The authors of the Book of Mormon foresaw that we would take the same dangerous path as their people did. They used every metal plate to plead, sermonize, and provide us with parallels and warnings from their time to awaken us to the dangers of wickedness and iniquity in our own day. They feared we might duplicate the tragic ending of their own people.

In addition, Mormon and Moroni abridged records and sermons of earlier Nephites when prophetic messages fell on deaf ears. This ­father-­son combination cried out to us to understand that those who live upon this land have no guarantee of peace and prosperity if they choose wickedness over righteousness. They waved a red flag at us to spiritually shake us, as best they could, as a voice crying from the dust (2 Nephi 33:13).

They wanted us to understand that although a society can move from a righteous beginning to a larger, more stable and progressive nation, it can also, sadly, move to a state of spiritual apathy, iniquity, gross wickedness, and eventual annihilation. These authors knew that if we of the last dispensation failed in our ministry, if we were to become as wicked as were the people who lived in their day and even earlier times, not only would we be destroyed but all their efforts to warn us would be in vain. So they made a heroic effort to outline the dangers confronting us and from their experiences provided us with solutions.

We learn from their writings, for example, that Americans have inherited a unique set of promises and cautions: “This is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven” (Ether 2:12). On the other hand, we learn that “whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them” (Ether 2:9).

When we see what happened to the earlier civilizations, we realize the Lord was true to His word. Though the former inhabitants were blessed in times of righteousness, they eventually were swept to destruction in dramatic fashion. We are now beginning to show classic signs of the same disease and decay that afflicted the previous inhabitants. The former occupants also built societies and cities thought to be indestructible and invincible, only to be completely destroyed by God himself.  “And behold, it is the hand of the Lord which hath done it” (Mormon 8:8; italics added).

In the days of King Noah, the Lord promised a similar fate unless the people repented: “Except they repent and turn to the Lord their God, behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies” (Mosiah 11:21).

As the present inhabitants of the Americas, we live under a similar set of rules and promises. We face the same two options they did: build a righteous society as Enoch did millennia ago and reach unprecedented heights as civilized people before the Lord comes again, or, forget God and spiritually fall on our faces as did the people of Noah, Jared, and Nephi. Both scenarios are possible, of course, but as Israelites living on the land of Joseph (3 Nephi 15:12-15) in this final dispensation, we are expected to build the New Jerusalem and are eligible to build it. Ancient prophets foresaw that such a city would be built on this land (Ether 13:3-6; Moses 7:62-63), and ­latter-­day scriptures contain the blueprints. Great promises are extended to the righteous of our day, while the threat of destruction hangs over the heads of the wicked.

Long-­Range Perspectives

Though there are disturbing prophecies concerning this nation, principles from the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants explain how a civilization can rise to great spiritual heights — only to fall apart when the people choose evil over good. These principles remain alive and relevant to our own spiritual survival. These principles come from the scriptural records and from those whom the Lord has called to counsel us in our day and time. Faithful ­Latter-­day Saints are wise to follow the lead of the living prophet, the “watchman upon the tower” (D&C 101:45) who has the responsibility to warn us and caution us as individuals, families, nations, and a community of believers. Blessings and divine protection are promised the faithful. We want to avoid the certain penalties that come upon the wicked (Alma 10:23; Helaman 13:13-14).

There is still time to turn this nation back to God and a state of righteousness. The followers of Christ are always optimistic that God is in charge. It is not too late. By listening to the last decade of general conference addresses, for example, a listener would not detect panic among the Lord’s servants. Warnings and pleadings to live the gospel and be faithful to our covenants abound, of course, but no prophet has yet predicted an ­end-­of-­the-­world scenario or even specific judgments in the immediate period ahead, as did Samuel to the Nephites (Helaman 14:3-5, 20).

What our prophets are telling us, however, is to get our houses in ­order — ­financially, spiritually, and ­otherwise —­ and to shore up our relationships as married couples and families because the mission of the Church now and in the foreseeable future will require strong and stable individuals to assist the Lord in this final dispensation.

