This week in church I presented the story of Nephi (Son of Helaman, from the Book of Helaman Chapters 6-9) in a primary class. It's a rather long and complicated story, which I've often enjoyed, but never had to explain in much detail before this class. My oldest daughter, Katie was in the class, which made it all the more fun to do.

While explaining the story, it became clear to me a few principles that I'd never thought of until I was attempting to explain the reactions of these people to the mourning prophet to seven and eight year old kids. As Nephi laments the fate of a people hardened in iniquity, he wishes that he might have been born in a time when people listened to God. Despite the fact that Nephi had had great success among the Lamanites, he is so attached to his people that he almost ignores this great miracle, for his heart is so weighed down by the sins of his own nation.

I sometimes wonder if there is not a parallel here. I remember a time when being religious and respectful of one another, and (Dare I say?) "christian" was not uncommon or at least not a matter of public disdain. Such now seems to be under constant attack.

The people, upon discovering Nephi's revelation about the murder of the Chief Judge, assume that Nephi has made a pact with someone to murder him. They do this, because this is how they think. It is inconceivable to them that Nephi could be a prophet privy to know the fate via spiritual discernment, because their hearts are beholden to the enemy of all righteousness. It wasn't until such discernment was deployed to catch the murderer, and Nephi was released that people began to suspect there was more to Nephi than that he was just another murderer.

I thought the popular reaction was very insightful. People tend to see people as they see themselves. I suppose this would allow us to judge a man by what they assume about others. Not that their interpretation of others is correct, but that it says something about their minds, and where their hearts are. This is troublesome for our struggling nation, for, if I am not mistaken, the public mind seems permanently fixed upon scandal, deceit, hype, vanity, selfishness, and cynicism (this coming from someone who is frequenly accused of being an optimist).

Yet I don't want to be a part of that. I want to believe there is great good, potential for greatness even in a nation filled with such notions. Dunno if that's naieve in a fallen world, but while I lament the drift of current, I can't help but continue to hold out great hope for us all.

--Ray

Hey Nathan.

Since we're talking about comforting passages, I'd like to submit when Christ quotes Isaiah to the Nephites, "And great shall be the peace of their children," and "they shall be far from war and from terror."

Such is the legacy of those that believe in the Almighty. A wonderful promise. Here's a link to the chapter...

10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted! Behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.

12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.

13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

14 In righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear, and from terror for it shall not come near thee.

15 Behold, they shall surely gather together against thee, not by me; whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.

16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the aservants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

Beautiful words, imo... (btw, updated my email)

--Ray

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

Really got the kids attention explaining one of the "War Chapters" in the Book of Alma (Alma 43 and 44) when I pointed out that the Lamanites wore only a skin to cover their "weenies". This got their attention, and we talked about what we would do if we had to fight an army. My oldest daughter got all the answers right, and really got engaged. She suggested getting shields, and sneak attacks and praying to God. I was quite impressed by how much attention I was able to hold by this somewhat controversial, but down to earth discussion. (My oldest is only about 7 years old).

--Ray

Just finished the Isaiah chapters of 2 Nephi again. I love those chapters. It always leaves me pondering them. They do scare me though. I just don't know who is whom in the interpretation of the symbols. I suppose I sin in trying to use the prophecies like a divining rod; I should just be glad to let the principles govern my life, but I can't help but wonder to what degree of literal interpretation can one view the future through those words. I see a lot of signs in it.

Today in Jacob chapter 2, I was struck by the warning phrase that Jacob gives to his people that they have begun to "labor in sin". He refers to them wresting the scriptures to excuse them in committing whoredoms and getting rich to the exclusion of others. I think it is interesting terminology, though. How often do we labor in sin? We work so hard to justify it, and dedicate our lives to it, and spend our strength in the pursuit of it. It was just a good reminder, and I had to ask myself, to what degree do I labor in sin?How often do I labor to do the things that I know--deep down--are wrong.

