Alma 52 – Weapons of War

This chapter is entirely on war – or is it?  The Nephites were having a hard time getting the Lamanites to come out of their strongholds so they could battle.  The Lamanites had the upper hand, so to speak. 

Moroni came up with a strategy.  In my margins I have written that a strategy is “inspiration”.  This was ingenious.  He sent Lehi’s army out in daylight to march past the Lamanites.  Moroni’s army marched by night around the Lamanites to be at the ready.  When the Lamanites saw Lehi’s small army, supposing it to be all the army of the Nephites, they gained courage and pursued them – leaving their stronghold unprotected.  Very foolish!  Moroni’s army divided and some went into the city and easily took it by killing those who would not give up their weapons of war and taking the weapons of war of those who surrendered.  And this leads me to my questions.

What are the weapons of war the adversary uses against the Lord’s people today? 

Bondage (aka addiction):

• Word of Wisdom (aka drugs, cigarettes, liquor, unhealthy eating habits)
• Pornography
• Greed
• Riches
• Sex and riotous living
• Lying
• Cheating
• Stealing
• Murdering

I'm sure there are many more.  These are just a few.  How would a “people” give up these weapons?  I can’t see an entire people, i.e. city, nation, world – giving these weapons up as a group.  It needs to happen one person at a time.  Therein lies the problem.  The blessing is not far behind.  We don’t have to follow the armies of Satan if we want to break away.  We can lay these weapons down at our own discretion whenever we choose.  It will take work, and the Savior is there to help with that effort.  He has his “army” at the ready to help us lay down our weapons and turn our lives around.

I’m so grateful this is a truth and that some 48 years ago I had the help necessary to put down my weapons of war and turn my life around.  It wasn’t easy, but it was such a blessing that has continued on and only magnified through these many years.  Life is a joy and such a

Alma 47:36 – Forgetting the Lord their God

This one verse nearly makes my blood run cold.  “Now these dissenters (Apostates), having the same instruction and the same information of the Nephites, (They were raised in the gospel.), yea, having been instructed in the same knowledge of the Lord (they knew the truth!), nevertheless, it is strange to relate, not long after their dissensions they became more hardened and impenitent, and more wild, wicked and ferocious than the Lamanites – drinking in with the traditions of the Lamanites; giving way to indolence, and all manner of lasciviousness; yea, entirely forgetting the Lord their God.”

It explains how card-carrying members of the Church can so quickly leave the Church and embrace the ways of the world, marking their bodies with piercings and tattoos, behaving in ways that go totally against the teachings of their youth.  They forget they are children of a Heavenly Father who loves them and turn against Him with a vengeance.  As a parent, it is the saddest thing in the world to witness.  As a member of the Church, watching it in fellow members is equally disturbing. 

We have been warned and forewarned against the evils of the devil.  This chapter shows several tactics Satan uses to lure righteous, committed members from the safety of the Gospel net.  He doesn’t come out in force.  He uses gentle tactics.  Amalickiah initially requested Lehonti to come down out of the mount – the mount being his refuge.  Lehonti was firm in his decree to stay put and would not budge until Amalickiah came nearly to the door of his camp.  This made Lehonti curious to know what Amalickiah had on his mind.  He came out with his guards to just listen to his plan.  Big mistake!  Don’t listen.  Don’t give Satan a chance to even present a plan.  Run!  He is subtle and He is crafty.  He knows our weaknesses and he will find a hole and work it until he has weakened our resolve and the rest is history. 

I’m so grateful for the Power of the Atonement which is so much greater than Satan’s power.  All we need to do is ask for help.  The help is there.  There are angels all around to help us when we’re ready.  It is amazing to me just how ready they are.  Just last night I prayed for angels to assist me in a good night’s sleep.  A little bit I felt silly for such a request.  I mean, really, should Heavenly Father care how much sleep I get?  But I accomplish so little in a day when I am fatigued which is where I’ve been lately.  Well, I was amazed when I woke up this morning barely remembering my head hit the pillow and it had been seven plus hours since I had closed my eyes.  Asking really does work.  In numerous scripture references we are told to “. . . ask and ye shall receive. . .”  He is good on His word, for which I will be forever grateful.

It was some 49 years ago I prayed “. . . Heavenly Father, I don’t know exactly what my parents are praying for me, but I’m ready to do what it takes to answer those prayers.”  Never have I seen such amazing response to my prayers as I did at that time! 

Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to return from our evil ways.  He wants us to return to His presence when we leave this earthly existence.  I know this is true.  I also know we can do it if we pray for angels to help us.  It is part of His plan.