For a Wise Purpose in Him...

... which purpose I know not.

{*** Disclaimer: It's long. (What's new? ;) ) With no pictures. EEK! I made a diagram though! (In sing song voice) AND there is a link to a awesome video!}

The other night my quick read-a-chapter-before-I-get-to-go-to-bed (shame on me) turned into scripture learning awesomeness. I love these books. :) I learned a lot, and to remember stuff you learn it is recommended to share it. Here I am sharing. Sharing is caring. ;)

I read chapters 23 and 24 in Mosiah. At the end of 24, three peoples are have gathered themselves together under the rule of King Mosiah II in Zarahemla. The events in the chapters leading up to this time are worthy of any action/drama flick. The companies of Alma the Elder and Limhi have just escaped oppressive Lamanite bondage with the assistance of the Lord. I have a difficult time keeping everybody straight in the Book of Mormon. This was one of those moments I needed to be reminded of who was who and which was which... I needed to get it all straightened out.

I made myself this to visualize the comings and goings, and goings:

First we have the people of Limhi. They are descendants of Zeniff, who I am assuming is the leader of the group spoken of in Omni 1:27 who left the city of Zarahemla to find the land of Nephi, a.k.a Lehi-Nephi, the land of their forefathers that the Nephites founded when they first broke off from the Lamanites, then later Mosiah was warned of by the Lord to flee the land (Omni 12:12) They found the land. They received permission to inhabit the land and rebuilt the city. They were strong and prosperous. Eventually under the reign of Zeniff's son, King Noah, the people became wicked, lazy wine-bibbers. Thier weakened relationship with God led their inability to fight off the Lamanites and they soon fell under Lamanite bondage and became heavily taxed.

One of the most well-known events in the Book of Mormon occurs during King Noah's time. Abinadi was sent as a missionary among Noah's people. Ready for a really quick reader's digest abridgement? Here it is - Abinadi taught, Alma listened, everyone else became angry at his teachings, Abinadi became a martyr and was burned to death. The Lamanites came upon Noah's people. Noah is a coward. He ran into the woods to get away from the attack (being the wicked ruler he was, he neglected to provide security for his people). He didn't go alone, he persuaded other men to do the same. The cowards fled, leaving wife and children to save their own hides.

The Lamanites did come upon Noah's people. Being "charmed by the beauty of their women" (haha... Mos. 19:14), the remaining people were spared under the conditions that they pay the Lamanites 50% (!!) of pretty much anything of value they had.

Out in the wilderness, King Noah suffers death by fire (it's his Karma! Mos. 13:10 & Mos. 19:20) by the men who have had a change of heart and want to go back to their wives and children. They don't though. Too ashamed for that. Their leader is Amulon. While wifeless and lonely, they happen upon a few (24) of the Lamanite daughters. Seizing the opportunity before them, they "carried them into the wilderness" to become their new wives.

This creates even more distress for Limhi's people (Noah's son Limhi now rules as a tributary monarch) when the Lamanites come attacking his people to find their daughters.

What I get a kick out of is when the Lamanites do finally accidentally catch up to Amulon and his priests, the guilty party, Amulon sends the women out, the Lamanite daughters, to plead for them to preserve their lives. Story line sound familiar? Maybe this flick? Hahaha!! :)

In addition to finding Amulon's group, the Lamanites also find the Land of Helam where Alma and his followers have settled. They also fall under heave Lamanite bondage. Backstabbing, deceiving Lamanites! Grr... Not only that, but they are ruled by Amulon, Alma's former priest buddy. Ugh. How degrading.

However, during this bondage time two important events happened. The Nephites were taught the language of the Lamanites (Mos. 24:4) and to keep records (Mos. 24:6). Learning the language came in handy... be it 30 years later when Alma ben Alma (Alma the Younger) and the sons of Mosiah ventured out on their missions to the Lamanites to teach and bring them the gospel.

As I was chewing on this spiritual dessert that night, I was amazed at how the Lord works. Anything that happens in this life will work for our good. Eventually. IF our focus is the Lord. That's huge. HUGE! Life is hard. (It's harder if you're stupid. Thanks John Wayne... hehe). There are times when I want to quit. Or give up. Or just be grumpy and give people the stink eye. ;) There is plenty of stuff in life that we can't change. But the gospel can change our perspective.

Also, personal righteousness doesn't eliminate the need for trials and the opportunity to acquire increased character. During these inevitable struggles, the Lord will strengthen us, as he did the people of Alma. When called upon, He will ease our burdens, and we can submit cheerfully. We too will know with surety that our God does know us. He does hear us. And he will deliver us from our sorrows and trials. :)