Mormon Warns Us–“Journey to Higher Ground”

Come Follow Me Oct 26 – Nov 1

“For behold, this is written for the intent that ye may believe…And ye will also know that ye are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; therefore ye are numbered among the people of the first covenant; and if it so be that ye believe in Christ, and are baptized, first with water, then with fire and with the Holy Ghost, following the example of our Savior, according to that which he hath commanded us, it shall be well with you in the day of judgement. Amen.”

Book of Mormon, Mormon 7:9-10

Who is Mormon? Much like the Jaredite prophet Ether, who hid in a cave for years observing and recording the final history of his people, Mormon was tasked with observing and recording the demise of the Nephite people.

• He was educated and quick to observe.
• As a 10-year-old primary age boy he was called by the prophet Ammaron to observe the people and, in 14 years, record what he observed.
• When he was 11 his family moved south to Zarahemla.
• He was descendent of Nephi.
• His father was named Mormon.
• When he was 15, he was visited by Jesus Christ.
• When he was 16, he led an army of Nephites.
• When he was 24, he recorded everything he had observed as commanded by Ammaron.
• He was visited by the three Nephites who had been translated.
• When he was 74, he gathered all his people together and witnessed the slaughter of all but 24 Nephites.
• After turning over the records to his son Moroni he was killed by the Lamanites

Like Ether, Mormon, witnessed the destruction of his people. Like Joseph Smith, he was visited by the Lord as a teenager. He, along with his son Moroni, was able to stay righteous while surrounded by profound evil. Mormon, who foresaw our day, carefully chose every account we hold in our hand. Every account Mormon included was intended to help us avoid the same mistakes his people had made. Are we listening?

Journey to Higher Ground

“On December 26, 2004, a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia, creating a deadly tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people. It was a terrible tragedy. In one day, millions of lives were forever changed. But there was one group of people who, although their village was destroyed, did not suffer a single casualty. The reason? They knew a tsunami was coming. The Moken people live in villages on islands off the coast of Thailand and Burma (Myanmar). A society of fishermen, their lives depend on the sea. For hundreds and perhaps thousands of years, their ancestors have studied the ocean, and they have passed their knowledge down from father to son. One thing in particular they were careful to teach was what to do when the ocean receded. According to their traditions, when that happened, the “Laboon”—a wave that eats people—would arrive soon after. When the elders of the village saw the dreaded signs, they shouted to everyone to run to high ground. Not everyone listened. One elderly fisherman said, “None of the kids believed me.” In fact, his own daughter called him a liar. But the old fisherman would not relent until all had left the village and climbed to higher ground. The Moken people were fortunate in that they had someone with conviction who warned them of what would follow. The villagers were fortunate because they listened. Had they not, they may have perished.”

Journey to Higher Ground
Joseph B. Wirthlin
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

In every age we are faced with a choice. We can trust in our own strength, or we can journey to higher ground and come unto Christ. Each choice has a consequence. Each consequence, a destination. … Brothers and sisters, we are called to journey to higher ground. We can avoid the sorrow and distress that comes as a consequence of disobedience. We can partake of peace, joy, and eternal life if we will heed the words of the prophets, be sensitive to the influence of the Holy Ghost, and fill our hearts with love for our Heavenly Father and our fellowman.”

Journey to Higher Ground
Joseph B. Wirthlin
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Mormon will often interrupt or conclude a story with the phrase, “Thus we see”. He then gives us the lesson he wants us to learn. This week, the one small thing you can do as you read the Book of Mormon, is ask yourself, “Why was this story included? What is the message or warning?”