REASONS FOR FAMINES The reasons for famines are strictly spiritual. It is the Lord that brings them to pass or prevents them. Some of the prophets have written: [8]And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him. (Helaman 12:3) Speaking of the journeys of Lehi and his family for the eight-year trek in the wilderness, King Benjamin relates some of the famines that came upon them, but most important he explained the reason why they suffered these afflictions: Therefore, as they were unfaithful they did not prosper nor progress in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred the displeasure of God upon them; and therefore, they were smitten with famine and sore afflictions, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty. (Mosiah 1:17) Zeniff also related the same reason for famine: And yet, I being over-zealous to inherit the land of our fathers, collected as many as were desirous to go up to possess the land, and started again on our journey into the wilderness to go up to the land; but we were smitten with famine and sore afflictions; for we were slow to remember the Lord our God. (Mosiah 9:3) As to the effectiveness of this reason they witnessed their deliverance: And it came to pass that when they had humbled themselves sufficiently before the Lord, he did send rain upon the face of [9] the earth; and the people began to revive again, and there began to be fruit in the north countries, and in all the countries round about. And the Lord did show forth his power unto them in preserving them from famine. (Ether 9:35)