There are at least two responses to adversity. One is to turn to God. The other is to “curse God, and wish to die.” Of course Mormon had hoped for the former but witnessed the latter. Bruce Hafen describes the reversal of expectations that made the Israelites angry enough to curse God: “Throughout much of Old Testament history, Jehovah was thought to be a jealous God whose protection depended upon the obedience of his people. If the people were faithful, they felt assured of his protection against any adverse force. Therefore, when trouble came it was natural to assume that the cause was personal unrighteousness, either for an individual or for Israel as a nation.”
The expectation of many is that believing in and following God is a guarantee of shelter from the storms of life. This belief is magical rather than religious—an assumption that religious observances “purchase” favors or a desired outcome. If God did not perform, then the worshippers would withhold their worship. Bartering with God assumes that God can be controlled, bargained with, or placed under contract, thus giving the worshipper a privileged position. Modern members may assume that, because we pay tithing and attend sacrament meetings, we will be spared adversity; when adversity comes, we think God has betrayed his bargain and therefore become angry with him. Of course, God does not bargain, although he enters into covenants with us.
Mormon’s Nephites obviously had made the conceptual leap from sacrifice as commitment to sacrifice as bargain—and they sold their souls for that bargain. When all was well, it worked perfectly, and even proved their case. If they were prosperous, they took it as God’s validation of their actions. When it failed, they did not search their souls but lashed out in anger, cursing God for failing to keep his part of a bargain.
Mormon also notes that the Nephites, rather than repenting, “wish[ed] to die.” This attitude is the very negation of the plan of life. God promises life everlasting. In gospel terms, living is eternal; death is its antithesis. By electing death, the Nephites were denying Yahweh’s existence and rejecting his purpose.
Reference: The phrase “did curse God, and wish to die,” borrows its underlying form and vocabulary from Job: “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die” (Job 2:9). Job’s rejection of this natural response to adversity shows his spiritual strength and makes his story inspirational. As Mormon uses the phrase, it describes an all-too-human response to adversity. While Job’s ultimate message is positive, Mormon’s is painfully negative.