I finished the Book of Mormon last Thursday AM. It was a bit of a rush to the end, so I didn't get to write as much about the last little bit as I would have liked. But there are just a couple of last things that I would like to make note of before I return to my regularly scheduled ramblings...
1. The cycle. Righteousness invariably leads to prosperity. That's good. We all want to prosper. Sometimes (usually) this prosperity leads to excess - arrogance, pride, class-divisions, etc. This is sin and it separates us from God. This sin leads to even greater excesses and wickedness, which further separates us from God. As we are separated from God, we start to lose focus of what's important and the Source of all goodness in our lives. This leads to destruction, which can lead to humility and repentance. This is righteousness. And the cycle begins anew. The way to break the cycle is to remain in humility regardless of circumstances. It is to remember one's brethren like one's self. And it is to remember always that it is the Lord who is great, not us.
2. Violence. The destruction of both the people of Jared and the people of Nephi was due to wickedness and depravity. This wickedness and depravity was in large part due to the excessive violence that exists in the land. I am reminded of various movies in which war or violence is glorified and promoted. I am also aware of various video games that instill the desire for violence in young people - dulling the sensitivity to things that are violent, even putting a virtual gun into one's hands and pulling the trigger on another person. With network gaming, there is a real person attached to the virtual display. And while no actual violence is done to the person on the other end, their world has just changed... As we become desensitized to these things, it becomes easier and easier for us to accept violence and contention. These are of the devil and should be shunned expressly and insistently.
3. The power of one. One person can make a difference. We do not know the power our words/examples can have on others. The important thing is to live in such a way that our lives are exemplary all the time. We must also ensure that we are strengthening those around us in our conversation, our actions, and our lives. This can have a powerful effect on those who are around us. And we must never forget to pray for those who are around us, enemies or friends, because (as James points out) the "effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
4. The truth of all things may be known through the Holy Spirit. God lives and He loves us. We are His children. He wants us close to Him to love Him and bring Him more fully into our lives. There is truth in the world and He wants us to know that truth. Our senses may be tricked - we should not trust them. We should learn to trust the Lord and the sweet, gentle promptings that come through His Holy Spirit. Then we will know the truth in ways that are indelible and undeniable, as well as being real and infallible. That is how I know the Book of Mormon is true. It is how I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. It is how I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Church of God in the world and everything else that that knowledge implies.
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