The Book of Mormon shows how Pride can destroy whole Civilizations

I just finished reading the Book of Mormon and all I could think was how stupid it was. The Book of Mormon gives the history of God's dealings with two groups of people: one was led away just before Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians about 600 BC and the other group of people were led away to a land of promise at the time when the languages were being confounded at the Tower of Babel about a hundred years after Noah and the great flood.

Mormon and his son, Moroni, were the two last prophet historians who chose from their records messages to help future descendants and us in our time. There are many stories of people of incredible faith and clear explanations of the Savior's teachings. The highlight of the book is when our Savior, Jesus Christ, appears to some of His "lost tribes" here in what later became the Americas. For nearly 200 years after Christ's appearance the people were so changed that "peace reigned in the hearts of men" and "they had all things in common". There weren't any poor because people actually shared what they had with each other. People were kind and helped each other. 

I love this time! It is like you reach the top of a great peak and are living in the sunshine. This is why what comes next seems so awful. It started when people began, again, to value possessions above all else. They divided into classes with some claiming that they were inherently better than others. From there, they began to fight over power with other groups also vying to control everyone and everything. Finally, a once great nation is reduced to squabbling family tribes. As they disintegrate to a point where they just exist for revenge, their entire civilization is destroyed. The same thing happened with the earlier group too. By the time I finish reading the book, all I can do is shake my head and wonder how they could be so stupid! 

After witnessing the destruction of his people, only Moroni is left. His last words are hauntingly poignant as he warns us to thank God that He has shown us their imperfections so "that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been".  As I look around and see so many people becoming consumed in a flame of hate, I hope so too!

Photo is of Mormon after the last battle with his son Moroni https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/image/mormon-bids-farewell-5220c52?lang=eng&collectionId=5144446e45c8967f25ba19fd52392443aa300449