Is anyone else feeling concern about our government and economic situation?  I hear lots of people anxiously say, “What’s going to happen to us?”  Of course, I’m concerned too, but my pat answer is, “We should be happy to be surrounded by so much corruption and despair; it only means the Lord will be here soon.”
Where should we go to find comfort in these violent days?  The Book of Mormon.  This book is a blueprint of what we can expect and prepare for.
The Book of Mormon is a type and shadow of everything happening from the Restoration to the Judgment Day of the Lord.  As we study the Book of Mormon we not only learn the fullness of the gospel, all the mysteries of heaven, and pure and undefiled testimonies of ancient prophets, we also receive powerful insights of our Father in Heaven’s Plan, of which all of His children are an intimate part.
·         Lehi was the Patriarch of a spiritual family.  He saw a pillar of light; being a visionary man.
·         Joseph Smith Sr. was the Patriarch of his family.  He also saw visions, as did Lucy, his wife, as they were prepared to accept their son’s vision.
 
·         Nephi was a younger brother, saw a vision, and taught by angels of God.  He was the one everyone couldn’t resist listening to, who captained the people of God in his time.
·         Joseph Smith Jr. was a younger brother, saw a vision, and taught by angels of God.  He was the one everyone couldn’t resist listening to, who captained the people of God in his time.
 
·         King Mosiah I led his people across the land to a new land and united his people with the Mulekites.
·         Brigham Young led his people across the land to a new land and organized them into Zion.
 
·         King Benjamin gave his great discourse of the Savior and His Atoning Sacrifice.  We can read his words and gain a testimony of the great sacrifice of our Redeemer.
·         John Taylor is best known for his understanding of the Atonement; Jesus Christ the Mediator.  His book still stands as a grand testimony to us.
 
·         King Mosiah II ended the reign of the kings and organized the reign of the judges. 
·         Wilford Woodruff signed the Manifesto, ending polygamy, allowing the Territory of Deseret to be accepted into the United States as the state of Utah.
 
·         All the prophets from Alma to Helaman shadow the prophets of our day.
 
·         The government will fall apart completely about 2 years before Jesus Christ comes to Bountiful. 
 
·         There will be peace throughout the land for hundreds of years after the Coming of the Lord.  Then wickedness will have one last reign.  Finally, our King will come to claim His people once and for all.
 
We have nothing to fear as long as we are righteous, follow the prophets, and read and understand the Book of Mormon.  And let me leave you with one more comforting thought:
 
“But behold there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of (Captain)Moroni, yea, even at this time, in the twenty and first year of the reign of the judges. “ (Alma 50: 23)
 

In the midst of great wars and wickedness, the people of God were happy.  We can be too.