I was reading in the Book of Jarom. The chapter heading for this book states, "The Nephites keep the law of Moses, look forward to the coming of Christ, and prosper in the land--Many prophets labor to keep them in the way of truth." This heading struck me as what could be our theme for the time in which we now live. I likened the Nephites in this chapter to all those who are earnestly seeking today to follow our Savior Jesus Christ.
I am reminded of the talk given at the most recent General Conference in which Elder Neil L. Anderson spoke directly about the Second Coming after a congregational hymn was sung. He opened his remarks by stating, "As we were singing, I was deeply moved with the thought that at this very moment hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of believing Saints in more than 150 countries, amazingly in 75 different languages, together we were raising our voices to God, singing:
Come, O thou King of Kings!
We've waited long for thee.
With healing in thy wings.
To set thy people free.
"Come, O thou King of Kings!"
In Jarom, a key for righteousnes is given for each who lives in these last days. Jarom wrote during a time when the majority of the people had developed hard hearts, deaf ears, blind minds, and stiff necks (Jarom 1:3). Even with conditions being as they were, there were those who were righteous and who had revelations (Jarom 1:4). These people honored and kept the Sabbath day holy, used language that was uplifting and good, and obeyed the laws of the land (Jarom 1:5). The verses that impacted me the most were verses 7-9 which state:
"And it came to pass that [the Lamanites] came many times against us, the Nephites, to battle. But our kings and our leaders were mighty men in the faith of the Lord; and they taught the people the ways of the Lord; wherefore, we withstood the Lamanites and swept them away out of our lands, and began to fortify ...
"And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the land, and became exceedingly rich...making all manner of tools of every kind to till the ground, and weapons of war--yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the quiver, and the dart, and the javelin, and all preparations for war.
"And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us. But the word of the Lord was verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Insasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land."
These words are comforting to me for they offer sound counsel and direction for any people living during times when righteous practices are being attacked. They also offer peace in showing that God always helps protect and guide His people. These verses can serve as our guide for living today. Here is the guide these verses teach:
Listen to the prophets and apostles!
The counsel and direction that they give will protect us just as it did for the people living during the time of Jarom. I know that these men have been called of God and that their word is the Word of God. The days ahead do not need to be days that are filled with fear or despair. God is in control and the day will come when righteousness will cover the earth again.
Come, O thou King of Kings!
