Simple strategy

Alma 58

Helaman, Gid and Teomner strategize and get the Lamanites to withdraw.  There are conflicts, but the sons of Helaman are preserved.  They refuse to murmur over lack of support but turn to the Lord for sustenance.

I love this chapter.  The army of Helaman is in a little trouble because they haven’t received the provisions they need.  They are a little concerned, but have great faith that the Lord is watching out for them.  They didn’t murmur – a key ingredient to keeping the spirit with you.  Instead, (v10) they “did pour out [their] souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen [them] and deliver [them] ouf of the hands of their enemies.   Why?  (v12) gives the key ingredients Tim Ballard calls “The American Covenant” – to maintain our lands (in freedom), their possessions, and their wives, children and the cause of liberty. 

They send Teomner with a small group of men, and Gid with a small group of men, to hide in the wilderness.  Then the Lamanites came upon Helaman and his men.  They fled into the wilderness running past the armies of Teomner and Gid.  I almost see comedy in this conflict.  They’re running so fast they don’t see these armies who are hiding off to the sides.  When they have passed, Gid and Teomner turn around and take the city of Manti without shedding blood. 

Where did the Lamanites go wrong?  (V22) They allowed their entire army to be led away.  There were only a few guards watching the city who were easily over taken.  There is a lesson to be learned here.  We must always keep a stronghold in our homes to protect them. 

This chapter is an accounting of blessings given for doing the Lord’s will.  They stood fast in defense of their liberty – freedom.  They were strict to remember the Lord their God daily.  They kept the commandments continually and their faith was made strong.  We too can have these blessings in our lives if we will hold fast in maintaining our own freedom.  Remember our war is not necessarily against an army but rather evil.  What evil can take away our freedom?  Look at just about any commandment and it’s easy to see the slippery slope that leads us into bondage.  The easiest to see, of course, is disobeying the Word of Wisdom.  When we begin down the path of drugs, alcohol, nicotine, we become slave to those devices.  They take away from us our desire to be around righteous influence and we are compelled to “hang out” with those of lesser values.  It is a fast downward spiral and a slow climb out.  This is just one example. 

The bottom line for this day is really the same as in many other chapters.  If freedom to make your own choices is of any importance at all to the reader, keeping the commandments is the only way to maintain that freedom.  The Lord has a plan.  If we follow that plan we will be happy and free to grow in the gospel.