Day 330

The student manual notes the similarities of king Riplakish and king Noah... how both oppressed the people, relished in their own desires, and ultimately were then killed by their own people...

This reminded me of the opposite situation, in the case of Lamoni's father, and all of the Lamanites that were converted unto the Lord when he sent out the decree to let these Nephites preach.  Thousands were brought to the knowledge of their Lord. 

Were these people just ready and waiting... or did the example of their leader, their king turn their hearts?

It was probably both.  If your heart isn't ready to hear the witness, then it wouldn't matter if people were preaching to you right?  As I say that I want to take it back.  Even if your heart isn't ready, the goodness and love, the change that comes through seeing people who are happy can be small, but influential.

And, if you had a king that prevented that knowledge to be taught, you wouldn't hear it.

What was the result of the different kings and their kingdoms?  Evil vs. good.  Happy people and peace vs. oppression and anger. 

Indeed our leaders have much to do with the pulse of the land they are ruling over.

I feel fortunate to live in a land where I have choice, especially with religion.  Whether I agree or disagree with politics or practice... I have freedom to love and worship how I will.  And really that is what will lead me home peacefully to my loving Father in Heaven.

Days 309 & 310

309 - Mormon 3: 8-11  refusing to be commander

The study guide talks about how Mormon was abridging the plates still, while all of this was going on... and surely he was learning about the wars of the past and the righteous cause with which his people used to fight.  Now the purpose of war is to avenge and out of hate.  He removes himself from that.
This abridging he is doing is surely how he continued in righteousness... getting that lift and connection he needed with Heavenly Father while the world around him fell into wickedness.  There is something to learn from that right?  Stay in your scriptures, there is safety there!

I also read down into verse 12 and Mormon talks about how he had led the Nephites, as a commander, how he loved them, despite their wickedness.  He stuck with his people.  He led them.  He continued to cry repentance unto them... he continued to love them... even as they turned from their faith, even as they spiraled further into wickedness.  When is the time to separate yourself from those you love, that may be wicked?

There is a point of no return. 
President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) described how we today might also remove ourselves from the cleansing grace of repentance: “It is true that the great principle of repentance is always available, but for the wicked and rebellious there are serious reservations to this statement. For instance, sin is intensely habit-forming and sometimes moves men to the tragic point of no return. … As the transgressor moves deeper and deeper in his sin, and the error is entrenched more deeply and the will to change is weakened, it becomes increasingly near-hopeless, and he skids down and down until either he does not want to climb back or he has lost the power to do so” (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 117).

Mormon separates himself, but I'm sure the love for his people still remains.

310 - Mormon 3:20-22 admonition to believe in Christ

Is there any question we are Christian?  The Book of Mormon is here as an additional witness that Jesus is the Christ!  We do have this record among us today, brought forth at a time the world needs additional witnesses, additional record, that our Savior indeed walked the earth, atoned for our sins, died on the cross, returned as a resurrected being and established his church here on the earth.  And, it has been restored to the earth again.  This book is witness of that!