Alma 50 - There Never was a Happier Time

As I pondered the chapter I read, I had to ask myself what I just learned.  Remember, I’m not all that excited about war.  However, I am excited about learning how to be happy.  In verse 23 of this chapter, Moroni tells us that there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi.  Why were they so happy?  They were in the midst of war almost continually.  That would get wearing on a people. 

Let’s examine that question.  In verse 21, we have a bullet list of reasons there were wars:

• Quarreling
• Contentions
• Murderings
• Plunderings
• Idolatry
• Whoredoms
• Abominations

Our modern-day prophets tell us repeatedly that contention is of the devil.  In The Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 11:29 it says:  For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. 

Satan does not want there to be peace on the earth.  He does not want us to be happy.  The Lord has commanded us to worship only Him.  Idolatry was being practiced among the Lamanites. 

Murdering and plundering are not going to create peace either.

The Nephites would not engage.  I love the General Conference talk recently by Elder Enrique R. Falabella who quoted his wife’s motto:  “In order to contend, you need two people, and I will never be one of them.”  This is sound advice and can probably explain why “. . . there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni, . . .(v23)”.

That said, we need to ask ourselves:  Do I want to be happy?  If the answer is yes, then contention needs to be removed from our lives in any degree.  Even though it can sometimes be a challenge, it can be done.  I have always marveled at my husband that he will not engage in a contentious discussion of any kind – even if I provoke!  This is an amazing quality and very endearing.