I am tackling the Book of Mormon in 60 days. My plan is to have the Book of Mormon studied by the end of 2011. During my challenge, I will post a daily blog of my reading, in this blog I will share with you... my thoughts, feelings, opinions and knowledge about the Book of Mormon. Do you have questions? Comments? Please... lets start a discussion. I would be more than happy to answer your questions, comments or concerns!
Request a FREE copy of the Book of Mormon: http://mormon.org/free-book-of
How the Book of Mormon came about: http://youtu.be/FMQEb9A9L2g
Scripture Thought (What I Learned):
Chapter 59: Moroni asks Pahoran to strengthen the forces of Helaman and his 2,000 Stripling Warriors. During which time the city of Nephihah was over-run by the Lamanites. When Moroni saw what had happened, and knew that the city was lost he became angered with the government because of their indifference over the liberty of their nation.
Chapter 60: Moroni writes a letter to the government of the Nephites, and complains to Pahoran (the chief judge) about the neglect of the armies on the governments part.
He writes to the government the following: "Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor (A state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility), while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your brethren? Yea, even they who have looked up to you for protection... yea, ye might have sent armies unto them, to have strengthened them, and have saved thousands of them from falling by the sword..." (Alma 60:7-8)
Then Moroni continues by pointing out all that they have done wrong...
"...ye have withheld your provisions from them..." (Alma 60: 9)
"...exceedingly great neglect toward them." (Alma 60:9)
"...ye have neglected them insomuch that the blood of thousands shall come upon your heads for vengeance... could ye suppose that ye could sit upon your thrones, and because of the exceeding goodness of God ye could do nothing and he would deliver you? Behold if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain." (Alma 60:10-11)
This is very important to remember, just because God is good... does not mean that he will deliver you out of any situation, just because of his love... He wants to see something on our part as well.
Moroni continues to address the government and at the same time answering a great question:
Why does God permit suffering?
"For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and judgment may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God." (Alma 60:13)
Moroni also addresses the issue of slothfulness (aka laziness):
"...I fear exceedingly that the judgments of God will come upon this people, because of their exceeding slothfulness, yea even the slothfulness of our government, and their exceedingly great neglect towards their brethren, yea, towards those who have been slain." (Alma 60:14)
It is interesting that this was written roughly 62 years before Christ was born, and yet it seems like Moroni is speaking from the grave as far as the state of the world, but more specifically the current state of the United States Government. We can see that greed, power and laziness put us into this financial melt-down. Moroni even speaks of the want of power and authority of government officials..."...for we know not but what ye yourselves are seeking for authority. We know not but what ye are also traitors to your country" (Alma 60:18). Interesting? Right? Moroni, speaks for the grave here.
Moroni threatens to start a rebellion, if government does not strive to fix their ways. He tells them boldly... "...I do not fear your power, nor your authority; but it is my God whom I fear; and it is according to his commandments that I do take my sword to defend the cause of my country, and it is because of your iniquity that we have suffered so much loss." (Alma 60:28)
I think the lesson here is... FEAR GOD, NOT MAN!
Moroni closes his address, as any God fearing decent man would; "Behold, I am Moroni, your chief captain. I seek not for power, but to pull it down. I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my country, and thus I close mine epistle." (Alma 60:36)
Moroni was a great man, and truly has outlined what government should and should not do. He believes that power and authority and the want for them can lead to destruction. Fear not man, but do fear God.
Chapter 61: Pahoran writes back to Moroni and tells him of the insurrection and rebellion against the government, Pahoran asks for more military to protect against the rebels.
Chapter 62: Moroni marches forth to help in the aid of Pahoran in the land of Gideon. The king-men are put to death according to the law. Pahoran and Moroni are able to retake Nephihah, as they do this many Lamanites join the people of Ammon, Teancum slays Ammoron and inturn is slain himself. The Lamanites are driven from the land and the Nephites continue to grow in peace, they become rich and the church grows throughout the land.
Chapter 63: Helaman takes control of the ancient records and sacred records. Many of the Nephites build ships and travel northward (most likely traveling from South America to Central/North America - The descendents of the Native Americans.), Moronihah beats the Lamanites in battle.
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