Jared wanted to be king.  His daughter showed her father the secret combinations in the ancient records and told her father to bring Akish and she would dance for him.  When he wanted her to be his wife, her father would say only after you bring me the head of my father the king (her grandfather).  Omer was wanted by God and all who believed in God fled with him to the seashore.  Akish then made a secret combination with his friends and family and killed Jared.  When his own son got older He put him in prison and starved him to death.  Eventually there was a huge war and everyone was killed until there were only 30 people left.  Omer was brought back along with everyone who followed him and he was once again King.  Do you think Jared’s daughter regretted finding those secret combinations?  

The brother of Jared was told it was time to build barges to cross the waters to the promised land.  The brother of Jared and his people had built barges before so they knew there were three things they needed help with.  The barges were tight…they didn’t let air or water in, they would need fresh air. The barges didn’t have any way to steer.  They were kind of like submarines.  The barges were also very dark.  They needed light.  The brother of Jared prayed about all 3 of these problems.  The Lord told the brother of Jared they could make a hole in the top and bottom of the barges and then put a stopper in the hole.  When they needed air they could pull the stopper out so they could have fresh air.   The Lord also told the brother of Jared He would make the winds blow to guide them to the promised land, so they did not need to steer the barges, they just needed to trust the Lord.  Lastly the Lord asked the brother of Jared what he wanted the Lord to do to make light in the barges.  The brother of Jared suggested the Lord touch 16 objects he had molten out of rocks.  God did and the brother of Jared saw His finger!  Then he asked God to show himself to him.  God answers our prayers… sometimes He tells us the way, sometimes he tells us to have faith, and sometimes He asks us to come up with a solution. 

The Lord was upset with the wickedness of the earth.  The people were building a tower to get to heaven.  They did not want to obey God and follow His rules to get there.  God confused their languages so the people could no longer talk to each other.  The brother of Jared prayed and asked if God would allow their family and friends to still understand each other.  God answered their prayers.  

Moroni includes 2 letters from his father.  He teaches about faith, hope and charity.  Charity is the greatest of all the gifts of God!  

Mormon was a righteous Nephite and a great leader.  The Nephites were no longer righteous. They were not doing the things they had been taught.  Even though they were wicked Mormon loved them, because He knew Jesus Loved them.  He led them in battle and he watched as these people he loved died.  The last great battle 21 leaders of 10,000 warriors all died.  Mormon was devestated.  He knew if they had repented, if they had obeyed, if they had followed Jesus this never would have happened.  Mormon wrote his warnings for any who might have access to the records in a future day.  That’s our day!  Those records are for us.  Mormon hoped we would learn from their shortcomings and be more obedient than his people were.  

Mormon was chosen at the age of 10 to be the next record keeper of the Nephites.  He was chosen because he was sober- quick to observe (thoughtful, serious, level headed, followed God).  When Mormon was about 15 he was visited by the Savior.  Mormon wanted to teach the people all the things He knew that made him so happy.  But the Lord warned him not to.  They were too wicked.  When he was 16 he was chosen to be a military leader for the Nephites.  He lead them but they were not following God and they did not repent.  This was so hard for Mormon.  He led them his entire life until he was 71.  His life was full or war and fighting and yet Mormon continued to obey and follow God.  We can listen to Mormon and his warnings to repent. We can honor his life by Choosing the righteous and happy path of following the Savior.  

It was time to leave the Nephites.  Jesus had other work to do.  Jesus wanted to give each of His 12 disciples a gift. He asked them one by one what they most desired.  9 asked that after they lived to the age of man they might come speedily back to live with Christ in Heaven.  The other 3 wanted to stay just like John the Beloved did, until Jesus comes again for His 2nd coming.  They wanted to continue doing the same missionary work they were doing, teaching and baptizing and working miracles.  Jesus changed their bodies, so they were sanctified and Satan can have no hold on them.  They are on the earth now doing God’s work until He comes again. 

We don’t  know when Christ will come back to the earth.  There are things that need to happen before He comes.  Temple work- sealing families together forever (that is happening), The scriptures restored!  (Aren’t we so grateful for the Book of Mormon).  The Gospel of Jesus Christ brought back to earth (that has happened), Missionary work (do you know any missionaries), Wickedness, war, turmoil, famine…but the righteous need not fear.  Christ will come in a cloud in great glory!  He will live with us We should try to prepare so we can be ready when He comes!  

Jesus has to leave.  The people go home to get some sleep and to spread the word far and wide so everyone they knew could come back the next day and be with Jesus.  When they came back the next day the 12 disciples divided them in groups and they began to pray.  They prayed for what they most wanted.  They wanted the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Their prayers were answered!  Fire encircled them and angels came down from Heaven.  Jesus came and he commanded the multitude to continue praying.  He went a little way off and He prayed to Heavenly Father.  He prayed for them, for others, for us!