Mormon 3
Mormon 3
Thirty four years had passed since Mormon was appointed to lead the Nephite army.
After 24 years of war and 10 years of peace the Lord finally told Mormon to preach repentance to the people. (Remember in Mormon 1:16 he was forbidden to do so- when he was only 15 years old)
I find it interesting that the Lord tries many ways to reach us and allow us to learn, repent and grow. With the Nephites he allowed the Lamanites to battle with them. In the last chapter, vs. 13, the Nephites were actually sorrowfull in the midst of battle, to the point that Mormon rejoiced and hoped it would be unto repentence- but it wasn't.
Then, the Lord allowed them 10 years of peace. Knowing what could potentially lie before them, He allowed Mormon to preach to them repentance. He tried to show the Nephites it was the Lord that spared them in battle, and the Lord that granted them peace- but they didn't listen. They hardened their hearts.
It cannot be coincidence that shortly thereafter the Lamanites came unto battle again. They fought with their own strength and initially won, becoming prideful and boasting in their own strength. They also turned from a defending people to a people that wanted to annihilate another group out of anger.
It was here that Mormon refused to lead them any longer. The Lord has boundaries, and so did Mormon.
How difficult it must have been for Mormon to watch the people he loved so dearly and served to diligently destroy themselves. He knew there was no hope for them, so in the latter part of the chapter he turned his efforts towards us. This morning I felt a person connection to Mormon because of this.
I'm sure he saw our day- and that includes me. He must have felt a love for us as well, and I for him. What a heart wrenching story and what an amazing example of stick-to-it-iveness, courage and faith.
What part of today's chapter got into you today?
TOMORROW: Mormon 4
Thirty four years had passed since Mormon was appointed to lead the Nephite army.
After 24 years of war and 10 years of peace the Lord finally told Mormon to preach repentance to the people. (Remember in Mormon 1:16 he was forbidden to do so- when he was only 15 years old)
I find it interesting that the Lord tries many ways to reach us and allow us to learn, repent and grow. With the Nephites he allowed the Lamanites to battle with them. In the last chapter, vs. 13, the Nephites were actually sorrowfull in the midst of battle, to the point that Mormon rejoiced and hoped it would be unto repentence- but it wasn't.
Then, the Lord allowed them 10 years of peace. Knowing what could potentially lie before them, He allowed Mormon to preach to them repentance. He tried to show the Nephites it was the Lord that spared them in battle, and the Lord that granted them peace- but they didn't listen. They hardened their hearts.
It cannot be coincidence that shortly thereafter the Lamanites came unto battle again. They fought with their own strength and initially won, becoming prideful and boasting in their own strength. They also turned from a defending people to a people that wanted to annihilate another group out of anger.
It was here that Mormon refused to lead them any longer. The Lord has boundaries, and so did Mormon.
How difficult it must have been for Mormon to watch the people he loved so dearly and served to diligently destroy themselves. He knew there was no hope for them, so in the latter part of the chapter he turned his efforts towards us. This morning I felt a person connection to Mormon because of this.
I'm sure he saw our day- and that includes me. He must have felt a love for us as well, and I for him. What a heart wrenching story and what an amazing example of stick-to-it-iveness, courage and faith.
What part of today's chapter got into you today?
TOMORROW: Mormon 4
Have you ever had to stand as an "idle witness?" That term has such a multitude of meanings to me.
ReplyDeleteThere are times when we have done all we can do and just have to stand back and let things happen.
There are times when we have to take a stand for something and do it all by ourselves. Kind of like Samuel on the wall.
To me, an "idle witness" may mean standing back or standing alone. For Mormon, he was doing both.