True Christion Discipleship - Revile Not

The Book of Mormon teaches us that true believers in Christ manifest their belief by certain actions. It teaches us that without certain works, that our faith is for all intents and purposes, dead. One of these behaviors is to revile not.

Revile is defined as 'To assail with abusive language; vituperate.' Viturperate is 'to rebuke or critize harshly or abusively.'

To revile is verbally attack someone or something. It starts with that feeling of what is being done to you is unfair. Since what is being said or done to you is unjust, you defend yourself by going on the offence (usually with words but not always).

The Zoromite poor had been treated very contempuously by their rich Zoromite bothers. They wouldn't let them in the synogogues which they had helped build. Alma teaches them the following:

And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them;

But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions. Alma 34:40-41

After Alma and Amulek teach the Zoramites in the previous chapters the key doctrines (faith, Christ, the atonement, mercy, prayer, etc.), they immediately teach them a way to demonstrate their new found faith - 'do not revile against those who [did something aggregious against you]... lest ye become sinners like unto them'. You know what's funny? I, as a believer in Christ, revile even when I preceive a possible infraction from another! It doesn't even have to a bonified, real offense! So, I can become a sinner without the preceived offender even being a sinner.

We are exercising faith in our God when we patiently bear the persecution of others and revile not. There are many examples of this Christian quality throughout the Book of Moron.

As Alma the Younger is establishing the order of the church the unbelievers would persecute the believers 'with all manner of words'. The believers were to demonstrate their faith by staying humble (Alma 1:20) not reviling back (ibid, v.21). But some that belonged to the church couldn't do it. Their pride got in the way. Or, in other word, their logic kicked in. Why should I listen to these verbal attacks and not respond? The strict law of the church isn't fair! Because of this tenent in Alma's church, many hearts were hardened. (Ibid, v.24). This idea of reviling not was a great trial for everyone (Ibid, v. 25) causing a seperation to occur. Some bore persecution patiently while others withdrew themselves from the church.

We can easily measure our christen discipleship by comparing our own behaviors with the tenets of the gospel found in the Book of Mormon. To revile not is similar to not getting defensive. As we bare patiently hurtful words of others, we become steadfast and immovable (Ibid, v.25). Our strength of character has increased. We have reached a milestone in our christian discipleship.

Why do we Impart of our Substance?

I think about what motivates people to do what they do. I listen to what people have to say about what brings about about the greatest prosperity. And I conclude that man must have the inherent right to own what he produces. Nobody has the right to take away another's substance. Now these fundamental beliefs will always create inequality. Some become rich while others remain poor. What is to be done? Some will say that there's nothing to be done, that this is the way of our natural dog eat dog world. Others will want to break the cardinal law above and force others to involuntarily give (government enforced redistribution). If one believes that substance ought to be shared, the only honest answer to the problem is what the Lord teaches in the following story.

Alma has been teaching a group of people the gospel. They believe in Alma's words and want to unite in living the way believers would live. Their actions are a result of this love they feel in their hearts toward God and each other. They know where happiness is found.

Where is happiness found? The people already expressed their willingness to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. They have made a covenant with God through baptism to follow Jesus Christ. They desired this way of life more than anything else.

After the people were baptized, the Lord has Alma organize His church. As part of this organizing, Alma does the following in Mosiah 18: 27-29:

And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of
their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more
abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but
little should be required; and to him that had not should be given.

And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good
desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul.

And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants. (italics added)

So, what is the answer to the rich and poor question? How does the wealth get redistributed? Of our own free will and good desires towards God. Do we desire the same thing that Alma's people desired? If these doctrines of Christ feel foreign to us, why do they? Mormon asks a question along the same lines:

Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the
hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by
you, and notice them not? (Mormon 8:39)

Mormon answers his question:

37For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted

Mormon ask another question:

38 ...Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world?

Isn't it interesting that Mormon ties being ashamed to take upon ourselves the name of Christ and endless happiness to using our substance (our prosperity) for our enjoyment as we walk by the needy and the poor and notice them not? This may have been what Alma meant when he said, " ...can ye lay aside these things, and trample the Holy One under your feet...?"(Alma 5:53).This tenet of Christian faith is everywhere in the scriptures yet we want to avoid it. I think it makes us feel uncomfortable. Or, perhaps its too disruptive to our prosperous lives. It really is an inconvenient doctrine.

