I haven't posted anything in quite a while. Mostly due to work and my vacation daze. I've been thinking a lot of deep thoughts about the Book of Mormon, of course, and in particular I find the story of Ammon and Amulek, and their experience in the city of Ammonihah fascinating. It often goes untold, I believe, because it is overshadowed by the mission of the sons of Mosiah, the tale of Ammon, and all that. It's a powerful story, however, and one that bothers me, because I really don't want to be one of those believers that God allows to be thrown into a fiery furnace because they believe in God and all that. While I like to think that I could do it, I have to confess that I certainly don't have my heart set on being a martyr. I've known folk who have been, and on my mission, I was probably one of them. I believe the reason I wanted to be a martyr on my mission was that I was, for the first time in my life, living the commandments to the best of my abilities, and I wanted a fast-track to heaven, and not have to work out my salvation with good works for the remainder of an otherwise dull existence. Of course, we all know that such a notion is pure folley, and thankfully God didn't take one ultra-zealous missionary boy back home when I was out there on my mission, cuz, quite frankly, I've come to realize that this ultra-zealous kid, has a lot of room for improvement, and I'm thankful for the time I have to try to get things right.

This last year has been spectacular for me. I've gone through the full course of the Book of Mormon over fifteen times. (I lost track of counting... but I estimate 15 because I was getting through the full Book of Mormon in little less than a month, and I never slowed that pace. It might actually be more... ) I took an hour a day, every day that I drove to work, and often on trips about town, to listen to the Book of Mormon. Ironically it still hasn't gotten old. I love it. It is a standard that I strive toward, and it's an awfully high standard.

Many times I have tried to think about what the Book of Mormon is trying to say. What is the message to our people? I think, ultimately, it is a message of hope. It is a very positive message, despite the horrible consequences of those who had the ill fortune of sealing the testimony of Christ. It is a message of hope BECAUSE WE HAVE IT! It signifies that God has not given up on us. That despite centuries of men trying to do Christ in their own way, Christ cares enough to clarify and restate his Gospel to us today. He cares enough to give us another chance.

Another confession I must make, despite the terrible things that will happen in the last days, I have to confess that to the people of the church, perhaps on the American continent, I am not entirely sure that things will be absolutely horrible. There will be punishments, we are promised, if we treat God lightly in this land, but in terms of his return, I am left wondering if Zion will pass through it all untouched. It makes me all the more eager to see Zion established. I know that there will be heart ache, and fear, and death and all types of calamities to come, and I take the prophetic counsel to be prepared very seriously, but I see a possibility that due to our best efforts there is a path or a choice to avoid all that too. I am not sure if this path is visible because I know that if we do repent and live the commandments of God that we will be blessed as a nation, and I am simply seeing the mercy and nature of God's dealings with men, or if I am seeing a possible prophecy. That I cannot say. But I do think that in this age of terror and fear, that it is now more important than ever that we apply the teachings of Christ, that we seek God's Spirit in our lives, that we turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, give our coat to those who ask of it, forgive 7x70 times, forgive that we're forgiven, take the beam from our own eye, pray for those that spitefully use us, love our enemies, and bless those that persecute us. It is time that we stopped being afraid of the prophecies and darkness of the future and got to work living the principles that have brought us freedom and civilization, peace and prosperity. The Book of Mormon underlines these principles. It delineates the terrible consequences that come from being racist, selfish, obsessed with revenge, and disobedient to the commands of God. We can avoid those consequences, and live in the rest of God. It is a great new year, and new opportunity. I hope that it lasts, that we can make it last, and that we can put down the destroyer, through the publishing of truth, mercy and love. The parable of Zenock and the Olive Tree makes me think that this process is happening, and that while there may be a hiccup now and again, the vineyard will be purified and we will be brought to see the joy in bringing forth good fruit.

--Ray