2 Nephi 19, 1/2 of 20.

Ha! A week hasn't passed this time.

3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and increased the joy—they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 19:3)

I cam honestly say I've felt this now. As we work weekly diligently, together at our CSA , and we pull in load after load of fresh food, and divide it among the families that have worked with us, there is a feeling there...a camaraderie, a joy, what it is exactly, I can't explain, but it makes the labor worth it. Perhaps someday I'll feel that same feeling when my husband runs off to church meetings--making the sacrifice worth it. I'm still waiting for that feeling, until then, CSA here I come.

4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 19:4)

Maybe that feeling makes the work seem lighter, faster...

I won't pretend to understand the rest of the chapter. I read it, I see that it says that basically all man kind will be destroyed. Seems a little morbid. When it says 16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 19:16)

It argues with what I've heard taught in the past. Usually, you hear that leaders (gov't officials, parents, church leaders) who lead folks astray will pay for crimes of those they led, but this says they that are led will be destroyed. So, really, who do you follow? I mean, this really is a tougher question than we give credence to...those who are being led usually really believe what they are being taught, I mean...people die for what they are taught, and sometimes it isn't the truth--but they believe it is. It IS the truth to them, just as what I feel is the truth to me...so who is astray? In Sunday school, we said to pray about it, but you know what? Other people pray, too, and they get their answers, which are sometimes contrary to what answers I get, about the same topic.

20 And he shall snatch on the right hand and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand and they shall not be satisfied; they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm—
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 19:20)

Here, I must have been feeling a need for humor after all the depressing verses, because even though this is gross, I could only picture my baby sucking on her fore arm, even after having a bottle. She nurses, gets solids & a bottle & then still needs something in her mouth, often a toe, or an arm...I suppose we could say she is fulfilling prophecy.

1 WO unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 20:1)

Hmmm, should I retract that last statement about the prophecy? No, really, I don't think God lacks a sense of humor...he couldn't, he'd go insane.

6 I will send him against a hypocritical nation,
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 20:6)

In God we trust...yet he is allowed nowhere. Hypocritical nation anyone?

15 Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood!
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 20:15)

This is a good verse about recognizing the Lord in our accomplishments. Not just our worldly accomplishments either. I just read a paper about the high number of women taking Prozac who are LDS. It talked of the stresses of not conforming, of others not understanding when you choose not to conform. I think the BIGGEST reason we have this problem (in our religion) is the habit we have of forgetting that WE can't do it. We will not be perfect, the men who lead us will not be perfect (yes, they will have their own biases, faults & flaws...they are human), no mother will be perfect, no father will be perfect BUT we have the potential to become such--however, I think that potential is only achieved once Christ comes into play. Instead of worrying if we are being the perfect parents, we need only do our best, I really believe God will make up the rest...maybe an eternity from now. Maybe some of his teachings won't really come into play in the next life, but we needed the discipline now. For example, my kids won't have to go to bed at 8 when they are adults, but it is a rule now, that I expect them to follow. I also expect them to sit quietly when sent to time out, but there really isn't a "time out" for adults (unless you count jail...), but it is followed now. Maybe there won't be the same rules in heaven as we have here--I think of myself as a spiritual toddler. Maybe there won't really be polygamy in heaven (I really doubt there will be, actually), or maybe we'll find out that a lot of our rules (like the word of wisdom...which is quite wise, however) were just to see if we'd obey, or so we'd learn to obey because it's tough there. Ever heard of boot camp? They are HARD on you, but then you pass and are better off for it, and you might need what you learned in a war.

God is a mystery, I can't explain his ways with facts, or reasoning, sometimes even scripture contradicts itself BUT I cannot deny that there is a God--A Father, A Son & A Holy Ghost...three separate beings, who via prayer I can honestly say I've conversed with and felt the presence of. Right now, I'm a member of the only church I know of that teaches me that they are three distinct beings, and the only church that answers the biblical question "else why are they baptized for the dead?" Yes BIBLICAL. I'm tired of reading stuff that says that because it wasn't in the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith made it up ...and this coming from other Christians! Read your BIBLE:
29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
(New Testament | 1 Corinthians 15:29)