Fighting for Liberty and Freedom.

When I found out that Alma 43-63 was called the "War Chapters", I didn't know what to think. War stories aren't exactly something that excite me, but I started my required reading with an open mind.

My reading this week did not go in order. I was prompted, on several occasions, to jump ahead and then back up. After my third chapter choice, I found myself excited about what I was reading. My understanding of who Moroni and Helaman were, grew stupendously.  As with many things in the Book of Mormon, I had heard the stories, but not read them myself. Having that confirmation from the Holy Ghost, brought me a whole new understanding of their message and example needed, in today's world.


I learned that they fought for freedom and liberty. The men and boys, who fought with Moroni and Helaman, were fighting because they believed in defending their family, their religion and their land.  They would not raise their swords on the offensive, but would defend themselves against the enemy and preserve their lives.

Alma 46:
11 And now it came to pass that when Moroni, who was the chief commander of the armies of the Nephites, had heard of these dissensions, he was angry with Amalickiah.

 12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

 13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land—

Alma 48

10 And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians.

13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.

14 Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives.

After fighting for that freedom, Moroni chose to have a physical sign of "Liberty" raised on all the towers of the land. This immediately reminded me of photo, after 9/11, of the firefighters lifting the American flag.

Alma 46

36 And it came to pass also, that he caused the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, which was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites.

I know some people around me wonder why I defend the constitution and religious freedom so strongly. I do so, because I have a testimony that the founding of this country was inspired and directed by God. The United States was chosen to be the promised land and was all part of the plan, that allowed the complete restoration of the gospel. On occasion, I find myself questioning how far I would go to defend that freedom. Looking forward, if I find myself asking that question, I will reference back to Moroni and Helaman, and remind myself of those characteristics needed to fight in such a war.

When I see Moroni at the top of each temple, I will no longer think of him solely as a messenger angel, but as a warrior and protector. 

I'd like to close, by sharing this video "War and Peace", by Gordon B. Hinkley. He shared this message during the the 2003 April General Conference; just days after the United States lead it's first offensive attack in the Iraq War. 

"It is clear from these and other writings that there are times and circumstances when nations are justified, in fact have an obligation, to fight for family, for liberty, and against tyranny, threat, and oppression." Gordon B. Hinkley 

Modern Lessons in Alma 35

Of all the Alma chapters I read this week, chapter 35 was most significant. It's a small chapter, but it's full of lessons that are still applicable today.

Alma 35:6

And it came to pass that after they had found out the minds of all the people, those who were in favor of the words which had been spoken by Alma and his brethren were cast out of the land; and they were many; and they came over also into the land of Jershon.

The minority that demonstrated faith, chose to repent and then live righteously were persecuted by the majority who did not. Like the early church members and pioneers, they were driven out of their homes, away from their family and lost the majority of their processions and land. Through all that persecution and adversity, they would hold on to the word of God as their firm foundation.

Alma 35:9

And he breathed out many threatening against them. And now the people of Ammon did not fear their words; therefore they did not cast them out, but they did receive all the poor of the Zoramites that came over unto them; and they did nourish them, and did clothe them, and did give unto them lands for their inheritance; and they did administer unto them according to their wants.

When the chief ruler of the Zoramites threatened the people of Ammon, they did not fear their words and stood strong, when caring for the new converts. Instead of fearing death from the conflict and facing possibility of war, they continued to stand strong and follow the counsel of the scriptures. They showed relentless courage by feeding, clothing and giving them land. As a members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we are constantly fighting off threats and standing for our convictions. There are still members across the globe, that are up against laws and policies that make it illegal and very dangerous for them to meet and observe the Sabbath on Sunday. 

Alma 35:15

Now Alma, being grieved for the iniquity of his people, yea for the wars, and the bloodshed, and the contentions which were among them; and having been to declare the word, or sent to declare the word, among all the people in every city; and seeing that the hearts of the people began to wax hard, and that they began to be offended because of the strictness of the word, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.

In this verse, not only does Alma grieve because of the wars and bloodshed, he grieves because of the contention among the people. After all the conviction and faith, the people of Ammon and the new converts shared against the Zoramites and the Lamanites, they were letting disagreements among themselves harden their hearts. This makes me very sad, because today this is still a very big problem. There are people who have  and active participants in our church and then one day someone says something that offends them or hurts their feelings and you never see them again. Not only has this happened in my ward and family, but it's happened to me in the past. It's easier said then done, but sometimes I just have to remind myself that the gospel is the gospel and the church is made of imperfect humans. 

Alma 36:16

Therefore, he caused that his sons should be gathered together, that he might give unto them every one his charge, separately, concerning the things pertaining unto righteousness. And we have an account of his commandments, which he gave unto them according to his own record.

In this last verse of the chapter, it shares how Alma chose to sit his sons down and give them each their own responsibility. Alma knew the importance of their individual relationships and did not give them a one size fits all set of directions. This reminds me that all children are different and all children should be taught and directed according to their own individual needs. One size, does not fit all.