If we don't have these good desires in our hearts, what hangs us up? Jacob says that we first need to obtain a hope in Christ. (Jacob 2:19) We need to believe that these teachings are true and work on ourselves (faith, repentance, service, etc.) until we have the same desires that the true believers in all ages had - from Adam to the present. When we unite this way, we walk uprightly before God (Mosiah 18:29).

Can One Contend Righteously?

In Mosiah 2:32-33, King Benjamin warns his people of a specific sin to beware of: contention. Since he is talking to his people, he may be referring particularly to political and religious contention. He pronounces a wo upon those who contend and tells them that they are following the evil spirit.

32But, O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit, which was spoken of by my father Mosiah.

33For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge.

I wonder how we as American measure up individually as well as in politics with our American way of contending with each other about everything. Is being contentious really listing to obey the evil spirit?

I guess I should define the word, contention before I get too far:

1. Strife; struggle; a violent effort to obtain something, or to resist a person, claim or injury; contest; quarrel.
2. Strife in words or debate; quarrel; angry contest; controversy.
3. Strife or endeavor to excel; emulation.
4. Eagerness; zeal; ardor; vehemence of endeavor.

Is there healthy contention or is it always bad? Alma 2:5 speaks of "wonderful contentions" one with anther to vote whether or not to have a king once again. Can one debate politically without contention? Since strife is used often in the above definition of contention, let's look that up:

Strife: 1. Exertion or contention for superiority; contest of emulation, either by intellectual or physical efforts. 2. Contention in anger or enmity; contest; struggle for victory; quarrel or war.

I believe one can discuss or debate politics or religion without contending. But, I don't think it is easy. Human nature seems to cause us to slip in strife and contention.

A 'discussion' (in 1828 Webster's Dictionary) is defined as follows:

2. Debate; disquisition; the agitation of a point or subject with a view to elicit truth; the treating of a subject by argument, to clear it of difficulties, and separate truth from falsehood.

I like the idea of clearing truth from falsehood. It must take a person of sufficient character to choose not to contend with others. It takes discerning listeners to realize when a discussion has turned to contention and strife. Is it better to fight with words to the end or find points of compromise? It seems like the American political and religious fronts are full strive and contention. We get caught up in our 'rightness' and fall into temptation. What is the temptation? To contend. When we contend or agree with the contention at hand (mobs do this), we fall into the hands of the devil. To conclude, let's look at one last scripture. Jesus says the following in 3 Nephi 11:29:

For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is
not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth
up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

Casting Away the Law of the Lord - What Happens Next

All sorts of ideas flow into my mind and heart when I read this Isaiah chapter (2 Nephi 15). Isaiah brings up a time when the laws of God are rejected the people. The same thing happens through out history. The Jews were destroyed when they rejected their Messiah and were fully ripe. The Nephites, the Jaredites, the Canaanites all had similar total destruction of their civilizations. These nations all have one thing in common: the people have no interest in the Lord and his statutes. And it is happening again. Our great gentile nation seems to ripening in iniquity. We see the symptoms all around us. What is this ripening nation like and what will inevitably happen? Let see what Isaiah has to say.

The Lord talks about a very fruitful hill (v.1). This sounds to me like a chosen land, perhaps, America as we apply the scriptures to our day and age. The land is a choice vine and has a tower (v.2). This is a knowledge of Christ and having a prophet among them. The gentiles (including the saints) have been given the gospel. But this nation brings forth (generally) wild grapes. Their fruits or works are not good. The Lord then asks what more could he do? (v.4) He then says that he will take away this nation's defences (hedge) and trodden it down! (v.5) He will lay it waste. (v.6). Isaiah then clarifies that the vineyard is the house of Israel (v.6) but when he looks for judgment (justice) all he finds is oppression. The righteous are crying.

Isaiah then pronounces a woe to those who force everyone to live in houses so close to each other (v.8). There needs to be space to be alone. He then says the houses will be empty (v.9). This is another portend of total destruction. The land will not produce an increase (v.10).

Isaiah talks of people who drink from morning to night. This could be a metaphor of a people who take no thought of the Lord from morning to night. It could depict a people who never has time to slow down and seek the Lord. (v.11)

These same people are constantly going from one pleasure to the next, enjoying music, and partying (v.12). With this attitude about life, they don't regard the work of the Lord nor consider the operation of His hands. They don't see the big picture, that theirs more to life than working and pleasure day after day. These people have gone into captivity (v.13) because they have no knowledge (of God and His work). It's like everyone is famished and dried up with thirst. Spiritual things don't even cross their mind! They are unaware that their is another way, another choice than the one they are living!

