Pandemics, Toilet Paper, and Earthquakes! Oh My!

Yesterday, while musing about the impending doom predicted by computer models, and plotted so graphically on the news and on the Internet, I came to an epiphany - a parallel from Isaiah that I feel strongly applies.  I had read the passage many times, but hadn't comprehended it - I had not the background information so crucial to understanding it.  However, I believe that the message contained therein, and the lesson it teaches so powerfully, are crucial for our day.  And I'm not alone - Nephi certainly felt that it was of sufficient importance to include in the Book of Mormon as well.

You've probably read it too, and glossed over it, in Isaiah 10 (or 2 Ne. 20):

9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? Is not Hamath as Arpad? Is not Samaria as Damascus?
28 He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages.
29 They are gone over the passage; they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramath is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.
30 Lift up the voice, O daughter of Gallim; cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.
31 Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee.
32 As yet shall he remain at Nob that day; he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.

Yep, if you just read that, you glossed over it again, right?  A bunch of meaningless names.  The chapter heading wasn't particularly helpful, either.  I decided to look up these names, and was astounded at what I found.  This chapter details the path of the Assyrian army, as they invaded in 701 BC.

The Assyrians were particularly brutal through each of the towns and cities they conquered.  The destruction was complete - no man, woman or child was to survive, and everything was to be razed.  The list of cities in verse 9 are examples of this destruction (about which those at Jerusalem would have known).  To use modern metaphors: Is not Hiroshima as Nagasaki? (both destroyed by atomic bombs)  Is not Dresden as Tokyo? (both destroyed by fire bombing)  Those in Jersualem were terrified that the same fate awaited them.

To heighten their feeling of impending destruction, the Assyrian army starts marching.  You can plot each of these points on Google Maps, and see that the order of these names is important: Aiath (11.7 mi) -> Migron (9.1 mi) -> Michmash (8.2 mi) -> the passage (7.7 mi) -> Geba (6.8 mi) -> Ramath (5.8 mi) -> Gibeah (4.0 mi) -> Gallim -> Laish -> Anathoth -> Madmenah -> Gebim -> Nob.  It's the path the army is taking to get to Jerusalem, and it's getting ever closer.  And the overwhelming sense of dread is evident: Ramath is afraid, Gibeah is fled, Madmenah is removed, Gebim gathers to flee.  The army reaches Nob, which is right by the Mount of Olives, on the outskirts of Jersualem.

The army then proceeds to taunt the people of Jerusalem (see 2 Kings 18-19).  King Hezekiah went to the temple to pray, and sent his servants to find the prophet Isaiah, who gives this great promise:

32 Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.
33 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the Lord.
34 For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

And the fulfillment of that promise:

The angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

So, why is this report of an ancient invasion so relevant to us today?  Isaiah is replete with double-speak - he's talking about both his day AND ours.  Watching the neverending news cycle and maps today of the pandemic's clutches as it creeps ever closer, feels ever more real, and panic sets in, is definitely a type of imminent coming danger.  The resultant panic shopping and unrelated earthquake (with the heightened fear that has wrought) certainly have heightened our sense of alarm. 

As this danger nears our doorstep, is there a prophet today?  Yes!  Is there a promise?  Yes!

What are the promises, from both ancient and modern prophets?  "He will preserve the righteous by his power ... Wherefore, the righteous need not fear."  (1 Nephi 22:17)  "These unique challenges will pass in due time.  I remain optimistic for the future." - Russell M. Nelson, 14 March 2020

Let us trust that the Lord has purposes in these current challenges.  A shakeup (pardon the pun) of this magnitude (there I go again) to our lives can bring wonderful results, if we use it wisely.  Let us prepare ourselves better, both temporally and spiritually, for whatever challenges the future may bring.  Remember, the righteous need not fear.  Who are the righteous?  Those who take upon themselves the discipline of Christ, and follow His prophet.  If we don't feel like we're where we need to be, it's not too late.  Begin today!  The Lord is merciful unto all who come unto Him.

The Lord's power will be evident in the resolution of this global crisis, to those who watch carefully.  It may be through direct action (like against the ancient Assyrians), or through inspiration given to scientists, leaders, and medical professionals.  But it will pass.  Consider the effect this is having on the gathering of Israel, on both sides of the veil.  How long do you think the Lord will permit the temples to be closed and missionary work to be stopped?  My opinion is that it will only last long enough to accomplish the Lord's purposes.

So listen to the prophet.  Be wise.  Act in accordance to the principles of the gospel, and lose your life in His service.  As we do, the fear will disappear and we'll find in its place greater faith in Him, and love for God and man.  Camille reminded me that this whole message could be summed up as follows: "Be still, and know that I am God." (Ps. 46:10)  She's right.

Then therefore, let us go forward.  Gird up your loins, fresh courage take.  Our God will never us forsake; and soon we'll have this tale to tell - all is well, all is well!