Ready for Righteousness

It might be tiring to be reminded again and again the wonderful resource of God that we have in the Book of Mormon!  There is more to learn from it.

Ether 2:7-8

7 And the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness, but he would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people.

8 And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them

The American hemisphere is a "land of promise" to the righteous followers of Jesus Christ. In an associated way, the unrighteous who live in this land will be "swept off" then Christ comes again. 

I don't think anyone should move across the sea in response to these verses. Rather, make the changes needed in your life and become righteous and ready for the blessings of living on Christ's "land of promise"!

Deflecting Blame

Many people today don't like ideas to be challenged. If it is a strongly-held idea, a challenge may be see as if it were a personal attack and that the person making the challenge must be a bad person by nature. Too often, the principle of "love" is invoked as an accusation against any who would dare challenge an idea, especially those espoused by easily-offended people - "you aren't showing love."

The Book of Mormon contains many warnings that are unpleasant to hear. Its prophetic writers foretold many of the abominations of our day and the wicked who God will punish for their violations of commandments. Many people become angry at such words and writing, feeling that they should not be punished for much enjoyed and celebrated sins.

Everyone can act in whatever way they please. However, they cannot alter the just result of their actions, either good and bad. God through his prophets and their warnings work to make plain the mortal and eternal consequences for our works so that we cannot claim either ignorance or abandonment.

In other words, prophets and apostles work to rid themselves of the blame for the sins of others. They have warned us of this:

Mormon 9:35

And these things are written that we may rid our garments of the blood of our brethren, who have dwindled in unbelief.

I am writing this right now. People will be punished for the sins as written in holy writ and the fleshy pages of our conscious. I am often pointed, to the chagrin of the guilty. I do this so that those facing the fires of hell cannot turn back on me with the accusation "You didn't warn me!"  Here I am - warning you.  We must all turn to better ways!