Book of Mormon Sunday II- Mormon

   Mormon's day was truly a sad period of Nephite history. War and destruction are the themes and it makes me sad to read this section of the Book of Mormon. The interesting part is the spiritual life of Mormon.  

     Mormon 1:14 "And there were no gifts from the Lord, and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief. And I, *being fifteen years of age and being somewhat of a sober mind, therefore I was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus."

   The dichotomy between the inner life of Mormon and the motivations of his people is striking. How was he able to maintain his perspective?

    Mormon 2:26 "And it came to pass that when they had fled we did pursue them with our armies, and did meet them again, and did beat them; nevertheless the strength of the Lord was not with us; yea, we were left to ourselves, that the Spirit of the Lord did not abide in us; therefore we had become weak like unto our brethren"

    The strength of the Lord was not with the Nephite people but that strength was present in Mormon's family. From that spiritual center he talks to us and understands that if we truly have eternal perspective, we will read this story and mourn, as he did,  for the spiritual weakness of the Nephites. 

   Mormon 5:10 "And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence their blessings come. For I know that such will sorrow for the calamity of the house of Israel; yea, they will sorrow for the destruction of this people; they will sorrow that this people had not repented that they might have been clasped in the arms of Jesus."

     All of his strength went into preparing the plates for the great day of restoration. I think of his son, who's statue reaches high on every LDS temple, who rejoices in a better day and that day is my day.

     Mormon 8:16 "And blessed be he that shall bring this thing to light; for it shall be brought out of darkness unto light, according to the word of God; yea, it shall be brought out of the earth, and it shall shine forth out of darkness, and come unto the knowledge of the people; and it shall be done by the power of God."

    How grateful I feel for the covenants renewed by God in these last days, and I am aware, as never before, of the strength coming from God, through his divine Son to unite all of God's children and give them power to progress, if they so choose. 

   Mormon 8:23 "Search the prophecies of Isaiah. Behold, I cannot write them. Yea, behold I say unto you, that those saints who have gone before me, who have possessed this land, shall cry, yea, even from the dust will they cry unto the Lord; and as the Lord liveth he will remember the covenant which he hath made with them."