Who will I be?

Alma 56

Helaman recounts in a letter to Moroni the battle his 2,000 stripling warriors had with the Lamanites and the miraculous outcome. 

This chapter teaches us that the Lord supports those who fight for the cause of truth in miraculous ways.  I love what the young stripling warriors said when it was time to decide what their course of action should be – do they go into a battle and risk of their lives, or not?  They were young and by their account inexperienced in the skills of warfare.  They had been taught by their mothers that if they were fighting for the right cause they would be protected.  “They [did] not doubt [their] mothers knew it.” 

This bodes the question:  Have I, as a mother, instilled within my own children the gospel in such a way that they know the Lord will protect them from the adversary if they are faithful in keeping their commandments – that no matter the conflict, they can overcome it if they make righteous choices?  I can’t really answer that question.  I have some who have embraced the teachings of their youth, and others who have not.  I’m not certain where I’m headed with this thought except to say that we all have been given agency to decide for ourselves on whose side we will choose to take up arms.  Of this we can be certain, we will be fighting on one side or the other.  In the battle of righteousness, there are no neutrals. 

I have a note in the margin of my scriptures that is worthy of mentioning:  “We know not of the future, and cannot plan for it much.  But we can hold our spirits and our bodies so pure and high, we may cherish such thoughts and such ideals, and dream such dreams of lofty purpose, that we can determine and know what manner of men we will be whenever and wherever the hour strikes, that calls to noble action. . . no man becomes suddenly different from his habit and cherished thought.”  Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Medal of Honor recipient, Battle of Little Round Top, Gettysburg

I like this quote and I believe it answers my question on whether I have done my job as a mother.  I’ve done the teaching; of this I have no doubt.  But we are free to decide and our decisions will be consistent with the person we have become through years of making decisions – the little decisions on what we will and won’t allow into our lives.  These small decisions will put us on the team where we will fight.  As a mother, my strongest desire is that my children and grandchildren will choose to fight for righteousness. 

The bottom line:  Who will I be in the heat of the day?