"But behold, their anger did increase against me, insomuch that they did seek to take away my life.
Yea, they did murmur against me, saying: Our younger brother thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of him; wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words. For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler; for it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people."
It's an election year and I could not help but ponder on the state of our nation while reading this. Every four years the church as a whole studies the Book of Mormon, and I think it no coincidence it happens to fall during the year of a presidential election. Reading the Book of Mormon is a good reminder of the covenant and promises placed upon this land. If we are righteous we will prosper. It is the prayers of the righteous that save this nation.
The condition I noticed with the separation of Nephi and his older brothers is that it was caused by anger and the assumption on who had the right to rule the people. The one the Lord had chosen was not accepted by those that thought it was their right to rule. I don't know what's coming this year but I sure hope people will accept who is determined by an honest election to be our president. How much damage has been done to our nation by those that would not accept the outcome of the last one. I pray their anger does not rise to the point they will kill or bring destruction upon our heads.
"Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices - yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction."
(Alma 10:19)
I revere the Constitution of the United States as a divinely inspired document. It breaks my heart to think that the voice of the people are on the verge of socialism, which stands against everything the Lord set as a condition upon this great land. It is so striking in this chapter how the Nephites became industrious and prospered. I see this as supporting capitalism. The description of the Lamanites instead would point towards socialism.
"And because of their cursing which was upon them they did become an idle people, full of mischief and subtlety, and did seek in the wilderness for beasts of prey." (2 Nephi 5:24)
An idle people that live off their prey. That's not just hunting for animals to eat. It can represent the feeling of entitlement to feed off the industry and hard work of others. My prayer is as a nation we do not head deeper down this path.
Day 1790
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