Mormon 6

Verses 1-22: Fallen
The scale of destruction here is inconceivable. I can only imagine Mormon's anguish in watching it all unfold- even leading them to a destruction he knew was inevitable.

How does this relate to the atonement?
It's really a restatement of the last chapter's message: The Savior suffered all so you can have a better fate. The grim landscape of a bloody battlefield is certainly sobering. Here we see the grand plan unfold, though, as Mormon hides his records in the hill, to be unearthed by Joseph Smith. I'm reminded of The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss. Remember how the old Onceler is surrounded by dark devastation and a child approaches, is offered a seed and a pile of rocks displays the one word message, "UNLESS"? The Book of Mormon is the one seed, leftover from a glorious society who knew Jesus- the key to recovering the joyous way the Savior intended for us to live. The Onceler hoped a new generation would learn from his mistakes and rebuild. Mormon hoped a new generation would learn from the mistakes of his people and repent. UNLESS we do, we'll also find some way to destroy ourselves.

Lesson for me today?
*The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a hobby, a pleasant diversion or a personality enhancer to be taken up when you feel like it, it is everything. It's not a big deal, it's the BIGGEST DEAL, and conforming to it our greatest calling. It is the antidote to all the world's evil and the highest good to which we can aspire. LIVE IT.