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.