<< HOW COULD YE HAVE DEPARTED FROM THE WAYS OF THE LORD >>
Mormon 1-6; Moroni

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(1.) YOUNG COMMANDERS HOLDING THE HIGH GROUND:
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Young commander, Mormon reminds me of the young commanders in Israel. Young, because Israel is such a young nation. In ancient times, fortifications were built by Israelites as well as others they are now called tels. They were raised areas or man-made mounds. "Towering above the city . . . rose the inner fortified area . . . the center of government and the main military stronghold . . .temple, the offices of the senior government officials, storehouses, and the like. This part was called the ‘tower’ or the ‘citadel.’" (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

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(2.) ISRAELITE SIMILARITIES IN CENTRAL AMERICA:
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Sometimes the term "Jews" is meant as a separate entity and at other times it means the whole house of Israel. The plan of salvation was first given to the House of Israel. Later, a major part of Israel was taken captive. The remainder, mostly Judah, became known as what was left of Israel, the Israelites or the Jews. These days, when referring to the Jews, most people usually think of the Jews as the people of Israel. ". . . that the Father may bring about, through his most Beloved, his great and eternal purpose, in restoring the Jews, or all the house of Israel, to the land of their inheritance, which the Lord their God hath given them, unto the fulfilling of his covenant;" (Mormon 5:14)

Several messages that can guide the people of Israel, help them recognize true religion and the give Jews and Gentiles a pathfinder to a heavenly home with God. "Therefore I write unto you, Gentiles, and also unto you, house of Israel . . . to return to the land of your inheritance;" (Mormon 3:17)


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(5.) SCATTERING AND GATHERING OF PEOPLE AND THEIR RECORDS:    
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The scattering and gathering of Israel as well as their records is characterized in Ezekiel 37. Of the two sticks or scrolls that Ezekiel speaks of, one represents Judah and the skeleton of what would be left of the true religion – the Bible. The other stick or "scroll" represents Joseph and the record that some of his descendants gave us, the Book of Mormon. The scattering and gathering of people, the apostasy and restoration of true religion, and our sojourn in earthly life with a subsequent return to a heavenly life is reflected in the metaphors that Ezekiel uses. He teaches that the gathering of Israel and the full restoration of truth will occur when the scriptural records are "in our hands."

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(6.) IMAGERY OF "HAND:"    
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Even though the "hand of God is used figuratively by the Jews – "A pointer molded in the shape of a miniature hand (yad) is used to read (the Torah scroll)." "In the Bible very often the acts of God are referred to figuratively using terms such as ‘the hand of God . . . At the same time, the image of God's hands has been used to show benevolence and loving-kindness, as in the verse, ‘. . . Open Your hand and satisfy every living thing with favor’ (Psalms 145)." "In addition to references to God's hands, biblical history contains instances of miracles performed by the symbolic acts of human hands carrying out the will of God. One such example is when Moses held up his hands . . . Israel prevailed in battle, when he lowered his hands, Amalek prevailed. Aaron and Hur helped him to hold them up . . ." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

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(7.) STAY IN THE HAND OF THE LORD:       
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Tragic accounts of the destruction of a great people are reminders that when people do not keep the commandments of the Lord, they are not in his hands. Mormon’s written admonition to his son reminds him to stay in the hand of the Lord. ". . . who sitteth on the right hand of his power . . . abide with you forever. Amen." (Moroni 9:25-26)