And Thus We See

Studying the Old Testament this year has given me a greater appreciation for the clarity Book of Mormon. Some stories in the Old Testament are indeed straightforward in their gospel application, such as the story of Joseph with his brothers. It is easy to see how this account inspires us to forgive and points us to the Savior who forgave us all. Other stories such as Daniel in the lions’ den, David and Goliath, Moses parting the Red Sea, Elijah and the woman of Zarephath, Esther’s courage to save her people, Ruth’s devotion to Naomi, Josiah’s efforts to reform Israel, and many others also have powerful applications for us and encourage us to trust in God and follow His prophets. But there are also many stories that simply leave me wondering what I am supposed to think or learn. For example, this week we are studying the book of Judges which has several stories that I would not choose to read with my children because of their violence and questionable application. We have Ehud who killed Eglon the “very fat man” in a rather repulsive manner (Judges 3:17-22). What should we learn from that account? Later there was Gideon who after clearly being guided by the hand of the Lord to deliver Israel, took revenge on the people of Succoth and Penuel who had refused to give his army food: “And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth. And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city” (Judges 8:16-17). What are we supposed to think of that action? Then there was Jephthah who, according to the account had “the Spirit of the Lord” upon him to deliver the Israelites from the children of Ammon. But in the process he vowed to the Lord that he would sacrifice a burnt offering of whatever came from the doors of his house to greet him upon his return. But that wasn’t an animal—it was his daughter, and he “did with her according to his vow which he had vowed” (Judges 11:39). What a terrible story! Though I don’t doubt there are lessons to be learned from these and similar stories, often the text is silent and it is difficult to find inspiration from them.

                Some of these challenging stories have made me appreciate the clear lessons the Book of Mormon teaches us through its stories. Mormon often inserted in his narratives the lessons that he wanted us to understand. For example, at the end of the story about Korihor he wrote, “And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell” (Alma 30:60). Mormon wanted us to understand what would happen to us if we followed the path of Korihor. Similarly, in writing about the very wicked Amalickiah, Mormon wrote, “Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one” (Alma 46:8). Mormon was warning about letting ourselves be led away from the evil one. He also showed, though, how the Lord will bless us when, like Captain Moroni and the righteous Nephites at this time we, we strive to keep His commandments: “And thus we see how merciful and just are all the dealings of the Lord, to the fulfilling of all his words unto the children of men; yea, we can behold that his words are verified, even at this time, which he spake unto Lehi, saying: Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord” (Alma 50:19-20). Later when Mormon wrote at a time when many were being baptized, “Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name. Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God” (Helaman 3:27-28). He applied the story of these Nephites to all of us to help us see that for us too the gate of heaven is open if we will believe in Jesus Christ. But as he wrote of another time of wickedness among the Nephites, Mormon warned us that the Lord will need to chasten us if we do not remember Him: “And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him” (Helaman 12:3). In these and in many other accounts in the Book of Mormon the text helps us to connect the stories with the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the clarity and powerful teaching of the Book of Mormon that, through its stories, invites us to repent come unto Jesus Christ.