The True Spirit of Freedom - Alma 60

Moroni sends a scathing epistle to Pahoran, who is really a team player, but Moroni is beginning to wonder and makes some pretty harsh accusations and promises if things don’t change.  Moroni uses some descriptive words of what the True Spirit of Freedom is, i.e. strive to strengthen and fortify, support, faith, patience, desire for freedom.  He also makes it clear that he does not fear Pahoran nor is authority in the government.  He makes it clear that the inner vessel must be cleansed first (v23). 

What is the inner vessel?  In this instance (Alma 60), it happens to be the government and their lack of support as Moroni and his armies are fighting their battles.  What would be the inner vessel in my life?  What supports me?  Definitely, my heart.  Where is my heart?  Do I have the Spirit of Freedom?  Am I supporting those things that will bring me nearer to God, nearer to winning the battle against the evil one in my own life and the lives of those around me? Is my inner vessel cleansed?  Am I doing what I do for the right reasons? For my fear of God more than my fear of what others might think?  Am I a support to others who are fighting battles I cannot, yet battles in which I believe are a true cause?  What might those battles be?  Maybe they are as simple as caring for the sick and needy, rescuing those who have lost their way, maybe it’s just making my surroundings and the friends and neighbors nearest me feel of my support and love as they go through their own battles of life.

Generally, I don’t know what I’m going to write before I start writing.  That’s true this morning, but I like the direction this has taken me.  I had underlined these key words (1^stparagraph) as I was reading this morning. As we go through our days, we need to look for opportunities where we can fortify or strengthen others in their battles, be a support wherever we can and have faith and patience in our own battles. This is the True Spirit of Freedom – not just for us, but also for the good of others.  That needs to be the marching orders for each one of us.  We don’t do anything we do for our own welfare. We invite and encourage those around us by building, uplifting and supporting them in their trials.  When our kids were little we called this B.U.S. = Build, Uplift and Support.  This was our family motto, and it fits really well as I compare it to the True Spirit of Freedom.

Behold, it mattereth not - Alma 58:37

We must learn to trust that God loves us.  We can pray and know of his love through the sweet feeling we get when we just say “Heavenly Father”.  It feels like we are speaking to our Father.  When we pour out our hearts in anguish and despair, somehow it feels better when we say, “thy will be done”, and then get up off our knees.  I’ve come to recognize this miracle as the Holy Ghost. It is powerful and consistent.

At this time in the Book of Mormon, the Nephites are in quite a spot as the Lamanites are numerous and preparing for war.  Although Moroni and his troops are doing the best they can, the Government is of little support in their efforts to sustain life and they are running out of provisions.  It would be so easy to murmur and Moroni even mentions that (v35).  

It is apparent that murmuring is of little value to anyone.  Those who would be hearing it are rarely within ear shot and those murmuring just find themselves in a position where they get lathered up over the conflict.  I love Moroni’s response to the grievances he had with the powers that be.  He took it to the Lord.  We need to learn this lesson from Moroni’s example.  God can do much more through our pleas to him than any government official who really doesn’t care what our situation is. Sharing our grief with the Lord is where we need to go.  Verse 10: “Therefore, we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength . . .”  

Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to go to him for our needs and our sorrows.  Let’s face it, you might have a friend that you can dump it on, and they may listen and be compassionate.  At the end of the conversation, they’ll go their way and you will go yours.  What has been accomplished?  Not much.  But you take it to the Lord and you have a listening ear with someone who can make a difference.  You can counsel with the Lord.  You can tell him your concerns and your thoughts on solving them.  Ideas will come to your mind.  You are inspired to act on those ideas.  He can make it happen.  I’ve seen it happen too many times not to trust it.  Maybe it won’t happen immediately.  And that is where my tag line comes from – “It mattereth not – we must trust in God that he will deliver us.”