Patterns For Our Day

President Ezra Taft Benson said, “In the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to Christ’s coming to America. By careful study of that time period, we can determine why some were destroyed in the terrible judgments that preceded His coming and what brought others to stand at the temple in the land of Bountiful and thrust their hands into the wounds of His hands and feet. … Can anyone doubt that this book was meant for us and that in it we find great power, great comfort, and great protection?” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 5–6; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6–7).

This week's lesson dealt with the decades leading up to Christ's visit to America (1 AD - 33 AD), and there are a few things I think are quite relevant to our day that, if applied, will help us stay in good shape.

1. Signs & Wonders
Samuel the Lamanite prophesied the coming of a "day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night" (Hel 14:4). Five years later the sign came, indicating the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. When the sign came, people could not dispute it. They knew the sun went down, but there was no darkness. However, "there began to be lyings sent forth among the people, by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the intent they might not believe in those signs and wonders which they had seen..." (3 Nephi 1: 22)

So many people say, "I'll believe it when I see it" but what a frail support upon which to base our faith (don't even get me started on how unreliable eye-witness testimony is). Many people observed the sign, but were lead afterwards not to believe, even to the point where they "began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven..." (3 Nephi 2:1). The Savior taught that in the last days there would be "famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places" (Matt 24:7, see also Mark 13:8, Luke 21:11), but in our day we say "it's just another earthquake".

2. "...unite with [the] brethren..." (3 Nephi 2:12)
As the Gadianton Robbers became more prevalent, the righteous Lamanites united with their Nephite brethren "for the safety of their lives and their women and their children... and also to maintain their rights, and the privileges of their church and of their worship, and their freedom and their liberty" (3 Nephi 2:12). Only when they were united together did they gain any advantage over the Gadiantons. In 3 Nephi 3, the Nephites went so far as to gather together in one place, which eventually led to the defeat of the Gadianton Robbers. They hearkened to Lachoneus, a righteous leader, repented, and were spared.

Wilford Woodruff once taught, "the very moment that men in this kingdom attempt to run ahead or cross the path of their leaders, no matter in what respect, the moment they do this they are in danger of being injured by the wolves. … I have never in my life known it to fail." (Journal of Discourses 5:83)

3. Beware of Pride
The Nephites went from a state where "there was not a living soul among [them] who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets who had spoken; for they knew that it must needs be that they must be fulfilled." (3 Nephi 5:1). They knew Christ had come and they "did serve God with all diligence day and night". (3 Nephi 5:3). Fast-forward a couple of years and we see "some were lifted up unto pride and boastings" (3 Nephi 6:10). A year later they are "in a state of aweful wickedness.

"Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them... therefore they did wilfully rebel against God." (3 Nephi 6:17-18)

I like to think that my faith and testimony are strong enough that I'll be able to withstand the trials that are ahead. But then I read this and I can't help but wonder how many of the Nephites felt the same way in 3 Nephi 5:1. If you would've walked up to anyone on the street and told them in 6-7 years, they'd be "wilfully rebel[ing] against God", they would've shared a strong and fervent testimony of their faith and devotion to God and how they'd never give that up. But the truth is that most of them did fall away. The trick is learning from their experience to prevent the same mistakes in our own lives. As President Benson taught, Beware of Pride.

4. Great Faith
A few years later, things had digressed to the point where the people killed the prophets who came to warn them and call them to repentance. Nephi went out undeterred, and "began to testify, boldly, repentance and remission of sins through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ." (3 Nephi 7:16)

The people became angry with him for a few reasons. First, "because he had greater power than they" (3 Nephi 7:18). They recognized in him a real power, not the fleeting mist of political power to which they aspired, but eternal and binding power. And, rather than bring their lives back in accordance with eternal principles (remember, a few years ago these had all been faithful and righteous people), they resented Nephi and wanted to destroy him, "for it were not possible that they could disbelieve his words" (3 Nephi 7:18).

Second, he had the nerve to raise his brother Timothy from the dead "after he had been stoned and suffered death by the people" (3 Nephi 7:19). As a side note, this tells me that Timothy was actively preaching to the people as well. Just because we're faithful and obedient, doesn't mean we don't get a few rocks thrown in our direction.

Anyhow, back at the ranch... Nephi's faith sustained him and gave him the strength to be obedient even though he was vastly in the minority. Sometimes we think being the only LDS at work or at school is tough... Nephi had such great faith "on the Lord Jesus Christ that angels did minister unto him daily." (3 Nephi 7:18)

That's how strong our faith will need to be. Whether or not we get angels is up to God, but we'd better make sure our faith is strong enough if the time ever comes when we really need angelic assistance.

"... hide up [your] treasures unto me..."

There was a lot of ground to cover for last week's lesson (Helaman 13-16). Samuel the Lamanite came onto the scene and then left just as quickly. I think most are familiar with his prophecies concerning the birth and death of the Savior and the accompanying signs for those in the Americas.

One thing jumped out at me that I had never picked up before. Helaman 13:19 reads,

"For I will, saith the Lord, that they shall hide up their treasures unto me... for none hideth up their treasures unto me save it be the righteous..."

This really got me thinking, and three questions worked their way to the surface.

1. What is our treasure?
2. How do we hide it up unto the Lord?
3. Why are we hiding it?

First, what is our treasure? Once I figured this out, the other two seemed to fall into place. Like many good insights, this one came to me as I was in sacrament meeting. Desperation? Maybe... Anyhow, I thought of the Sermon on the Mount when Christ taught,

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (3 Nephi 13:21, also in Matt 6)

It seems to me that the Lord is saying He wants us to hide up our hearts unto Him, as our hearts and treasures seem to be nearly synonymous. If our hearts aren't in the right place, we'll need to go through the "mighty change of heart" so we can hide it up to Him.

Second, how do we hide it unto the Lord? I think this means keeping our hearts safe from influences that would pull our desires away from the Lord.

Elder David A. Bednar taught in the April 2006 General Conference:

"The standard is clear. If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing."

We need to protect our hearts as we would a precious valuable. We go to great lengths to protect our temporal treasures, there are industries devoted to safety and security. But how much protection do we place around our hearts?

Third, why do we need to hide our hearts? Something from this weeks lesson stuck out as I was driving around. 3 Nephi 6:15-16 tells of how "Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity...

"And thus Satan did lead away the hearts of the people..." (emphasis added).

The Nephites seem to have been "lull[ed]... away into carnal security" (2 Nephi 28:21) and let down their guard to the point where "they did willfully rebel against God." (3 Nephi 6:18).

If we hide our hearts unto the Lord, then they will be safe from the "fiery darts of the adversary" (Eph 6:16, 1 Nephi 15:24). We often have a tendency to neglect the areas of our lives which we feel are strong and impervious. Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught:

"Satan can ... attack us where we think we are strong -- in the very areas where we are proud of our strengths. He will approach us through the greatest talents and spiritual gifts we possess. If we are not wary, Satan can cause our spiritual downfall by corrupting us through our strengths as well as by exploiting our weaknesses." (Ensign, Oct. 1994, p. 12)

So, what is the Lord trying to tell us when he asks us to hide up our treasures unto him? I think it is an invitation to turn our hearts completely to him where they will be kept safe. And like anything else we willingly give to the Lord, he returns to us with increase.

“Why will ye die?”

There were so many things to cover from this week’s lesson, I had to decide between posting 5 pages of material and focusing on one thought. There was one theme that came up a few times during the lesson material (Helaman 6-12), and that was how quickly we tend to forget the Lord.

