Spiritual Parallels

The parallels that have been considered so far compare the progression of one nation to that of another. There is yet another complete category of parallels: i.e. between the progression of nations and of individuals. Underlying the history of the Lehite and the Israelite nations from beginning to end are parallels to individual stages of spiritual growth. The spiritual journey of individuals through life can be seen as though mapped out in the large-scale patterns of nations.

Lehite history climaxes with Christ's appearance and the reign of peace that followed. For the house of Israel, the Second Coming and the following millennium will be the highlight of their history. Likewise, the height of individual progression is to receive the second comforter (a personal manifestation of Jesus Christ) and have one's "calling and election [made] sure." (2 Pet. 1:10.)

Before this blessed state can be realized, evil must be completely overcome. This is true for nations as well as individuals. The battles between the Lamanites and the Nephites, for example, might exemplify a person's inner struggles between the will of the flesh and the will of the spirit. The subtle infiltration of secret combinations into the government of a nation epitomizes the cancerous effect that pride can have on an individual.⁽¹³⁾

Now that we have considered parallels toward the final stages of national and spiritual progression, let's consider some other parallels toward the beginning stages. Temporal histories portray important pivotal elements of a person's commencement in the paths of righteousness. The account of the children of Israel's exodus from Egypt (which parallels the Lehite exodus) embodies the principles of faith, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and receiving the guiding gift of the Holy Ghost. Moses led a humbled people out of Egypt through the waters of the Red Sea, and all the pursuing Egyptians were drowned. This departure and cleansing represents the principle of repentance and the ordinance of baptism. (1 Cor. 10:1,2.) The Lord sent a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day to lead the children of Israel to the promised land. This symbolizes the guiding gift of the Holy Ghost.

After finally arriving in the promised land, the children of Israel eventually apostatized from the Lord. They were then scattered upon the face of the earth. Similarly, many pass through a personal period of rebellion, sometimes estranging themselves from the Lord -- commonly in adolescent years.

The apostasy of the house of Israel was not permanent. In these latter days the Lord is now setting his hand a second time to recover his covenant people. As they turn their hearts once more toward God they are being gathered back into his fold. Likewise, as a wayward individual turns to the Lord, the Lord will be abundantly merciful to him too. Salvation is still extended to him.

The process of restoration, through which the Israelite and Lehite nations passed, bears likeness to that which individuals who are reborn of the Spirit experience. Scriptures coming forth among these two nations resemble the new-found love of the word of God that reborn individuals acquire. Next, the extensive missionary labors undertaken by both these nations reflect the missionary zeal that marks truly converted individuals, especially early after their rebirth. The rigors of the trials of the flesh and of the spirit with which an individual wrestles, are portrayed in national conflicts. This completes a brief overview of the spiritual parallels.

Spiritual Parallels on two pages, two columns

 

Endnotes:

13. "My dear brothers and sisters, we must prepare to redeem Zion. It was essentially the sin of pride that kept us from establishing Zion in the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was the same sin of pride that brought consecration to an end among the Nephites. (See 4 Ne. 1:24-25.) Pride is the great stumbling block to Zion. I repeat: Pride is the great stumbling block to Zion." Ezra Taft Benson, "Beware of Pride," Ensign, May 1989, pp. 4-7.

 

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