Ever goofed? Ever been chastised by someone, for doing something wrong? Try being the Brother of Jared, who for three hours endured the Lord's lecture, because he forgot to call upon the Lord. (Ether 2:14) And you thought perhaps your parents were bad?

One might wonder, gee, how do you forget to call upon the Lord, after he's helped you out, promised you a great land, and directly answered your prayers.

I have to think that perhaps the Brother of Jared, after being led away with all their stuff, found that they liked where they were. Perhaps he suspected that God would ask greater things of them. God may have attempted to prod him a time or two... Perhaps he knew that a challenge was coming, and was busying himself with the business of everyday life to avoid those promptings.

Why do I suspect this? Mostly because this is what I tend to do... call upon God when a calamity is pending or has just wiped me out, but otherwise I tend to be the type that wants nothing further... it's good enough... you want me to do what?!

Aw well... I keep praying that I'll change that part of myself... who knows, maybe this year I'll get it right.

The brother of Jared eventually saw all things. Beheld God Himself... because he continued in faith. Where will my journey end?

Helaman Chapter 12 is currently my favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon. It's not one that comes easily, and for a newcomer to the Book of Mormon, it's probably seen as overly pessimistic. However, as I evaluate my life, and really attempt to put into practice "good things," I find that I am unstable and unsteady. As a kid, being good was pretty simple, doing good, seemed to be something easy, but as I get older I see that much of the "good" in my life was simply rationalized selfishness on my own part.

Good is not an accident among men. A life dedicated to creating lasting good is a constant battle and as Helaman 12 tells us, men are more inclined to do the opposite. It's a good reminder for me.

Paanchi and his lackeys really would've benefitted from some patience. In the book of Helaman, Pahoran dies, leaving three sons who contended for the judgement seat: Pahoran, Paanchi, and Pacumeni.

Pahoran wins the vote, and Paanchi is so wroth, he begins to stir up the people in rebellion against his brother. In the old days of the Nephites, perhaps this might have worked, but ever since Captain Moroni got the laws changed to make it legal for him to put to death anyone who dissented from the Nephites--or attempted acts of sedition--the Nephites are pretty swift with their justice, and Paanchi is put to death.

Because of anger over this, Gadianton and Kishkumen, who were sympathizers hoping to gain power over the government through association with Paanchi, assassinate Pahoran, leaving the third son, Pacumeni, to rule. (Mormon (who is abridging this part of the Nephite history) goes on to credit Gadianton and Kishkumen with the establishment of a secret band of murderers "to get gain", which causes the utter destruction of the Nephites some 500 years later.)

Pacumeni is shortly thereafter slain by King Tubaloth's new general, Coriantumer who plunders the Nephite capital city of Zarahemla.

Now follow.

If Paanchi had just chilled, and backed down. Pahoran would've been slain in the sacking of Zarahemla, instead of Pacumeni. Pahoran (and his lackeys) would've controled the Nephites without the need of intrigue or sedition (which Paanchi was executed for). Sure he would've been a sucky ruler and the Nephites would not have benefitted from one who had supporters who had secret murders in their hearts, but I think it is telling, nonetheless. Paanchi could've gotten his desires had he been willing to wait a year for the Lamanites. Then again one of character as Paanchi is unlikely to possess a virtue like patience.

I admire my brother Brent. In my family many a joke has been crafted about him and his "slowness", because unlike the rest of the family, he takes his time getting from point A to point B. His deliberateness has at times exasperated a very efficient, and results oriented mother of mine.

Despite all this, I find myself wishing I possessed his sense of calm pleasantness. I'm always scheming, needing the next big thrill. I like to choose fun, and cram as much of it into a single day as possible. I just don't see that with my mellow brother Brent. Maybe I have completely mistaken his character, but he seems to possess a predisposition to take it easy, and think things out, and do all around thorough job the first time around.

I bring this up, in the context of my ponderings of the Book of Mormon chapter Alma 32, because planting a seed takes time. It's a thing that can't be rushed, and truths are often based upon lifetimes of patient hope.

Heck, faith in Christ is based on the hope of the Savior coming to earth and fulfilling a mission that spans many thousands of years--the whole history of man.

I think in an age of immediate feedback, zippy cars, internet emails, and wireless devices, we're losing a sense of patience. The whole allegory of faith in truth may be lost upon generations who think they can plant a seed, like putting a potpie in the microwave, and have an immediate answer to their prayers or immediate prosperity.

It makes me wonder how long it can last, and who will be left behind. Ah well... if I am left behind, may I be there with my good brother Brent, who probably won't care one way or the other.

--Ray

Happy New Year to everyone who reads this blog... who is... well... me... but whatever...

It always amuses me when I read passages in the Book of Mormon, like Alma 9:31-32, which states...


31 - Now it came to pass that when I, Alma, had spoken these words, behold, the people were wroth with me because I said unto them that they were a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people.

32 - And also because I said unto them that they were a lost and a fallen people they were angry with me, and sought to lay their hands upon me, that they might cast me into prison.

Um... Alma? What did you think they'd do? I do find this story interesting, the only reason that Alma went back and bothered was because he was commanded to do so. A lot of people are more than willing to pelt you with a denunciation of your faults and evils, but that's not the same thing as what Alma was commanded to do. He was commanded to warn the people for their sake.

Sometimes I wonder if the delivery could've been better... like with Nephi and his brothers... they never liked being told they needed to repent either...

--Ray