It's truly amazing how much The Book of Mormon parallels our world today.
In the few years before Christ was born (6 BC-1 BC), Samuel the Lamanite prophesied of our Savior's coming. He gave the signs of his birth and told the people that Christ would come shortly.
Some believed Samuel, repented and were baptized. But many did not.
Helaman 16:2
2 But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuel were angry with him; and they cast stones at him upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of the Lord was with him, insomuch that they could not hit him with their stones neither with their arrows.Why are nonbelievers always angry? All Samuel was doing was speaking truth and teaching people. Because they did not agree with what Samuel was teaching, they became angry and tried to kill him.
It is exactly what's happening today. Anyone who does not agree with the left's narrative of racism or whatever the flavor of the day is -- they are persecuted, and yes many are actually being murdered. Even, ironically black people who they are supposedly trying to defend and protect. For evil people who follow Satan, the answer is always anger, persecution, and violence.
Helaman 16:6
6 But the more part of them did not believe in the words of Samuel; therefore when they saw that they could not hit him with their stones and their arrows, they cried unto their captains, saying: Take this fellow and bind him, for behold he hath a devil; and because of the power of the devil which is in him we cannot hit him with our stones and our arrows; therefore take him and bind him, and away with him.When the people saw that Samuel was protected by the Lord, and their stones and arrows did not kill him, what do they do? They claim that the reason that they could not kill him was not because he was a prophet being protected by the Lord, but that he had a devil and that the power of the devil was in him. This is exactly calling good evil and evil good.
Anyone who does not agree with the left, liberal, Democrat agenda is persecuted and called evil. The media being another entity of the Democrat party is praising violent rioting, thievery, and even murder all in the name of a greater cause -- social injustice and racism. These evil acts are being called good. Yet people like Drew Brees, who offers a varied opinion which doesn't fit their evil narrative, is persecuted and called evil. When everything he said was actually good and supportive.
Anyone who doesn't fully support and embrace the Democrat, liberal, left, media position or decree is punished. There is no agency. It's the Democrat, liberal, left, media way or the highway. They will not tolerate nonconformity. Just like the non-believers tried to kill Samuel because they did not like what he said. Then went after him again when their plan failed. They were relentless. Just like the liberals, Democrats, left, media today.
Helaman 16:12
12 And there was but little alteration in the affairs of the people, save it were the people began to be more hardened in iniquity, and do more and more of that which was contrary to the commandments of God, in the eighty and ninth year of the reign of the judges.So, four or five years later, what has changed? Nothing except the people became even more evil and iniquitous. Just like now. More people are turning from God than are turning towards Him. It's a growing trend.
Helaman 16:13-14
13 But it came to pass in the ninetieth year of the reign of the judges, there were great signs given unto the people, and wonders; and the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled.
14 And angels did appear unto men, wise men, and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy; thus in this year the scriptures began to be fulfilled.Now, the signs of Christ's birth have been given. Angels are appearing. The people are witnessing the prophecy of Samuel the Lamanite being fulfilled before their eyes.
They must all believe now, right?
Helaman 16:15-16
15 Nevertheless, the people began to harden their hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them, both of the Nephites and also of the Lamanites, and began to depend upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom, saying:
16 Some things they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken.No! All but the very strongest believers hardened their hearts. Even after witnessing miracles and prophecies fulfilled, everybody (believers and non-believers) hardened their hearts. Except a few staunch believers.
They won't concede that they have witnessed prophecy being fulfilled. What do they say? "Some things they may have guessed right". Then they double down and say, "all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken."
Even physically witnessing prophecies and miracles, they still deny the truth. Much like today.
Helaman 16:17-18
17 And they began to reason and to contend among themselves, saying:
18 That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so, and he be the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, as it has been spoken, why will he not show himself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem?
19 Yea, why will he not show himself in this land as well as in the land of Jerusalem?Then they begin to rationalize. They rely on their own understanding and reasoning. "It is not reasonable that such a being as Christ shall come." Then they ask for more signs -- despite the signs they were just given in fulfillment of prophecy. They have to try to convince themselves that Christ could not exist because if He does, they are in deep trouble.
Helaman 16:20
20 But behold, we know that this is a wicked tradition, which has been handed down unto us by our fathers, to cause us that we should believe in some great and marvelous thing which should come to pass, but not among us, but in a land which is far distant, a land which we know not; therefore they can keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true.Now they start playing the blame game. Boy, if that isn't one of the main tactics of the Democrats, liberals, left, media. They are always blaming, blaming, blaming. They never take responsibility for themselves. It's always someone else's fault. Notice, the wicked Nephites and Lamanites blamed their ancestors and their wicked traditions (teachings) for keeping them in ignorance?
