In what surely will be a politically divisive post, I would like to comment on my recent readings in the Book of Mormon. In particular I would like to focus on Nephi’s vision of the destiny of America. Nephi makes it very clear that the hand of God was involved in the discovery and the conquest of this nation by the European white settlers who came here for religious freedom.
In verse twelve of chapter thirteen of First Nephi we read how Columbus was ‘wrought upon’ by the Spirit of God. In other words, he came to America because the Lord inspired and helped him. The next verse describes ‘other Gentiles’ who were also ‘wrought upon’ by the Spirit of God to come to America. These are the Pilgrims and Puritans who came forth ‘out of captivity.’
Nephi sees ‘many multitudes’ of Gentiles, who are mainly European white settlers coming to the land of promise – America – in verse fourteen. He beheld that the wrath of God was upon the inhabitants of the land who were the descendants of the Lamanites and Nephites. Specifically, it was because of the ‘wrath of God’ that they were ‘scattered’ and ‘smitten’ by the Gentiles.
The Gentile settlers prospered and ‘obtained’ the land. In other words, they kicked the Indians out. They killed them or moved them into reservations. Many people today have criticized the early settlers of America for their treatment of the Indians. This has led to enacting laws to give the Indians of today special privileges to allow gambling and gaming on their reservations.
Nephi observed that the people who conquered America ‘were white and exceedingly fair and beautiful.’ They were prospered by the Lord in conquering America because they were humble before the Lord. In other words, they remembered to thank Him. They prayed unto God and worshiped Him. They were a religious people who read the Bible and attended church often.
In what was an astonishing victory, the early settlers of America ‘were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations.’ The power of God was upon them and the wrath of God was upon all those who battled against them. Who can deny that the successes of America’s early battles for independence against England were amazingly brought about with God’s help?
I conclude with verse thirty: The gentiles, those early European white settlers, ‘have been lifted up by the power of God above all other nations, upon the face of the land which is choice above all other lands.’ Thus we see that America has been blessed as a nation, is being blessed and will be blessed as long as they remember the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ (Ether 2:12).
In my opinion, America is a great nation because of the humility and faith of the early settlers of this nation. As a nation, we have become the most powerful nation on the earth because God put us in that position. Why? So that the gospel could be restored and roll forth to all the earth from this nation. This is all plainly taught in the Book of Mormon for all to read and ponder.
What do you think? Can true doctrine like this be considered politically incorrect in today’s world, especially by those of other nations?
You’re correct. America is a Christian nation. There are direct parallels between Captain Moroni’s struggle for freedom to worship Christ and our own. The Book of Mormon makes it very clear that the Lord will not tolerate wickedness, especially here. The heritage of this nation is Christian, and we enjoy the blessing pronounced by Mormon on this land only when we worship the Lord God Jesus Christ in honesty and truth.
Our American founding fathers called upon the Judge of Heaven and Earth to deliver them from oppression. That Judge is Jesus Christ, and he can still deliver us today from the machinations of men.
“For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee…” (Deut. 23)