An easily discernable parallel is between Christ's visit to the Nephites and the Second Coming. In both instances, great and terrible destructions of the wicked precede the Lord's appearance in His glory. The joyous and peaceful era that followed the Savior's ancient advent foreshadows the Zion civilization that will thrive during the millennium. The final battle at the end of the Book of Mormon record is a likeness to the concluding conflict that will flare at the end of millennium.

The parallels between Book of Mormon history and the latter days are not limited to the period immediately surrounding the Savior's coming. Turning back to the books of Omni and Mosiah, we find reflections of the birth of the American nation. The emphasis on American history is fitting, for the United States of America is "the Lords' base of operations in these latter days" -- the beacon set upon a hill.⁽⁷⁾ Not only has the gospel gone forth from her borders to the nations of the earth, but the hallowed principles of her government have inspired leaders of numerous other nations to adopt similar institutions. Whether or not the Christian inhabitants of this land have amply fulfilled their duty to be the saviors of men, it is nonetheless a nation of manifest destiny, and the Lord has been able to bring about many mighty works through her. (D&C 103:9; 3 Ne. 16:15; D&C 98:5,6.)

The parallels go on. Just as the Holy Ghost inspired Columbus to sail for America, the Lord guided King Mosiah (I) through the wilderness to a new land, Zarahemla. (Omni 1:12,13.) Shortly after that, the Lord strengthened the Nephites so they could repel the armies of the jealous and angry Lamanites, who came against them from their former land. (Omni 1:24; Mosiah 1:13.) This mirrors that time when the Lord extended his arm in blessing the American Colonizers with a miraculous victory against tremendous odds, winning their independence from their mother country. In this same general period of Nephite history, king Mosiah (2) set up a new system of government, which parallels the inspired document brought forth by our Founding Fathers: the Constitution of the United States. (Mosiah 29.) The six most fundamental principles of the Constitution⁽⁸⁾ can be identified in that Nephite system of the reign of the judges.

The restoration of the Church is paralleled in Book of Mormon history also. Like Joseph Smith, Alma was also considered the founder of Christ's church among the people of his day. (Mosiah 29:47.) The persecutions and the monumental missionary work that followed are similar as well. Also in this period of Nephite history, the Jaredite records came forth. The Nephites regarded this account of the previous inhabitants of the land to be of great value. (Mosiah 28:19.) This foreshadowed the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in the latter days.

Early in the book of Alma is an account of a civil war which presaged America's Civil War. In the latter portion of that book, several Nephite-Lamanite wars bear unusual likenesses to World Wars I and II.

The book of Helaman contains many sobering resemblances to latter-day (and apparently, imminent) conditions. Anciently, the laws of Mosiah became corrupt, and a secret combination rose to great power, gaining sole management of the government. (Hel. 4:22; 6:39,40.) In his last formal address to the Church -- President Benson declared: "A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world."⁽⁹⁾ Another phenomenon that marked this period in ancient history was that "they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good...." (Hel. 5:2.) We, as well, seem to have arrived at such a point today, especially in the United States.⁽¹⁰⁾

As a result of the Nephites' wickedness during this period, the Lord allowed chastening destructions to come upon them. (Hel. 15:3.) Part of that chastisement entailed the Lamanites attacking the mighty, and supposedly unconquerable, city of Zarahemla in a surprise attack. (Hel. 1:16-20.) Might we, in this equally proud land, be headed for a similar scenario? There are ominous indications and innumerable prophecies that suggest that our nation is indeed also headed for such a chastening destruction.

In this same era of Book of Mormon history a dramatic transition took place. The Nephites, who had been a highly favored people of the Lord, became increasingly wicked. Meanwhile, the more part of the previously pagan Lamanites were converted to the gospel. Their righteousness eventually exceeded that of the Nephites'. (Hel. 6:34:34-36.) This bears resemblance to the latter-day turn-about that Christ prophesied would take place. He warned that when the Gentiles, as a people, would reject the fullness of the gospel, the gospel would be taken from them and brought to the house of Israel. (3 Ne. 16:10,11.) In conjunction with this turning point, the Lord will make bare his arm in removing the long-held religious and political yokes from the house of Israel. (2 Ne. 20:27.) In Book of Mormon times, the Lord showed forth marvelous manifestations, and the Lamanites' bonds of false religious tradition and government-imposed oppression were broken. (Hel. 5:51.)

In Third Nephi, all of the righteous, both among the Nephites and the Lamanites, gathered together into one place. They did this to protect themselves from the ravages of a secret combination. (3 Ne. 3:13,25.) Might this foreshadow that time in the latter days when the Saints will participate in building a New Jerusalem and in the gathering of the Lord's people to that place, while the world plummets further into turmoil? (3 Ne. 21:23,24.)

Again in this period of Book of Mormon history "many highways [were] cast up" and "many old cities [were] repaired." (3 Ne. 6:7,8.) This seems to be a mirror of the latter days when a great highway will be cast up as the lost Ten Tribes come down from the North. (D&C 133:26-32.) It may also reflect that time which is prophesied, when the house of Israel will inhabit the desolate cities of the Gentiles. (3 Ne. 22:3.)

Just before the calamitous destruction that preceded Christ's appearance to the Nephites, the forces of a secret society combined against the people of the Lord in a pact to destroy them. (3 Ne. 6:30.) Could this be a parallel of that time just before Christ's second coming when all nations -- because of the penetrating influence of yet another secret combination -- unite against the Jews? (Zech. 14:2; 2 Ne. 24:29 = Isa. 14:29.)

Parallels in the Book of Mormon to Israel's sojourn are not limited to the latter days, during which the Lord gathers his covenant people a second time. (Isa. 11:11,12.) In reviewing the history in the first part of the Book of Mormon, we find significant parallels to the first gathering, which occurred anciently through the instrumentality of Moses. (Jer. 16:14,15.)

Like the Israelites, Lehi's people were directed by the Lord to leave a wicked city. He lead both groups through a wilderness and brought them to a land of promise. Once in the promised land, the Lord blessed and prospered them. (2 Ne. 5:13.) A division arose, and two main kingdoms emerged. (2 Ne. 5:5,9.) Eventually the people grew wicked--despite the tireless efforts of many prophets to reclaim them. (Enos 1:23; Omni 1:5.)

In the book of Omni there is a significant void in Lehite history. Were the admittedly uninspired keepers of the records during that era a reflection of the spiritual depravity of the time? If so, this period of seeming regression would parallel the era of darkness that marked the apostasy of the house of Israel between the first and second gathering. This brings us up to the second gathering, which was just discussed, hence completing this overview of the temporal progression of the house of Israel.

See also:

Endnotes:

7. Ezra Taft Benson, CR, April, 1962, p. 104. See also CR, Oct. 1965, p. 122.

8. Ezra Taft Benson, The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner, Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, UT, 1986, pp. 18-23.

9. Ensign, Nov. 1988, p. 87.

10. Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 1989, p. 9. (Used by permission.)

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