Alma, Chapter 55

How were the Nephite prisoners delivered from the Lamanites?

“Now it came to pass that when Moroni had received this epistle he was more angry, because he knew that Ammoron had a perfect knowledge of his fraud; yea, he knew that Ammoron knew that it was not a just cause that had caused him to wage a war against the people of Nephi (v. 1).  And he said: Behold, I will not exchange prisoners with Ammoron save he will withdraw his purpose, as I have stated in my epistle; for I will not grant unto him that he shall have any more power than what he hath got (v. 2).”  Moroni was upset because he wanted Ammoron to leave their lands, but Ammoron was set on fighting for the revenge of his brother’s death.

“Behold, I know the place where the Lamanites do guard my people whom they have taken prisoners; and as Ammoron would not grant unto me mine epistle, behold, I will give unto him according to my words; yea, I will seek death among them until they shall sue for peace (v. 3).”  Moroni decided that since Ammoron would not back down, he would continue the war in the defense of the Nephites until the Lamanites begged for peace.

“And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said these words, he caused that a search should be made among his men, that perhaps he might find a man who was a descendant of Laman among them (v. 4).  And it came to pass that they found one, whose name was Laman; and he was one of the servants of the king who was murdered by Amalickiah (v. 5).  Now Moroni caused that Laman and a small number of his men should go forth unto the guards who were over the Nephites (v. 6).  Now the Nephites were guarded in the city of Gid; therefore Moroni appointed Laman and caused that a small number of men should go with him (v. 7).”  Moroni found Laman, who was just recently converted, to help deliver the Nephite prisoners.

“And when it was evening Laman went to the guards who were over the Nephites, and behold, they saw him coming and they hailed him; but he saith unto them: Fear not; behold, I am a Lamanite. Behold, we have escaped from the Nephites, and they sleep; and behold we have taken of their wine and brought with us (v. 8 ).  Now when the Lamanites heard these words they received him with joy; and they said unto him: Give us of your wine, that we may drink; we are glad that ye have thus taken wine with you for we are weary (v. 9).  But Laman said unto them: Let us keep of our wine till we go against the Nephites to battle. But this saying only made them more desirous to drink of the wine (v. 10); For, said they: We are weary, therefore let us take of the wine, and by and by we shall receive wine for our rations, which will strengthen us to go against the Nephites (v. 11).  And Laman said unto them: You may do according to your desires (v. 12).”  Laman enticed them with wine, acting as a friend to the Lamanite guards.

“And it came to pass that they did take of the wine freely; and it was pleasant to their taste, therefore they took of it more freely; and it was strong, having been prepared in its strength (v. 13).  And it came to pass they did drink and were merry, and by and by they were all drunken (v. 14).  And now when Laman and his men saw that they were all drunken, and were in a deep sleep, they returned to Moroni and told him all the things that had happened (v. 15).  And now this was according to the design of Moroni. And Moroni had prepared his men with weapons of war; and he went to the city Gid, while the Lamanites were in a deep sleep and drunken, and cast in weapons of war unto the prisoners, insomuch that they were all armed (v. 16); Yea, even to their women, and all those of their children, as many as were able to use a weapon of war, when Moroni had armed all those prisoners; and all those things were done in a profound silence (v. 17).”  Moroni planned for Laman to get the guards drunk, which he did.  Then Moroni silently armed all of the Nephite prisoners.

“But had they awakened the Lamanites, behold they were drunken and the Nephites could have slain them (v. 18 ).  But behold, this was not the desire of Moroni; he did not delight in murder or bloodshed, but he delighted in the saving of his people from destruction; and for this cause he might not bring upon him injustice, he would not fall upon the Lamanites and destroy them in their drunkenness (v. 19).”  Moroni could have had these guards killed while they were in a drunk stupor, but he was not that kind of man.  For Moroni, the goal was not to kill the Lamanites, it was to get the prisoners back.  This shows once again, the kind of man that Moroni was.  If at this point, the Lamanites had given up the fight, Moroni would have agreed to peace with any argument.  This was because he did not get joy out of killing people, he just wanted to protect his people.

“But he had obtained his desires; for he had armed those prisoners of the Nephites who were within the wall of the city, and had given them power to gain possession of those parts which were within the walls (v. 20).  And then he caused the men who were with him to withdraw a pace from them, and surround the armies of the Lamanites (v. 21).  Now behold this was done in the night-time, so that when the Lamanites awoke in the morning they beheld that they were surrounded by the Nephites without, and that their prisoners were armed within (v. 22).  And thus they saw that the Nephites had power over them; and in these circumstances they found that it was not expedient that they should fight with the Nephites; therefore their chief captains demanded their weapons of war, and they brought them forth and cast them at the feet of the Nephites, pleading for mercy (v. 23).  Now behold, this was the desire of Moroni. He took them prisoners of war, and took possession of the city, and caused that all the prisoners should be liberated, who were Nephites; and they did join the army of Moroni, and were a great strength to his army (v. 24).  And it came to pass that he did cause the Lamanites, whom he had taken prisoners, that they should commence a labor in strengthening the fortifications round about the city Gid (v. 25).”

Moroni delivered the Nephite prisoners from bondage and they regained control over the city of Gid.  Moroni was a type of the Savior to these people.  He knew that these people were good, righteous people and were held down by bondage.  He armed them, the way that the Savior arms us with the word of God and the gospel.  Then they were able to be delivered the same way that we can be delivered from sin and bondage to reclaim the blessings that we have been promised.

The value of remembering the Lord

Satan is cunning and has a way of leading us astray without us even realizing it.  Sometimes even the righteous are tempted slowly until they are led astray.  There are times when just before they are lost, they remember something that has been taught to them, and they turn back to the straight and narrow way.

“And it came to pass that when he had fortified the city Gid, according to his desires, he caused that his prisoners should be taken to the city Bountiful; and he also guarded that city with an exceedingly strong force (v. 26).  And it came to pass that they did, notwithstanding all the intrigues of the Lamanites, keep and protect all the prisoners whom they had taken, and also maintain all the ground and the advantage which they had retaken (v. 27).  And it came to pass that the Nephites began again to be victorious, and to reclaim their rights and their privileges (v. 28 ).  Many times did the Lamanites attempt to encircle them about by night, but in these attempts they did lose many prisoners (v. 29).  And many times did they attempt to administer of their wine to the Nephites, that they might destroy them with poison or with drunkenness (v. 30).”  The Lamanites tried to use the strategies of the Nephites against them, but the Nephites were aware of what they were trying to do.

“But behold, the Nephites were not slow to remember the Lord their God in this their time of affliction. They could not be taken in their snares; yea, they would not partake of their wine, save they had first given to some of the Lamanite prisoners (v. 31).  And they were thus cautious that no poison should be administered among them; for if their wine would poison a Lamanite it would also poison a Nephite; and thus they did try all their liquors (v. 32).”  Because the Nephites were still living righteously, they had the spirit to discern the traps of the Lamanites.

When we are living the best we can and remembering our God, the spirit is there to help us notice when the traps of Satan are around us.  It is when we start to forget God and the commandments, gospel, our covenants and such, that we fall.  With God, we have all the power necessary to overcome, because God will always prevail.

FYI:  Moroni next turned his attentions to the city of Morianton, which the Lamanites were using much of their energy to fortify (v. 33-35).

Alma, Chapter 54

How does the Lord feel about taking life in wartime?

I am so grateful to live in this country, where we have some many valuable freedoms.  The words of the hymn “America (My Country, ‘Tis of Thee)” are:

My country,’ tis of thee, / sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; / land where my fathers died, / land of the pilgrims’ pride, / from every mountainside let freedom ring!

I am so proud to have family members who have served to defend our country.  I don’t know any directly who have died while serving, but I am so grateful for those men and women who have served and died to protect the liberty that I now enjoy.  I know I would never be expected to fight for our country in the military, because physically I am a weak person, but I understand the pride that comes from doing so.  I think that because I am not mentally prepared for doing it, I would probably really struggle with taking another’s life, even in wartime.  I would have to depend on something more powerful than myself, to go through with it.

“And now it came to pass in the commencement of the twenty and ninth year of the judges, that Ammoron sent unto Moroni desiring that he would exchange prisoners (v. 1).”  In this chapter, Ammoron and Moroni are sending letters to each other to negotiate wartime issues, such as prisoner exchanges.

Moroni’s response was such, “And it came to pass that Moroni felt to rejoice exceedingly at this request, for he desired the provisions which were imparted for the support of the Lamanite prisoners for the support of his own people; and he also desired his own people for the strengthening of his army (v. 2).  Now the Lamanites had taken many women and children, and there was not a woman nor a child among all the prisoners of Moroni, or the prisoners whom Moroni had taken; therefore Moroni resolved upon a stratagem to obtain as many prisoners of the Nephites from the Lamanites as it were possible (v. 3).  Therefore he wrote an epistle, and sent it by the servant of Ammoron, the same who had brought an epistle to Moroni. Now these are the words which he wrote unto Ammoron, saying (v. 4):  Behold, Ammoron, I have written unto you somewhat concerning this war which ye have waged against my people, or rather which thy brother hath waged against them, and which ye are still determined to carry on after his death (v. 5).  Behold, I would tell you somewhat concerning the justice of God, and the sword of his almighty wrath, which doth hang over you except ye repent and withdraw your armies into your own lands, or the land of your possessions, which is the land of Nephi (v. 6).  Yea, I would tell you these things if ye were capable of hearkening unto them; yea, I would tell you concerning that awful hell that awaits to receive such murderers as thou and thy brother have been, except ye repent and withdraw your murderous purposes, and return with your armies to your own lands (v. 7).”

Moroni took this opportunity to explain to Ammoron that the war he had waged against the Nephites was wrong in the eyes of God and that Ammoron and the Lamanites need to repent of their sins and leave the Nephites alone, or they will receive the justice of God.

“But as ye have once rejected these things, and have fought against the people of the Lord, even so I may expect you will do it again (v. 8 ).  And now behold, we are prepared to receive you; yea, and except you withdraw your purposes, behold, ye will pull down the wrath of that God whom you have rejected upon you, even to your utter destruction (v. 9).  But, as the Lord liveth, our armies shall come upon you except ye withdraw, and ye shall soon be visited with death, for we will retain our cities and our lands; yea, and we will maintain our religion and the cause of our God (v. 10).”  Moroni warned Ammoron that if they did not do this, the Nephites were prepared to kill them with the power and wrath of God on their side.

