In the Attitude of Self Righteousness

In my opinion alone, 

I believe the typical atmosphere of Sunday School, Relief Society and Priesthood classes lends to an attitude of contention, self-righteousness, and pride.  I confess I am guilty of these heinous sins and contributing wholeheartedly.  

The constant need to explain our own interpretations of scripture or feel-good quotes lends to the natural belief that our interpretation of the matter at hand is the best and correct one.  We take pride in offering the most unique and thoughtful explanation which no one has considered before.  We do this on a weekly basis, for two hours.  And then some of us go a step further and take it to online forums.  

When we suppose weekly for two hours that our correct interpretation is better than the interpretation of the person next to us, our beloved brother or sister, we fill our hearts with pride.  We place enmity between us, and our heart is grows harder.  

Add to this the preceding hour of talk & testimony of participating in the "one true church" which is more special, peculiar, and wonderful than the church across the way and we have a beautiful, luscious, delicious recipe for pride, haughtiness, and self-righteousness.  We have found and thereby now possess it all!  We have no need for more light, knowledge, or progression.  I don't think that's what the Lord intended when He called us his church.  And I don't know that that compliment still holds true.  Should He join us in our meetings, would He approve of our discussions? 

"They draw near unto me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."  

Not a one of us is guiltless.  At least not this one.  

Bravo, saints.  Bravo, one true church.   

The Voice after the Destruction

My children and I were studying 3 Nephi 9 tonight.  We have been sloshing through 3 Nephi at a snail's pace, which is actually great because it has allowed me to really study these verses so closely. Tonight I noticed a pattern in this chapter.  Some things of note: 

• There were 15 cities destroyed, which are described by name by the Voice, Who speaks to the remaining inhabitants of the land.
• The city names of those destroyed or changed are Zarahemla, Moroni, Moronihah, Gilgal, Onihah, Mocum, Gadiandi, Gadiomnah, Jacob, Gimgimno, Jacobugath, Laman, Josh, Gad, and Kishkumen.  
• Zarahemla was the Nephite capital.
• Moroni was named after Captain Moroni.
• Moronihah was likely named after Moroni's son, Moronihah.
• Laman, named after first Lamanite leader. 
• Kishkumen was one of the first participants in the development of secret combinations preceding the destruction of the government prior to Christ's visits. 

The number 15 is significant.  The most prominent thing that comes to mind is the 15 leaders of the LDS Church whom are considered and sustained as "prophets, seers, and revelators".  

These phrases of destruction are repeated: 

• I have burned with fire (vs. 3)
• I have caused to be sunk in the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof to be drowned (vs 4)
• I have covered with earth (vs 5) 
• I have caused to be sunk, and the inhabitants thereof to be buried up (vs 6)
• I have caused to come up in the stead thereof (waters) (vs 7)
• I caused to be sunk, and made hills and valleys in the places thereof (vs 8)
• I buried up (the inhabitants) in the depths of the earth (vs 8)
• I caused to be burned with fire (vs 9)
• I did cause them to be burned (vs 9)
• I caused to be burned with fire (vs 10)
• I did send down fire and destroy them (vs 11)
• And many great destructions have I caused to come upon this land (vs 12)

A tally of the above yields these stats: 

• Burned: Zarahemla, Jacobugath (where secret combinations were housed), Laman, Josh, Gad, Kishkumen = 6 cities
• Sunk into water: Moroni, Gilgal, Onihah, Mocum, Jerusalem = 4 cities
• Sunk into valleys and hills: Gadiandi, Gadiomnah, Jacob, Gimgimno = 4 cities
• Covered with earth: Moronihah - 1 city

However of most note is the repetition of this line, in various forms, which is the answer of why the destruction happened: 

• Because of the slain of the fair sons and daughters of my people (vs 2)
• Because of their iniquity and abominations (vs 2)
• To hide their iniquities and abominations from before my face (vs 5)
• That the blood of the prophets and the saints shall not come any more unto me against them (vs 5)
• To hide their wickedness and abominations from before my face (vs 7)
• That the blood of the prophets and the saints shall not come up any more unto me against them (vs 7)
• To hide their wickedness and abominations from before my face (vs 8)
• That the blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up any more unto me against them (vs 8)
• Because of their sins and their wickedness, which was above all the wickedness of the whole earth (vs 9)
• Because of their secret murders and combinations (vs 9)
• For it was they that did destroy the peace of my people and the government of the land (vs 9)
• That the blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up unto me any more against them (vs 9)
• Because of their wickedness in casting out the prophets, and stoning those whom I did send to declare unto them concerning their wickedness and their abominations (vs 10)
• Because they did cast them all out, that there were none righteous among them (vs 11)
• That their wickedness and abominations might be hid from before my face (vs 11)
• That the blood of the prophets and the saints whom I sent among them might not cry unto me from the ground against them (vs 11)
• Because of their wickedness and their abominations (vs 12)

When I read verses with children they tend to tune out when the same lines are repeated over and over.  So it is peculiar to me that the Voice repeats the culpability of each city, name by name, with details of each one individually.  As though each city were a child, asking, "What have I done wrong?"

It is also curious that these are the very first words the people hear from the Voice.  A line by line explanation of what has happened to them, and why.  Prophets, saints, and those sent are listed jointly in some combination six times.  Abominations are listed seven times.  Wickedness listed eight!!! times.  Iniquities listed twice.  Sin listed once.  Blood of prophets (PLURAL) and saints (PLURAL) listed five times.  All repeated in detail.    

Additionally, when I think of these things that are worthy of destruction, I tend to lump them all into one big issue.  But why would the Voice break them down so many times?  Does sin = iniquity?  Does iniquity = wickedness?  Does wickedness = abominations?  And do murders = combinations?  Or do combinations = murder?  If "wickedness" is listed eight times, it would be interesting to discover all the other verses in the Book of Mormon where "wickedness" is used as an adjective, and explore what was going on to merit that descriptor.     

How would it be to do a case study on each city, and discover its personality?  I know off hand that the city of Moroni was quite literally on the beach, in the south-east, much like modern-day Florida.  And it was sunken.  And the city of Moroni's son, Moronihah, the great military leader, covered with dirt.  Where the choices of destruction significant?  

But despite all this, 

"O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins and be converted that I may heal you?  Yea verily I say unto you if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life!  Behold mine arm of mercy is extended towards you and whosoever will come, him will I receive and blessed are those who come unto me.  Behold I am Jesus Christ the Son of God."  - 3 Nephi 9:13-15 (part), punctuation changed

Pure Love of Christ

Moroni 7: 47-48

But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

I have fallen in love with Moroni 7 this week.  The entire chapter seems to be written in reverse.  Today I feel to highlight these verses above.  I never seem to have time or words to do this verse justice, but feel it's important to put this out there.

If you are a true follower of Jesus Christ, you have been blessed with being filled with this love.

What love?  The pure love of Christ.

If you have not yet received it, pray unto the Father with all the energy of your heart to receive it.

As can be seen by studying the entire chapter, this pure love of Christ is the basis upon which faith to move mountains is built.