Right now the Democrats, liberals, left, media are blaming the wicked traditions of our country (slavery) for continued racism and inequality. By doing so they are trying to incite more racism -- that's their goal. They can't tolerate unity and harmony -- that doesn't fit their agenda to create anger and contention.
It's interesting that the wicked Nephites and Lamanites are claiming that they cannot witness truth with their own eyes -- even though that's exactly what they have done. And claiming that the teachings of their fathers keeps them in ignorance -- is just the opposite of truth. Not believing the teachings of their fathers is what's keeping them ignorant. Not believing the miracles and prophecies fulfilled is keeping them ignorant. Just like the Democrats, liberals, left, media want to keep their followers ignorant.
Helaman 16:21
21 And they will, by the cunning and the mysterious arts of the evil one, work some great mystery which we cannot understand, which will keep us down to be servants to their words, and also servants unto them, for we depend upon them to teach us the word; and thus will they keep us in ignorance if we will yield ourselves unto them, all the days of our lives.Again claiming that the teachings of the prophets, church, their parents, etc. are cunning and evil and keeping them ignorant. Notice that the wicked are claiming that the truthful teachings of the church are suppressing them and making them servants?
Non-believers always like to claim that the church and its teachings are a bondage, keeping them down, keeping them ignorant, making them servants -- basically sheep following blindly, doing what they're told.
When ironically, following the church and the teachings of Jesus Christ are freeing. Those who choose to leave the covenant path and turn from God are actually the ones who are following Satan blindly. The wicked are the ones who are doing Satan's bidding, who are ignorant, and are in bondage to the devil.
Once again, calling evil good and good evil.
Helaman 16:22
22 And many more things did the people imagine up in their hearts, which were foolish and vain; and they were much disturbed, for Satan did stir them up to do iniquity continually; yea, he did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon all the face of the land, that he might harden the hearts of the people against that which was good and against that which should come.Replace the phrase, "the people" in the above scripture with Democrats, liberals, etc. and it's exactly the world we are living in today.
These people don't live in reality. They are a very disturbed people. Making things up (Imagining) to suit their agenda. Continually doing iniquity. Spreading rumors and contention. Hardening the hearts of the people against that which is good.
That describes Democrats, liberals, left, media to a T.
Just look at their most recent narrative. Bringing back racism. Yeah, there may be a few racist people left in this country. But the vast majority of people in the United States of America are not racist. And to prove it, they voted in a black man as president -- twice! Yes, there will always be evil people in every group or category. But we are not a racist country. That's what the left, liberals, Democrats, media want you to believe.
Look at how quickly people are brainwashed into believing the lies of the left? A bunch of people of all races holding signs saying "black lives matter" is just pandering to the left and their evil designs. Just a bunch of sheep following blindly. It's really very sad.
Helaman 16:23
23 And notwithstanding the signs and the wonders which were wrought among the people of the Lord, and the many miracles which they did, Satan did get great hold upon the hearts of the people upon all the face of the land.This Scripture pretty much sums it up. Despite seeing prophecies fulfilled through signs and wonders. Despite witnessing many miracles. Despite all the truth they were taught by prophets, parents, and the church. Satan got great hold upon the hearts of the people upon all the face of the land.
Just like today. So many people have been taught truth. So many people have witnessed miracles. So many people have witnessed and are witnessing prophecy being fulfilled. Yet, despite all that -- so many people have allowed Satan to get great hold upon their hearts.
It's a tragic truth and ironically a sign of the last days. It is prophecy being fulfilled. Oh the irony.
I am truly grateful for The Book of Mormon and all of the truths it teaches to help us navigate through these last days.
The parallels to our day are uncanny. It's a shame that more people don't embrace this wonderful tool that the Lord has given us to help us make it through mortality. The Book of Mormon was written specifically for our day. It is the most correct book on earth. And more people would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.
The more crazy the world gets -- and it will get worse, believe it or not -- the more we need to draw closer to God. Satan has pulled out all stops. He is working overtime to get people as far away from God as he can. This is evident by how many elect have fallen. And continue to fall. This is why we must also work overtime to stay as close to God as we can. Stay in tune to the Holy Ghost, do all that's necessary to stay on the covenant path. It's a rocky ride -- we must hang on tight.
Satan is the cunning one who deceives and induces ignorance. Don't fall for his lies!
That's my two cents.
So true. Good post.
ReplyDelete