In our studied ignorance and arrogance, Nephi describes us: "Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish." (2 Nephi 28:16.) That cycle is one of the constants in Isaiah and throughout the Bible and Book of Mormon. As we outgrow simple faith (which is derisively called "superstition") and acquire sophistication, we behave in ways which result in pride, envy, jealousy, promiscuity, anger, resentment and ultimately violence. Then, as we become "fully ripe" in our sins and the final inevitable cycle of violence begins, we wonder why it is we cannot behave lawlessly and yet be preserved. The quality of our collective ignorance is astonishing. With no regard for the lessons of history, we cycle through the violent troughs which wisdom could prevent. We can prevent them, of course: "But behold, if the inhabitants of the earth shall repent of their wickedness and abominations they shall not be destroyed, saith the Lord of Hosts." (Id. v. 17.) But we choose not to do so.