“But behold, it supposeth me that I talk to you concerning these things in vain; or it supposeth me that thou art a child of hell; therefore I will close my epistle by telling you that I will not exchange prisoners, save it be on conditions that ye will deliver up a man and his wife and his children, for one prisoner; if this be the case that ye will do it, I will exchange (v. 11).”  Moroni felt that Ammoron was not going to repent, because he was a servant for Satan.  So he said he was prepared to exchange 1 Lamanite prisoner for 1 Nephite family; the soldier, his wife, and his children.

“And behold, if ye do not this, I will come against you with my armies; yea, even I will arm my women and my children, and I will come against you, and I will follow you even into your own land, which is the land of our first inheritance; yea, and it shall be blood for blood, yea, life for life; and I will give you battle even until you are destroyed from off the face of the earth (v. 12).  Behold, I am in my anger, and also my people; ye have sought to murder us, and we have only sought to defend ourselves. But behold, if ye seek to destroy us more we will seek to destroy you; yea, and we will seek our land, the land of our first inheritance (v. 13).  Now I close my epistle. I am Moroni; I am a leader of the people of the Nephites (v. 14).”  Moroni warned Ammoron that the Nephites would do all that was in their power to destroy the Lamanite armies, if they did not make this exchange.

Moroni was a man who cared for the welfare and freedom of his people.  He understood the value of a family was greater than the value of a single soldier.  He fought and led the Nephites to protect them and defend their values.  He was a man of God, who knew that repentance was the only way to truly be saved.

Ammoron’s response to this letter was such, “Now it came to pass that Ammoron, when he had received this epistle, was angry; and he wrote another epistle unto Moroni, and these are the words which he wrote, saying (v. 15):  I am Ammoron, the king of the Lamanites; I am the brother of Amalickiah whom ye have murdered. Behold, I will avenge his blood upon you, yea, and I will come upon you with my armies for I fear not your threatenings (v. 16).”  Ammoron accused Moroni and the Nephites for murdering his brother Amalickiah.  This was a war of revenge for him.  Amalickiah’s life had been taken in the act of defense in war, but not as an act of murder.  There is a difference between defending by taking life and murdering.

“For behold, your fathers did wrong their brethren, insomuch that they did rob them of their right to the government when it rightly belonged unto them (v. 17).  And now behold, if ye will lay down your arms, and subject yourselves to be governed by those to whom the government doth rightly belong, then will I cause that my people shall lay down their weapons and shall be at war no more (v. 18 ).”  Ammoron felt that the Lamanites had the birthright of the power of the land, but the Nephites knew that the power of the land was given by God and the Lamanites had lost it because of sin.

“Behold, ye have breathed out many threatenings against me and my people; but behold, we fear not your threatenings (v. 19).  Nevertheless, I will grant to exchange prisoners according to your request, gladly, that I may preserve my food for my men of war; and we will wage a war which shall be eternal, either to the subjecting the Nephites to our authority or to their eternal extinction (v. 20).”  Ammoron would exchange the families for the prisoners, but he would not give up in his fight to destroy the Nephites.

“And as concerning that God whom ye say we have rejected, behold, we know not such a being; neither do ye; but if it so be that there is such a being, we know not but that he hath made us as well as you (v. 21).  And if it so be that there is a devil and a hell, behold will he not send you there to dwell with my brother whom ye have murdered, whom ye have hinted that he hath gone to such a place? But behold these things matter not (v. 22).”  Ammoron admits that he and the Lamanites he leads do not believe in God.  He did not understand the difference between murder and defending the liberties man has been given by God.

“I am Ammoron, and a descendant of Zoram, whom your fathers pressed and brought out of Jerusalem (v. 23).  And behold now, I am a bold Lamanite; behold, this war hath been waged to avenge their wrongs, and to maintain and to obtain their rights to the government; and I close my epistle to Moroni (v. 24).”

Ammoron was a man who cared more about revenge then the welfare and freedom of his people.  He fought and led the Lamanites to destroy life and the beliefs of others.  He was not a man of God, and he did not understand the nature of God.  He was a wicked man who needed a change of heart to be saved.

I understand the value of human life.  I also understand that the will of God and the plan of salvation, is greater.  This life is but a moment and the real living is what comes after this life is complete.  If someone takes a life, because they have selfish motives and desire to end that life, that is murder and it is one of the greatest sins that can be committed.  However, we have been told to defend the freedom that is a gift from God.  We have been told to defend our religion and protect ourselves and our families from tyranny and oppression.  Should these things threaten us, we have a duty to God to protect them.  If this means defending ourselves by taking another’s life who is against us, than we will not be punished for it.  The sadness over the loss of a life is still there, but the eternal consequences are the opposite of murder.  We will be blessed for protecting the things that God has told us to protect.  I am grateful for those who have defending valuable things for my benefit and I know that they will receive great rewards in the eternities for their service to God.

 

 

Alma, Chapter 53

How did Moroni fortify against the Lamanites?

“And it came to pass that they did set guards over the prisoners of the Lamanites, and did compel them to go forth and bury their dead, yea, and also the dead of the Nephites who were slain; and Moroni placed men over them to guard them while they should perform their labors (v. 1). . . And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had finished burying their dead and also the dead of the Nephites, they were marched back into the land Bountiful; and Teancum, by the orders of Moroni, caused that they should commence laboring in digging a ditch round about the land, or the city, Bountiful (v. 3).  And he caused that they should build a breastwork of timbers upon the inner bank of the ditch; and they cast up dirt out of the ditch against the breastwork of timbers; and thus they did cause the Lamanites to labor until they had encircled the city of Bountiful round about with a strong wall of timbers and earth, to an exceeding height (v. 4).  And this city became an exceeding stronghold ever after; and in this city they did guard the prisoners of the Lamanites; yea, even within a wall which they had caused them to build with their own hands. Now Moroni was compelled to cause the Lamanites to labor, because it was easy to guard them while at their labor; and he desired all his forces when he should make an attack upon the Lamanites (v. 5).  And it came to pass that Moroni had thus gained a victory over one of the greatest of the armies of the Lamanites, and had obtained possession of the city of Mulek, which was one of the strongest holds of the Lamanites in the land of Nephi; and thus he had also built a stronghold to retain his prisoners (v. 6).  And it came to pass that he did no more attempt a battle with the Lamanites in that year, but he did employ his men in preparing for war, yea, and in making fortifications to guard against the Lamanites, yea, and also delivering their women and their children from famine and affliction, and providing food for their armies (v. 7).”

The Lamanite prisoners were used to build fortifications against future Lamanite attacks, and to build their own prison.  By using them, they saved the energies of the Nephite army for preparations of war and taking care of their families.

What strengthens friendship?

I have someone that I would consider to be my best friend (in addition to my spouse).  I say that she is my best friend because she cares for me in a way that no other friend does, and I do for her.  We do our best to be there for each other, even though we are not living near each other currently.  We can share anything with one another without worrying about offending each other, or how the we might be thought of afterwards.  We want each other to be happy and strong physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  She is someone that I am sure I knew before I physically met her on this earth.  We are a lot alike at times, but still fairly different.  We like to do most of the same things in our free time, we have very similar passions and we enjoy being together.  We are both members of the church, which makes it so easy for us because we know that we value the same things in life.  I love her as much as I could love anyone, as if she was my sister.

“And Moroni went to the city of Mulek with Lehi, and took command of the city and gave it unto Lehi. Now behold, this Lehi was a man who had been with Moroni in the more part of all his battles; and he was a man like unto Moroni, and they rejoiced in each other’s safety; yea, they were beloved by each other, and also beloved by all the people of Nephi (v. 2).”  Moroni and Lehi could be considered best friends.  They both were men of great strength, righteously and physically.  They had fought side-by-side multiple times and experienced successes and failures together.  They truly cared for the safety of one another and love one another.  I think they were “beloved by all the people of Nephi” because they were great examples of righteousness and love for their fellowmen.  When you are living righteously, it is hard not to view righteous leaders with a great deal of love and admiration.

I have been told that I have a rare gift in having a friend such as mine, and I believe it.  I think that if I was more open and outgoing, perhaps I would have other true friends like her.  I think the more I can love others the way that I love her, the way the Savior loves, I will have more really great friends.

Who placed the Nephites in a most dangerous circumstance?

If we are on a boat and water got into the boat, our boat would sink.  How did water get into the boat of the Nephites?  ”And now it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites, on the west sea, south, while in the absence of Moroni on account of some intrigue amongst the Nephites, which caused dissensions amongst them, had gained some ground over the Nephites, yea, insomuch that they had obtained possession of a number of their cities in that part of the land (v. 8 ).  And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves, yea, because of dissensions and intrigue among themselves they were placed in the most dangerous circumstances (v. 9).”  The Nephites had begun to fight amongst themselves with dissenters and sin creeping in, which gave the Lamanites a chance to take some of their land.  They were not focused on protecting each other, so they lost their great advantage.  Elder Boyd K. Packer quoted:

All the water in the world,

However hard it tried,

Could never sink the smallest ship

Unless it [gets] inside.

And all the evil in the world,

The blackest kind of sin,

Can never hurt you the least bit

Unless you let it in.

When we allow sin to creep in, the way the Nephites had, we open the way for Satan to hurt us.  To keep from sinking, we cannot allow even the slightest bit of water into our boat.  If we make mistakes, we need to be quick to get the bucket and empty that water back into the sea, so that we can focus on protecting ourselves and our families.

How important is it to keep promises, covenants, and oaths?

I have said before that I am a big advocate for keeping promises no matter how small or trivial they may seem.  Keeping promises gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment.  When promises are broken, which happens to me more than I like to admit, I have a feeling of disappointment that does not feel good.

“And now behold, I have somewhat to say concerning the people of Ammon, who, in the beginning, were Lamanites; but by Ammon and his brethren, or rather by the power and word of God, they had been converted unto the Lord; and they had been brought down into the land of Zarahemla, and had ever since been protected by the Nephites (v. 10).  And because of their oath they had been kept from taking up arms against their brethren; for they had taken an oath that they never would shed blood more; and according to their oath they would have perished; yea, they would have suffered themselves to have fallen into the hands of their brethren, had it not been for the pity and the exceeding love which Ammon and his brethren had had for them (v. 11).”  The people of Ammon, had made an oath to God that they would not take up swords against their brothers, the Lamanites.

“And for this cause they were brought down into the land of Zarahemla; and they ever had been protected by the Nephites (v. 12).  But it came to pass that when they saw the danger, and the many afflictions and tribulations which the Nephites bore for them, they were moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country (v. 13).”  When they saw that the Nephites, whom they loved for protecting them, were in danger, they wanted to defend them.

“But behold, as they were about to take their weapons of war, they were overpowered by the persuasions of Helaman and his brethren, for they were about to break the oath which they had made (v. 14).  And Helaman feared lest by so doing they should lose their souls; therefore all those who had entered into this covenant were compelled to behold their brethren wade through their afflictions, in their dangerous circumstances at this time (v. 15).”  Helaman was the prophet at this time and he knew that if they broke the oath with God, they would not be saved after this life.

“But behold, it came to pass they had many sons, who had not entered into a covenant that they would not take their weapons of war to defend themselves against their enemies; therefore they did assemble themselves together at this time, as many as were able to take up arms, and they called themselves Nephites (v. 16).  And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage (v. 17).”  The sons of the people of Ammon made a covenant to fight for the Nephites and never give up their liberty.

This is a wonderful example of the importance of the oaths and covenants we make.  Our eternal progression depends on how we keep those that we make with God, and if we brake them, we risk loosing our own souls.  This also shows just how important it is to teach our children the value of oaths and covenants.  Especially now, in a time where people brake promises without a second thought of them.

In Alma 24:10-12, the covenant was made.  ”And I also thank my God, yea, my great God, that he hath granted unto us that we might repent of these things, and also that he hath forgiven us of those our many sins and murders which we have committed, and taken away the guilt from our hearts, through the merits of his Son (v. 10).  And now behold, my brethren, since it has been all that we could do, (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to get God to take them away from our hearts, for it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take away our stain (v. 11)—Now, my best beloved brethren, since God hath taken away our stains, and our swords have become bright, then let us stain our swords no more with the blood of our brethren (v. 12).”  Because their sons did not enter into this covenant with God and had been raised righteously since their sins were removed from them, they were not expected to keep the covenant.

Sometimes there may seem like a good reason to break a promise, but it should not be so.  The kinds of promises that we make with Heavenly Father, are eternal.  They have an eternal value that is greater than any other thing on the earth.  The covenants of baptism, endowments, marriage and such, are binding and if we break them in this life, Heavenly Father has no expectation to keep his side of them.  We must not take our covenants lightly.  They are things of great value and we should hold them sacred and do all within our power to keep them.

What qualities do true heroes exhibit?

“And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted (v. 20).  Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him (v. 21).  And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at the head of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of the people in the borders of the land on the south by the west sea (v. 22).  And thus ended the twenty and eighth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi (v. 23).”

The 2,000 stripling soldiers were men of courage, strength, truth, soberness, righteousness, and they followed a righteous leader.  They were “exceedingly valiant”, which means determined and courageous.  They were “true at all times” meaning they did not tell the occasional lies that Satan would tempt all of us to do.  They were “men of truth and soberness” which I think means they knew (discerned) truth and had clarity of mind.  Being sober is to be serious, so I think it could mean also that they were firm and serious in their following of truth.  They were the best kinds of soldiers that the Nephites could ask for, and that any nation could have for that matter.  I have had examples in my life of these types of characteristics and I hope that I am an example of these to others as well.  I am striving each day, to try to be like these valiant soldiers and other righteous people like them.  These young men, were true heroes.

Alma, Chapter 52

Why were the Nephites successful?

The Lamanites found Amalickiah dead and the Nephites ready for battle under the direction of Teancum (v. 1).  They retreated to Mulek, which was one of the cities they had taken previously (v. 2). Ammoron, Amalickiah’s brother, became king of the Lamanites (v. 3).  Teancum continued to prepare to fight and kept prisoners of the Lamanites for ransom (v. 6-9).    Moroni commanded him to continue to protect and claim the land near Bountiful, meanwhile Moroni fought the lamanites elsewhere (v. 10-11).  Ammoron led part of the Lamanites against the Nephites and Moroni (v. 12-14).  Teancum went to reclaim Mulek (v. 15-16), but seeing the protections of the Lamanites he retreated back to Bountiful and waited for Moroni’s help (v. 17-18 ).  Teancum and Moroni discussed how to get the advantage (v. 19).

Moroni and Teancum sent men to try to get the leader of the Lamanites in Mulek, Jacob, to meet with them, but he wouldn’t come (v. 20).  Moroni came up with a plan, Teancum took some men and marched to the seashore while Lamanites guards to Jacob about it (v. 21-22).  The Lamanites came against him, while Teancum retreated to the North (v. 23).  The Lamanites proudly pursued him, meanwhile Moroni marched to Mulek to take it (v. 24).  After taking the city of Mulek, Moroni took his army to help Teancum and his men (v. 25-26).  The Lamaintes backed Teancum into the city of Bountiful, where they found Lehi and his part of the Nephite army (v. 27).  Lehi’s army scared the Lamanites, but they also did not know that Moroni’s army had done anything and was coming to them as well (v. 28-29).  Lehi waited for Moroni, and they surrounded Jacob and his Lamanite army (v. 30-31).  They fought, Moroni was wounded, but Jacob was killed (v. 32-35).  The Lamanites fighting against Lehi’s portion, gave up their weapons and were confused (v. 36).  Moroni told them they would not be killed for giving up their weapons (v. 37).  The rest of the captains heard and gave up their weapons, and then encouraged their men to do the same (v. 38 ).  Those who refused, were taken prisoner to the land of Bountiful (v. 39).

What does this tell us about defending our families in the battle against Satan?  That we must be vigilant in protecting ourselves against him.  That we can outsmart Satan, the way that he tries to outsmart us.  That sometimes, we may realize the adversary is too much for us to take on ourselves, and so we wait for reinforcements.  We follow the commands of the church leaders, prophets, the scriptures and we become stronger.  Then with the help of the Savior and other righteous people, we can defeat the temptations of Satan and re-gain our strong-holds within our homes.  I think the greatest tool in the fight against Satan, is the knowledge (faith) that if we are living righteously, we know we can win.  We just need to do what is right, and the Lord will help us to do the rest.

Where can we turn for protection?

“But he kept his men round about, as if making preparations for war; yea, and truly he was preparing to defend himself against them, by casting up walls round about and preparing places of resort (v. 6).”  Teancum created safe places for his men to go as a way of protecting themselves.  There places of resort were fortifications.  Our homes should be a place of resort for our families.  While the individuals of our families are out fighting the temptations of everyday life, we need to be preparing our homes as a place for retreat.  Our homes and families should be the safest places for our family members to return to.

What are Satan’s tactics?

“Now, the king (Ammoron) had departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and had made known unto the queen concerning the death of his brother, and had gathered together a large number of men, and had marched forth against the Nephites on the borders by the west sea (v. 12).  And thus he was endeavoring to harass the Nephites, and to draw away a part of their forces to that part of the land, while he had commanded those whom he had left to possess the cities which he had taken, that they should also harass the Nephites on the borders by the east sea, and should take possession of their lands as much as it was in their power, according to the power of their armies (v. 13).  And thus were the Nephites in those dangerous circumstances in the ending of the twenty and sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi (v. 14).”

Ammoron tried to attack the Nephites by dividing them and getting them in several places at the same time.  Satan also uses this tactic of tempting us with several things, that are weaknesses for us, at the same time.  When we know that this is the way Satan works, we can focus on what is the worst temptation and attack it first, instead of giving in to everything because we give up.  We have the ability to look at the situation of our lives, evaluate it and with the Lord’s help, work on the thing that will give us back the most strength against those other temptations.  We are not expected by God, to be able to do it all at once.  If we are working on the thing which destroys us the most, He will help us with all the other things that tempt us and we will be stronger for it.

What are the values of councils?

“And in the commencement of the twenty and eighth year, Moroni and Teancum and many of the chief captains held a council of war—what they should do to cause the Lamanites to come out against them to battle; or that they might by some means flatter them out of their strongholds, that they might gain advantage over them and take again the city of Mulek (v. 19).”

To decided what course of action they should take, the Nephites had  a war council.  This was helpful in bringing the leaders together to decide what would be best for the protection of all of the Nephites.  In the church pamphlet called Our Family, it says, “The family council is the most basic council of the Church.  Under the direction of the father and the mother, this council can meet to discuss family problems, work out finances, make plans, support, and strengthen each other, and pray for one another and the family unit.”  My family has been having family council together with family night, for several months now.  It’s hard because we have small children, but it gives us a chance to plan out schedules, talk about family needs and my favorite thing is that we share our testimonies with each other.  We have not had to use family council to address any real problems or major concerns, yet, but we will eventually and I am sure this time we take, will be a blessing in those moments.  I think it makes perfect sense to take the time to make sure the family is on the same page about life before going out into the world.  It is just one more way to protect our loved ones and keep the family strong.

Alma, Chapter 51

How strong is a divided nation?

If my family divided into to two groups where one hated the other, it would lead to horrible contentions, hurt feelings, and more.  I don’t think that a family that becomes a divided family can have many positive results unless they separate from each other, which is a sad case.

“And now it came to pass in the commencement of the twenty and fifth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, they having established peace between the people of Lehi and the people of Morianton concerning their lands, and having commenced the twenty and fifth year in peace (v. 1); Nevertheless, they did not long maintain an entire peace in the land, for there began to be a contention among the people concerning the chief judge Pahoran; for behold, there were a part of the people who desired that a few particular points of the law should be altered (v. 2).  But behold, Pahoran would not alter nor suffer the law to be altered; therefore, he did not hearken to those who had sent in their voices with their petitions concerning the altering of the law (v. 3).  Therefore, those who were desirous that the law should be altered were angry with him, and desired that he should no longer be chief judge over the land; therefore there arose a warm dispute concerning the matter, but not unto bloodshed (v. 4).  And it came to pass that those who were desirous that Pahoran should be dethroned from the judgment-seat were called king-men, for they were desirous that the law should be altered in a manner to overthrow the free government and to establish a king over the land (v. 5).  And those who were desirous that Pahoran should remain chief judge over the land took upon them the name of freemen; and thus was the division among them, for the freemen had sworn or covenanted to maintain their rights and the privileges of their religion by a free government (v. 6).  And it came to pass that this matter of their contention was settled by the voice of the people. And it came to pass that the voice of the people came in favor of the freemen, and Pahoran retained the judgment-seat, which caused much rejoicing among the brethren of Pahoran and also many of the people of liberty, who also put the king-men to silence, that they durst not oppose but were obliged to maintain the cause of freedom (v. 7).  Now those who were in favor of kings were those of high birth, and they sought to be kings; and they were supported by those who sought power and authority over the people (v. 8 ).”

The Nephites were divided between those who wanted to remain a free nation and those who wanted to be ruled by a king.  Politics can become a heated issue, because how our nations are governed determines how we are able to live our lives.  When a nation becomes this divided, it becomes weak and easy to be attack, either from within itself or from outside forces.  The same applies to a family that becomes this divided.

I feel that our nation is surely becoming a divided nation at this time.  Sadly, for the same reasons as the nephites had.  When this nation was established, it was designed to be a free country, with rights and privileges that were God-given.  Now, it is a constant struggle between those who are “freemen” and want these same freedoms to remain, and those who are “king-men” who want to ‘change with the times’ and would rather the president of our country have control over all that happens, like a king would.  I’ve learned from the scriptures before, that a king would be a great thing to have if only he was a righteous man, but I do not believe that it would be that for us (I don’t believe that the president is following God’s plan).  We are becoming a weak nation, because we are becoming divided.

“But behold, this was a critical time for such contentions to be among the people of Nephi; for behold, Amalickiah had again stirred up the hearts of the people of the Lamanites against the people of the Nephites, and he was gathering together soldiers from all parts of his land, and arming them, and preparing for war with all diligence; for he had sworn to drink the blood of Moroni (v. 9).  But behold, we shall see that his promise which he made was rash; nevertheless, he did prepare himself and his armies to come to battle against the Nephites (v. 10).  Now his armies were not so great as they had hitherto been, because of the many thousands who had been slain by the hand of the Nephites; but notwithstanding their great loss, Amalickiah had gathered together a wonderfully great army, insomuch that he feared not to come down to the land of Zarahemla (v. 11).  Yea, even Amalickiah did himself come down, at the head of the Lamanites. And it was in the twenty and fifth year of the reign of the judges; and it was at the same time that they had begun to settle the affairs of their contentions concerning the chief judge, Pahoran (v. 12).”

When a nation is divided, it is much harder to band together against a common enemy.  This made it a bad time for the Nephites to be divided, because Amalickiah was preparing to come against them again.

“And it came to pass that when the men who were called king-men had heard that the Lamanites were coming down to battle against them, they were glad in their hearts; and they refused to take up arms, for they were so wroth with the chief judge, and also with the people of liberty, that they would not take up arms to defend their country (v. 13).  And it came to pass that when Moroni saw this, and also saw that the Lamanites were coming into the borders of the land, he was exceedingly wroth because of the stubbornness of those people whom he had labored with so much diligence to preserve; yea, he was exceedingly wroth; his soul was filled with anger against them (v. 14).”  Moroni was “exceedingly wroth” because he and his army had fought hard to protect these people from Amalickiah’s army before.  They had fought hard for those things that the king-men were trying to change now.

“And it came to pass that he sent a petition, with the voice of the people, unto the governor of the land, desiring that he should read it, and give him (Moroni) power to compel those dissenters to defend their country or to put them to death (v. 15).  For it was his first care to put an end to such contentions and dissensions among the people; for behold, this had been hitherto a cause of all their destruction. And it came to pass that it was granted according to the voice of the people (v. 16).”  The voice of the people wanted Moroni to compel the king-men to fight against Amalickiah, or put them to death for dissenting.  The people knew that God had allowed them to be defeated in the past because of dissenters.

“And it came to pass that Moroni commanded that his army should go against those king-men, to pull down their pride and their nobility and level them with the earth, or they should take up arms and support the cause of liberty (v. 17).  And it came to pass that the armies did march forth against them; and they did pull down their pride and their nobility, insomuch that as they did lift their weapons of war to fight against the men of Moroni they were hewn down and leveled to the earth (v. 18 ).  And it came to pass that there were four thousand of those dissenters who were hewn down by the sword; and those of their leaders who were not slain in battle were taken and cast into prison, for there was no time for their trials at this period (v. 19).”  The king-men were compelled to fight and those who were not (4,000 men) were killed for dissenting.  We see from this example, just how valuable we should consider our freedom.

Freedom should be worth more than life itself, because it is an eternal principle.  In 2 Nephi 2:25-27 we read, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy (v. 25).  And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given (v. 26).  Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself (v. 27).”  Choosing to be free is standing on the Lord’s side, where choosing otherwise is standing on the side of Satan.  It is the cause of the same battle which we fought in heaven in the pre-existence and we continue to fight it here.

Those king-men who were compelled to fight, raised the title of liberty and stood to defend their country against enemies.  There were no longer any king-men, but nephites who were willing to fight for freedom (v. 20-21).  When/If our families become divided, we need to take this same approach, otherwise Satan will have a way into to destroy the entire family.  We must face it head-on like Moroni and say, we must stand together against outside influences that will destroy us.  I can understand why some have taken a stand and said a family member lives by the rules of the home, or they leave, because otherwise they invite temptations into the home that will destroy it.  I hope that I do not have to face this situation myself, and I hope that if I do, I will be strong like Moroni and keep my family strong.

Who is the enemy?

A broom only works when it has all (or most) of it’s straws in place.  If every other straw were removed, it would not clean a floor the was it is meant to do it.  The chapter heading reads, “The king-men seek to change the law and set up a king—Pahoran and the freemen are supported by the voice of the people—Moroni compels the king-men to defend their liberty or be put to death—Amalickiah and the Lamanites capture many fortified cities—Teancum repels the Lamanite invasion and slays Amalickiah in his tent.”  This is much like the way the broom would work.  The king-men are like straw that has been taken out.  Now the defense works only half as good or not at all and the nation is weak enough for outside forces to begin to take over.

While Moroni was dealing with the division of the Nephites, the Lamanites had entered the land of Moroni (v. 22).  The Nephites were not strong enough to protect it, so Amalickiah’s army took over the city (v. 23).  The “civil” war that the Nephites had been fighting, caused them to be weak and unable to keep the Lamanites out.  Some people of the city of Moroni escaped to Nephihah, but the Lamanites defeated it as well (v. 24-25).  The Lamanites took Nephihah, Lehi, Morianton, Omner, Gid, and Mulek (v. 26).  The Lamanites stayed in these cities and took over the fortifications that Moroni had the Nephites build (v. 27). The Lamanites marched and killed many Nephites, until they met Teancum, who had killed Morianton and who the Lamanites had feared (v. 28-30).  Teancum’s men were stronger then the Lamanites (v. 31) and drove the Lamanites away from the land Bountiful (v. 32).

Our nation, being as divided as it is becoming, is getting a lot weaker and if it continues, will have a difficult time defending itself.  We need to be working hard to keep the voice of the people on the Lord’s side, so that we will not be defeated by outside forces.  We can only do this by bringing more to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and his gospel.  Our work in this should be as important to us as our lives, because we are in a sense protecting our freedoms.

Is killing during war considered murder?

In Exodus 20:13 we read, “Thou shalt not kill.”  It is one of the 10 commandments that most God-fearing people are aware of.  I understand it to be one of the sins (along with denying God after knowing the truth) that will cost someone there chance to be exalted, because life is so precious.  But if this were the case for killing no matter what the intention or situation, if would not be a just law.

And it came to pass that when the night had come, Teancum and his servant stole forth and went out by night, and went into the camp of Amalickiah; and behold, sleep had overpowered them because of their much fatigue, which was caused by the labors and heat of the day (v. 33).  And it came to pass that Teancum stole privily into the tent of the king, and put a javelin to his heart; and he did cause the death of the king immediately that he did not awake his servants (v. 34).  And he returned again privily to his own camp, and behold, his men were asleep, and he awoke them and told them all the things that he had done (v. 35).  And he caused that his armies should stand in readiness, lest the Lamanites had awakened and should come upon them (v. 36).  And thus endeth the twenty and fifth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi; and thus endeth the days of Amalickiah (v. 37).”

In order to help end the war, Teancum killed king Amalickiah.  This saved a lot of righteous souls from death.  The intentions of Teancum, were to protect the freedom and liberty of the people of God.  In comparison to someone who would kill for money, Teancum did not seek for personal gain by killing someone.  War should not be used as the solution to all problems between nations, or even within nations.  If solutions can be made otherwise, we should try to make those.  But we know that entering into war is okay as a defense.  In this defense, people will be killed.  Elder Boyd K. Packer said, “If, harkening to that call and obeying those in command over them, they shall take the lives of those who fight against them, that will not make them murderers, nor subject them to the penalty that God has prescribed for those who kill.”  I know this to be true by evidence of the spirit.  I know that there are times when righteous people must kill others out of duty or defense of things that are precious.  I know that God is just and knows the true intentions of our hearts.  Mankind will be judged accordingly when it comes to those who kill.

Alma, Chapter 50

Protecting cities and families

“And now it came to pass that Moroni did not stop making preparations for war, or to defend his people against the Lamanites; for he caused that his armies should commence in the commencement of the twentieth year of the reign of the judges, that they should commence in digging up heaps of earth round about all the cities, throughout all the land which was possessed by the Nephites (v. 1).  And upon the top of these ridges of earth he caused that there should be timbers, yea, works of timbers built up to the height of a man, round about the cities (v. 2).  And he caused that upon those works of timbers there should be a frame of pickets built upon the timbers round about; and they were strong and high (v. 3).  And he caused towers to be erected that overlooked those works of pickets, and he caused places of security to be built upon those towers, that the stones and the arrows of the Lamanites could not hurt them (v. 4).  And they were prepared that they could cast stones from the top thereof, according to their pleasure and their strength, and slay him who should attempt to approach near the walls of the city (v. 5).”

Moroni started right into preparing again, once the new year started.  I think he knew that with the Lamanites, they needed to always be prepared.  The made heaps of dirt covered with timbers, pickets, towers and on those towers were places of security. I’m sure this was a lot of work, but preparation against enemies isn’t usually easy.  Preparation for anything, takes time and effort and the more we are willing to put into it, the more prepared we will be.

“Thus Moroni did prepare strongholds against the coming of their enemies, round about every city in all the land (v. 6).  And it came to pass that Moroni caused that his armies should go forth into the east wilderness; yea, and they went forth and drove all the Lamanites who were in the east wilderness into their own lands, which were south of the land of Zarahemla (v. 7).”  They got rid of all who could be an enemy to the Nephites.  ”And the land of Nephi did run in a straight course from the east sea to the west (v. 8 ).  And it came to pass that when Moroni had driven all the Lamanites out of the east wilderness, which was north of the lands of their own possessions, he caused that the inhabitants who were in the land of Zarahemla and in the land round about should go forth into the east wilderness, even to the borders by the seashore, and possess the land (v. 9).”  They took possession of all their land.  ”And he also placed armies on the south, in the borders of their possessions, and caused them to erect fortifications that they might secure their armies and their people from the hands of their enemies (v. 10).”  They continued to fortify the land.  ”And thus he cut off all the strongholds of the Lamanites in the east wilderness, yea, and also on the west, fortifying the line between the Nephites and the Lamanites, between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Nephi, from the west sea, running by the head of the river Sidon—the Nephites possessing all the land northward, yea, even all the land which was northward of the land Bountiful, according to their pleasure (v. 11).”

Moroni knew the importance of fortifying each city, because together we are only as strong as our weakest link.  If one city was easy to conquer, then it wouldn’t be hard for the Lamanites to begin to take over the land.  In the same way, our families are only as strong as our weakest member.  Once Satan creeps in, it is so much easier for him to attack other members of the family, so we must remember to fortify and prepare our whole family against him.  We must protect against Satan’s weapons, such as contention, bad friends, negative influences of things like tv and the internet, and so on.  We need to put up our own “walls” for protection, by doing those things that will keep the spirit of discernment strong;  such as family prayer and family home evening.  When we allow the enemy to get close to us, the way that some Lamanites were close to their land, we invite temptations to affect our families.  We need to keep our family away from the “edge”, by pushing these things far away from our homes.  We also need to build our walls to be stronger by remaining steadfast in our family rules.  Doing things like keeping our computers out of private places where temptations can get the better of us and so on.

What brings happiness?

I am more happy when times are good rather then in times of difficulty.  I particularly enjoy when my family is getting along and having fun together, which are the moments that bring me the most joy.  When times are hard, stress and contention make it harder to enjoy things.  I can still find joy in hard times though, through realizing when I am doing what is right even though it’s hard.  When defeating the “odds” I am happy for my success.

The Nephites are not going through a particularly good time right now.  They are dealing with wars, which are always difficult.  ”But behold there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni, yea, even at this time, in the twenty and first year of the reign of the judges (v. 23).”  I’m sure the Nephites found strength and happiness by facing their challenges together with God.

It was a difficult time to be preparing for war, but they were gathering more of an army and building more cities, and in that way they were becoming stronger (v. 13-16).  The became prosperous and strengthened in number (v. 17-18 ).  They were being blessed by God for their righteousness as their ancestors had been promised (v. 19-20).  They were blessed for listening to the righteous leaders, such as Moroni.  They were hard workers and cared for the protection of others.  We can be just like them today.  If we are hard workers for the Lord, if we want to follow the prophet and other church leaders, if we fortify our homes and help others to do the same, we will be blessed also.  The only thing that can keep us from being happy is choosing to allow satan to influence us.  It is satan who tempts us to be selfish and to become depressed with our situations.  It is satan who encourages contention in our homes.  We need to be stronger than that, and we are always capable of it, with the help of the Lord.

What really causes war?

“Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord (v. 20).  And we see that these promises have been verified to the people of Nephi; for it has been their quarrelings and their contentions, yea, their murderings, and their plunderings, their idolatry, their whoredoms, and their abominations, which were among themselves, which brought upon them their wars and their destructions (v. 21).  And those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their wicked brethren have been consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites (v. 22).”

We learn hear that the cause of war is the disobedience to God’s laws.  If we keep the commandments we can remain in peace and prosperity, but when we do not keep the commandments we invite our enemies to fight against us.  Our nation as a whole, is not being obedient.  There are many who have decided to forget God completely and live selfishly and “in the moment”.  Our nation as a whole will continue to have our enemies coming against us, unless we have a stronger desire to follow God and his commandments.  It is the job of the faithful members of the church, to teach others how to know and follow God.

A lesson in irony from Morianton

There is a fable that the manual points out, which talks about a dog with a bone in his mouth.  He crossed over a bridge  and looked down into the water.  When he saw his reflection, he thought he saw another dog with a bone that looked bigger than his.  He began to growl and bark at the other dog to get the bone, but because of his own greed, he dropped his bone into the water and lost it.

“And it came to pass that in the commencement of the twenty and fourth year of the reign of the judges, there would also have been peace among the people of Nephi had it not been for a contention which took place among them concerning the land of Lehi, and the land of Morianton, which joined upon the borders of Lehi; both of which were on the borders by the seashore (v. 25).  For behold, the people who possessed the land of Morianton did claim a part of the land of Lehi; therefore there began to be a warm contention between them, insomuch that the people of Morianton took up arms against their brethren, and they were determined by the sword to slay them (v. 26).”  The people of Morianton wanted more land by the water, particularly the land of the people of Lehi.

“But behold, the people who possessed the land of Lehi fled to the camp of Moroni, and appealed unto him for assistance; for behold they were not in the wrong (v. 27).  And it came to pass that when the people of Morianton, who were led by a man whose name was Morianton, found that the people of Lehi had fled to the camp of Moroni, they were exceedingly fearful lest the army of Moroni should come upon them and destroy them (v. 28 ).  Therefore, Morianton put it into their hearts that they should flee to the land which was northward, which was covered with large bodies of water, and take possession of the land which was northward (v. 29).”  They were so set in getting more land near water, that they were willing to leave their land and go to the land northward to possess it.  It seems that Morianton is a man who cares less for the safety of his people than for the power that comes from having land of high value.

“And behold, they would have carried this plan into effect, (which would have been a cause to have been lamented) but behold, Morianton being a man of much passion, therefore he was angry with one of his maid servants, and he fell upon her and beat her much (v. 30).  And it came to pass that she fled, and came over to the camp of Moroni, and told Moroni all things concerning the matter, and also concerning their intentions to flee into the land northward (v. 31).”  Because of Morianton’s behavior, his plan to flee was not going to be a success.  He was clearly not living righteously and not leading his people righteously either.

“Now behold, the people who were in the land Bountiful, or rather Moroni, feared that they would hearken to the words of Morianton and unite with his people, and thus he would obtain possession of those parts of the land, which would lay a foundation for serious consequences among the people of Nephi, yea, which consequences would lead to the overthrow of their liberty (v. 32).  Therefore Moroni sent an army, with their camp, to head the people of Morianton, to stop their flight into the land northward (v. 33).  And it came to pass that they did not head them until they had come to the borders of the land Desolation; and there they did head them, by the narrow pass which led by the sea into the land northward, yea, by the sea, on the west and on the east (v. 34).  And it came to pass that the army which was sent by Moroni, which was led by a man whose name was Teancum, did meet the people of Morianton; and so stubborn were the people of Morianton, (being inspired by his wickedness and his flattering words) that a battle commenced between them, in the which Teancum did slay Morianton and defeat his army, and took them prisoners, and returned to the camp of Moroni. And thus ended the twenty and fourth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi (v. 35).  And thus were the people of Morianton brought back. And upon their covenanting to keep the peace they were restored to the land of Morianton, and a union took place between them and the people of Lehi; and they were also restored to their lands (v. 36).”

In the end, Morianton was killed in battle and his people were taken as prisoners until they made a covenant of peace.  Morianton was greedy like the dog in the fable.  He saw land that others had and wanted it.  It led to a battle with the Nephite army and he foolishly gave up his own land for his life.  They would have lost far less, if they would have settled their dispute with the people of Lehi rather than doing what they did.  This is why greed can be such a bad characteristic.  When we are greedy, we often give up wonderful blessings for something we think is worth more.  Even if we are successful in getting it, it will never satisfy us.  This is why the gospel teaches us to find happiness in what we have and to be more grateful.  We can avoid greed by being more grateful to God for what he has given us.

Note:  At this time, Nephihah, the second chief judge, died, and his son, Pahoran took his place (v. 37-40).

Alma, Chapter 49

What was the difference between the two attacks on the city of Ammonihah?

In Alma 16 we read that the city of Ammonihah fell in one day and was completely destroyed by the Lamanites (v. 2, 9-10).  The reason the fall was so fast and destructive was because of the wickedness of the Nephites at the time.

“And now it came to pass in the eleventh month of the nineteenth year, on the tenth day of the month, the armies of the Lamanites were seen approaching towards the land of Ammonihah (v. 1).  And behold, the city had been rebuilt, and Moroni had stationed an army by the borders of the city, and they had cast up dirt round about to shield them from the arrows and the stones of the Lamanites; for behold, they fought with stones and with arrows (v. 2).”  This time the city had been protected under the direction of Moroni.

“Behold, I said that the city of Ammonihah had been rebuilt. I say unto you, yea, that it was in part rebuilt; and because the Lamanites had destroyed it once because of the iniquity of the people, they supposed that it would again become an easy prey for them (v. 3).  But behold, how great was their disappointment; for behold, the Nephites had dug up a ridge of earth round about them, which was so high that the Lamanites could not cast their stones and their arrows at them that they might take effect, neither could they come upon them save it was by their place of entrance (v. 4).”  The last time the fought against Ammonihah, it was an unbelievably easy target for them.  The Lamanites were met this time with unexpected barriers which prevented them from an easy attack.  (They did not realize that this time, God was on the side of the Nephites.)

“Now at this time the chief captains of the Lamanites were astonished exceedingly, because of the wisdom of the Nephites in preparing their places of security (v. 5).  Now the leaders of the Lamanites had supposed, because of the greatness of their numbers, yea, they supposed that they should be privileged to come upon them as they had hitherto done; yea, and they had also prepared themselves with shields, and with breastplates; and they had also prepared themselves with garments of skins, yea, very thick garments to cover their nakedness (v. 6).  And being thus prepared they supposed that they should easily overpower and subject their brethren to the yoke of bondage, or slay and massacre them according to their pleasure (v. 7).”  The Lamanites assumed that they had the numbers to win and they also were smart enough this time to give themselves some protection.  But they did not assume that the Nephites would be so smart this time.

“But behold, to their uttermost astonishment, they were prepared for them, in a manner which never had been known among the children of Lehi. Now they were prepared for the Lamanites, to battle after the manner of the instructions of Moroni (v. 8 ).  And it came to pass that the Lamanites, or the Amalickiahites, were exceedingly astonished at their manner of preparation for war (v. 9).  Now, if king Amalickiah had come down out of the land of Nephi, at the head of his army, perhaps he would have caused the Lamanites to have attacked the Nephites at the city of Ammonihah; for behold, he did care not for the blood of his people (v. 10).  But behold, Amalickiah did not come down himself to battle. And behold, his chief captains durst not attack the Nephites at the city of Ammonihah, for Moroni had altered the management of affairs among the Nephites, insomuch that the Lamanites were disappointed in their places of retreat and they could not come upon them (v. 11).  Therefore they retreated into the wilderness, and took their camp and marched towards the land of Noah, supposing that to be the next best place for them to come against the Nephites (v. 12).”  The Lamanites were greatly surprised by the preparations of the Nephites, and seeing that Ammonihah was not such an easy target, they retreated and headed toward the city of Noah instead.

This was the second time that the Lamanites saw the Nephites being prepared for war under the direction of Moroni and how unbelievably prepared they were.  The Lord has blessed Moroni with the knowledge of a great defense when it comes to battles.  It is because Moroni is also a man of God, that he was able to do this for the Nephites.  If we are also people of God, than the Lord will bless us with the strength and the intelligence to be prepared for our battles.

The Lamanites found the city of Noah protected as well (v. 13-14).  Moroni knew they would try this city second, so he put Lehi in charge there and the Lamanites were afraid of Lehi (v. 15-17).  The Lamanites tried to fight at the entrance of Noah, but were not successful and many of them died (v. 18-22).

What difference does a righteous leader make?

A great leader can make all the difference to a sports team or a company.  They have the ability to instruct the people and have them do what is best for the team.  There have been many times when I have heard of a failing company who got new leadership and began to succeed.  The people in the companies are usually the same, but it is the new leader (and their new skills) that make the difference.

A description of Captain Moroni:  He was strong and mighty, had perfect understanding, ”did not delight in bloodshed”, and “did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country” and the freedom of his brothers.  He was grateful to God, was a hard worker when it came to the welfare of his people, was “firm in the faith of Christ”, and a powerful, righteous example to all men (Alma 48:11-13, 17).

On the other hand, a description of Amalickiah:  He did not care for his people (see v. 10 above), he was easily angered by his people (v. 26), he was not a man of God and was out for the blood of Moroni because he was jealous of his strength in leadership of the Nepites (v. 27).

I know that I would much rather be led by a man who loved and cared for his people, than one who was angry and cared for himself much more than others.  The Nephites were blessed in their wars because they were led by God through Moroni, where the Lamanites did not have God on their side.  Moroni was not the only righteous person among the Nephites.  ”Yea, and there was continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God, which was declared unto them by Helaman, and Shiblon, and Corianton, and Ammon and his brethren, yea, and by all those who had been ordained by the holy order of God, being baptized unto repentance, and sent forth to preach among the people (v. 30).”   They were being led by several righteous men, and the people were living righteously as well.

We have many examples of righteous leaders such as Moroni and Helaman.  Personally, when I think of examples in my life I first think of the prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  He is a wonderful, righteous man and is leading our church under the direction of God.  I also think of my stake president, who is a man with such love for the stake, that I know he would never try to lead us astray.  There are also examples around us that I would equate to Amalickiah.  I think many of the leaders of our nation right now are not righteous people with God on their side.  I think they are seeking to take away the freedoms that God has given us and are much more concerned with themselves.

Why were the Nephites so well prepared for war?

“Preparation precedes performance.”  When we want to do well at something, we must prepare.  If we want to play the piano well for a concert or recital, we have to learn and practice often.  If we want to succeed in business, we also have to learn what is necessary and gain the skills needed before we attempt to have our own business.  If we want to get into a good college, we have to try our best in earlier education and take steps to prepare ourselves before turning in our applications.

“Thus the Nephites had all power over their enemies; and thus the Lamanites did attempt to destroy the Nephites until their chief captains were all slain; yea, and more than a thousand of the Lamanites were slain; while, on the other hand, there was not a single soul of the Nephites which was slain (v. 23).”  The Nephites killed the captains of the Lamanites and many of the Lamanites were injured where they were not protected (v. 24).  They retreated and told Amalickiah what had happened (v. 25).  ”And it came to pass, that on the other hand, the people of Nephi did thank the Lord their God, because of his matchless power in delivering them from the hands of their enemies (v. 28 ).”

The Nephites were prepared with protection of their cities, under the direction of Moroni (see v. 4 above).  They had “all power over their enemies” because they had every advantage in this battle. They ultimately had God on their side, which gave them all this power.  When they were victorious, they thanked God, because they knew that He was the reason they were successful.  We have been given all the tools to prepare for our own battles, if we heed the prophets, follow the commandments, and remember to thank the Lord for everything He has given us, we will be successful and have “all power” over our own enemies as well.

 

Alma, Chapter 48

Preparation precedes performance

In order to become a great athlete, a person must train, practice, eat right, and more.  It is usually something that takes a lot of time to be prepared for actual games or events.  For some sports, it is helpful to learn about others that you compete against.  This gives an advantage that one would not otherwise have.  When a player knows the opponents strengths or weaknesses it helps them know how to use those to their advantage by avoiding or causing the opponent to expose them.  If I were a coach, I would prefer players with a strength of character over those with strength of body, because they are usually easier to work with and more dependable.

“And now it came to pass that, as soon as Amalickiah had obtained the kingdom he began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephi; yea, he did appoint men to speak unto the Lamanites from their towers, against the Nephites (v. 1).  And thus he did inspire their hearts against the Nephites, insomuch that in the latter end of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges, he having accomplished his designs thus far, yea, having been made king over the Lamanites, he sought also to reign over all the land, yea, and all the people who were in the land, the Nephites as well as the Lamanites (v. 2).  Therefore he had accomplished his design, for he had hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them up to anger, insomuch that he had gathered together a numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites (v. 3).  For he was determined, because of the greatness of the number of his people, to overpower the Nephites and to bring them into bondage (v. 4).  And thus he did appoint chief captains of the Zoramites, they being the most acquainted with the strength of the Nephites, and their places of resort, and the weakest parts of their cities; therefore he appointed them to be chief captains over his armies (v. 5).  And it came to pass that they took their camp, and moved forth toward the land of Zarahemla in the wilderness (v. 6).”

Amalickiah “inspired their hearts”, which hardened them, “blinded their minds”, and “stirred them up to anger” against the Nephites.  He did this so that he could use them to get control over all the land and have the Nephites (whom he dissented from) under his control.  ”Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, (v. 7)…”  Amalickiah used the tactics of fraud and deceit a lot like Satan.

“… Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God (v. 7).  Yea, he had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites, and erecting small forts, or places of resort; throwing up banks of earth round about to enclose his armies, and also building walls of stone to encircle them about, round about their cities and the borders of their lands; yea, all round about the land (v. 8 ).  And in their weakest fortifications he did place the greater number of men; and thus he did fortify and strengthen the land which was possessed by the Nephites (v. 9).  And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians (v. 10).”

Amalickiah was focused on rising the people to anger and preparing them by devising his plan of attack against the Nephites.  Meanwhile, Moroni was preparing the people by arming them with the support of God.  He also led them to build places of protection around their land.  He led them to strengthen their weakest places and made the focus a strong defense against any Lamanite attacks.

We are under attack by the world and worldly ways today.  People are choosing to rise up in anger against true Christian beliefs.  They are set on destroying marriage and family as it was designed by God.  They are following Satan’s plan to destroy the freedoms that God has allowed us to enjoy.  We need to apply Moroni’s strategy in our personal lives, our family lives, and so on.  We need to be faithful to God, build forts around the things we value most, add greater protection where we are the weakest and be prepared for the attacks of Satan and those who want to takes these precious things from us.  We do these things really by doing the little everyday things we have been told by the prophets would protect us.  These include, personal and family scripture study, personal and family prayer, family home evening, family council, writing in our journals, going to church regularly and partaking of the sacrament worthily, be worthy to go to the temple and serving there as often as we can, and so on.  If our priority is protecting the things that God values the most for us, than these things will be common in our lives and not difficult to do.  The more we make them a habit, the easier they are and the greater protection they will provide to us and our families.  I want to be a player with strength of character, so that the Savior will make up the difference in my strength of body and I will win.

How can I become more like Moroni?

Today the worldly eyes consider those with beauty, money, fame, and so on, to be popular.  The focus is on how much those in the “limelight” can get into trouble and how they can manage to get out of it, without having normal consequences.  There are a few exceptions to who may be considered popular today, but I would say most are not people that I would want my children looking up to.

“And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery (v. 11); Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people (v. 12).  Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood (v. 13).”

Moroni was popular in the eyes of our Father in Heaven because he understood the gospel, he found joy in liberty and freedom, he did not wish to hurt others or put them in bondage, he was grateful to God for all he had, he was a hard worker, he was faithful and took his oaths seriously.  These are all qualities that we can and should develop in our own lives, through trying each day to live righteously.  I think if I can focus my life on understanding and coming to know my Heavenly Father and my Savior, these things will become a strong part of my character as well.

“Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men (v. 17).”  We are not all like Moroni and we may never be as strong as that, but we must all be trying to be a person of the same kind of character.  He may not have the physical strength of Moroni, but I believe that our prophet to day is a man with character like Moroni.  I know that we have many people who lead us that are like Moroni. I also know that there are many with this strength of character, who fight on the Lord’s side, who are soldiers in the army, not leaders.  And this is okay.  I want to develop these great qualities in my own life, because they are truly Christ-like qualities and will help us to protect ourselves and others from the world and from the temptations of Satan.

What were the Nephites attitudes towards war?

We hear about war and rumors of war very often right now because of a fight against terrorism that started years ago.  When I think about it, I wonder if this will be a fight we continue until the second coming.  I know we are doing it to fight for our freedom and for the freedom of other people in other nations. In D&C 98:33-36 we read, “And again, this is the law that I gave unto mine ancients, that they should not go out unto battle against any nation, kindred, tongue, or people, save I, the Lord, commanded them (v. 33).  And if any nation, tongue, or people should proclaim war against them, they should first lift a standard of peace unto that people, nation, or tongue (v. 34); And if that people did not accept the offering of peace, neither the second nor the third time, they should bring these testimonies before the Lord (v. 35); Then I, the Lord, would give unto them a commandment, and justify them in going out to battle against that nation, tongue, or people (v. 36).”  It is a commandment that we should not go to war unless told by God to do it, and only after we have exhausted our attempts at peace.

“Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives (v. 14).  And this was their faith, that by so doing God would prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to their danger (v. 15); And also, that God would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing, the Lord would deliver them; and this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity (v. 16).”  The Nephites taught about defending themselves and depending on the Lord to direct their defense.

Moroni was a man of God, like Alma and the sons of Mosiah. Helaman and his brothers, the sons of Alma (the younger) were also men of God, who preached to the people.  They brought peace to the Nephites, by baptizing and leading the church (v. 18-20).

“But, as I have said, in the latter end of the nineteenth year, yea, notwithstanding their peace amongst themselves, they were compelled reluctantly to contend with their brethren, the Lamanites (v. 21).  Yea, and in fine, their wars never did cease for the space of many years with the Lamanites, notwithstanding their much reluctance (v. 22).  Now, they were sorry to take up arms against the Lamanites, because they did not delight in the shedding of blood; yea, and this was not all—they were sorry to be the means of sending so many of their brethren out of this world into an eternal world, unprepared to meet their God (v. 23).  Nevertheless, they could not suffer to lay down their lives, that their wives and their children should be massacred by the barbarous cruelty of those who were once their brethren, yea, and had dissented from their church, and had left them and had gone to destroy them by joining the Lamanites (v. 24).  Yea, they could not bear that their brethren should rejoice over the blood of the Nephites, so long as there were any who should keep the commandments of God, for the promise of the Lord was, if they should keep his commandments they should prosper in the land (v. 25).”

The Nephites did not want to fight, but they knew they had to in order to protect their families and values.  The Lamanites on the other hand were anxious to kill as many Nephites as it took to bring them under their control.  They were definitely to different kinds of people fighting in these battles.  In 3 Nephi 12:43-44 we read, “And behold it is written also, that thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy (v. 43); But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you (v.44);”  These are the words of the Savior, and he has told us that we need to pray, bless, and do good to those who are our enemies.  This can be such a difficult thing, when they threaten us, even to the point of taking away all that we hold dear.  I think the only way sometimes, to love our enemies, is to truly submit to the Lord and pray earnestly.  It is completely against human nature and must be worked on daily.  I know I want to try harder to pray for those who are my enemies.  I know that when I do, the Lord will bless me to know what I can do to protect myself and my family.

Alma, Chapter 47

The lies and trickery of Amalickiah

Usually people who become kings or queens have been born into the position, or married into it.  Then there are those who try to fight, force, sneak, and so on, to get the position.  Amalickiah had just tried to become king of the Nephites (see previous post) and had failed.  He was determined and had now changed his target.

“Now we will return in our record to Amalickiah and those who had fled with him into the wilderness; for, behold, he had taken those who went with him, and went up in the land of Nephi among the Lamanites, and did stir up the Lamanites to anger against the people of Nephi, insomuch that the king of the Lamanites sent a proclamation throughout all his land, among all his people, that they should gather themselves together again to go to battle against the Nephites (v. 1).  And it came to pass that when the proclamation had gone forth among them they were exceedingly afraid; yea, they feared to displease the king, and they also feared to go to battle against the Nephites lest they should lose their lives. And it came to pass that they would not, or the more part of them would not, obey the commandments of the king (v. 2).  And now it came to pass that the king was wroth because of their disobedience; therefore he gave Amalickiah the command of that part of his army which was obedient unto his commands, and commanded him that he should go forth and compel them to arms (v. 3).  Now behold, this was the desire of Amalickiah; for he being a very subtle man to do evil therefore he laid the plan in his heart to dethrone the king of the Lamanites (v. 4).  And now he had got the command of those parts of the Lamanites who were in favor of the king; and he sought to gain favor of those who were not obedient; therefore he went forward to the place which was called Onidah, for thither had all the Lamanites fled; for they discovered the army coming, and, supposing that they were coming to destroy them, therefore they fled to Onidah, to the place of arms (v. 5).  And they had appointed a man to be a king and a leader over them, being fixed in their minds with a determined resolution that they would not be subjected to go against the Nephites (v. 6).  And it came to pass that they had gathered themselves together upon the top of the mount which was called Antipas, in preparation to battle (v. 7).  Now it was not Amalickiah’s intention to give them battle according to the commandments of the king; but behold, it was his intention to gain favor with the armies of the Lamanites, that he might place himself at their head and dethrone the king and take possession of the kingdom (v. 8 ).”

Amalickiah had escaped the Nephite army and reached the Lamanites.  He stirred them to anger, just as Moroni had said he would.  The king commanded that all should prepare to go to battle against the Nephites and when some refused, he put Amalickiah in charge of the army and told him to force the people to join in the battle.  Amalickiah devised a plan to get rid of the king and started by going to Antipas, to those who had not wanted to fight against the Nephites.

“And behold, it came to pass that he caused his army to pitch their tents in the valley which was near the mount Antipas (v. 9).  And it came to pass that when it was night he sent a secret embassy into the mount Antipas, desiring that the leader of those who were upon the mount, whose name was Lehonti, that he should come down to the foot of the mount, for he desired to speak with him (v. 10).  And it came to pass that when Lehonti received the message he durst not go down to the foot of the mount. And it came to pass that Amalickiah sent again the second time, desiring him to come down. And it came to pass that Lehonti would not; and he sent again the third time (v. 11).  And it came to pass that when Amalickiah found that he could not get Lehonti to come down off from the mount, he went up into the mount, nearly to Lehonti’s camp; and he sent again the fourth time his message unto Lehonti, desiring that he would come down, and that he would bring his guards with him (v. 12).  And it came to pass that when Lehonti had come down with his guards to Amalickiah, that Amalickiah desired him to come down with his army in the night-time, and surround those men in their camps over whom the king had given him command, and that he would deliver them up into Lehonti’s hands, if he would make him (Amalickiah) a second leader over the whole army (v. 13).  And it came to pass that Lehonti came down with his men and surrounded the men of Amalickiah, so that before they awoke at the dawn of day they were surrounded by the armies of Lehonti (v. 14).  And it came to pass that when they saw that they were surrounded, they plead with Amalickiah that he would suffer them to fall in with their brethren, that they might not be destroyed. Now this was the very thing which Amalickiah desired (v. 15).”

Amalickiah asked the leader of these people, Lehonti, to come down and talk to him.  Lehonti refused three times.  Amalickiah went closer and told him to come with his guards to talk and Lehonti gave in.  He told Lehonti that he had a plan that Lehonti’s army should come down and gather round the army he had brought with him.  He told him that he would allow him to take charge over that army, if he made him second in command.  He appealed to Lehonti’s desire for greater power and so he did just what Amalickiah had suggested.  Amalickiah’s army begged for their lives and became subject to Lehonti’s army.

“And it came to pass that he delivered his men, contrary to the commands of the king. Now this was the thing that Amalickiah desired, that he might accomplish his designs in dethroning the king (v. 16).  Now it was the custom among the Lamanites, if their chief leader was killed, to appoint the second leader to be their chief leader (v. 17).  And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died (v. 18 ).  Now, when Lehonti was dead, the Lamanites appointed Amalickiah to be their leader and their chief commander (v. 19).”

Amalickiah became the second in command and had his servant poison Lehonti.  Once Lehonti was dead, he took command of the entire army, just as the custom was for the second in command to do.  Now he was over an army who did not have the intentions to do what the king had commanded.

“And it came to pass that Amalickiah marched with his armies (for he had gained his desires) to the land of Nephi, to the city of Nephi, which was the chief city (v. 20).  And the king came out to meet him with his guards, for he supposed that Amalickiah had fulfilled his commands, and that Amalickiah had gathered together so great an army to go against the Nephites to battle (v. 21).  But behold, as the king came out to meet him Amalickiah caused that his servants should go forth to meet the king. And they went and bowed themselves before the king, as if to reverence him because of his greatness (v. 22).  And it came to pass that the king put forth his hand to raise them, as was the custom with the Lamanites, as a token of peace, which custom they had taken from the Nephites (v. 23).  And it came to pass that when he had raised the first from the ground, behold he stabbed the king to the heart; and he fell to the earth (v. 24).  Now the servants of the king fled; and the servants of Amalickiah raised a cry, saying (v. 25):  Behold, the servants of the king have stabbed him to the heart, and he has fallen and they have fled; behold, come and see (v. 26).  And it came to pass that Amalickiah commanded that his armies should march forth and see what had happened to the king; and when they had come to the spot, and found the king lying in his gore, Amalickiah pretended to be wroth, and said: Whosoever loved the king, let him go forth, and pursue his servants that they may be slain (v. 27).  And it came to pass that all they who loved the king, when they heard these words, came forth and pursued after the servants of the king (v. 28 ).  Now when the servants of the king saw an army pursuing after them, they were frightened again, and fled into the wilderness, and came over into the land of Zarahemla and joined the people of Ammon (v. 29).  And the army which pursued after them returned, having pursued after them in vain; and thus Amalickiah, by his fraud, gained the hearts of the people (v. 30).”

Amalickiah returned to the king with his army.  The king came to meet Amalickiah, but he had sent his guard instead.  The servant of Amalickiah killed the king and made it seem like the king’s servant had killed him.  Amalickiah took the army to see, pretended to be angry and told his army that whoever loved the king should go kill the servants who did this.  Those servants were able to get away.  Amalickiah had tricked the Lamanites into supporting him.

“And it came to pass on the morrow he entered the city Nephi with his armies, and took possession of the city (v. 31).  And now it came to pass that the queen, when she had heard that the king was slain—for Amalickiah had sent an embassy to the queen informing her that the king had been slain by his servants, that he had pursued them with his army, but it was in vain, and they had made their escape (v. 32)—Therefore, when the queen had received this message she sent unto Amalickiah, desiring him that he would spare the people of the city; and she also desired him that he should come in unto her; and she also desired him that he should bring witnesses with him to testify concerning the death of the king (v. 33).  And it came to pass that Amalickiah took the same servant that slew the king, and all them who were with him, and went in unto the queen, unto the place where she sat; and they all testified unto her that the king was slain by his own servants; and they said also: They have fled; does not this testify against them? And thus they satisfied the queen concerning the death of the king (v. 34).  And it came to pass that Amalickiah sought the favor of the queen, and took her unto him to wife; and thus by his fraud, and by the assistance of his cunning servants, he obtained the kingdom; yea, he was acknowledged king throughout all the land, among all the people of the Lamanites, who were composed of the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites, and all the dissenters of the Nephites, from the reign of Nephi down to the present time (v. 35).”

Amalickiah took his army and took over the city of Nephi.  He sent word to the queen that the king had been killed.  She wanted to hear from witnesses that this was true.  Amalickiah took some to her and they told her what they believed had happened.  She was convinced by his lies.  Then Amalickiah married the queen and became the king over all of the Lamanites.

Amalickiah had devised this wicked plan and it worked just as he had wanted it to.  It was a smart and cunning way to get rid of the king, without making himself look bad to anyone.  He planned these evil things and yet, never even killed anyone with his own hands.  He was a tool in the hands of Satan.  This just shows that Satan has the power to use very smart people to do his bidding.  And just like Satan, Amalickiah used flattery to appeal to the lamanites and he knew just what their weaknesses were and convinced them by appealing to their pride and other unrighteous desires.  In D&C 10:43 we read, “I will not suffer that they shall destroy my work; yea, I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.”  If we want to avoid the cunning powers of Satan and his followers, we need to stand firm on the Lord’s side.  We need to have faith, in this scripture which reminds us that God is greater in wisdom than Satan and he will not let Satan win.

Why do those who leave the Lord often entirely forget him?

A dissenter is one who choses to leave the group because they have a difference of opinion.  Those who dissented from the Nephites, were those who had a difference of opinion to the church.  It is not always easy to live the strict lifestyle that comes with being a member of the gospel and many had decided they would rather not follow any longer.

“Now these dissenters, having the same instruction and the same information of the Nephites, yea, having been instructed in the same knowledge of the Lord, nevertheless, it is strange to relate, not long after their dissensions they became more hardened and impenitent, and more wild, wicked and ferocious than the Lamanites—drinking in with the traditions of the Lamanites; giving way to indolence, and all manner of lasciviousness; yea, entirely forgetting the Lord their God (v. 36).”

Those who had dissented, had had all the same teachings of the gospel, as the Nephites had had.  But now, in contrast to the Nephites, they had become the most wicked of the Lamanites and had forgotten God entirely.  It is so true that when people fall away from the church, they fall hard.  You’d have to, to deny the spirit and the testimony of Jesus Christ.  The only way to justify doing it, is to deny it all together and then it is a short road to forgetting God entirely.  Once a person reaches this point, it is hard to go back.  And the scriptures tell us that the sin of those who deny God, is the worst and will be rewarded by outer darkness and misery in the eternities.  This is the desire of Satan, for others to join him.  I hope that I can continue to be mindful of my temptations, so that I will not fall into this trap and suffer for it forever.

Alma, Chapter 46

“And thus we see”

This phrase is often used in the Book of Mormon, when Mormon was giving us the moral of the story.  ”And it came to pass that as many as would not hearken to the words of Helaman and his brethren were gathered together against their brethren (v. 1).  And now behold, they were exceedingly wroth, insomuch that they were determined to slay them (v. 2).  Now the leader of those who were wroth against their brethren was a large and a strong man; and his name was Amalickiah (v. 3).  And Amalickiah was desirous to be a king; and those people who were wroth were also desirous that he should be their king; and they were the greater part of them the lower judges of the land, and they were seeking for power (v. 4).  And they had been led by the flatteries of Amalickiah, that if they would support him and establish him to be their king that he would make them rulers over the people (v. 5).  Thus they were led away by Amalickiah to dissensions, notwithstanding the preaching of Helaman and his brethren, yea, notwithstanding their exceedingly great care over the church, for they were high priests over the church (v. 6).  And there were many in the church who believed in the flattering words of Amalickiah, therefore they dissented even from the church; and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi exceedingly precarious and dangerous, notwithstanding their great victory which they had had over the Lamanites, and their great rejoicings which they had had because of their deliverance by the hand of the Lord (v. 7).”  And thus we see how quickly men are to forget the Lord’s blessings.  And thus we see how those who seek after power can lead the righteous away from God with their cunning words and flatteries.  I think either of these can be learned from this part of the story.

Mormon said, “Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one (v. 8 ).  Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men (v. 9).  Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous’ sake (v. 10).”  I think I understood most of what Mormon felt we should from this story.

What was the title of Liberty?

We sometimes wear things to remind us of our beliefs.  I wear a CTR ring as a reminder to myself and also as a missionary opportunity (Mine is in cursive letters, so I often get people who want to know what it says and this gives me an opportunity to tell them what it stands for as well.)  Others wear the Young Women medallion or a small temple tie tac, and so on.

“And now it came to pass that when Moroni, who was the chief commander of the armies of the Nephites, had heard of these dissensions, he was angry with Amalickiah (v. 11).  And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole (v. 12).  And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land (v. 13)—”

Moroni had led the Nephites through a gruesome battle against the Lamanites, to protect all the things that they valued.  He created the Title of Liberty to remind others what they had done and how God had preserved them because they had been righteous.  He wrote on it, those things that had been the most important things to protect from the Lamanites; God, religion, freedom, peace, and family.

Moroni knew who the Nephites had been before.  He prayed to God that the righteous would be blessed and not trodden down (v. 18 ).  ”And when Moroni had said these words, he went forth among the people, waving the rent part of his garment in the air, that all might see the writing which he had written upon the rent part, and crying with a loud voice, saying (v. 19):  Behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them (v. 20).  And it came to pass that when Moroni had proclaimed these words, behold, the people came running together with their armor girded about their loins, rending their garments in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments (v. 21).  Now this was the covenant which they made, and they cast their garments at the feet of Moroni, saying: We covenant with our God, that we shall be destroyed, even as our brethren in the land northward, if we shall fall into transgression; yea, he may cast us at the feet of our enemies, even as we have cast our garments at thy feet to be trodden under foot, if we shall fall into transgression (v. 22).”

Many of the people were reminded of what was important, when they saw the Title of Liberty and heard Moroni’s call to them.  They made a covenant and tore their clothes, just as Moroni had done to witness the covenant they were making.  I think that part of the reason why this was so effective to the people is that they would have been reminded of how Moroni had led them, and seeing him humbly giving credit of their victory to God was a strong reminder that God was the one who saved them.

“Moroni said unto them: Behold, we are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; yea, we are a remnant of the seed of Joseph, whose coat was rent by his brethren into many pieces; yea, and now behold, let us remember to keep the commandments of God, or our garments shall be rent by our brethren, and we be cast into prison, or be sold, or be slain (v. 23).”  Moroni reminded the people of Joseph of Egypt who was sold by his brothers and his clothes were torn just as they had torn their clothes.

“Yea, let us preserve our liberty as a remnant of Joseph; yea, let us remember the words of Jacob, before his death, for behold, he saw that a part of the remnant of the coat of Joseph was preserved and had not decayed. And he said—Even as this remnant of garment of my son hath been preserved, so shall a remnant of the seed of my son be preserved by the hand of God, and be taken unto himself, while the remainder of the seed of Joseph shall perish, even as the remnant of his garment (v. 24).  Now behold, this giveth my soul sorrow; nevertheless, my soul hath joy in my son, because of that part of his seed which shall be taken unto God (v. 25).”  The coat of many colors (the coat of Joseph) was torn and that part that remained was a reminder of the portion of Joseph’s seed that would be saved for their righteousness.  The Title of Liberty was a representation of this as well.  The part that torn was a reminder of the liberty that God had given them and had been saved because they were righteous.

“And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said these words he went forth, and also sent forth in all the parts of the land where there were dissensions, and gathered together all the people who were desirous to maintain their liberty, to stand against Amalickiah and those who had dissented, who were called Amalickiahites (v. 28 ).”  Those who followed Moroni, wanted to stand together to protect their freedom and liberties.

“And it came to pass that when Amalickiah saw that the people of Moroni were more numerous than the Amalickiahites—and he also saw that his people were doubtful concerning the justice of the cause in which they had undertaken—therefore, fearing that he should not gain the point, he took those of his people who would and departed into the land of Nephi (v. 29).”  Even Amalickiah could see that those who followed him had doubts about their cause.

Moroni knew that the escape of these people would mean they would stir the Lamanites to anger against them (v. 30).  He knew they needed to stop the Amalickiahites (v. 31).  He led his army to cut them off (v. 32).  Amalickiah escaped with a few followers and the rest were taken back to Zarahemla (v. 33).  ”And it came to pass that whomsoever of the Amalickiahites that would not enter into a covenant to support the cause of freedom, that they might maintain a free government, he caused to be put to death; and there were but few who denied the covenant of freedom (v. 35).”  Many were quick to return to their covenants and leave the idea of being ruled by a king.

“And it came to pass also, that he caused the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, which was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites (v. 36).”  Moroni put the title of liberty up on all the towers in the land, as a reminder to the people.

“And they began to have peace again in the land; and thus they did maintain peace in the land until nearly the end of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges (v. 37).  And Helaman and the high priests did also maintain order in the church; yea, even for the space of four years did they have much peace and rejoicing in the church (v. 38 ).”  This constant reminder to them, brought them peace for four years.

I am glad that I have things around me to remind myself, and my family of what is important.  I have pictures of the Savior in my home that are a wonderful reminder.  It is scary how many people in the world today, do not value these precious liberties the way they should.  So many are willing to throw them down to be trodden under the feet of unrighteous men.  I hope that those of us who are trying to do what is right can work to preserve these precious liberties and that we will live in a way that will keep God on our side of this ongoing battle with Satan.

How can people leave this world rejoicing?

If I was to die today, I don’t know that I would have regrets, but I do know that I would wonder if I had done enough.  I wonder if I have done enough service, if I have spent enough time with my family, if I have done enough in my calling.  I am trying to do my best, and I guess that is all I can do.  I trust that at this point in my life, my effort is an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord.

“And it came to pass that there were many who died, firmly believing that their souls were redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ; thus they went out of the world rejoicing (v. 39).  And there were some who died with fevers, which at some seasons of the year were very frequent in the land—but not so much so with fevers, because of the excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases, to which men were subject by the nature of the climate (v. 40)—But there were many who died with old age; and those who died in the faith of Christ are happy in him, as we must needs suppose (v. 41).”  Those who left the world rejoicing had faith and believed in Jesus Christ.  I think that this would cause rejoicing, because if you have faith in Christ and have done your best to live righteously, you believe that his mercy will save you of your shortcomings.  I know that this is true.  I am really happy to be trying to live righteously now and I hope that I can continue to have the will to do what is right and do my best to follow Jesus Christ.