I wondered the other day what I would answer if
someone asked me what may favourite Book of Mormon story was. I reflected on
the most impactful ones such as Alma’s conversion and Captain Moroni, Helaman
and his 2,000 stripling warriors but I could not deny that Christ’s visit to
America was the crowning event of the Book of Mormon.
I cannot read of the three-hour physical
disturbance and destruction without imagining how terrifying that would have
been, especially experiencing three days of total and utter darkness (3 Nephi
8:5-23). The crying and howling of the people would have been horrifying to
listen to for that long: the sorrow and anguish over the dead, the regret of
disobedience and stoning of the prophets, the loss of loved ones, the panic of
not being able to locate your children or receive help if you were hurt. No
wonder the righteous will be caught up to meet the Saviour at His coming,
because I imagine the destruction that will happen at that time will be
gruesome.
Many people today who believe in Christ imagine
He will come with mercy bearing a bouquet of roses but this is far from the
truth. When the inhabitants of the Americas heard the Saviour’s voice following
the destruction that occurred, He articulated 12 times that He was the one that
caused the death of all the people naming 15 cities which He destroyed (3 Nephi
9:3-12). Notice He spoke in first person in every instance saying “I” did this,
leaving no doubt as to who or what caused the destruction.
It was only after the more wicked people were
disposed of, that mercy was extended to the remaining population (v 13, 14).
And with extended mercy came an abolishment of animal sacrifice and a request
for a broken heart and a contrite spirit instead (v 20). In other words, mercy
is only extended to the repentant.
Every time we repent of a sin or a weakness, we
place it on the altar of sacrifice. Just as the fire consumed the animal placed
thereon, the Holy Ghost purges that sin from our souls and purifies our hearts,
making us anew. We will want to be ‘new’ when Jesus returns and we will want to
be caught up to meet Him. The time to offer our hearts on the altar of
sacrifice is now.
No event in the Book of Mormon is more
impactful and powerful than the three days of darkness at the onset of Christ’s
visit, witnessing that ‘the light and the life of the world’ conquered death
and darkness on the hill of Calvary (v 18). And because He had conquered, He
could then say: “….come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.” (v 13)
Where is the sting of death,
The enemy of righteousness,
And humanity’s foe?
The fire of its power lies in ashes
Quenched at Calvary long ago.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: One Shepherd by Howard Lyon)
