Day 67 - Either 8-11

Spiritual Thought:
“I would like to add my testimony of the divinity of this book. I have read it many times. I have also read much that has been written about it. Some authors have focused upon its stories, its people, or its vignettes of history.  Others have been intrigued by its language structure or its records of weapons, geography, animal life, techniques of building, or systems of weights and measures.  Interesting as these matters may be, study of the Book of Mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose—to testify of Jesus Christ. By comparison, all other issues are incidental…”          (A Testimony of the Book of Mormon: Elder Russell M. Nelson C.R., October 1999)

Daily Focus Scriptures to mark and ponder:
Ether 8:18 - "And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old, which combination is most abominable and wicket above all, in the sight of God.
Ether 8:22 - "And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations...behold they shall be destroyed."
Ether 9:20 - "And thus the Lord did pour out his blessings upon this land, which was choice above all other lands; and he commanded that whoso should possess the land should possess it unto the Lord, or they should be destroyed when they were ripened in iniquity; for upon such, saith the Lord:  I will pour out the fulness of my wrath." 
Ether 11:2 - "And it came to pass that the prophets were rejected by the people..."

Daily Questions: 

What is the purpose that this story of the Jaredites and the Nephites destruction is put in the same book back to back?  Could it be that we are so much like them?  What can we do to change so this won't happen to us?

For Kids/teens/adults:
Click here to watch video of The Destruction of the Jaredites

Food for Thought: 

The book of Ether stands as a second witness to several of the great lessons of life which are taught so forcefully in the Nephite record. Chapters 8-11 include the following teachings:

1. The perils and results of the reigns of wicked kings.

2. The purpose, means of growth, and final end of a people who uphold secret combinations.

3. America: a land choice above all other lands.

4. The power of faith and the results of gospel living.

5. The important place of prophets and the plight of those who reject their words.

6. The sending of natural disasters to humble the people.

7. The reality and power of Jehovah, Jesus Christ. (DCBM, 4:290-292.)

         

BOMING Picture:

    Wars, dissensions, and wickedness dominate Jaredite life—Their prophets predict the utter destruction of the Jaredites unless they repent—The people reject the words of the prophets

By heeding and reading the Book of Mormon, our lives can avert the tradegies of the Jaredites!