The hand of the Lord is all over Alma 57–59.
The Nephites were being blessed in battle even while suffering from a lack of government support. What made the difference was what they were fighting for: their families, their rightful lands, and their freedom to worship God. Despite horrific circumstances, they fought as valiant warriors—and the Lord preserved them exactly as He promised.
Not one of the young stripling warriors was lost, though many were wounded. The Lord sustained them.
It isn’t hard to see a parallel today. Many of our youth are also engaged in a battle—not with swords, but with faith. Those who are righteous and understand they have a mission to fulfill are being watched over by the Lord. I believe that just as surely as He preserved those young warriors, He is preserving faithful youth now.
These chapters feel like a call to see.
Do I see the miracles happening today?
Yes—but only when I look for them.
There is an intense war being waged against believers in Jesus Christ. Satan’s influence has taken hold of many good people, and it is frightening to witness. Yet miracles are everywhere. We must pray for eyes to see them. President Nelson has counseled us to recognize God’s hand in our lives. Am I truly doing that?
In my own family, I see miracles. I see a daughter finding her way back onto the covenant path. I also see the very real temptations that pull at her, reminding me that spiritual battles are real and they are ongoing. I feel that our youngest grandbaby is being protected. I pray constantly that his parents will be drawn toward goodness and surrounded by caring ministers. This is my hope.
I look at the children being born today and feel they come with remarkable spiritual capacity—prepared for the challenges of this time. They are here to stand against the growing darkness in the world.
The war isn’t distant; it is in our neighborhoods and sometimes even within our congregations. The adversary works wherever he can. Yet even this reminds me that the battlefield is spiritual, and the need for faithful disciples has never been greater.
Through it all, I see the Lord’s hand in my own life. For reasons I don’t fully understand, He continues to bless me beyond measure. My prayer is simply that I will be healthy enough to stay in the fight. Aging brings challenges. I sometimes worry—but I trust that the Lord has a plan. For now, I do what I can to lift and help others.
I pray to see His miracles—both in the world and in my own small sphere.
There truly is a just God, and those who do not doubt “shall be preserved by his marvelous power” (Alma 57:26).
One phrase especially stayed with me in these chapters: “We should wait.” (Alma 58:3)
Waiting has never been my forte. I want things to happen quickly, clearly, and on my timetable. But perhaps waiting is where some of our greatest lessons are learned. In waiting, we plead more earnestly with the Lord. In waiting, we mature. In waiting, we begin to trust that He sees the whole picture when we see only a moment.
Maybe waiting allows us to recognize God’s hand in the details we would otherwise miss - unless we don't.
Many grow weary of waiting and begin to blame the Lord for their suffering. That is a trap we must avoid.
While they waited, Helaman and his warriors “did pour out [their] souls in prayer to God” for strength and deliverance. And in that waiting, the Lord visited them with assurance. He spoke peace to their souls, increased their faith, and filled them with hope and courage. Remembering the blessings they had already received strengthened their determination to defend their families, their liberty, and their faith.
Waiting did not weaken them—it prepared them.
Perhaps it does the same for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment