Destroying Sinners

Quick Version:
We hear a lot about God destroying sinners and cities of sinners, but usually they are destroying themselves, and He is actually trying to save everyone. He can't protect us for very long when we continue to reject His protection, but He loves us so much that he is constantly sending us warnings and invitations to come to him, and the amazing promise that He will "not suffer those who come unto [Him] that they shall perish!" He would rather destroy the sin than the sinner.

Full Version:
Lehi had a vision of Jerusalem, the city he lived in, being destroyed. What was his reaction? "His soul did rejoice, and his whole heart was filled." (1 Nephi 1:15)
This seems a little weird at first. The only time in movies when you see someone react to destroying cities with joy and laughter, it's some sort of crazy villain. So what makes this time different? Sure, they want to get rid of all the sinners, and that's a good thing, right? But it isn't always the case, because there are plenty of sinners on the earth right now, and God hasn't rained down fire on everyone in the last few centuries (that I know of). And any time someone in power has attempted to "get rid of all the sinners" it sure hasn't been inspired by God, and they go down in history as the most atrocious people to ever live. So WHAT IS DIFFERENT?
If you look more closely, you realize that God isn't talking about coming down and annihilating everyone. He's talking about saving everyone he can.
Jerusalem will be destroyed, and it will be because of sin, but it is because they are rejecting God's protection.
This isn't Heavenly Father saying, "I'm sick of these sinners, I want to destroy everyone." Every person is his child, and he loves every one. He wants every single person to be happy, not destroyed. He is simply revealing to Lehi that they are being so wicked they are rejecting God's protection, and He can't save them in their sin. They have enemies that will destroy them and their city, God doesn't need to do it, in fact He would rather not.
How do we know that for sure? Lehi says, "thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!"
Then what does Lehi do? He goes out and tells everyone what is going to happen, and they can choose to not perish! If they come to God, they will not perish.
God doesn't go around destroying sinners and telling prophets about it like it's a game. He's trying to save everyone he possibly can.
Is it the same today? Yes. People are being destroyed by their own wickedness, and God is using every righteous or even barely righteous person he can to save anyone who will listen.
We are always the ones who need saving, but we can also be the ones who help Him save.

Ended on: 1 Nephi 1:15