My Joy Was Vain

Mormon was chosen to lead the entire army of the Nephites at a very young age.

"And it came to pass in that same year there began to be a war again between the Nephites and the Lamanites. And notwithstanding I being young, was large in stature; therefore the people of Nephi appointed me that I should be their leader, or the leader of their armies." (Mormon 1:1)

He was only 16 years old when they put him in charge of the army! At this time, also, the Lamanites came forth to battle with the Nephites. The battle went poorly, and they were driven back from city to city. It was this way for 3 or 4 years.

"10 And it came to pass that the Nephites began to repent of their iniquity, and began to cry even as had been prophesied by Samuel the prophet; for behold no man could keep that which was his own, for the thieves, and the robbers, and the murderers, and the magic art, and the witchcraft which was in the land.

11 Thus there began to be a mourning and a lamentation in all the land because of these things, and more especially among the people of Nephi.

12  And it came to pass that when I, Mormon, saw their lamentation and their mourning and their sorrow before the Lord, my heart did begin to rejoice within me, knowing the mercies and the long-suffering of the Lord, therefore supposing that he would be merciful unto them that they would again become a righteous people.

13 But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin." (Mormon 2:10-13)

This must have been very disheartening for Mormon. His army was defeated or driven back for a long time. He being a righteous man, close to the Lord, would have been very familiar with the process of being prideful and wicked, then being humbled, and then repenting and turning to God. When he saw his army start to mourn and lament, he thought they were going to turn a corner. It is always exciting to see people you care about (his people) turn to God. 

However, he discovered that they were not actually repentant. They were just suffering and probably some of them were just giving up. They did not turn to God, and look to Him to help them in their hour of need.

Just as exciting as it is to see people turn to God, it is miserable and heartbreaking to see people you know and love turn away from God and choose other paths. You know how much God could and would help them if they would only turn to Him.

For another twenty years, they struggled back and forth in battle with the Lamanites and also the Gadianton robbers, who were causing them so many problems too.

I can sympathize with Mormon a bit here. How many times has someone I cared about decided to do things on their own and not go to anyone (especially God) for help? It's almost painful to watch.

Also, how many times have I struggled, like Mormon's army, and been frustrated or unhappy, only to look for my own solutions or answers rather than turning to God for help? This is something I think I do a little too much.