Weaknesses become Strengths

Alma 48

Amalakiah continues his war against the Nephites.  All my life I have looked at these chapters as war chapters and overlooked the lessons taught.  This chapter teaches the strength of a great man, Moroni.  It also adds that Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable unto the people.  This teaches me that those who were once weak and destructive in nature to themselves as well as the church can change!  What were some of the strengths mentioned in this chapter – strengths that I too can seek to obtain?

• Strong
• Mighty
• Perfect understanding
• Did not delight in bloodshed
• His soul joyed in liberty and the freedom of his country
• His soul found joy in freedom from bondage and slavery
• Thankful to his God for privileges and blessings  (Note he didn’t focus on what wasn’t, which was a lot.)
• He labored exceedingly for the welfare and safety of others
• Firm in the faith of Christ
• True to his covenants
• Taught his people to defend themselves against their enemies
• Taught his people not to raise the first offense

Remember, Helaman and his brothers had these same strengths.  That’s quite a list!   The Lord has told us that we should seek after the best gifts. (D&C 46:7)  The best way I know to do this is to pray that I will have these characteristics and in my own life.  Then to do all in my power to see that it happens.  How should I go about this?  Discipline myself as if I were my own child. 

Clyde had an opportunity to counsel one of our children this week that thinks she is weak.  We are all weak in our own way but we can overcome these weaknesses if we will first identify them.  Know our weak areas as well as Moroni knew which cities needed the most fortification.  After we have done that, then we are responsible to shore up those weaknesses in a way similar, as did Moroni.  If I knew I was going to be tempted to do something that would weaken my character if I were to be around certain people or certain influences, then at all costs I would avoid those people; those influences – no matter if they were life-long friends.  I would consider them to be poison to my soul and salvation for indeed they are.  Perhaps this seems a bit prudish, but remember – I know my weakness and I must protect myself against me. 

I’ve written a note in my margin (I believe it is a quote from a book by John Bytheway).  It says “We need to prepare our minds to be faithful.  This will be our strength.  Our faith will encircle us.  Make covenants; then swords.”  I believe this can be done by taking each of the strengths of Moroni and measuring myself against them.  How is this done?  Examine my weakness as if I were a nation with cities to protect then listen to the spirit to know how to turn these weaknesses into strengths.  I wouldn’t stop there.  I would pray that the Lord would help me turn these weaknesses into strengths.  I would even pray that the Lord would show me my weaknesses that they may become strengths so that I can be more serviceable to the Lord.  (Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.)