The effort needed to fulfill our responsibilities to each other and to the Gentiles in the years ahead will test the resolve of every ­Latter-­day Saint. There will be some dark days ahead, as we have learned from 9/11 and the war in Iraq. We enjoyed a window of peace and prosperity the last three decades of the previous century. We were given an opportunity to carry out the mission of the restored gospel among our fellow citizens in times of peace. How long that window will remain open is yet unknown, but we know that the day will come when it will close (D&C 29:14-20; 34:7-9; 45:26; 87:6-7; 88:91). Perhaps the war in Iraq is the turning point in peace versus wars that culminate in the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Church leaders are uncomfortable, and justifiably so, with those who take it upon themselves to expound personal theories on exactly when major events will take place. We rely on the prophetic voice of inspiration, particularly that of the president of the Church, to inform us of how God expects us to respond to the events ahead. His counsel will be even more important in the coming years: “Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me. For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you” (D&C 21:4-6; italics added).

There is safety in following the Brethren. As we will see with the Jaredite civilization, failing to follow the counsel of a living prophet cost those inhabitants their lives. We don’t need to know the day and the hour when judgments will come upon the earth, and for good reason. Elder Gordon B. Hinckley said many years ago: “To know when they [the fulfillment of prophecies and judgments] will come would take from us much of the ­self-­discipline needed to walk daily in obedience to the principles of the gospel” (“We Need Not Fear His Coming,” 83).

On the other hand, there is no excuse for any ­Latter-­day Saint to be unfamiliar with scriptures that outline, in general terms, what lies ahead. The record of Mormon was written especially for us, and the Doctrine and Covenants is a handbook on how to bring to pass an ­Enoch-­like Zion in this last dispensation. As Church members we must not be ignorant of the signs of the times, for that was a major contribution of biblical seers and Book of Mormon prophets who clearly saw the events of our day. If we are familiar with past and future events, we have a ­longer-­range perspective to understand the relevance of the warnings of our leaders.

The Lord’s pattern of having His servants teach the people what they must know is always an ­early ­warning system, never alarmist or ­last ­minute. Even though scriptures can be graphic about coming events, His prophets, seers, and revelators illuminate the sequences so that when we are witnesses to such events, we realize that we were given sufficient time to prepare.

Who can doubt, however, that we are moving into an exciting period of the earth’s history? The Church’s name, given by revelation, identifies us as living in the latter times, a period of great turmoil (D&C 115:4-6). We read that “after the opening of the seventh seal, before the coming of Christ,” important events will take place that will test the faith of the righteous and bring judgments and destruction to the wicked (D&C 77:13). ­Latter-­day scriptures indicate cataclysmic events ahead (2 Nephi 27:1-3; 28:32; 3 Nephi 16:10:14-15, 21; D&C 29:14-21; 84:96-97; 87:5-7; 88:84-85, 87-91).

Our task, as disciples of Jesus Christ living in these days of prophecy, is not to panic but to work our own stewardships. We monitor personal responsibilities of self, family, church, and ­neighbors — ­managing well that which is within our stewardship and power. As we do so, we also keep our eyes and ears attuned to the Lord’s prophets and the events of the day. If we live our lives in harmony with current and future revelation, are faithful to our covenants with the Almighty, sustain Church leaders, and monitor governmental processes through an awareness of current events and use of the ballot box, then promises of protection exist (D&C 98:10).

Covenants are our primary source of spiritual protection.

So, while prophecy may cause genuine trepidation, the prophets of our day remain optimistic and upbeat about the immediate future. The Church is moving ahead under their direction, and we have only scratched the surface in response to the Lord’s command to take the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Prophets know too that prophecy may be ­conditional — ­that the righteousness of the people can delay or suspend divine judgments. So if our leaders are optimistic, we should be, too. They are telling us not to fold up the tent just yet. They are asking us not to get caught up in trying to time the statements of dead prophets when they, as living prophets, are giving us our marching orders to move ahead.

Many events that must take place before the second coming of the Lord will test the faith of the Saints. But there are also promises to the righteous, as Nephi reminded us: “Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire” (1 Nephi 22:17).

This is the Lord’s Church. He is in charge and knows what He is doing. He instructs His prophets as He has done from the beginning. Missionaries have been sent forth to teach and warn His other children, and He will preserve both the Church and the Saints if they are faithful to their covenants. The Church will not be destroyed. That is sure and positive! (See chapter 14.)

