Become impenetrable

Alma 49

The Lamanites are unable to penetrate the defenses of the people of Nephi.  Why would this be?  What changed?  The Nephites followed the words and guidance of their prophet and leader.  This is the same for us today.  As we embrace the gospel, we need to make changes.  We need to change the recipe.  I think this is one quote Clyde gives more than any other to our children.  “Change the recipe.”   You cannot have you hand on the temple while you try to keep friends with Satan.  It just doesn’t work that way.

As the armies of the Lamanites tried to pound the Nephites, I really like this verse.  I’m going to quote it and change it just a little – to match what I feel I went through when I was turning my life around.  It was a conscious effort and it was work – very much like building or fortifying a new city. (verse 4)

Behold, how great was Satan’s disappointment, for behold I had dug up a ridge of earth around me which was so high that Satan could not cast his stones and arrows at me that would take effect.  Neither could he come upon me save it was by my place of entrance.  I guarded carefully who would enter my home, which was my sanctuary.

Satan was astonished because of my wisdom in preparing against his attacks.

Behold, he had supposed that because he had been successful in the past, I would be easy prey; but I had prepared myself with shields and breastplates (faith and righteousness).  Yea, I had prepared myself with very thick garments to cover my nakedness (covenants).

You may wonder where I’m headed with this train of thought.  Again it is my children who are weak that cause me to think in this way.  I had to consciously turn my life around and over to my Savior.   They have made it sound like this was an easy thing for me.  It was NOT!  As we just passed a New Year’s Eve celebration, I’ve thought on this a lot.  My first New Year’s Eve celebration was probably the most miserable holiday of my life.  I probably could have found a way to celebrate in an acceptable way, but I chose to ignore the holiday completely.  I stayed home and entertained myself for the evening.  I don’t remember if Stephanie was with me.  I retired to bed early, and was waked up at midnight by the clanging of pans and hollering outside my home.  I was irritated and hurt that I was in such a lonely place in my life.  I remember putting my pillow over my head and crying because I was not where I really wanted to be yet. 

As I compare that experience with the experience I had last night, I can see that New Year’s Eve can be a delightful experience with friends of like-mindedness who want to have good, clean fun.  Being righteous is not necessarily a lonely experience, though it may be that for a short time until the powers of Satan realize you are serious. 

This chapter teaches us to shore up our defenses.  Have guards at the door.  This means don’t let anyone inside your sacred place – your home until you know they can be trusted.  I was a prude and I know it, but it worked to my advantage as I turned my life around. 

How does this apply to me today?  I think perhaps more as an example to others and I need to make my experience known to others.   I had to go through the same process anyone else is required to go through to change.  There are challenges that need to be met.  The only way to do that is to develop the tools that strengthen, i.e. read scriptures daily, regularly daily morning and evening prayer, activity in the Lord’s work, improving ones life daily.  There really is no other way that I can see.  Satan will continue to chip away at your walls until he realizes they are firmly planted and your are impenetrable.