Two Life-Changing Parallels

by | Sep 7, 2020

city skyline

Optional: let me read this article to you. Podcast also available on Spotify, iTunes, Buzzsprout, Alexa, and Stitcher


Highlights for 3 Nephi 1-7

Anyone else feel a bit awestruck with the similarities between present-world chaos and Book of Mormon times? Here are some quotes from General Conference which highlight the striking parallels.

Parallel No. 1

President Nelson offered guidance for our preparedness, both physically and spiritually last April.

“The Lord has told us that “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” Of course, we can store our own reserves of food, water, and savings. But equally crucial is our need to fill our personal spiritual storehouses with faith, truth, and testimony.” (April 2020 – Opening Remarks)

Please notice how the prophet doesn’t discount the idea of physical assets as less important. Instead, he refers to reserves of food, water and savings as “equally crucial” as spiritual reserves. They are both major necessities to prepare for the incoming, increasingly chaotic state of our society.

Nephites’ Survival Kit

This is remarkably similar to the strategy the Nephites’ used in order to survive chaos – a few years before Christ comes .

Here’s how Mormon describes their dangerous situation:

11 And it came to pass in the thirteenth year there began to be wars and contentions throughout all the land; for the Gadianton robbers had become so numerous, and did slay so many of the people, and did lay waste so many cities, [sound familiar?] and did spread so much death and carnage throughout the land, that it became expedient that all the people, both the Nephites and the Lamanites, should take up arms against them.
12 Therefore, all the Lamanites who had become converted unto the Lord did unite with their brethren, the Nephites, and were compelled, for the safety of their lives and their women and their children, to take up arms against those Gadianton robbers, yea, and also to maintain their rights, and the privileges of their church and of their worship, and their freedom and their liberty
[the same issues growing in our time]. (3 Nephi 2:11-12)

Consequently, the Nephites went through major amounts of repentance, found humility and were devoted to their worship and spirituality. They knew the enemy had enough power to destroy them and without the Lord’s help, they would succumb. They also gathered together seven years worth of provisions and banded together into one large group in order to protect themselves against the Gadianton robbers. At this time, the robbers were so numerous, it was either unite together or let them kill you. Because the Nephites were prepared (much in the same way President Nelson counseled us), life was much, much better for them.

16 And in the twenty and first year they did not come up to battle, but they [robbers] came up on all sides to lay siege round about the people of Nephi; for they did suppose that if they should cut off the people of Nephi from their lands, and should hem them in on every side, and if they should cut them off from all their outward privileges, that they could cause them to yield themselves up according to their wishes.
18 But behold, this was an advantage to the Nephites; for it was impossible for the robbers to lay siege sufficiently long to have any effect upon the Nephites, because of their much provision which they had laid up in store
. (3 Nephi 4:16-18)

Let me suggest, both spiritual and temporal reservoirs are paramount in the immediate years to come.

Parallel No. 2

President Eyring said:

“Through His Saints, the Lord will offer the gift of His gospel “to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.” Technology and miracles will continue to play a part—as will individual “fishers of men” who minister with power and increasing faith.”

Insert comment => As a writer for Divine Code and a brand new podcaster, I love this quote!

“We as a people will become more united amid increasing conflict. We will be gathered in the spiritual strength of groups and families filled with gospel light.” (April 2020 – Prayers of Faith)

Let’s compare this quote to some verses from 3 Nephi. These verses describe the Nephites’ situation just a couple of years before Christ comes to the Americas:

2 And the people were divided one against another; and they did separate one from another into tribes, every man according to his family and his kindred and friends; and thus they did destroy the government of the land.
Now behold, there was no man among them save he had much family and many kindreds and friends; therefore their tribes became exceedingly great.
(3 Nephi 7:2-4)

For our day, with all the commotion and noise, there is a growing urgency to know who your people are and to make sure those relationships are strong.

Takeaway

Tougher times are coming. Gather every needful thing and strengthen your temporal and spiritual lives. Several times this year, I have felt promptings to actively strengthen and nurture the relationships which are most important to me. As the world gets darker, we will need each other more (and more). Close, trusted associations and friendships will become essential for morale and survival. Perhaps, they already are?

Highlights for 3 Nephi 1-7 in 5 mins

Over a Million Views

Divine Code

Website & Design Created by Shawnie Cannon

Find Me On X and LinkedIn

©2025 Divine Code 

0 Comments

Comments Welcome

Discover more from Divine Code

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading