories in the Book of Mormon show they never cause nor precede conversion, rather, they either condemn or follow faith. The sign of the birth of Jesus Christ is not only the archetype of all signs but the most impressive too.
Leading up to it, the grossly wicked Nephites had whipped up the wicked ones to anger against the righteous for their belief in the Savior's coming. This anger was so hot, they'd determined to massacre the righteous on a given day if it didn't appear. Nephi, the son of Nephi was so distraught he spent the day before praying mightily for his people. My guess is, he'd actually spent many days leading up to that pleading for the welfare of the righteous.
That he would do so, is evidence he was confident the government would not intervene. In fact, the government probably sanctioned what was about to happen. So, if you think being righteous is difficult today, imagine what it was like then. For them, their faith in everything they'd been taught, not to mention their lives was on the line. But I digress.
That day Nephi gets an answer, "tonight the sign will be given." And sure enough, it comes astonishing everyone. Many of the wicked fall to the ground in wonder. And for what you think would be an unforgettable night, there is no darkness.
Everyone is converted to the Gospel. But the next day it seems, the lies and rumors began. "It's all some trick to deceive us," they are told. And while it seems preposterous to us, in less than three years, many among both the Nephites and the Lamanites are dissenting and joining the Gadiantons. The chapter ends with even the Lamanites dwindling in righteousness because of the wickedness of their children.
In my opinion, this sign wasn't given to convert the wicked, but to save the righteous. And so it is today: your personal experiences with the spirit wont convert others, but they can save your testimony in the face of trials and persecution. And that's why we need to work to have them often. Enjoy the day.
In the spirit of the post, let me make a plug for my app. "LDS Advocate" links to many online resources which can help strengthen your testimony. I wrote it for the faithful who have questions about aspects of the Gospel. Please check it out in iTunes. There's a link to it in the sidebar of this blog. Thanks.
Leading up to it, the grossly wicked Nephites had whipped up the wicked ones to anger against the righteous for their belief in the Savior's coming. This anger was so hot, they'd determined to massacre the righteous on a given day if it didn't appear. Nephi, the son of Nephi was so distraught he spent the day before praying mightily for his people. My guess is, he'd actually spent many days leading up to that pleading for the welfare of the righteous.
That he would do so, is evidence he was confident the government would not intervene. In fact, the government probably sanctioned what was about to happen. So, if you think being righteous is difficult today, imagine what it was like then. For them, their faith in everything they'd been taught, not to mention their lives was on the line. But I digress.
That day Nephi gets an answer, "tonight the sign will be given." And sure enough, it comes astonishing everyone. Many of the wicked fall to the ground in wonder. And for what you think would be an unforgettable night, there is no darkness.
Everyone is converted to the Gospel. But the next day it seems, the lies and rumors began. "It's all some trick to deceive us," they are told. And while it seems preposterous to us, in less than three years, many among both the Nephites and the Lamanites are dissenting and joining the Gadiantons. The chapter ends with even the Lamanites dwindling in righteousness because of the wickedness of their children.
In my opinion, this sign wasn't given to convert the wicked, but to save the righteous. And so it is today: your personal experiences with the spirit wont convert others, but they can save your testimony in the face of trials and persecution. And that's why we need to work to have them often. Enjoy the day.
In the spirit of the post, let me make a plug for my app. "LDS Advocate" links to many online resources which can help strengthen your testimony. I wrote it for the faithful who have questions about aspects of the Gospel. Please check it out in iTunes. There's a link to it in the sidebar of this blog. Thanks.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Helaman 13-15 Samuel and the Light in the Sky
The account of Samuel the Lamanite, is unique among the stories in the Book of Mormon. It's the only one Jesus himself told the Nephites to include in the Large Plates of Nephi. Because of this importance, Mormon included it in the record he compiled.
The story of Samuel the Lamanite and his preaching to the Nephites, is well known, so I wont spend time on it here. Instead, I want to focus on the sign he predicted of the Savior's birth. He said it would be light as day the night before the day the Savior was born. The effect of that being a day, a night and another day that would appear as one day. That's pretty impressive!
I've wondered how that could happen. How did God make the sky light up without the sun around so it would shine like day? I still don't know, but there is a clue. In Chapter six, verse five, Samuel says there will be a new star, such as they've never seen before appear in the sky.
The geek in me says the two events are connected. This is how... When a star much larger than the sun runs out of fuel, it explodes becoming a "super nova." It puts out as much light energy in that dying gasp as it did over its entire life time. Some of that energy is in the form of a spherical wave of charged particles rushing away from the star.
Our sun frequently does this too, but on a much less violent scale. When the sun's particles pass the Earth, some get trapped by the magnetosphere and sent down to the poles. There they hit the upper atmosphere creating the auroras. In this instance though these particles hit the atmosphere in such a way and place, it lit up like a giant neon light. Which made the night as bright as day, even though no star could be seen.
Once the wave passed, "all" that was left was the flash of the explosion which became the star they'd never seen before. As explosions do, even super novae, the flash faded and the star disappeared from site. But while it shone, it shone with unusual brilliance. While the phenomenon is easily explained, getting it to happen at just the right time is a miracle on an astronomic scale.
The story of Samuel the Lamanite and his preaching to the Nephites, is well known, so I wont spend time on it here. Instead, I want to focus on the sign he predicted of the Savior's birth. He said it would be light as day the night before the day the Savior was born. The effect of that being a day, a night and another day that would appear as one day. That's pretty impressive!
I've wondered how that could happen. How did God make the sky light up without the sun around so it would shine like day? I still don't know, but there is a clue. In Chapter six, verse five, Samuel says there will be a new star, such as they've never seen before appear in the sky.
The geek in me says the two events are connected. This is how... When a star much larger than the sun runs out of fuel, it explodes becoming a "super nova." It puts out as much light energy in that dying gasp as it did over its entire life time. Some of that energy is in the form of a spherical wave of charged particles rushing away from the star.
Our sun frequently does this too, but on a much less violent scale. When the sun's particles pass the Earth, some get trapped by the magnetosphere and sent down to the poles. There they hit the upper atmosphere creating the auroras. In this instance though these particles hit the atmosphere in such a way and place, it lit up like a giant neon light. Which made the night as bright as day, even though no star could be seen.
Once the wave passed, "all" that was left was the flash of the explosion which became the star they'd never seen before. As explosions do, even super novae, the flash faded and the star disappeared from site. But while it shone, it shone with unusual brilliance. While the phenomenon is easily explained, getting it to happen at just the right time is a miracle on an astronomic scale.
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