Omni 1:12-16 -- On Journeys and Promises

"Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla; for behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi, and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him, into the wilderness—
And it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord; and they were led by many preachings and prophesyings. And they were admonished continually by the word of God; and they were led by the power of his arm, through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla.
And they discovered a people, who were called the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the people of Zarahemla; and also Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly, because the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the plates of brass which contained the record of the Jews.
Behold, it came to pass that Mosiah discovered that the people of Zarahemla came out from Jerusalem at the time that Zedekiah, king of Judah, was carried away captive into Babylon.
And they journeyed in the wilderness, and were brought by the hand of the Lord across the great waters, into the land where Mosiah discovered them; and they had dwelt there from that time forth."
Omni 1:12-16


The pattern of being called to leave a place and set up in a promised land somewhere else is a recurring theme in the scripture... especially the Book of Mormon, talking here about two such events. Interestingly, they resulted in these two different people of the Lord joining together.

I think this happens in the modern day as well. Sometimes it is refugees fleeing from persecution, and sometimes just people who have to go out on their own because of family trouble, like Nephi did. There are other reasons as well, but in each case God has prepared a place for us to go. He has a mission for us to do. In whatever circumstances we are in today, let's pray and have faith, and ask God to show us the way. He will lead us to our own promised land or purpose, and help us grow into our potential.