Depart from iniquity, travel to higher ground
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Since the days of Adam, the Lord's prophets have delivered a consistent, never-changing warning: depart from iniquity and journey to higher ground, said Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve in his Saturday morning conference address.
Elder Wirthlin spoke of last year's deadly tsunami off the Indonesian coast that claimed more than 200,000 lives. Amazingly, not one member of the Moken people — a society of fishermen living on the coast of Thailand and Burma — was injured although their village was destroyed. By observing the shifting sea, the Moken elders recognized the signs of an approaching tsunami and warned everyone to run to higher ground.
"The Moken people were fortunate in that they had someone with conviction who warned them of what would follow," Elder Wirthlin said. "The villagers were fortunate because they listened. Had they not, they may have perished."
The Lord's prophets also warn people to find higher, holy ground for safety, he added.
"As people heed the words of the prophets, the Lord blesses them. When they disregard His word, however, distress and suffering often follow."
Elder Wirthlin said the Book of Mormon repeatedly teaches the lesson of listening to the Lord and His prophets. Often, prosperous groups from the Book of Mormon are met with tragedy and loss after forgetting the words of the Lord.
"This sorrow would not have afflicted them had it not been for their wickedness," Elder Wirthlin said. "If only they had heeded the words of the prophets of their day and journeyed to higher ground, their lives would have been dramatically different."
The natural consequence that comes to those who depart from the way of the Lord is that they are left to their own strength, he added. "While in the heat of our success we might assume that our own strength is sufficient, those who rely upon the arm of the flesh soon discover how weak and unreliable it truly is."
Elder Wirthlin shared the biblical accounts of Solomon and Jeroboam, two powerful leaders who abandoned the Lord's word and suffered greatly.
"Solomon and Jeroboam are examples of a great tragic cycle so often illustrated in the Book of Mormon," Elder Wirthlin said. "When the people are righteous, the Lord prospers them. Prosperity often leads to pride which leads to sin. Sin leads to wickedness and to hearts that become hardened to the things of the Spirit. Eventually, the end of this road leads to heartbreak and sorrow."
This cycle is repeated by communities of cities, nations and even the world. Still, many fine and good people are affected by calamities of man and nature, Elder Wirthlin said. "The early Saints of this dispensation were persecuted and driven from their homes. Some lost their lives. But, perhaps because they endured so much, they developed an inner strength that was a necessary preparation for the work they were yet to do."
The scriptures show the consequences of disobedience — and also what can happen when people listen to the Lord. Following the Savior's visit to the Americas, the faithful people there lived righteously and enjoyed peace, prosperity and happiness.
"In our day we face a similar choice," Elder Wirthlin said. "We can foolishly ignore the prophets of God, depend on our own strength and, ultimately, reap the consequences. Or, we can wisely draw near to the Lord and partake of His blessings."
How can Church members know if they are following the correct path? Elder Wirthlin asked.
"Those who journey to higher ground love the Lord with all their heart. We see in their lives manifestations of that love. They seek their God in prayer and plead for His Holy Spirit. They humble themselves and open their hearts to the teachings of the prophets. They magnify their callings and seek to serve rather than be served."
They also care for others and give freely of their substance, Elder Wirthlin said.
