Alma 53-56 - Preparation Is Key

In Alma 56:11, we read that those who died fighting for their country “left this life happy.” That has always made me pause. How could that be?

Perhaps because they knew where they were going — straight into the arms of the Savior who gave them life. Perhaps because they believed their sacrifice helped protect the people they loved from bondage. There is peace in knowing you stood for something eternal. Perhaps because they were prepared. 

So I ask myself: If I were serving a mission in a far-away country and lost my life because of my beliefs, would I be happy?

I would be heartbroken to leave my family. But I think I would also feel joy — joy that I was engaged in the Lord’s work when it happened, and that my work would continue on the other side. After all, the Father has declared, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” If that is the work, then there is no better place to be.

Over and over, prophets have warned us to prepare. As I read these war chapters in Alma, I can’t help but ask: Have we prepared enough?

Temporally, Clyde reassures me that we’ve done what we can. There is food storage. There are supplies. There are even guns and ammunition. But I sometimes wonder — is that the preparation the Lord is most concerned about? Warfare has never been His design. If this is ultimately His battle, where do the guns fit in?

The spiritual preparation, though — that is non-negotiable.

When I begin my day with scripture and prayer, I feel aligned. When I don’t, I notice. Things feel off. I am reminded that the Lord is mindful of me — personally mindful. There are moments when I think, half joking but half serious, “I just might be His favorite child.” He watches. He guides. I often see it more clearly in hindsight.

In Helaman’s letter to Moroni, he attributes their success to preparation (Alma 56:20). Preparation brought protection. Preparation brought joy. And yes, preparation brought survival.

That word feels strong — survival — but we are in a war, even if it doesn’t always look like one. War doesn’t always bring guns into play. We are at war with the adversary!

I think about the temptations that could pull my family away. It’s easy to look at someone else’s trial and say, “That would never happen to me,” especially if it’s not a temptation we personally struggle with. But the real question is: What tempts me? What could cause me to forget my covenants?

Worldly trinkets? Not so much anymore. Age has taken care of some of that. Misusing my time? That might be closer to the mark. The point is this: we have to look inward. And if we can’t see our weaknesses clearly, we should do exactly what prophets and apostles counsel — ask Heavenly Father to show us what we need to change to become more like the Savior.

Helaman said they kept spies “out round about” to detect the enemy. How do we do that spiritually? My first answer is simple: follow the prophet. He sees around corners. It also helps to stay aware — to look at current events through a spiritual lens and recognize the adversary’s tactics.

One verse always stops me: “They had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them” (Alma 56:47).

Did I teach my children that clearly? Did they know my faith?

Some of my children struggle. Some have stepped away entirely. That is a tender place in my heart. But I remain anchored. My faith in my Savior and in Heavenly Father keeps me steady. If I sound overzealous in my journal at times, it is because I hope they will someday say, “Mom knew.” I want them to know I believed — and that letting God prevail brings strength and courage. — yes, and even peace.

The stripling warriors were protected. Many were wounded, but not one was lost. What a beautiful testament to faith and preparation. There were miracles woven all through that conflict.

So what do I learn from these chapters?

Preparation is everything. Not just food storage or supplies — but daily, spiritual readiness. A real relationship with Heavenly Father. Worthiness to have the Holy Ghost as a guide.

Conflicts will come. That’s part of mortality. Sometimes the hardest ones involve people we love deeply. But we must remember: the true battle is with the adversary. He does not care what tactic he uses — distraction, discouragement, doubt. He only cares about our destruction.

Which is why preparation — especially spiritual preparation — is key to our joy and our survival.