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| soschilderensvillages.com |
In the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon, the poor of the Zoramites who were cast out of their land went with Alma to the land of Jershon,* There these refugees were taken in and given food and clothing and lands for their inheritance, They weren't just given temporary aid but they were welcomed as brothers and sisters and permanently assimilated into the society of the people of Ammon who had once been Lamanite refugees themselves and were given lands by the Nephites.
8 Now the people of the Zoramites were angry with the people of Ammon who were in Jershon, and the chief ruler of the Zoramites, being a very wicked man, sent over unto the people of Ammon desiring them that they should cast out of their land all those who came over from them into their land.
9 And he breathed out many threatenings against them. And now the people of Ammon did not fear their words; therefore they did not cast them out, but they did receive all the poor of the Zoramites that came over unto them; and they did nourish them, and did clothe them, and did give unto them lands for their inheritance; and they did administer unto them according to their wants.
(Book of Mormon | Alma 35:6 - 9)
Today there are 60 million refugees in the world, many who are women and children. Almost entire populations from some areas are shifting in mass around the globe. It seems that the Lord has a work to do, that his hand in some way is involved. Who knows what purposes are being fulfilled through this massive migration!
In the mean time we have the opportunity to reach out and succor those who stand in need. Perhaps the greater blessing and rescue is for those us who are materially secure and self-absorbed in an unending stream of self-aggrandizement and pleasure seeking. Perhaps the opportunity to forget ourselves and share of our substance is drastically needed salvation for ourselves and will aid in lifting our own condemnation.
It is interesting to note that in the previous chapter Alma and Amulek had taught the following to the wealthy and affluent Zoramites, most of which rejected their words. It was the poor among them who received the messsage of salvation from these servants of God.
28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.
29 Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men.
(Book of Mormon | Alma 34:28 - 29)
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| A few of the many pictures documenting the refugees plight. |
https://www.lds.org/refugees?lang=eng&cid=rdb_v_IWasAStranger_eng_IWasAStranger#
http://www.sltrib.com/home/3719210-155/new-mormon-program-brings-surge-in
*Side note: The name, (Jershon) though not found in the Bible, has an authentic Hebrew origin, the root *YRŠ meaning “to inherit,” with the suffix -ôn that denotes place-names, and may have the meaning “place of inheritance.” Stephen D. Ricks, "A Nickname and a Book of Mormon Slam Dunk: Notes on the Book of Mormon names, Zeezrom and Jershon."
