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