No serious study of the Book of Mormon would be complete without a less-than-serious look at a problem that plagued those ancient peoples: There was a whole lot of falling going on in Book of Mormon times.
We are a little more than halfway through our Come Follow Me curriculum this year, and I’m sure you have noticed people falling to the earth. Now I know this is a common occurrence in the Book of Mormon, but I got curious as to how common it was. So, armed with the trusty church website, I took on the task of tracking down the fallen. Please note that I did not search for people who fell to the earth because they were dead or dying. These are all people who survived the fall.
(This is more out of curiosity, rather than a search for enlightenment, so be warned there will not be any great profundity at the end. OK, maybe a little profundity.)
Here’s what I found. There are probably more, but I’m no scriptorian, and it’s still pretty early in the morning:
Jacob 7:15 Jacob dealing with Sherem: “The power of the Lord came upon him, insomuch that he fell to the earth.”
Jacob 7:21 The multitude listens to Sherem confess: “and they were overcome that they fell to the earth.” (Jacob was happy because he had asked the Lord to make it happen.)
Mosiah 27:12 Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah: “So great was their astonishment that they fell to the earth.”
Mosiah 27:18 After the angel leaves, Alma and friends fall again: “Now Alma and those that were with him fell again to the earth, for great was their astonishment.”
Alma 36:10 Alma the Younger out for three days: “And it came to pass that I fell to the earth, and it was for the space of three days and three nights.”
Alma 14:27 The people at the prison with Alma and Amulek: “So great was their fear that they fell to the earth.”
Alma 18:42 King Lamoni falls to the earth: “And now, when he had said this, he fell to the earth, as if he were dead.”
Alma 19:14 King Lamoni, his wife, and Ammon: “And thus all three have sunk to the earth.”
Alma 27:17 Ammon was overjoyed to the point of exhaustion when meeting up with his friends: “swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength, and he fell again to the earth.” (Alma points out that he and the others were joyful too, but not enough to exceed their strength.)
Helaman 9:4 The men verifying Nephi’s murder accusation see that the chief judge is dead: “When they saw this, they were astonished exceedingly, insomuch that they fell to the earth.”
Helaman 14:7 Samuel the Lamanite warns everybody: “And it shall come to pass that ye shall all be amazed, and wonder, insomuch that ye shall fall to the earth.”
3 Nephi 1:16 When the sign of Jesus’ birth came: “And there were many, who had not believed the words of the prophets, who fell to the earth and became as if they were dead.”
3 Nephi 1:17 And all the rest of the people ‘upon the face of the whole earth fell: “…were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth.” That’s a lot of people.
3 Nephi 4:8 “…the armies of the Nephites, when they saw the appearance of the army of Giddianhi, had all fallen to the earth.”
3 Nephi 11:12 Christ visiting the Nephites: “When Jesus had spoken these words, the whole multitude fell to the earth.”
Ether 3:7 Brother of Jared sees the Lord’s finger and falls- Lord tell him to get up: “And the Lord saw the brother of Jared had fallen to the earth; and the Lord said unto him: Arise, why hast theou fallen?”
—In case you are thinking that this is only a Book of Mormon tradition, here is one example each from the Pearl of Great Price, and the Old and New Testaments: (There are plenty of others)
Moses 1:9 After God withdrew from Moses: “And as he was left unto himself, he fell unto the earth.”
Joshua 7:6 As a sign of mourning, Joshua falls: “And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord.”
Acts 26:14 Paul was called out: “And when we were fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me.”
That is a LOT of falling!
As best I can tell without doing any real research, is that there are four main reasons that people fall to the earth in the scriptures:
1) Astonishment. One good surprise, and they go down. I haven’t seen this often, but I did witness it in a grocery store recently when a mom in the checkout lane told her bratty daughter that she couldn’t have the candy that she wanted. Boom! Down she went.
2) Exhaustion. Many of the scriptural instances are from fatigue – especially the fatigue of having a tremendous spiritual encounter or experience. A great example would be Joseph Smith falling down after his night of visits with Moroni. (Joseph Smith History v.48)
3) Repentance. Lying prostrate on the ground has been, and still is, a symbol of repentance all over the world, throughout all time. Thankfully, in my five years of being a bishop, no one ever came into my office and laid face-down on the carpet. (There were times that I wanted to. With a pillow.)
4) Cultural. Perhaps that’s just what people used to do when they were mentally, physically, or spiritually overloaded. In our culture, instead of falling to the ground, most people just get an energy drink.
When is the last time you saw someone fall to the earth? Yesterday at the store, it was almost me. Caught the old toe and almost went down.
As I think back, I do recall one brother who passed out while bearing his testimony, but I think it was due to him locking his knees rather than a spiritual smack-down.
Personally, I’m glad there has been a cultural shift in the way we deal with astonishment. Particularly because I feel astonished all the time as I watch the world. Often while driving, and that could be problematic.
I am also glad that we don’t fall to the ground in large groups, as did the Nephites. I would be so worried that I was going to squish some little kid that I wouldn’t be paying attention and would end up the only man left standing.
That would be awkward.
Besides, it seems the emphasis has changed. We are now counseled to stand as a witness, stand in holy places, stand all amazed, and to lift where we stand. All of which would be difficult if we were always falling to the earth.
Have a great Sabbath, and stand strong.
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Don’t forget this instance of falling down early on in the Book of Mormon: In Lehi’s dream, as recounted in 1 Nephi 8:30: “… and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.”
I’ve often wondered about that little phrase “and fell down” that most of us miss (at least I did until someone pointed it out). Why did they fall down *before* they partook of the fruit? The falling down wasn’t due to astonishment but rather likely exhaustion. Maybe it’s supposed to take all that we can do to just to get to the tree where the fruit is available. Makes me wonder sometimes if I’m doing enough to be counted among those who Lehi saw in his vision – the ones who made it to the tree to partake of the fruit and ignored the taunts of those in the great and spacious building anyway.
Good catch! I forgot about that one.
Good article. I have wondered about that. Now do another “Stretching forth the hand” before speaking. What is that all about?
Thanks for the falling recap, mixed with a bit of humor. Loved the post!
I love that you compiled all these examples! Every time I read about someone falling to the earth, I’m amazed! But don’t fall down…
It really must have been a cultural thing.
I have also explored this “fall to the earth” search. I’m fascinated that people would have such a strong spiritual experience that it would exhaust their strength, because for me, over the course of my life, it has been more like a, “Did you feel that? I think I might have felt something” sort of spiritual experience. I guess I’m more a “line upon line,” “milk before meat,” “here a little, there a little,” “whispering of the Spirit” kind of guy. Maybe that’s the way it was meant to be in the “latter part of the latter days” (Pres. Nelson)? Maybe our challenge is to become more finely attuned because the Spirit’s whispers are quieter compared to the noise of the world. Just speculating.