--Ray

Anyone who believes that the Book of Mormon is racist needs to read 4 Nephi. This single chapter contains a verse which describes the state of the people of the Book of Mormon when they finally accepted Christ and were living in perfection. And it makes the observation that there were no Nephites or Lamanites or any kind of "ites". Race, family privileges, lineage, birthright, wealth, class; none of it was important nor did it exist when these people were living the teachings of Christ to their fullest... Very cool. How I wish we could all do so.

--Ray

I'm in the middle of the teachings of Christ to the Nephites. It amazes me how far away my mind is from these teachings, when I turn it on in the morning or after work. Here're the pinnacle of Christian teachings, and I'm singing "Play that funky music, white boy" when it comes on. Something of a reminder of just how surreal life is, and a jarring refresh of what's important in life. And one wonders why we are encouraged to partake of the sacrament (bread and wine (water)) often?

--Ray

A little detail I never noticed today, that I did... When Alma meets Ammon when traveling to the land of Manti, because Ammon and the converted Lamanites are fleeing their brethren, Alma goes back with Ammon to the people of Ammon and in meeting with them, he tells them his conversion story. Just a fun little detail, I can imagine Ammon being terrified that he's leading his people to death among the Nephites, because here comes a horde of Lamanites and having known the Nephite stereotypes and terrible hatred of all things Lamanite (as evidenced by what the Nephites told the sons of Ammon when they left to go on their mission to the Lamanites), he probably feared that the Nephites would shun the Lamanites, not trust them, mistake them for an army, and so in this state of uncertainty and fleeing from the brutal Amalekites who openly sought their destruction, Ammon is wandering into the land of the Nephites, and who should he come across but ALMA his good friend and fellow convert. The very friend who was with the sons of Mosiah when they were all converted to the Lord. What a wonderful coincidence... as if it were solely a coincidence...--Ray

Want to make a quick update: still listening to the Book of Mormon everyday, but I don't have much time to update this blog. sadly...

I find it interesting that Ammon makes the distinction that (Alma 18:34) "in the beginning" man was formed in God's image. It makes me wonder if that doesn't imply something about the form of man now, and if it has at all devolved, changed, or implies a corruption of flesh, implying the physical creation, making distinction between a spiritual and physical creation. Yeah... it's space doctrine, but it is the way I think about things.

The same chapter is interesting because I find it amusing that Ammon is seen as 'exemplary' because he does a good job at his work. Says something about the Lamanite-Work-Ethic. I suppose the commentators don't lie whey they're described as idle. I think the same can be applied today. If you are excellent at what you do, people notice and are often mystified by it.

The second part I like from Chapter 18 of Alma is how the king marvels that Ammon can perceive his thoughts. This makes me wonder just how savage the lamanites were at that time. When I read the account, I think it's pretty obvious why the king would be alarmed. I am not entirely sure that Ammon's gift of perception wasn't something more common today, known as common sense or empathy. What would it be like to live in a society so brutal that it had no empathy for the suffering of others? What might it be like to live by the sword, kill or be killed, like so many did back then? You get a sense of the brutal nature of the lamanites from the Nephites who defected over to them. How they became savage and hell-bent on war. It makes me grateful of the society in I currently live, a place where differences are settled by discussion, rather than brutality.

--Ray

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

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

Well, I haven't written here for a while. Mostly been at work doing work, and I mostly write from work. That's not the only reason that I haven't written of course. I wonder sometimes whether this blog exists for my own self-agrandizement or if it exists for a good reason. I hope that it is here for a good reason, but chances are it's more the prior than the latter. Whatever the case, I desire to continue to blog my thoughts on the Book of Mormon, not for anyone else's reading, and it appears that I'm the only person that I've shared this blog with, who wants to share their thoughts on this. I suppose that's as it should be.

Another reason for not writing, is that I have blown through the remainder of the Book of Mormon again and am just finishing up the Words of Mormon today. I often don't write my feelings in the end of the Book of Mormon because it's so darn depressing. It tells of the fall of a people blessed by God and how God took away His Spirit from among them, leaving them to curse God and die. Often when I think too hard about these passages I mourn for the Nephites. I cry. In fact, it often ruins my day.