Individuals may stumble. Some may lose heart and faint in the trenches, and some may even surrender to the opposing forces, but the faithful will go on about their Father’s business. When every member lives the gospel and models righteousness, is willing to share divinely revealed truths with those unacquainted with them, then the hearts of men and women can change and the nation can likewise make dramatic changes.

When individuals understand the plan of salvation and their relationship to Deity, when they comprehend the purposes of mortality, and eternity, and the mission of Jesus Christ, then they will, of their own agency and in sufficient numbers, change their behavior to conform to the principles of the plan of salvation.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell explained how understanding the plan of salvation is an important key to our happiness as a people:

One of the great blessings flowing from amplifying, ­latter-­day revelations is the crucial, doctrinal framework known as the marvelous plan of salvation, the plan of happiness, or the plan of mercy. . . .

So vital is this framework that if one stays or strays outside it, he risks provinciality and misery. In fact, most human misery represents ignorance of or noncompliance with the plan. A cessation of such mortal suffering will not come without compliance to it. (“Great Plan of the Eternal God,” 21)

The Future of the Gentiles

We live in the times of the Gentiles (Joseph ­Smith-­History 1:41; D&C 45:25, 28, 30). Gentiles, from the Book of Mormon perspective, are ­latter-­day Christians who presently reside and govern the land. They have been blessed with unprecedented political freedom, prosperity, leisure time, and a plethora of goods and services from which we may choose. As ­Latter-­day Saints living in their midst, we have been blessed by their ingenuity.

Nonetheless, the Gentiles are mired in a state of apostasy. They are unaware that the Lord has spoken again in our day and age. We must get their spiritual attention through our good works and messages, hoping that it will cause them to look seriously at the work of God that is progressing throughout the earth (D&C 86:11). We need to acquaint them with the Book of Mormon and the additional revelations and principles of the restored gospel to add to their foundational belief in Jesus Christ. If we will do our part and they theirs, dramatic changes can take place. Even people outside the Church have predicted that our growth rate, if continued, will make us a major religious force in the world.1

Summary

Book of Mormon prophets saw our day and reached out over the expanse of time to assist us. We can profit from their counsel and reap the blessings that are available to us, or we can ignore them, rebel against the work of God in this latter day, join in the immorality of the Gentiles, and be destroyed just as were the former inhabitants. The message of the ancient prophets is clear: America is consecrated as a promised land forever if its inhabitants are willing to serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ.

As we study carefully the civilizations on this land before the Gentiles came, we have a benchmark to help us evaluate the spirituality and progress of the current inhabitants. We can observe trends and assess the spiritual component of the Gentiles to see if we are headed for a destructive cycle or if this time we build Zion and gather the righteous together (D&C 45:65–71).

The Lord has provided sufficient revelation and knowledge for us to succeed with our Gentile neighbors if we will open our mouths (D&C 60:2).

The prophets of past dispensations anticipated our times with excitement and awe. The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith while he and others languished in Liberty Jail:

God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now;

Which our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation to be revealed in the last times, which their minds were pointed to by the angels (D&C 121:26–27; italics added).

The prophets from Adam down to Jesus Christ and the righteous on this continent anciently looked forward to a ­latter-­day period of revelation and restoration, a fulfillment of blessings reserved for a future time. How fortunate we are to be the ones who live in the days foreseen by the prophets of old! How blessed are we who live upon this promised land with such a comfortable standard of living!

It is a wonderful time to be on the earth, even when the ­winding-­up scenes are taking place right before our eyes, some of them quite sad and disconcerting. It is a time of contrasting evil and righteousness, a time when the blessings of the Lord are being showered upon those who live the gospel but also a time when wickedness is reaching levels that undermine the work of God.

We are gaining sufficient numbers of committed members of the Church to carry the message of the Restoration to a worldwide audience as God opens the doors for the spread of the gospel in these latter days.

When, for example, in the history of this planet, have the disciples of Jesus Christ numbered in the millions? And yet we are humbled by the fact that the world is ripening in wickedness to such an extent that, in many ways, we are approaching the filth of Noah’s day (Moses 8:22; JST Matthew 1:41-42). Surely the Lord has great expectations for the ­Latter-­day Saints.