“For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world that they had not been stirred up to … wars… therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches… that they might be lifted up one above another…” (Hel 6:17)

It sounds like they’ve enjoyed the blessings for a long time, doesn’t it. How long was “so long”? Well, verse 1 says the 62nd year of the judges had ended, and things really fell apart in the commencement of the 67th year. For the Nephites, “so long” ended up being three years. For years, I’d read that and think, “those silly Nephites, why can’t they just keep things together?!” I don’t know when it changed for me, but I’ve been trying to think lately when was the last time I’ve been able to keep my act together for three years in a row. I’m pretty sure that my personal record for consecutive individual scripture study stands unbroken at 25 days. That doesn’t leave me with a lot of ground from which to judge the Nephites.

Why is it so hard to do the “small and simple things”? I can sit down and read a novel or even a motivational book for hours at a time, but somehow can’t seem to be consistent with scripture reading.

In Helaman 7, Nephi reproves the people who have gathered around him as he mourns over their wickedness.

“…ye are given away that the devil has got so great hold upon your hearts.” (vs. 15)

Is that why I have such a hard time with consistent daily scripture study? Is my heart not truly in it?

“Yea, how could you have given way to the enticing of him who is seeking to hurl away your souls down to everlasting misery and endless wo?” (vs. 16)

Well, when you put it that way it sounds all warm and fuzzy, doesn’t it?

“O repent ye, repent ye! Why will ye die? Turn ye, turn ye unto the Lord your God…” (vs. 17)

Whatever that is in my heart instead of the desire to study the scriptures, is it worth dieing for?

“O, how could you have forgotten your God in the very day that he has delivered you?” (vs. 20)

How many times in my life have I turned away after receiving blessings from the Lord’s hand? How many days have gone by without seeing me on my knees in gratitude for all I’ve received?

So here’s the plan. I’m going to make a real effort to see how long I can maintain my daily scripture study and personal prayers, starting today. President Ezra Taft Benson said in conference, “God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble.” (“Beware of Pride,” Ensign, May 1989, 4)

Personally, I’d rather choose to be humble…

The Power of the Word

I'm getting ready for the lesson on Sunday (and it's not even Saturday yet). We're doing Helaman chapters 1-5 this week, and what jumped out at me was the emphasis on the power of the word of God to really change people's lives.

Lemme e'splain... No. There is too much. Lemme sum up...

Chapters 1-4 deal with the on-going military struggles between the Nephites (captained by Moroni's son, Moronihah) and the Lamanites. It's a good read, I would highly recommend you take the time to go through it on your own. As a result of the Nephites' disobedience and pride "...and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper... until they had lost possession of almost all their lands." (Helaman 4:13)

I love that phrase, because of "their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength". These guys were probably doing fairly well in the muscle department. I did 20 pushups this morning and thought I was going to lose the use of my arms for the rest of the day (in my defense, my feet were on one of those big inflatable exercise balls at the time, and I was using the fancy push-up bars for an added degree of difficulty). But I digress...

Moronihah and Nephi and Lehi (sons of Helaman 'the 2nd') preach repentance to the Nephites and they are able to regain half of their lands before they give up on trying to take back any more territory (Helaman 4:16-18). Even if the story stopped there, it would be impressive. Simply teaching the gospel humbled the people to where they were obedient again. But the story doesn't stop there...

Nephi and Lehi decide to preach to the Lamanites starting in Zarahemla,

"...they did preach with great power, insomuch that they did confound many of those dissenters who had gone over from the Nephites, insomuch that they came forth and did confess their sins and were baptized unto repentance, and immediately returned to the Nephites to endeavor to repair unto them the wrongs which they had done." (Helaman 5:17)

Not bad, huh. I'll have to look into it further, but I think this is the first recorded incident when a Nephite dissenter was converted back. But wait, it gets better. Eight thousand Lamanites were also baptized. That's a lot, in case you were wondering... But it gets even better.

They head towards the land of Nephi and are met by an army of the Lamanites who cast them into prison (okay, so that part's not better, but it ends on a positive note). I used to be good at math, but I can still figure out that it doesn't take an army to arrest two men. If that wasn't enough, they leave them in prison for "many days without food" before going in "that they might slay them" (Helaman 5:22).

