Spiritual Parallels

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Includes:

Chapter 8. First Gathering of the Individual

Chapter 9. Second Gathering of the Individual

CHAPTER EIGHT

First Gathering of the Individual

Thus far, we have compared Book of Mormon history with the temporal progression of the House of Israel from beginning to end. We compared history with history until we came to the present day; then we compared history with prophecy. Having observed so many strong similarities, we are led to believe that these parallels could have very well been intended. Not only are there numerous striking comparisons between the histories, but they occur in generally the same sequence.

If we would compare anyone with Lehi and his exodus, it would be Moses. The Dark Ages--considering also the preceding rebellion and the subsequent reawakening--find their best match in the beginning of the book of Omni. The Constitution of the United States and the laws of Mosiah are also an obvious correlation. Like the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in our time, the coming forth of the Jaredite records to the Nephites was unexpected and unprecedented in its time. If we were to compare anyone with Alma, who was eulogized as the founder of the Nephite's church of Christ, it would be Joseph Smith. Korihor probably would have co-authored the Communist Manifesto, if he had lived during Karl Marx's time. Hitler and Amalickiah certainly could not have co-existed: one would have murdered the other as a definite threat to his rank. Also, where else in Book of Mormon history can we find a situation that so vividly parallels the very day in which we live and the threats we face than the book of Helaman? Further, no other period of Lehite history reflects the literal gathering of the House of Israel so well as when the Nephites and Lamanites assembled into one body to protect themselves from the ravages of the Gadianton robbers. Only one place in Lehite history--when the resurrected Lord appeared to them--parallels the Savior's second coming. Also, the extended period of peace that followed his ancient appearance points exclusively to the millennium.

Why do these histories evolve as they do? It seems the prophet-writers of the Nephite record gave us hints to help us discover these similarities, being keenly aware of them themselves. However, we know that they did not do the actual molding of history. They were merely tools in the hands of God during a brief period of history. He is the divine potter who designs and shapes the events of his chosen people through the ages, integrating eternal truths such as agency, justice, and mercy into his technique. From the striking comparisons we have seen, therefore, we might conclude that the Lord guided the events of the Lehite nation to parallel important events of the Israelite nation. Why did he do this? Was is to serve solely as a temporal pattern, or did he have another purpose in mind?

The Lord has said, "...Verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual...." (D&C 29:35.) The parallels we have discussed so far regard the temporal salvation of nations. However, the reason God is interested in the salvation of nations is because they are made up of individuals. "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." (D&C 18:10.) Did he shape the events of these two nations through time so that they would serve as a pattern of the advancement of an individual in his journey through life?

We know that the ultimate aim of an individual is to come unto Christ and salvation. Individuals, like nations, must overcome the influences of evil before that can happen. As we look at the process involved in overcoming those influences by the Lehite and Israelite nations, we begin to see that many personal insights may be gained in the comparison. These histories seem to reflect various fundamental steps of progression that any individual needs to climb to obtain the grand objective. As we uncover these spiritual parallels, we realize they too are probably intentional. They are definitely more personally relevant.

Though the model presented via these parallels seems to be of an individual born under the covenant,⁽¹⁾ its messages of guidance can be applied to anyone of any circumstance, such as the convert. Jesus taught that they who come into the fold in the "eleventh hour" receive the same pay as they who labor beginning "early in the morning." (Matt. 20:1-16.) In the words of Nephi: "Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden." (2 Ne. 26:28.) While these principles pertain to each and every one of God's children, the specific application to ourselves rightfully should be made by us, individually.

Having completed one excursion through the Lehite history, looking for temporal parallels, now that we are looking for spiritual applications to the individual, we will turn back to the beginning of the Book of Mormon and work our way through one more time. This time, however, we will draw either upon Book of Mormon history, or the history of the House of Israel that it parallels (whichever makes the point most clearly), or both--having already established that correlation.

 

Endnotes:

1. "Born under the covenant" means to be born to parents whose marriage has been sealed in the temple of the Lord.

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