Parallels to Our Own Day
by Borson M. Hugilhoff
Ezra Taft Benson who served as the United States Secretary of Agriculture, during both terms of the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration, and who was the prophet and 13th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was a strong believer in biblical and Book of Mormon teachings concerning the second coming of Christ and the conditions that would lead up to that event.
Ezra Taft Benson taught the following: "The record of the Nephite History just prior to the Savior's visit, reveals many parallels to our own day as we anticipate the Saviors second coming." |
What parallels can we make between the Nephite History that records events that happen just prior to Christ visiting the inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere shortly after his resurrection and ascension, as found in the book of Acts of the New Testament, and the condition we now find ourselves in as saints in the 21st century, as we draw nigh to the prophetic doctrine that Christ will return again to reign personally upon this earth?
It should be pointed out that some of these parallels, have transpired, are on-going, and are to be expected as "we anticipate the Saviors second coming." As we turn to the Nephite record we find the following parallels:
The people in the Nephite record went from being ruled by kings, to being governed by judges. Similarly, the history concerning the United States follows this pattern. The Revolutionary war and the Declaration of Independence threw off British Monarchical rule and established a governor and judicial system of government in America.
In the opening pages of the book of Helaman, we find individuals vying for the judgment seat and governorship over the people. We are almost immediately introduced to differing political factions that have chosen their leader and give that leader support. When the "voice of the people" did choose a specific individual to rule over them, we see contending forces that would "flatter away those people to rise up in rebellion against their brethren." (Hel. 1:7) In our society we see similar behavior.
We then see political machinations. We see political opponents trying to over-throw the will of the people, by usurping power over the government. The leader of this group, that tried to overthrow the governor was then "tried according to the voice of the people" and condemned to death for trying to "destroy the liberty of the people." (Hel. 1:8) When the followers of this leader seen that he was condemned to death, they conspired and sent someone to take the life of the chief governor for condemning their leader to death. The individual chosen to kill the chief governor does so and then flees. This is where we see factions of people entering into secret oaths and creating secret combinations. This assassin enters into a "covenant" with his supporters, swearing they would never reveal who killed the chief governor and used their means to protect him.
As this secret combination grew, the chief murderer of this group would "wait to destroy" the next leader chosen by the will of the people. This group of secret oath bound combination then found a leader who was skilled in "many words" and skilled in "robbery." This secret combination then conspired to place him in the seat of power that was granted only by those elected by the voice of the people. This new leader flattered this oath bound secret combination that if they would put him in the chief seat of governor and judge, that he would in turn "grant unto those who belonged to his band that they should be placed in power and authority among the people." (Hel. 2:5-6)
They then began to find themselves in a situation wherein even though "as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people," the balance of the will of the people became skewed wherein "they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good." This imbalance of power, placed the people in a condition wherein "they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted." (Hel. 5:2) This element of Nephite history is most prevalent today as more and more secular laws are being passed encroaching on the rights of Christians.
After usurping power over the government, this secret band would set "aside the commandments of God" and in turn "doing no justice unto the children of men." (Hel. 7:4) They would then condemn "the righteous because of their righteousness" and let the "guilty and the wicked go unpunished." All this so that they might, "get gain and glory of the world," that they "might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their wills." (Hel. 7:5)
One manifestation that arose from the corruption of the judges throughout the land is that contention increased among the people, "insomuch that there were wars throughout all the land." (Hel. 11:1) It was this secret oath bound combination that carried "on this work of destruction and wickedness" within the government. (Hel. 11:2)
Another parallel between the Nephite record concerning events just prior to Christ's first appearing and our day as we anticipate the second coming of Christ, is that the people began to harden their hearts, against Christ and belief, by turning to their own strength and wisdom contending, "That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so, and he be the Son of God...why will he not show himself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem? ...We know that this is a wicked tradition, which has been handed down unto us by our fathers, to cause us that we should believe in some great and marvelous thing which should come to pass, but not among us, but in a land which is far distant, a land which we know not; therefore they can keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true." (Hel. 16:18-20) Is this not the clarion call of modern secular humanist in our society? That reason is greater than faith. That empirical evidence is the only foundation of all understanding.
In addition, they would argue that the times of the prophecies concerning Christ's birth into the world were past. And the words of the prophets not fulfilled. They would mock and scoff at believers, that "your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain." (3 Nephi 1:6) Thus the establishment would stir up the imaginings of the people that belief in Christ was a "vain thing," "wrought by men" to deceive the people. The people became "blind" in their "eyes" believing "that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing." (3 Nephi 2:2) The people began to "wax strong in wickedness and abominations."
