Repetition is the mother of learning

If repetition is truly the mother of learning, then the human race has learned history well as we seem to repeat it over and over again. Any student of history sees an obvious cyclical recurrence of events. This is not a new concept, but it has spurred me to write a few thoughts.

I have recently started a new study of the Book of Mormon. I wanted to see if I could not create a chart that documented the Nephites' alternations between being righteous and then sliding back into their wicked habits. Several pages are now filled with dates, events and sitings, but there is far more I have found beyond the latter.

1. Pride -
    In simplicity pride is the complete opposite of humility. When the Nephites are humble they are righteous, but when they are prideful they seek out their own desires over the Lord's and sink into the darkness of sin.
    One singular prideful desire is a plague to these beloved people, the pursuit of power. This ugly sin rears it's sick head repeatedly after the Nephites have established a free government and the opportunity to rule draws in those hungry for power like flies to pooh. "Kingmen" arise are the cause of great contentions and bloodshed, but darkest evil arises with the creation of the secret society "The Gadianton Robbers". As I stated earlier, history repeats itself, so it should be natural that we try to not repeat these same problems... shouldn't it? Look at the World around us and what is happening. Examine the problems at hand, do they not reek of pride?

2. Inequality-
    We are all children of our Father in Heaven and as such we are equal sons and daughters of God. When living righteously one will see all those around him or her in equality, as our Father in Heaven sees all his children.
    Satan desperately would have us forget our heritage, our inherited destiny to become Gods. As pride enters a heart and humility is pushed aside, then the equality achieved under our Father in Heaven is forgotten and Satan creates inequality. With the perception that other's are not one's equals the doors of persecution, imposition, suppression, and a host more of sins are allowable.
    The prognosis for such a state of being is simple; it will destroy all who embrace it. The only cure is to turn back to humility and our Father in Heaven. The Nephites' history teaches that it is the "word" that will change a person, not the sword, or any other attempt by man. One person at a time coming to the "word" and embracing it will allow a society as a whole to begin to rid itself of inequality and the darkness that follows. Government regulation and implementation will not and cannot rid society of any type of inequality. It has failed in the past and will fail again if attempted.