The Exodus West

It's interesting looking at section 136 of the Doctrine and Covenants and comparing it to the exodus during the time of Moses. In both instances the Lord's people had been rejected and were seeking safety elsewhere. Obviously the circumstances were different in each case, but both were to get away from a nation who rejected their beliefs and persecuted them. For both camps, they were led by the Lord, but only by their faith and obedience. One of the opening statements is that any who were to travel west were to do so with a covenant and a promise to follow the commandments of God. God was willing, and did, lead both of these times of his people seeking refuge elsewhere. He provided miracles of food, protection, and growth for them. As long as they followed the commandments the Lord would watch over them. What I think is interesting that in both cases the Lord never said that it was going to be an easy journey. The Lord in these days told the Saints that they needed to bare all chastisement from the Lord, as it would prepare them for the blessings he had in store for them. Likewise, it was not easy during the exodus from Egypt as the Israelite's suffered much, yet saw the miracles of God during their suffering. In both instances, having the Lord watch over them didn't meant that there would be no death or pain, but that if they would be faithful they would grow and become who the Lord wanted them to be. If they were faithful, both groups would be protected from their enemies. If they were faithful, the Lord had tremendous blessings prepared for them. It's cool to see that the Lord gives the same principles and promises as long as there are people willing to listen and follow, all throughout different periods of time.