Another parallel is that people became lifted up in the pride of their hearts because of their riches. "For there were many merchants in the land, and also many lawyers, and many officers. And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches."
The people also chose to sin willingly, "Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught unto them; therefore they did wilfully rebel against God." (3 Nephi 6:18)
Even in this condition of cultural decay, there were still individuals that were "inspired from heaven and sent forth, standing among the people in all the land, preaching and testifying boldly of the sins and iniquities of the people, and testifying unto them concerning the redemption which the Lord would make for his people, or in other words, the resurrection of Christ; and they did testify boldly of his death and sufferings." (3 Nephi 6:20)
It's recorded that the chief judges and lawyers were angered at those that testified of Christ. As it is in the United States, so it was in Nephite history. For there is no lawyer or Judge that can condemn to death except "their condemnation was signed by the governor of the land. Now there were many of those who testified of the things pertaining to Christ who testified boldly, who were taken and put to death secretly by the judges, that the knowledge of their death came not unto the governor of the land until after their death. This was contrary to the laws of the land, that any man should be put to death except they had power from the governor of the land."
Even in this case, they were taken by other judges to be judged of their crime of killing those that boldly testified of Christ. Because these "judges had many friends and kindreds; the remainder, ...even almost all the lawyers...did gather themselves together, and united with the kindreds of those judges who were to be tried according to the law. They did enter into a covenant one with another, yea, even into that covenant which was given by them of old, which covenant was given and administered by the devil, to combine against all righteousness. Therefore, they did combine against the people of the Lord, and enter into a covenant to destroy them, and to deliver those who were guilty of murder from the grasp of justice, which was about to be administered according to the law. And they did set at defiance the law and the rights of their country; and they did covenant one with another to destroy the governor, and to establish a king [a dictator] over the land, that the land should no more be at liberty but should be subject unto kings [dictators]." (3 Nephi 6:25-30)
The wickedness of the judges and lawyers of the land that were bound by a secret combination over-threw the chief judge and governor of the land. The government of the land became overthrown and the people divided into factions based on family and other loyalties.
These are some of the parallels that can be made from the Nephite record prior to Christ visiting the people of the Western Hemisphere after His resurrection and ascension from the old world to our own day in the 21st century as we anticipate the second coming of Christ. These words are just as pertinent to our day as they were 2,000 years ago in Mesoamerica.
"And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him. O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world. Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom's paths! Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide. O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth. For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God." (Hel. 12:3-8)
It should be pointed out that some of these parallels, have transpired, are on-going, and are to be expected as "we anticipate the Saviors second coming." As we turn to the Nephite record we find the following parallels:
The people in the Nephite record went from being ruled by kings, to being governed by judges. Similarly, the history concerning the United States follows this pattern. The Revolutionary war and the Declaration of Independence threw off British Monarchical rule and established a governor and judicial system of government in America.
In the opening pages of the book of Helaman, we find individuals vying for the judgment seat and governorship over the people. We are almost immediately introduced to differing political factions that have chosen their leader and give that leader support. When the "voice of the people" did choose a specific individual to rule over them, we see contending forces that would "flatter away those people to rise up in rebellion against their brethren." (Hel. 1:7) In our society we see similar behavior.
We then see political machinations. We see political opponents trying to over-throw the will of the people, by usurping power over the government. The leader of this group, that tried to overthrow the governor was then "tried according to the voice of the people" and condemned to death for trying to "destroy the liberty of the people." (Hel. 1:8) When the followers of this leader seen that he was condemned to death, they conspired and sent someone to take the life of the chief governor for condemning their leader to death. The individual chosen to kill the chief governor does so and then flees. This is where we see factions of people entering into secret oaths and creating secret combinations. This assassin enters into a "covenant" with his supporters, swearing they would never reveal who killed the chief governor and used their means to protect him.
As this secret combination grew, the chief murderer of this group would "wait to destroy" the next leader chosen by the will of the people. This group of secret oath bound combination then found a leader who was skilled in "many words" and skilled in "robbery." This secret combination then conspired to place him in the seat of power that was granted only by those elected by the voice of the people. This new leader flattered this oath bound secret combination that if they would put him in the chief seat of governor and judge, that he would in turn "grant unto those who belonged to his band that they should be placed in power and authority among the people." (Hel. 2:5-6)
They then began to find themselves in a situation wherein even though "as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people," the balance of the will of the people became skewed wherein "they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good." This imbalance of power, placed the people in a condition wherein "they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted." (Hel. 5:2) This element of Nephite history is most prevalent today as more and more secular laws are being passed encroaching on the rights of Christians.
