What went wrong? What works?

Alma 62 – Moroni and Pahoran wage war against the “Kingmen” – those men who were covenant breakers,  dissenters.  Any not willing to fight for the defense of their country were put to death.

From Vaughn J. Featherstone: “Someone once asked me what I thought about amnesty and draft-card burners and dissenters.  I told him that I thought every one of them should be taken before General Moroni to be judged.”

Pahoran and Moroni retake the land.  Many of the Lamanites join their armies and they grow in strength.

Teancum’s untimely death was unnecessary.  What went wrong?

Verse 35 – Weariness – They were so tired at the end of the day that they slept and “did not resolve upon any stratagem in the night time”.  When we read the word “strategy” in the Book of Mormon, it can be substituted for “inspiration”.  So, did they pray?   If they did, did they quickly fall off to sleep, not listening for answers?  Just a thought.

Verse 36 – Anger – Teancum was angry and rather than seek to follow his commander's orders, he reacted to that anger, took matters into his own hands and killed the king, but lost his own life in the process. 
Proverbs 14:17  He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly. . .

Another lesson is in Verse 40 – “. . . because of the prayers of the righteous, they were spared.”  We must always remember to pray for our leaders to be God fearing, our soldiers to be strong and our country to be protected – among other things. 

And one last lesson  – REMEMBER.  The people began to prosper again.  Why?  They remembered the Lord their God and the great things he had done for them.  How?  They did pray continually.  (verse 51)

Eradicate war? Maybe not.

Alma 61 – Pahoran responds to Moroni’s letter.  There is much that can be learned from Pahoran in his response to Moroni’s letter of reprimand.

• Do not bristle at what Pahoran calls “censorship”.
• Rejoice in the goodness of others
• Stand strong for liberty.
• Resist wickedness even to the extent of bloodshed.
• Trust that God will deliver you if you keep the commandments.  I believe that is called faith.
• Join forces with those whose values are the same as yours.
• Do what you can to strengthen others.

I think one of the most valuable lessons is Pahoran’s fine example.  He blew off the chaff.  We will all receive criticism in our lives at varying times.  The challenge is to not let it put a wedge between us and the person reprimanding – especially if his or her efforts are in righteousness, i.e. a bishop, or religious leader.

I read the newspaper article this morning by the Eyre’s.  I love their articles.  His focus was “tolerance of others” regardless of their beliefs and practices.  If we could teach this level of tolerance to our children throughout the world, we could really eradicate war in a generation. 

Pahoran could just as easily turned on Moroni for his scathing words.  He chose not to.

Now as I re-read this, how does one resist wickedness while tolerating the differences of others?  Maybe it will not happen in this world.

Clean the Inner Vessel

Alma 60 – Moroni sends a letter to Pahoron, chief captain, asking for support and scolding him for their neglect to the very people who are protecting and defending their freedoms.  They need the necessities, i.e. food, water and more soldiers.  He tells Pahoran if they have to, they'll turn their armies on their own people and "clean the inner vessel". 

This isn’t a spiritual thought, but just how do you get enough food to that many people?  What were their resources?  MRE’s?  Jerky is the only thing I can think of that would even moderately sustain and be transportable with what I perceive to be their resources.  Just a curious thought.  I'm always open to suggestions from others.

What pricked my conscience as I read this is I need to spend Wednesdays at the Humanitarian Center again.  It is easy enough to do.  I have just gotten out of the habit.

Prepare and prevent or repent and repair?

Alma 59 – Moroni is getting upset that they have not received help from the government.  They lose the city of Nephihah with a great slaughter.  He knew it would be easier to maintain than to retake it, so he was very sad to hear of its loss and began to doubt because of the peoples’ wickedness which was exceeding.  He was not surprised at the success of the Lamanites over them.

Pres. Benson once said: “It is better to prepare and prevent than to repent and repair.”  This is a major truth and reminds me of another quote I learned as a child, “A stitch in time saves nine.” 

What can I learn from this?  To maintain my testimony and do all in my power to help my family do the same.  How is this done?  As young parents, setting the standard high and never let a day go by without reading from the scriptures, having family prayer and weekly FHE.  Setting a righteous example by attending the temple regularly.  Talk, Talk, Talk.  As empty nesters, the job is not done.  In fact, it’s far from done.  We have little power other than our influence and example of righteousness. 

I listened to an excellent podcast this week about Justin Osmond, son of Merrill Osmond.  He was born 90% deaf and his mother woke him up every day at 5:30 a.m. from the time he was diagnosed at the age of two and did therapy with him.  How?  Reading the scriptures as a family first, and then each of his siblings would go off and do their individual practicing and he and his mother would do his speech therapy.  This is the kind of dedication it takes as a parent.  His speech is nearly undetectable that he doesn’t hear and his testimony is definitely an example of the effects of righteous upbringing – a goal we can all strive for.

Formula for strength

Alma 58 – The army of Helaman is in dire need of help from the government.  Very little comes; but they don’t murmur.  They have amazing faith in the prophecies and their cause – that of defending what is theirs.

Helaman has a strategy (inspiration) to send two groups of men to hide – one on the right; the other left, while he moves the majority of his men into the wilderness.  The Lamanites follow them in hot pursuit.  They stop to sleep assuming the Nephites will do the same.  Helaman’s army forgoes sleep and march in the night time toward the city Manti.  The Nephites regained that city without the shedding of blood!

They were still in need of support, however.  I really like how they handled their trials and there is much to be learned.  Verse 40 gives a checklist:

• Stood fast (in liberty and freedom from God)
• Strict to remember God every day
• Observed to keep statutes, judgments and commandments – continually
• Faith in prophecies
• V35 – They did NOT murmur
• V37 – Trusted God

I’m not certain where we have gotten the idea that life is supposed to be easy.  We know we are on this earth to be tested.  Easy is not a test.  Why do some complain when things get a little tough?  Why do some fall away or turn against the Lord?

The Strippling Warriors give an excellent formula for staying strong.  Who doesn’t want to be strong?  We must learn not to murmur.  The bikers’ mantra is “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” 

How do we stand fast in liberty?  Might this mean political awareness and involvement in the process of electing our community and nation’s leaders?

Strict in remembering God?  Daily scriptures (reading the messages from God), and prayer (praying for guidance).

Trust God.  He has a plan for each one of us.  He did not send us here to fail.  Follow this example and we too can be victorious and strong!