Heather shares some of her thoughts on the exodus/promised land theme in the Book of Mormon — a common theme in scripture. This post is part of our Book of Mormon series.

The Book of Mormon: History of a Promised Land

~by Heather L.

America has been a “Promised Land” to many people through the years, some even more ancient than the Pilgrims or the Vikings! The Book of Mormon contains a record of three of those peoples: one came by faith to preserve their language, one came to escape the destruction of Jerusalem, and one came to bear witness of its destruction. [Read more about the Promised Land theme in the Bible and Book of Mormon and find scripture references on the topic of Promised Land.]

All three peoples were given the same promise from the God that led and preserved them:

And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you…. -1 Nephi 2:20

And as we read the Book of Mormon, we see again and again the pattern of obedience bringing prosperity, and disobedience bringing destruction to these people.

We have been given the Book of Mormon in our day to help us remember God’s promises and warnings to those who inhabit this land, and to all of God’s children, wherever they may live.

I know God will bless those who keep His commandments.

And now there was nothing in all the land to hinder the people from prospering continually, except they should fall into transgression. -3 Nephi 6:5

He will guide, inspire and protect us according to our obedience and His great wisdom.

And this was their faith, that by so doing God would prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to their danger … -Alma 48:15

I also know that if we don’t keep the commandments for a while, then recognize our mistakes, and turn to God in repentance, we can get back on track because of the loving sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ.

And because the people did repent of their iniquities and idolatries the Lord did spare them, and they began to prosper again in the land…. -Ether 7:26

God provides reminders like the Book of Mormon because He loves us, and will not leave us without guidance on our way home to Him. He wants us to come safely home to His great Promised Land, to be with Him in joy forever!

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Read more posts in our Book of Mormon series below:

“The Book of Mormon…changed my life”

Latter-day Saint Women Write about The Book of Mormon: Amanda

“The Book of Mormon…was made for me”

What the Book of Mormon means to me

Thoughts on the Book of Mormon: “I know this is a true book”

Another testimony of The Book of Mormon

(begins with a link to a Book of Mormon testimony at the Women in the Scriptures blog)