Ripening in Iniquity

Further on in Book of Mormon history, the Nephites rapidly fell from their state of righteousness and order to a state of gross wickedness and anarchy. This was perhaps why massive cataclysmic destructions came upon them at the time preceding Christ's appearance. This era of their history seems to match the period that will precede Christ's second coming.

Before this drastic downfall, the Nephites reached a high point in their progression. "There was not a living soul among all the people of the Nephites who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets who had spoken for they knew that it must needs be that they must be fulfilled." (3 Ne. 5:1,2.) Furthermore, at this point in Book of Mormon history, virtually everyone had a knowledge of the gospel. The Lamanites were either numbered among the Nephites or they were among the robbers, and the Nephites "did cause the word of God to be preached" to all the robbers who they had taken prisoner, for "none had escaped who were not slain...." (3 Ne. 6:3; 5:4.) Similarly, the scriptures proclaim that before Christ's second coming, the "gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations...." (Matt. 24:14.)

The Nephite record continues, "Now there was nothing in all the land to hinder the people from prospering continually, except they should fall into transgression." (3 Ne. 6:5.) Unfortunately, they did not maintain their righteousness; but they "began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning," and "Satan had great power, unto...the puffing them up with pride...." (6:12,15.)

Nephi described a similar time in the latter days, saying, "...They have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted"--a condition that seems to imply accountability. (2 Ne. 28:11.) "The learned and the rich that are puffed up in pride" were also included in Nephi's depiction of the last days. (28:15.)

This "great inequality" among the Nephites caused the church to be "broken up in all the land ^a.save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were ^b.converted unto the true faith...." (6:14.) In the latter days as well, as Nephi said, "because of pride...their churches are lifted up...; [and] they have all gone astray ^a.save it be a few, who are the ^b.humble followers of Christ...." (28:14.)

Lehite history also states that "Satan did lead away the hearts of the people to do all manner of iniquity...." (3 Ne. 6:16.) They "did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught unto them; therefore they did willfully rebel against God." (6:18.) As "men inspired from heaven [began]...preaching and testifying boldly of the sins and iniquities of the people...," they were "put to death...." (6:20,23.) The people were particularly angry with one prophet, "for it [was] not possible that they could disbelieve his words...." (3 Ne. 7:18.)

All of this sheds light on the conditions we might expect to see after the House of Israel is brought out of captivity and before Christ appears to the world in glory.

Also during this period of Book of Mormon history the people "began to look with great earnestness for the sign which had been given by Samuel, the Lamanite.... And there began to be great doubtings and disputations among the people, notwithstanding so many signs had been given." (3 Ne. 8:3,4.) Likewise, in the latter days the people "shall see signs and wonders, for they shall be shown forth in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath." (D&C 45:40.) Nevertheless, many "shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth." (45:26; Matt. 24:48.) Moroni's admonition to them is: "...The words of the Lord, which have been spoken by the holy prophets, shall all be fulfilled; and ye need not say that the Lord delays his coming unto the children of Israel." (3 Ne. 29:2; Morm. 9:26.)

As the Nephites deteriorated another secret combination emerged. It's members combined "against the people of the Lord, and did enter into a covenant to destroy them...." (3 Ne. 6:29.) Could this foreshadow that time in our day when all nations will combine against the Jews? Will yet another secret combination--the present one having been destroyed--be behind this?

Perhaps this is why Isaiah said, "Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice⁽¹⁾...." (2 Ne. 24:29 = Isa. 14:29.) John said, "...The beast that was, and is not..., shall ascend out of the bottomless pit." (Rev. 17:8.) This restored beast, like the first, will "make war with the Lamb," this time their aggression apparently converging on the Jews. (17:14.)

Zechariah said that "all nations" will be gathered "against Jerusalem to battle..., and half of the city shall go forth into captivity...." (Zech. 14:2.) Apparently this treading down will last "forty and two months," or three and a half years. (Rev. 11:2.) Then at a critical moment, the Lord shall "fight against those nations," and eventually "Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited" as the Lord then becomes "king over all the earth." (Zech. 14:3,11,9.)

Incidentally, this pattern resembles that which we discussed in conjunction with the redemption of the New Jerusalem--even though it will apparently occur several years before. If we have understood the prophecies correctly, in both instances an initial attack will be followed by temporary bondage. Then redemption will come as the Lord makes bare his arm at a crucial time. Following this deliverance, a purified people will inhabit the land, and the Lord will reign in their midst.