This Land

"Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever." (2 Nephi 1:7)

This theme is pretty prevalent in the Book of Mormon: that the Americas are a choice land that has been given to several groups as a promised land, and that it would be a blessed and free place, depending on the righteousness of those that God led there.

It occurred to me, though, that this idea goes deeper than just the physical location of those that were led here. I was just thinking of how blessed I am, and the freedoms that I enjoy in my own mind as I try to be righteous.  If I serve God according to the commandments He has given, I can have liberty.  Liberty from the consequences of sin.  Liberty from the guilt that accompanies knowing that I'm not doing what I should.  Cursed be "the land" of my own life and mind if iniquity abounds.

But unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever,