Giddianhi, the leader of the Gadianton robbers,
is an evil man who has been deceived by the lies of Satan. He sends a very bold letter to Lachoneus, the
leader of the Nephites. Giddianhi uses
tools of Satan to try and overcome the Nephites. What are these tools?
- Flattery – He tells Lachoneus how noble he is and how he admires him, etc.
- Intimidation – He tries to frighten Lachoneous by telling him how strong they are and that nobody could stand against them.
- Lies – Attempts to create fear in the hearts of the Nephites by telling them lies about their cause, and trying to get them to doubt their cause.
- Arrogance – He threatens them with destruction and claims there is no way they can stand against him and his people.
- Boastful - What is it that Giddianhi wants? He wants them to join his ranks and become acquainted with their secret works so they can be evil like him. And if they do? He will spare their lives. If not, they will become extinct at the hands of the Gadianton robbers.
Where do I get the idea that this is a letter to
our youth today? It’s probably not my idea but rather from discussions had in
some class, but I’ve written it in the margins of my Book of Mormon. It’s not a hard leap, however.
What is attracting our young people – and not so
young people to turn to gangs or other destructive behavior? Somehow, they are made to feel important in
these groups. They are flattered by
someone and encouraged to join their group to belong. Belonging is something we all want. Right?
Why is it so much easier to “belong” to an evil, destructive lifestyle
than to “belong” to Christ’s true church?
The natural man is an enemy to God, and somehow, not aspiring to achieve
worthwhile, righteous goals that require focus and hard work, is the path of
least resistance. Standing up for what
is right and good requires us to sometimes put ourselves in uncomfortable
situations.
Satan is the great deceiver. He will do and say whatever it takes to get a
person off the path of righteousness and into a world of bondage.
Well, Lachoneous, the righteous leader of the
Nephites had tools he used as well. This
was to fortify his people in righteousness.
- Being fearless. We know the end of this conflict, and there is no need to fear. Faith and fear cannot coexist. The only thing we don’t know about this conflict is what side we will be on.
- Lachoneous sent a proclamation to the people to pray. This was not a secret request, but rather a public proclamation.
- Lachoneous caused that there should be fortifications built that would be exceedingly great. What are those fortifications today? They are the Sunday School answers that have stood the test of time, i.e. personal prayer and scripture study, family prayer and scripture study, attending the temple, Family Home Evening and righteous parents.
- They followed their prophet, Lachoneous. This is a protection in our age as well. As I’ve been given an up-close and personal look into the destruction of what I considered a very righteous person, I’ve discovered all these tools were being ignored, thus leaving this person vulnerable to Satan’s lies. It began with a grudge against a prophet of the Lord for 40+ years! This left a chink in his armor that when he started picking, left him open for what appeared from the outside, a quick fall. Since it’s really not mine to talk about, I will stop there. It is a pattern repeated by nearly all who falter and fall away from God’s true church here on earth. Seeing this has reinforced me in my efforts to use the tools the Lord has given us to keep myself and my family strong against the tools of Satan, which are all lies.
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