The last chapter of Helaman and 3 Nephi talks about how folks react to the many signs and wonders that god sends. It also makes an interesting comment that the signs were told ahead of time (Helaman 16:5), that the people might know ahead of time that what the prophets had said were right and true. I guess it is a sort of witness God makes about His word. I mean, if his prophets have been trying to coerce the people to repent, and God honors their prophecies, it's a bit like a stamp of approval from God that one should listen. To those who did listen, it must be energizing to their faith. To those who didn't, a righteous judgement may still be preserved because the people were duly warned.

When the people are destroyed in 3 Nephi 8, as was prophesied would happen at the crucifiction of Christ, Mormon makes an interesting plea to the reader (probably because he was witnessing the final destruction of the whole of his people, which had been likewise prophesied) in 3 Nephi 10:14, reminding all who read that the things that the Nephites suffered were things that had been known by prophets, and the people had been sufficiently warned of the impending destruction, but paid it no heed.

What I find interesting is the comments by the people after signs started appearing. The excuses are interesting, as I've probably noted elsewhere, they said, "It is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ exist." I imagine it's a bit like today. Why should I believe that God came to earth two thousand years ago, and saved all men? It seems ridiculous that God would do such a thing. The Nephites were a proud people, and it was hard for them to accept that God might be working some great work in a distant land, and not among themselves. (Of course this complaint lacked clear understanding of what Christ would do among them.) Their complaint seems silly because we know that Christ came to them, and established his church. I think that our complaints about the lack of interractivity with God will likewise condemn us if we embrace them over faith, because we know that God will do a "marvelous work and wonder" in this age, and in our own generation. God is busy in the lives of everyone who faithfully seeks Him.

I can witness of this myself. My life has its ups and downs, spiritually speaking. Sometimes I put as much energy into my doubts as I do my faith, but I can honestly say that when I have trusted in God, God has been there. God has buoyed me up in the face of uncertainty and ruin, and delivered me from my own demons and trials. When the sign of Christ's birth was given, those who put their energy into their doubts were stricken with fear, and fell even as though they were dead (see 3 Nephi 1). Imagine the shame! To place your whole life's meaning and trust in works that destroyed God's people and his plan. Talk about missing the boat! I hope I can be one of those folks who endures faithfully to the end, despite the folks crying that God has abandoned them, or that the world is a dead place devoid of spirit and God.

--Ray