I think it is because I struggle with the cruelty of man and the justice of God. I struggle with the notion that I cannot rejoice in my sins. I cannot pursue pleasure and exclude the commands of God, and get away spiritually (or physically) unscaythed. I think most folks want to do right when it is convenient, but we also have our pet foibles. We have those acts that we rationalize away and think to ourselves, well, I don't have to change now. Sooner or later, though it all catches up with us. What we claim doesn't hurt anyone, often hurts everyone.

I am left wondering, am I like the Nephites? Have I justified my pride? How do my selfish actions hurt those around me? Am I doing enough?

Often the answer is an upleasant reminder that I have a long way to go before I am awarded the medallion of perfection. It is also hard not to see the mistakes of the society in which I live. I love America, but it has so many problems. Americans are so selfish, and so is the rest of the world, and because of it, we're at constant odds with pretty much everyone.

I find it amusing the hurdles we go through to justify our consumption. God tends to solve the fixations of nations, the same way that I solve the Binki problem with my two year old. She is dependent upon a binki, to the extent that she has allowed its use to impede her speech. Instead of speaking she mumbles. So my solution is to take away the Binki. She makes mom and dad's life miserable. She wants a binki, all day long, she wants a binki, and she reminds us, she wants a binki, a binki. She moans and groans, cries and throws tantrums. Often mom submits to her, which is probably the worst thing she could do, because now she knows that if she complains to some random level she can push us to give her one. To make matters worse she can see that her baby sister has a binki. It reminds her of the binki that she doesn't have. Her solution is to try to steal her sister's binki. Americans are like two year olds with Binkies. If anyone dares suggest that Americans go without all their oil, or privilege, then that's aking to a parent threatening to take away that Binki. Wo to the parent that does such things! God is such a parent. Eventually we will have to find alternatives to a lot of things, including our privilege, riches and what not. Can we live happily without it? Well that depends on where your heart is centered.

What we don't realize is that if we could just give up some of these privileges freely, we might find greater depth and ability was waiting just around the bend. If my daughter gives up her Binki, she will learn to speak more clearly. She will be able to be happy without the need of a plastic nipple in her mouth. She will be better off without it. How like my daughter am I, when God takes away my Binkies...

--Ray

Today I'm entrenched in the war chapters of Alma. Considered a "sandbar" by many, it is always the area where I start to ask myself deep questions. Especially questions like, "Did these people REALLY exist"? It's at these chapters that I start to think that I'd like to make a map someday and start mapping out the land, perhaps do a demographic survey from the book too. It's a tough study, because the information isn't provided to prove they existed. It's presented completely haphazardly, and matter of factly, like "We existed, we know we did, cuz we're here, and it should be obvious." I don't think Moroni and Mormon (assuming they existed, which is the context through which I always judge these things, being a believer... duh.) didn't realize just how deeply their civilization would be forgotten, obliterated and completely wiped out. It's as if they know they've received the Lord's Promise that someday their existence would be made known to their seed and that such was good enough, that the rest of it, the proving of it all, was circumstantial.

And truthfully it is. Still a part of me--probably because I'm such a visual learner--really wants to go to the land of the Nephites, and see Captain Moroni atop a wall, or Pahoran stirring up the people of the countryside to take back Zarahemla from the Kingmen, or the land of Jershon and the Ammonites, or the 2000 sons of Helaman fighting with perfect obedience. I think the wars do that, because Moroni was so filled with passion for his cause. There are curiosities about the battles that don't make much sense to me, mostly because Mormon doesn't take the time to explain them. Like the "intrigues among the Nephites" that causes Amalikiah's armies to gain such power over the Nephites and capture many of their cities. We know that the Kingmen were a big pain in this time, but it doesn't really say that this was the cause for the borderland battles, they were predominant in Zarahemla. Another thing I've wondered about (in Alma 55) is why did Moroni sneak into the city and arm the prisoners and then leave the city and just surround the Lamanite army and waited until they were no longer drunken? Why not take the drunken lamanites by force? Mormon kind of explains that Moroni didn't delight in bloodshed, and so he didn't just slay the drunken lamanites. That makes sense, but if they were so wasted (as to be asleep, as the account claims) then why not take them and bind them, or something like that?