Long story short, Nephi and Lehi are surrounded as if by a pillar of fire, the Lamanites are a little stunned when they see the two men aren't burned or harmed. A voice from above tells them to repent, and the 300 who came to kill Nephi & Lehi are converted and run around converting others, "insomuch that the more part of the Lamanites were convinced of them" and "did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred" (Helaman 5:50-51).

I think Mormon chose this account very carefully to contrast the results achieved through the Nephite military efforts with the results of the changing power of the gospel. There's no doubt Moronihah was a very righteous man, and had the Nephites as a whole been more humble and faithful, I think he could've been more successful with his armies.

On the other hand, two men armed only with the power and authority from God were able to set at defiance the Lamanite army. To me, the climax of the story is the last verse in chapter 5:

"And it came to pass that they did yield up unto the Nephites the lands of their possessions." (Helaman 5:52)

Moronihah's army was only able to regain half of their lands through battle and bloodshed. The preaching of the word caused the Lamanites to voluntarily return to the Nephites the all the lands which had been taken without any loss of life.

"And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them..." (Alma 31:5, emphasis added)

Ammon & Lamoni

Ammon has long been one of my biggest heroes. And, as luck would have it, it wasn't my week to teach when this lesson came around.

I had a couple of "wonders" during the lesson today:

1. Lamoni offered one of his daughters to Ammon as a wife (Alma 17:24). I wonder if this was a political move on his part, like in European history when the king of one country would marry the queen of another country. Ammon is King Mosiah's son, which would make him a prince in our day. Could Lamoni have been using this as an opportunity to get a foothold in the Nephite 'royal family'? Apparently he wasn't watching the news when Mosiah introduced the system of judges.

2. Lamoni puts Ammon on shepherd duty (Alma 17:25). I wonder if this was a way to get rid of Ammon, as this job had a reputation for employee termination. Let the kings sheep get scattered or stolen, and you're dead (literally). Maybe that was in some small way contributing to the king's amazement when the servants returned. Not only did Ammon not get killed, but he saved the flocks and the other servants, and managed to 'disarm' his opponents.

3. This one isn't so much of a wonder as a reverential amazement. We often glaze over the queen's experience as King Lamoni is presumed dead during his spiritual experience. As near as we can tell from the story, she was not taught by Ammon, but knew that he could help her. At Ammon's word alone, she stayed at her husband's bedside waiting for the time when Ammon said Lamoni would arise. "...Blessed art thou because of thy exceeding faith; I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites" (Alma 19:10).

Anyhow, I hope to one day have the opportunity to ask Ammon and Lamoni (and Mrs. Lamoni) for all the details of their experience. Maybe on judgement day while I'm waiting in line for my turn (letting everyone cut in line ahead of me).

Zeezrom - An Unlikely Hero

On Sunday we were introduced to Zeezrom as Alma and Amulek were preaching in Ammonihah (Lesson 23, Alma 8-12) and we get to continue his story in next week's lesson (#24, Alma 13-16). Sure, his story didn't start out on the right foot. He was "the foremost to accuse Amulek and Alma" as they taught (Alma 10:31) and seems to be a 'big shot' among the city's lawyers. He was also an "...expert in the devices of the devil, that he might destroy that which was good..." (Alma 11:21).

I'm not going to go through the story of his conversion experience, you can look it up in Alma 11-15. The short & sweet of it is that he was converted and stayed faithful.

I think one of the key points in this story is the power of the Atonement to change lives. Not just the lives of the "good" people, but any life. Here is a man who was actively engaged in fighting against the prophet Alma. In that respect, he's no different than those who came before him - such as Nehor. What made him different, however, was the fact that somehow he found the humility to listen to the prophet and change his life. It's not easy for any of us to admit we're wrong, and here is Zeezrom sincerely asking Alma to teach him.

