Where have all the good guys gone?

Helaman 1 – I admit confusion in this chapter.  Who are the good guys?  The Nephites?  I have written in the margin of my book “This time in Nephite history parallels our day.  Pay attention!”  That said, perhaps there aren’t many good guys.  Sometimes you look at the leaders of our nation and its hard to tell who the good guys are as well.

In verse 18, the Nephites show their political arrogance.  They didn’t keep sufficient guards in the land of Zarahemla because they figured the Lamanites wouldn’t dare come against them. 

This concerns me because our country’s defense budget is being decreased.  Are we guilty of “not keeping sufficient guards”?

I’m also a little amused at the irony of Kishkumen’s friends in “swearing by their everlasting Maker” to protect a murderer – Kishkumen!   Really?  But you hear people swearing in the name of deity all the time.  Have they any idea what they’re really saying?

Good people can make a difference

Alma 1 – The church is prospering and helping others even outside the faith.  Those not of the church are seeking power and Nehor seeks to enforce his ideas by killing Gideon.  Not good.  Nehor was put to death on a hill – an “ignominious death” – aka shameful.  He admits before dying that he was lying to get gain.   I wonder if that one act – although he was compelled to humility – will count for good for him at the judgment?

Although our laws today are made by men of the world to a large degree, we as a people believe in obeying, honoring and sustaining the laws of the land (Article of Faith 12).  As individuals and as a people we need to be watchful that laws are not to give advantage to the evil designs of people.  I’ve been quite impressed with the State of Utah and how HB477, a law which would allow the lawmakers to work behind closed doors, has been rejected by the people.  Enough pressure was applied that legislature repealed that law Saturday.  When good people combine their efforts, they can make a difference!  We need to remember this.