Of course these questions miss the point of these accounts. I think it is significant that there is a large portion of the Book of Mormon dedicated to detailing the wars of the Lamanites and Nephites. First I think it something we need to remember in this age. We dream of a world free from war, but it just seems awfully unlikely as long as there is money, pride and class distinction among the people. When people are intent upon being so different that they will kill, or when another people insists that everyone be just like them, then there's gonna be war. As long as we esteem each other as less than ourselves, and embrace selfishness, there will be war. Moroni established peace by being ready for war, sure, but also he did so by being righteous, by covenanting with God that they would remain righteous or God should exercise his justice upon our people.

It is interesting (to me) that in response to the Kingmen, Moroni sets into motion a political movement that while it eliminates the kingmen's political ambitions for a while, actually drives those intent upon being wicked to secret combinations, a problem that rears its ugly head in the following generation about the time that Pahoran and Moroni die. Because the people didn't feel free to dissent publicly, in particular in regards to treason and the establishing of the privileged as kings, the wealthy resorted to secret combinations. It was in direct response to Paanchi's rebellion, because of the tough laws set in motion by Moroni's insistence that you fight for the liberty of your people or you die. I guess it goes to show that evil finds a way, regardless of how many laws you set in place. Kind of a depressing message, I suppose, but then considering what happens to the Nephites in the end, this is just a little foreshadowing.

I'll save my reflections upon the Justice of God and the 2000 warriors to another post. I do think it's an interesting story in and of itself, but again it leaves me with questions. By the way, just because I have questions doesn't mean I am paralyzed with fear, or dying of doubt. I love this Book of Mormon. I know it is true because of how it has changed my life. I think it would be ridiculous NOT to have questions about the Book of Mormon, because there are so many details that have been left to be inferred or to be answered by the Spirit in quiet moments of the mind. It is why I write here, because I want to explore possibilities. I love the questions because they open my mind to possibilities that God has been active in my life and I need to look for the answers. Anyone who reads this book, or the Bible and doesn't have questions is, in my opinion, not really reading it. We should ask how these lessons apply to us. Often there are many answers, and they come at different times and in different ways and that's the value of scripture. It isn't a rigid guidebook, take ten paces here, ten paces there, you will see this and that, and you will not do this, blah blah blah, leaving one no place for exploration, rather scriptures mark significant spiritual landmarks and you're expected to make the journey through life, exploring, discovering, and learning. You learn of yourself, you learn of others, and you grow. Anyhow those are a few thoughts, best regards, --Ray

As far as I've been able to tell, the Book of Mormon isn't a very sympathetic book when it comes to rationalizations and human error. It's pretty cut and dry. If you try to rationalize away the miracles of God you're in a state of doubt. However, sometimes it does present the points of doubt that unbelievers had, quite well. For example, when Zerahemna attacks the Nephites, Moroni claims that God has delivered the Lamanites into their hands, while Zerahemna claims it is because the Lamanites didn't have body armor and the Nephites did. Likewise when Amalikiah brings his armies into the lands of the Nephites he is repelled by Moroni's fortifications of earth, even though he's got an army equipped with body armor. And no doubt he doesn't see this as God's protection, but rather just a cunning man, named Moroni, hence Amalikiah vows to drink his blood.