I never made the connection before, but these two men were very similar in their backgrounds. Both had been actively engaged in trying to break down the church of God and after their conversions spent all their efforts in teaching others. Who better to reach out to Zeezrom than Alma? In both cases, it was their new-found faith in Christ that saved them. I'd like to imagine Alma giving Zeezrom a pep talk. Imagine the genuine love and empathy in his voice as he says, "Z, I know what you're going through, trust me. Remember what we told you about Christ and the atonement." (don't bother looking for that in the scriptures, I made that part up). This part is true though:

"And Alma said: If thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be healed." (Alma 15:8).

What a powerful statement! Christ can heal us! He has already carried our pains, sicknesses, and sins (Alma 7:11-12) and knows perfectly how to heal our wounded souls and hearts. I think we know He can heal us, but we often don't believe it.

To me, Zeezrom is a great example of the atonement in action. If it can make such a dramatic change in his life, I have to believe it can work in my life too.

Abinadi – A Renewed Appreciation

In our ward we have three Gospel Doctrine teachers and two classes, so every third week I get a week off. I was fortunate enough to be able to cover both of the Abinadi lessons (Mosiah 11-17). I gained a renewed appreciation for his example of being “steadfast and immovable”. Here are some of the things that impressed me.

1. I learned that in Hebrew, ‘Abi’ means ‘my father’ and ‘nadi’ means ‘present with you’. So together, the name Abinadi would mean something along the lines of ‘my father is present with you’. Way cool, because God was certainly with him.

2. In Mosiah 11, we are introduced to Abinadi, who enters the scene prophesying against the people’s wickedness and exhorts them to repent. King Noah put out an “arrest order” on Abinadi with the intent of killing him. Two years later, Abinadi returns to the city in disguise and says “Thus has the Lord commanded me, saying – Abinadi, go and prophesy unto this my people…” I wondered what’s the point of wearing a disguise if you’re just going to tell everyone who you are anyway. Then I realized Abinadi was only worried about getting into the city, not getting out. I think he went in knowing that he wasn’t coming out again. I can’t imagine getting a mission call that said “you’re going to be the first martyr recorded in the Book of Mormon”.

3. I didn't realize just how extensive the results of his mission really were. I had a vague idea that most of the Book of Mormon from that point on was a result of Abinadi's influence, but I had to see it on paper to really get it. Because I like playing with CorelDraw, and also because a good visual aid never hurts, I made a chart of Alma's family. Every Nephite record keeper up to Mormon was a direct descendent of Alma the Elder. Three of them were also Chief Judges. Two were among the 12 chosen by the resurrected Savior to be special witnesses. I wonder if Abinadi was given a glimpse of just how far his influence would reach. In a way, any of us who read the Book of Mormon are indebted to Abinadi.

4. As often as I read the account, I will always be impressed and awed at how he stood in defiance of King Noah's priests. I try to imagine this prophet of God standing before his accusers, much like Christ stood before the Sanhedrin, as they tried to find some grounds to charge him. Trying in vain to catch him with their clever questions, instead being "confound[ed]... in all their words" (Mosiah 12:19). Picture the priests and those in the court cowering before an unarmed prisoner as he boldly declares, "Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver..." (Mosiah 13:3).

If you want an interesting exercise, compare Abinadi's teachings in Mosiah 15 & 16 with Alma the Younger's teachings. You'll find that Alma uses a lot of the same language and phrasing used only by Abinadi. I wonder how often he heard Abinadi's teachings from Alma Sr. during Family Home Evening. This is totally unwarranted speculation, but I wonder if the angel who visited Alma the Younger (both times) could have been Abinadi.

I used to think there may have been a connection between Abinadi and King Benjamin because there are several similarities in their teachings, but then I realized Abinadi was killed approximately 24 years before King Benjamin's final address.

Anyhow, as it always does, studying the material for the lesson somehow gets me into the scriptures in a way I don't normally reach in my own personal study. I hope I have half of Abinadi's faith and courage when my time of testing comes.