Because of state of affairs among men, knowing nothing of the things of God, hell has enlarged herself and opened her mouth without measure. The culture is completely corrupt. Those that glory in this culture are descending into hell. (v.14)

Because of this state of affairs, those in power will be brought down. They will be humbled (v.15). The Lord will rule this land (v.16). The land will be given to others (v.17).

Isaiah pronounces another woe on those who influence others to do iniquity (v.19). They tempt the Lord wanting to see with their eyes, this supposed destruction that will come because of their supposed wickedness. They call evil good and good evil (v.20). They purport their dark ways as light and their sinful (bitter)lives as real living and the sweet wholesome life as foolish and boring.

Another woe is pronounced on those that are wise on their own eyes and prudent in their own sight. Don't we all want be wise and prudent? But, coupled with pride brings a curse from the Lord. (v.21) A lot more could be said on this subject. What we perceive as normal in our culture could really be pride from a spiritual stand point.

Isaiah pronounces a woe unto men who use alcohol. (v.22)

When I read this verse, I think of lawyers that justify the wicked for reward. Through sophistry they are able to take from the righteous that which was given them through righteous living.(v.23)

This verse (v.24) reminds of new age gurus, masters, speakers, teachers that purport their doctrine mingled with scripture as the way to happiness. They are rewarded with money for their Korihorian doctrine. They then surmise that they have found the truth because people keep on giving them money. But they teach a false doctrine where righteous work isn't required to get anything in this life. Isaiah says that they will be destroyed "because they have cast away the law of the Lord of Hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel." (v.24)

After this verse Isaiah describes terrible destruction. Once everybody in the society is in the chains of hell, the society is ripe for destruction. They no longer worship the God of the land, Jesus Christ. The people have succumbed to false doctrines. The laws set by God are universally not obeyed. The great plan of happiness is void among this people.

When this general wickedness is the norm, a abomination of desolation is pronounced on the nation. Isaiah says that an ensign to the nations will rise up from afar (v.26) and move swiftly and have sharp arrows (v.28) and roar like a young lion (v.29), and lay hold on their prey... and none shall deliver. After this there will be darkness and sorrow in the land (v. 30)


These last verses seem to tie to the young lion in 3 Nephi 20, 21 and Mormon 5 which comes to the gentile nations and tears them apart like sheep. I believe all these verses are describing a time when the West (especially America) is ripened in iniquity and is destroyed (scourged, whipped)  by what the Lord calls the remnant of Jacob.

Writings on the Liahona

In 1 Nephi 16, Lehi's family begins their journey. The Lord provide a ball that gives them the direction that they should take. The Lord also writes things on the Liahona to give them understanding. This writings changed from time to time according to their faith and diligence.

In chapter 17, Nephi remarks that they didn't use much fire (v.12) and then says
;"for [the Lord] said: I will make thy food become sweet, that ye acook it not;",... I find it interesting that Nephi is quoting from somewhere and using these quotes to teach his brethren (v. 15). I wonder if these might have been sayings on the Liahona.

Nephi quotes the Lord in the next verse: "And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led."

Nephi quotes the Lord again in verse 14: "Yea, and the Lord said also that: After ye have arrived in the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God; and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction; yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem."

Perhaps, Nephi is getting these quotes from the brass plates or from his or his father's revelations. Of course, I don't know, but could it be possible the he is quoting directly from what was written on the Liahona? The writings are very specific to their travels in the wilderness. He seems to be reminding he brethren of the something they would recognize that it came from a legitimate source. The Liahona could have been the source.

Jaredites, another Noah

Ether 2.

I found it interesting that Jared and his brother didn't just gather all the regular, domesticated animals but caught wild birds (v.2) and put them in cages. They also made vessels (v.3) to carry fish. When the Lord commanded the people of this time to scatter upon all the face of the earth (Ether 1:33), it meant that the people would have to populate other parts of the earth with animals. This would especially apply to the Americas where, after the flood, there wouldn't be any animals including fresh water fish. Noah had released all his animals in Asia.

Noah's descendants disobeyed the commandment of the Lord and stayed in one geographic local. The Lord, in his wrath, confounded the language of the people to force them to scatter upon all the face of the earth (Ether 1:33).