I like to think of this in terms of modern terms. Do we view the technological advances that have preserve this nation's freedom through financial strength and independence as blessings from God? Or do we just see them as a natural biological process that occurs when some people get together and evolve over aeons of war and barbarism? I personally believe God has blessed many nations with the means to eliminate hunger and help others. It is sad what we've done with those means, but surely God has been generous to us, especially to Americans. Makes you wonder how long it will last. Are we ripe for destruction, swollen with pride, filled with our own self-agrandizing dreams of "Look what we did"? What does it take to make us remember God in this age? The Book of Mormon seems to suggest that the cycle of pride will eventually lead to a strong reminder of who created us, and sadly, that usually comes in the form of destruction. --Ray

I'm hoping this one will be short. First my mind is drawn to a passage in Alma by Alma the Younger given to his son Shiblon. He states in Chapter 38, a method of teaching the Gospel which I think is a good reminder to me. I get the privilege of teaching sometimes, and here I post my thoughts as though I were presenting ideas that I hope one might learn from. In verse 10, Alma states that he hopes his son will continue to teach the Gospel, being diligent and temperate in all things. In verse 11 and the proceeding verses he warns against pride, that Shiblon be careful that he not boast in his own wisdom or strength, being bold but not overbearing. He advocates personal worthiness, that Shiblon "bridle his passions", filled with love and work hard (refrain from idleness). He advocates humility, unlike the Zoramite religion's claim to be better than others, Alma suggests that his son plead to God for forgiveness for unworthiness. He concludes with, "Be sober".

Here's a list of virtues in summary:

• diligence

Persistence, patience, tenacity, keep with it, despite all odds...



• temperance

Be tolerant and warm. So what if there are a few strange notions out there, you don't have to get all sanctimonious and call down the fires of heavens on the heathens. Just take all things in stride.



• beware of pride - Humility/Repentance

- Classic warning, goes for all people and in so many cases. In the case of teaching, it's a valuable thing to avoid taking things too personally, getting into wars over being right, and losing oneself to distractions. Heh, many of my college professors could've benefited from this advice. I don't know how many were involved in petty power struggles that didn't mean anything outside the university, but to them it was the world. Happens all over the place, I suppose.



• boast not in one's own wisdom

- There's a proverb that goes something like, "Lean not unto thy own understanding, but in all things take counsel with the Lord." In teaching this is crucial. Much of teaching isn't dispensing what you know to others, but the process of learning to others. If you can teach people to find out what you know and beyond, you become a much better teacher than one who dispenses disposable trivia. Of course there's always this danger in teaching that comes when an instructor starts thinking, "I'm the teacher, you're the student." If a teacher is unwilling to learn, then he loses the ability to teach by example, which is one of the most effective ways of teaching.



• Bridle passions

- I like this terminology. It doesn't say deny your passions, or amputate your feelings. It says, "Bridle". Meaning that one controls one's passions and makes them work for you. Great advice because we are entitled to feel passion about the things we care about, but we must not let them overwhelm our sense of right and wrong.



• Love

- Love is the key connecting force in any meaningful exchange of intelligence. Through trust and love we come to appreciate the minds of others, to empathize and listen to them. We want to hear what others have to offer, because we recognize their value. Love makes it okay to try and fail. Love takes away the sting of failure and inspire the courage to keep trying until it's mastered.



• Work

- The exact wording was "Refrain from Idleness," which is probably a whole huge lecture to myself, but I'll refrain. Teaching is work. It is hard to do right, and much of it may be viewed as mindless repetition of facts if there is no willingess to love and work.



• Be Sober

A fool may amuse others, but ultimately is despised by all, and is never taken seriously. That's not helpful if one has something worthwhile to say, because people have a hard time distinguishing what is truth and what is just the fool being a fool. I don't think this means one must be morose or humorless. Humor can be an effective teacher, but it must be done intelligently. Sometimes I think our society resorts to humor too quickly. It makes fun of things before it understands it. I know that in my own life I have often stumbled in this regard. I want to crack the atmosphere, calm nerves, and in so doing, I fear that sometimes I come across as cruel. Definitely something to think about, be sober. Take the Gospel seriously.

All in all, I think Alma gave his son some pretty good advice! --Ray

Rameumptom - The Religion of Division.

