Previously we saw how the people of king Noah had slid off the path of righteousness, how Noah's perversions were repaid to him, and how his son Limhi became the king. We saw that the people began to be smitten for their collective sins and for actively (or even passively) participating in the martyrdom of a prophet. Limhi's people battled the Lamanites who unfairly and incorrectly accused them of stealing away some of their daughters, but through an act of wisdom and kindness, spared the Lamanite king, who helped Limhi's people avoid being exterminated.
Once this debacle was behind them, though, they were still in subjugation to the Lamanites, who took every opportunity to harass the Nephites. I can see this happening - I would think that, although the Lamanite king was convinced that Limhi's people had nothing to do with the stealing of Lamanite girls, the Lamanites would still hold a grudge against the Nephites. Think of the sentiment against all Muslims in this country after 9/11. Think of the sentiment against the Japanese after Pearl Harbor. I don't think the Lamanites, being human beings, would have been any different. At any rate, the Lamanites were "stirred up in anger against the Nephites and they began to come into the borders of the land round about" (Mosiah 21:2). According to their king's command, they couldn't kill the Nephites, but they "...would smite them on their cheeks...exercise authority over them, and...put heavy burdens on their backs and drive them as they would a dumb ass..." Mosiah 21:3).
Why did God allow this to happen? These are words that have been spoken by people throughout the ages, by people of faith and by people who have little or no spiritual beliefs at all. I'm sure Limhi's people asked this question at this time as well. In their case, some already knew the answer. Mormon, in his abridgment of these records, declares: "Yea, all this was done that the word of the Lord might be fulfilled... " (Mosiah 21:4). Limhi, himself, spoke of the iniquities of his people under Noah's rule: "Yea, I say unto you, great are the reasons which we have to mourn; for behold how many of our brethren have been slain, and their blood has been spilt in vain, and all because of iniquity. For if this people had not fallen into transgression the Lord would not have suffered that this great evil should come upon them. But behold, they would not hearken unto his words; but there arose contentions among them, even so much that they did shed blood among themselves. And a prophet of the Lord have they slain; yea, a chosen man of God, who told them of their wickedness and abominations..." (Mosiah 7: 24-26).
It is interesting to think about the time line that is involved: Noah's reign was about 15 years (160 B.C. to 145 B.C.). Abinadi appears after 10 years (150 B.C.), and he was killed 2 years later (148 B.C.). 3 years later Noah flees from his own people and from the Lamanites and is killed (145 B.C.). Limhi rules for 24 years (from 145 B.C. to 121 B.C.) and during that time his people are in bondage to the Lamanites and suffer humiliation, brutality and loss of life at the hands of their oppressors. Note how much quicker they fell from God's good graces than for them to return to His favor. Mormon comments about this: "And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities..." (Mosiah 21:15). This is a good lesson for us, one that I think we may already know: It is easier (and better) to refrain from sin than it is to repent from sin. I have seen this during my lifetime, as I have observed my actions and from observing others. This is a truth that we need to keep in our minds and hearts on a daily basis.
A question pops up in my mind: Does this make the Lord vindictive, vengeful and uncaring? Certainly some of the people didn't agree with Noah, or his ways, and probably did not participate in his debauchery. Was it fair to them? Why did the Lord ignore their suffering? For that matter, why did the Lord make the people in general suffer for so much longer than they (as a society) were astray?
First of all, I don't believe the Lord turns away from His children... It pains Him when they commit sin. It pains Him when they suffer consequences that sinful actions bring on. I believe the Lord truly sees all and knows what goes on. I have to believe that Limhi's people were not ready to put their sins behind them until so much time had passed, and the Lord sent Ammon and his men to find them. Limhi's people needed to "humble themselves even in the depths of humility and ...cry mightily to God, yea, even all the day long...unto their God..." (Mosiah 21:14).
We should remember that God is not a vending machine where, when we need blessings, we drop in a couple of prayers and out pops the blessing we asked for. God is a real, living being who knows our needs and our actions. He is full of mercy but is bound by justice. He wants what is best for us but has to look on when bad choices are made. He is bound by freedom of choice; I said "bound by" but I should have said that He is a strong, strong proponent of freedom of choice because of the love He has for us. Before Limhi's people could be accepted into the righteous Zarahemla society, they had to want to live as righteous beings. To not wait until this refinement took place would have been to invite serious difficulties for Limhi's people as well as for the rest of the Nephites in Zarahemla.
Committing a sin takes us away from the Lord faster and easier than the return trip will take. The return trip will be more costly to us as well. Wisdom would dictate that we avoide the outward journey in the first place. Oh, that we were always wise...
So the Lord DID send Ammon, and with his arrival, Limhi and his people found new hope; Ammon's arrival was the catalyst to the people's escape from Lamanite rule. A couple of interesting things to mention:
"...it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to consult with the people how they should deliver themselves out of bondage...they could find no way to deliver themselves...except it were to take their women...children...flocks...herds...tents, and depart into the wilderness" (Mosiah 22:1-2). After 24 years they put their heads together and decide that they could leave? I am reminded of the movie "The Wizard of Oz"; Dorothy wanted to go home, and Glenda, the good witch, told Dorothy that she already knew how to; she knew it all along... This comes back to what I said earlier... Limhi and his people were not yet ready and the Lord knew they weren't until they had become humbled, repentant. Until they were ready.
The people, acting as one body, hastily prepared themselves to flee and then somehow were able to escape from under the (drunken) Lamanite guards noses. They were a united body of people, united in a purpose, united in desire and (most importantly) united in faith. An ember, removed from the fire, dies out quickly, but when united with the other embers, remains hot and glowing. We are better when we are united in righteousness with our family, our friends and our society.
So Limhi's people escaped. Although the Lamanites pursued them, they were successful in evading the Lamanite armies until they had made it to the land of Zarahemla (good thing Ammon's party kept good notes on the journey to Lehi-Nephi).
I think there are good lessons to take to our hearts in this story. We have the right to make choices for ourselves. With that right comes the responsibility for our choices. No matter how much we may sometimes wish otherwise, we are solely responsible for any bad choices we make and the consequences that follow. The Lord wants what is best for us. He doesn't abandon us when we turn from Him. He allows us to return to Him through any difficulties our choices have brought, and He loves us when we strive to make our lives right. I know this is true.
Don
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