And They Shall Fall Into the Pit Which They Digged

“For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored.” Alma 41:15 Or in other words, what goes around comes around.  If we really believed this eternal principle to be true, most of us would probably change our thoughts and actions for the better.  Even the self-interested would change.

Jesus taught, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12 This isn’t just about being kind to others; we’re showing God how we want to be treated.  If we want good to come our way, we need to send out good. 

It’s the law of the harvest. Our words and actions are the seeds we plant. What kind of harvest are we preparing for? “Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.” D&C 6:33, Mosiah 7:30-31 

What are we choosing? 

“. . . the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful.

“Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again.

“For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all.” Alma 41:13-15

The Mouse, the Frog, and the Hawk - Aesop Fables

A Mouse, who had always lived on the land, and a Frog, who passed most of his time in the water, became friends.

The Mouse showed the Frog his nest and everything he could think of that was pleasant to see; and the Frog invited the Mouse to go home with him and see all the beautiful things that are under the water.

"Can you swim?" asked the Frog.

"Not much," said the Mouse.

"No matter," said the Frog; "I will tie your foot to my foot with a piece of this strong grass, and then I can pull you along nicely." The Frog laughed as he said this. He thought it would be good fun for him, but he well knew that the Mouse would not enjoy it.

When the Frog had tied the Mouse's foot to his own, they started together across the meadow. They soon came to the edge of the water, and the Frog jumped in, pulling the Mouse in with him.

"Oh, how cool and nice the water is, after the dry, hot land!" said the Frog, as he swam gaily about. But the poor Mouse was frightened.

"Please let me go," said he, "or I shall die."

"Oh, never mind," said the unkind Frog; "you will get used to the water. I just love it."

But soon the poor Mouse was drowned, and floated up to the top of the water, while the Frog frisked about down below.

Just then a Hawk saw the Mouse, and pounced upon it.

As he flew away with it the Frog was dragged out of the water, too, for he was still tied to the Mouse.

"Stop, stop!" cried the Frog. "Let me go. It is the Mouse you want."

"Come along," said the Hawk; "I want you both. I will eat you first, for I like Frog meat ever better then I do Mouse." In a few moments the Hawk had made a good supper, and there was nothing left of either the false Frog or the foolish Mouse.

Do you sorrow seeing the false Frog eaten by the hawk?  What about the foolish Mouse?

The Devil and his children are digging the great pit, which is designed to ensnare the people of the Lord. Can we see the pit?  Where is it?  What does it look like? What are we going to do?  Are we going to warn our family, friends, and neighbors? What if they mock and ridicule us, calling us a fool?  What if they falsely accuse us?  Should we stop sounding the alarm?

“And that great pit, which hath been digged for them by that great and abominable church, which was founded by the devil and his children, that he might lead away the souls of men down to hell—yea, that great pit which hath been digged for the destruction of men shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction, saith the Lamb of God; not the destruction of the soul, save it be the casting of it into that hell which hath no end.” 1 Nephi 14:3

“And every nation which shall war against thee, O house of Israel, shall be turned one against another, and they shall fall into the pit which they digged to ensnare the people of the Lord. And all that fight against Zion shall be destroyed, and that great whore, who hath perverted the right ways of the Lord, yea, that great and abominable church, shall tumble to the dust and great shall be the fall of it.” 1 Nephi 22:14

The irony is that the pit is going to be filled by those who digged it.  How do we know if we are part of this great digging effort? Can we rely on what men have to say?  Have we tied ourselves to a false frog? What is God telling us?  Are we awake?  Can we see the awfulness of our situation? Ether 8:24 Has He opened our eyes? 

Do we see that we are not redeemed by the vain conversation received by the traditions from our fathers? 1 Peter 1:18 What does it mean to be redeemed from the earth? Revelation 14:3 Are we looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ? Why did he give himself for us? Have we been redeemed from all iniquity? Have we been purified unto Him a peculiar people, zealous of good works?  Titus 2:13-14

“For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved.” Alma 42:24 What does it mean to be truly penitent?  Why are the penitent the only ones who are saved? Doesn’t God love all his children?

Could the great pit be, not knowing what God truly expects of us?  Have we come before Him with a broken heart and contrite spirit? Have we been baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost? 3 Nephi 9:20 Have we been redeemed from the fall and brought back into the Lord’s presence? Ether 3:13  

Jesus asks both the Gentiles and the house of Israel to call upon the Father in his name. Great things have been withheld from both groups because of unbelief. He's asking us to rend the veil of unbelief, which doth cause us to remain in our awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind. What great things await those who come with a broken heart and a contrite spirit? Would you like to receive marvelous things, which have been hid up from the foundation of the world? What is God asking you to do? Ether 4:13-15