18 BC - famine
17 BC - the famine continues -"they began to remember the Lord their God. . ." They repent and pray for relief.
16 BC - rain comes - they begin to prosper again
15 BC - there is peace and growth of the church
14 BC - there is peace accept contention about points of doctrine
13 BC - it begins with much strife but then settles down
12 BC - dissenters start a war - Gadianton type - Marauders who hide in the mountains
11 BC - the war continues - these guerrilla warriors defy both Nephites and Lamanites. The people pray for help
10 BC - "They began again to forget the Lord their God."
9 BC - they waxed "strong in iniquity"
8 BC - they did not "mend their ways"
7 BC - they were "ripe for destruction"
Chapter 12 verse 1 then follows this by saying, "And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men. . ."
It goes on to point out that when mankind follow the Lord they prosper. When they prosper their hearts turn to their riches and the cycle repeats.
The critical words for these two verses are these as we ponder just exactly what and how the Lord intervenes in our live.
". . . sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies, softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars on them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people."
How much does the Lord intervene in the affairs of governments? Can he soften hearts? Why doesn't he soften all hearts?
Does he take sides in wars? Does he take sides in the elections? Does he disapprove of Donald Trump's leadership? Will he help us remove the man from office this November? If Trump is re-elected does it mean the Lord approves of him or does it mean Americans are "ripe for destruction"?
In scripture we see the affairs of nations as a direct result of the spiritual righteousness of the people. We see everything so simplistic - the people are either good or bad and usually the whole nation is good or bad.
But real life isn't so - not today in the nation of 328 million. We have problems but we are a mixture of all kinds of people and most are believers in some religion. But we are contentious right now - lacking brotherly love and concern for "the other." It is a sorry state of affairs.
Prayers are needed. And my most fervent prayer these days is that we will elect a new president and bring peace and unity to a country that is so divided and filled with contention.
I hope the Lord will bless us to do that but I am fully aware that there are those praying for the opposite.
Why can't life be more clear - we seem to live in many hues of gray. . .
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