After usurping power over the government, this secret band would set "aside the commandments of God" and in turn "doing no justice unto the children of men." (Hel. 7:4) They would then condemn "the righteous because of their righteousness" and let the "guilty and the wicked go unpunished." All this so that they might, "get gain and glory of the world," that they "might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their wills." (Hel. 7:5)
One manifestation that arose from the corruption of the judges throughout the land is that contention increased among the people, "insomuch that there were wars throughout all the land." (Hel. 11:1) It was this secret oath bound combination that carried "on this work of destruction and wickedness" within the government. (Hel. 11:2)
Another parallel between the Nephite record concerning events just prior to Christ's first appearing and our day as we anticipate the second coming of Christ, is that the people began to harden their hearts, against Christ and belief, by turning to their own strength and wisdom contending, "That it is not reasonable that such a being as a Christ shall come; if so, and he be the Son of God...why will he not show himself unto us as well as unto them who shall be at Jerusalem? ...We know that this is a wicked tradition, which has been handed down unto us by our fathers, to cause us that we should believe in some great and marvelous thing which should come to pass, but not among us, but in a land which is far distant, a land which we know not; therefore they can keep us in ignorance, for we cannot witness with our own eyes that they are true." (Hel. 16:18-20) Is this not the clarion call of modern secular humanist in our society? That reason is greater than faith. That empirical evidence is the only foundation of all understanding.
In addition, they would argue that the times of the prophecies concerning Christ's birth into the world were past. And the words of the prophets not fulfilled. They would mock and scoff at believers, that "your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain." (3 Nephi 1:6) Thus the establishment would stir up the imaginings of the people that belief in Christ was a "vain thing," "wrought by men" to deceive the people. The people became "blind" in their "eyes" believing "that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing." (3 Nephi 2:2) The people began to "wax strong in wickedness and abominations."
Another parallel is that people became lifted up in the pride of their hearts because of their riches. "For there were many merchants in the land, and also many lawyers, and many officers. And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches."
The people also chose to sin willingly, "Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught unto them; therefore they did wilfully rebel against God." (3 Nephi 6:18)
Even in this condition of cultural decay, there were still individuals that were "inspired from heaven and sent forth, standing among the people in all the land, preaching and testifying boldly of the sins and iniquities of the people, and testifying unto them concerning the redemption which the Lord would make for his people, or in other words, the resurrection of Christ; and they did testify boldly of his death and sufferings." (3 Nephi 6:20)
It's recorded that the chief judges and lawyers were angered at those that testified of Christ. As it is in the United States, so it was in Nephite history. For there is no lawyer or Judge that can condemn to death except "their condemnation was signed by the governor of the land. Now there were many of those who testified of the things pertaining to Christ who testified boldly, who were taken and put to death secretly by the judges, that the knowledge of their death came not unto the governor of the land until after their death. This was contrary to the laws of the land, that any man should be put to death except they had power from the governor of the land."
Even in this case, they were taken by other judges to be judged of their crime of killing those that boldly testified of Christ. Because these "judges had many friends and kindreds; the remainder, ...even almost all the lawyers...did gather themselves together, and united with the kindreds of those judges who were to be tried according to the law. They did enter into a covenant one with another, yea, even into that covenant which was given by them of old, which covenant was given and administered by the devil, to combine against all righteousness. Therefore, they did combine against the people of the Lord, and enter into a covenant to destroy them, and to deliver those who were guilty of murder from the grasp of justice, which was about to be administered according to the law. And they did set at defiance the law and the rights of their country; and they did covenant one with another to destroy the governor, and to establish a king [a dictator] over the land, that the land should no more be at liberty but should be subject unto kings [dictators]." (3 Nephi 6:25-30)
The wickedness of the judges and lawyers of the land that were bound by a secret combination over-threw the chief judge and governor of the land. The government of the land became overthrown and the people divided into factions based on family and other loyalties.
These are some of the parallels that can be made from the Nephite record prior to Christ visiting the people of the Western Hemisphere after His resurrection and ascension from the old world to our own day in the 21st century as we anticipate the second coming of Christ. These words are just as pertinent to our day as they were 2,000 years ago in Mesoamerica.
"And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him. O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world. Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom's paths! Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide. O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth. For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God." (Hel. 12:3-8)