So, it was required of the Jaredites to bring animals, birds, fish and honey bees to the new land. They acted like Noah and the Ark for the Americas!

Ether 1:33 Which Jared came forth with his brother and their families, with some others and their families, from the great tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, and swore in his wrath that they should be scattered upon all the face of the earth; and according to the word of the Lord the people were scattered.

Ether 1:1-3 And it came to pass that Jared and his brother, and their families, and also the friends of Jared and his brother and their families, went down into the valley which was northward, (and the name of the valley was Nimrod, being called after the mighty hunter) with their flocks which they had gathered together, male and female, of every kind.
2 And they did also lay snares and catch fowls of the air; and they did also prepare a vessel, in which they did carry with them the fish of the waters.
3 And they did also carry with them deseret, which, by interpretation, is a honey bee; and thus they did carry with them swarms of bees, and all manner of that which was upon the face of the land, seeds of every kind.

-Scott

The Final Battles: Stuck in a worsening state of unbelief

I have been reading Mormon 1-5. The Nephites couldn't pull out of their natural man state manifested by unbelief, hard heartedness, wickedness, fear, cursing God, delighting in shedding blood, boasting, not recognizing God's hand in their lives, going on the offensive and taking revenge.

Chapter 1/2 - The Nephites Are About to be Destroyed

It starts out around A.D 322. A war gets started between the Lamanites and Nephites. The Nephites win and there's no war for four years. At this time wickedness prevails upon the face of the whole land (v.13). The last three disciples are taken away and miracles and healing cease. The Holy Ghost didn't come upon any. The Nephites are in a terrible state of unbelief. (v.14)

Mormon at age 15 (A.D 326) tries to preach to the people but he is is forbidden by God. Why, because they had willfully rebelled against their God (v.16). In that same year, 326, Mormon becomes the leader (age 16) of the Nephite armies. I wonder if the people, even in their wickedness recognized a powerful, spiritual man when they saw one. Another battle ensues. The Nephites are frightened and would not fight. They retreat to Angola but are driven out by the Lamanites. They are driven out of the land of David and up into the land of Joshua. They gather the people into one body. Great destruction hangs over the people but they won't repent. (2:8) Blood and carnage is everywhere. In 330, the Nephites beat the Lamanites.

Also, in 330 the people start to cry, mourn and lament their situation. Mormon begins to rejoice that the people are repenting but their sorrowing is the sorrowing of the damned. Instead they curse God and wish to die. But they continued to struggle for their lives. The day of grace was past. (v.15). By 344 thousands are hewn down in open rebellion against their God.

Chapter 2 - Near Destruction turns into resounding victory and ends up with giving the Lamanites the land southward for peace.

In 345 (v.16) the Nephites are fleeing once again from the Lamanites even to the land of Jashon before Mormon could stop them in their retreat. Mormon is now 35 and gets the plates. It is interesting that Ammaron told Mormon to go and get the plates of Nephi when he arrived at the age of 'around' 24.  Mormon must have been very busy.  In the same year the Nephites are hunted and driven further north to a land called Shem. The people are gathered to save them from destruction.

In 346 (v.22) the Lamanites attacked again but under Mormon's direction, the Nephites stood boldly before the Lamanites. His words aroused them somewhat (v.23) so they didn't flee. The Lamanites ended up fleeing. The Nephites chased them and beat them but none of this was accompanied by the strength of the Lord (v.26). They were weak like the Lamanites. Mormon sorrows because none of this matters without the help from the Lord. They take possession of the lands of their inheritance (v,27).

In 349 a treaty is made (v.28) with the Lamanites and robbers and the Nephites give up all the land southward of the narrow neck. Mormon is now 38 years old.

Chapter 3 - Nephites take matters into their own handsFor 10 years Mormon fortifies the land and in 360 the Lord commands Mormon to cry repentance. If they repent they will be spared. But, the Nephites don't get it. They don't realize that it was the Lord who spared them and granted unto them a chance to repent. Their hearts are hardened. I wonder if America does the same thing. Are we being upheld by the Lord and don't realize it? How far along are we along in our pride? (see Mormon 5:22-24).

In 361 the Lamanites come down to the land of Desolation (v.7) The Nephites beat them.

In 362 the Nephites beat them again (v.8).

