This is the first of many if-then constructions in the Book of Mormon. These conditional promises essentially boil down to the basic theme of God’s protection and blessings being contingent upon people’s striving to keep the commandments. (“Striving” is important to remember here, because Mormons believe that no one is sinless and perfect except Christ and that no human being will ever be able to perfectly keep the commandments in this life. However, they have to try.)