President Hinckley has warned LDS:

We do not need to wear our religion on our sleeves. We certainly do not need to be boastful about it or to be arrogant in any way. Such becomes a negation of the Spirit of the Christ whom we ought to try to emulate. That Spirit finds expression in the heart and the soul, in the quiet and unboastful manner of our lives.

Can it be that we need to guard against the religion of the Zoramites? Of course, my question is rhetorical, for all people fall victim to that monster, PRIDE, in our lives, and it is one of the common human weaknesses that we must all stand ready to reject.

The Zoramites crafted themselves a religion epitomizing all the worst elements of organized religious zeal. They evidently could work themselves into a religious fervor, but did so by denigrating their fellows. They prayed the same sanctimonious prayer (in Alma 31:15-18):

15 Holy, holy God; we believe that thou art God, and we believe that thou art holy, and that thou wast a spirit, and that thou art a spirit, and that thou wilt be a spirit forever.
16 Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us from our brethren; and we do not believe in the tradition of our brethren, which was handed down to them by the childishness of their fathers; but we believe that thou hast elected us to be thy holy children; and also thou hast made it known unto us that there shall be no Christ.
17 But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and thou hast aelected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which holiness, O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish traditions of our brethren, which doth bbind them down to a belief of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee, our God.
18 And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people. Amen

Clearly it was important to the Zoramites that they distinguish themselves from their brethren, the Nephites, who had prophets claiming that this being called Christ would come and that he would redeem the world. They refused to believe in the Law of Moses, prefering to go to church but once a week, speaking of their God only on that day.

We also learn in Alma 32 that this religion was materialistic. While it was okay for the poor to build the building that housed the great Rameumptum it was not okay for them to worship God therein. Because they could not afford fine apparel they were cast out of the synagogues of the Zoramites.

We know this because of the amusing consequences of Alma and his missionary friends, who convert all the poor. They convince they poor that they don't need to worship in a synagogue, but that they can pray and worship their god whereever they are. This beautiful notion apparently leaves the Zoramites in a bind, because no longer do the poor envy them for their grand show of religiosity. The Book of Mormon explains that the preaching of the Word "destroyed the craft of the Zoramites". It's amusing terminology. The Zoramites throw the poor out of their community, thus seperating themselves from the only righteous folk among them. Then they get mad at the people of Ammon who live in the land of Jershon, which bordered the land of the Zoramites, because the Ammonites help the poor refugees, administering to their physical and spiritual needs with great compassion. This really torks the Zoramites off, and they end up joining with the Lamanites and causing some large number of battles and wars with the Nephites. The whole people of Ammon in the land of Jershon actually relocate at this time, because they have made a covenant never to take up the sword against anyone, and we hear no more of this religion of Rameumptom.

It's kinda sad and makes me wonder why this sort of thing happens. Why do people desire so much to be different from each other? Sure, there are many ways to do good things, but why must one's desires to be seperate lead so many to misery and pride, to judgement of others. Why is it that we feel better about ourselves by debasing those around us? What is it about us that makes us believe that if we can cast our brother into a pit, that we are somehow better than them?

So I guess Pres. Hinckley's warning is appropriate, for we LDS believe in one true church. It's a tough line to follow at times. We want to love and accept, and be tolerant of others, especially of their faith, but at the same time we believe in a single source of divine priesthood authority. It has been noted that the early saints had a problem with pride, that when they arrived in Missouri, part of the reason they were ostracized by their neighbors, causing them to rise up in violence and cast out the early-Mormon settlers, was because the Mormons treated their neighbors as second class people. The non-elect. They were apostates. They were not a part of Zion and didn't need to be included. Do we run the risk of doing the same? Are we so busy with our callings and church meetings that we don't have time for those around us? Do we have time to be neighborly, to create a community, and just do good with others of different faiths?

Dare I ask this question? How many times do we turn the Testimony pulpit into a Rameumptom? Something to think about... as always the Book of Mormon warns us of the trap of taking religious strength from pride, rather than from the quiet promptings of the Holy Ghost. Best regards,

--Ray