Because of their success the Nephites begin to boast of their own strength (v.9). The also swear by the heavens that they will avenge themselves of all their dead brethren. They decide to go on the offense and fight the Lamanites in their own lands. This apparently is a big mistake. Mormon utterly refuses to be their leader. Mormon has delivered them three times from their enemies but they wouldn't repent of their sins. The Nephites have been benefiting from a prophet-general for 36 years but don't recognize the source of the deliverance.

The voice of the Lord comes to Mormon saying that vengeance is mine and I will repay. When a person or a nation is wronged, don't go on the offensive! The Lord will take care of the matter. (v.15) Mormon stands as an idle witness.

Chapter 4 - The turning point - going on the offensive - the war spins out of control - The Nephites receive no help from the Lord.

In 363 the Nephites go on the offence and attack out of the city of Desolation southward. They are driven back and while yet weary, a fresh army of Lamanites comes along and the Nephites lose the city of Desolation. They gather at Teancum.

Because the Nephites went on the offensive they were on their own. Mormon says the Lamanites otherwise would have no power over them. (v.4) The wicked will punish the wicked.

In 364 the Lamanites fight at Teancum and are repulsed by the Nephites. The Nephites again boast of their strength and in their own might take Desolation again. Thousands are slain. Every heart is hardened and they delight in the shedding of blood. Mormon notes that their wickedness is more than in any other time. (v.12)

Because there isn't any support from God, the battles become a numbers game (v.13). The Lamanites take Desolation because their numbers exceed the number of Nephites. At this point a new evil enters the picture. The Lamanites attack Teancum, take the women and children prisoners and sacrifice them to their Gods.

Revenge and anger fill the hearts of the Nephites. By sacrificing their women and children, the Lamanites have moved the war up a notch. With this anger, the Nephites come out fighting and beat the Lamanites and drive them back to their own lands. (v.15)

There aren't any battles until 365. The Lamanites come against the Nephites with all their power. The numbers are so great that they aren't numbered. And this is the beginning of the end. It's like a game of Risk. One player finally turns in his cards, gets lots of armies and wipes out everyone else on the board. Mormon says that from this time forth the Nephites gain no power over the Lamanites. They are going to swept off the face of the earth. (v.18)

The Lamanites beat the Nephites in the land of Desolation. The Nephites flee to Boaz. It takes two tries but the Lamanites beat them. The Nephites are slaughtered the second time. Again, their wives and children are sacrificed unto idols. The Nephites are now fleeing taking everybody with them. Mormon sees that that the Lamanites are about the overthrow the land and goes and retrieves the sacred records (v.23). Mormon is 54 years old.

Chapter 5 - Mormon Take Command Without Hope - The Nephites Are Swept off The Land

Mormon repents of his oath and takes command of the armies. The Nephites are now looking to Mormon to deliver them. Mormon is without hope. The Nephites won't repent and call upon the Lord. (v.2)

The Nephites hold the city Jordan for a time. They are able to maintain other cities so the Lamanites couldn't destroy the inhabitants of the land. (v.4) The Lamanites run a scorched earth policy. The year is 379.

In 380, despite the bold efforts of the Nephites, the Lamanites (due to the greatness of their numbers) tread the Nephites under their feet. The Nephites take flight. Those that are faster escape. The rest are destroyed. (v.7)  Mormon is now 69 years old.

Mormon laments the plight of the Nephites. He sees the Gentiles doing the same thing as the Nephites did in his day. (v.22) We are in the hands of God. We need to repent and humble ourselves or justice will come upon us. He quotes Jesus in 3 Nephi, "lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and none to deliver." (v.24)

The next chapter finishes off the Nephites. Now I will try to figure a message from these chapters. During this time, the Nephites weren't God-fearing. From the start, Mormon tells us they were in a state of unbelief and general wickedness. They believed they could rely on their own strength. They did realize that God was upholding them through his servant, Mormon. They stepped over the line when they boasted of their own strength. They stepped over the next line when they sought revenge and went on the offensive and attacked the Lamanites. From that moment on they were swept off the face of the land.

These same problems exist today, more or less in our American culture. Our belief in Christ is declining. Wickedness is rampant. We rely on our war machine to maintain our way of life. Do we realize that God is upholding us? Do we boast of our strength? Have we gone more and more on the offensive in recent years? Perhaps the argument can be made that we have been defending ourselves. I sure hope so. If not, we too are beginning to cross similar lines as the Nephites.