Today I’m listening to a talk by John Bytheway called Righteous Warriors: Lessons from the War Chapters in the Book of Mormon.
Why are there so many wars in the Book of Mormon?
- The prophets saw our day – wars and rumors of war
- We are involved in spiritual warfare
- Mormon was a military man and spent much of his life on the battlefield
The war chapters are of worth. 1 Nephi 6:6.
Alma 43
Our hero is Captain Moroni.
The people that caused the most problems for Captain Moroni were the dissenters of Nephi.
vs. 4 – the Zoramites became Lamanites (about affiliation and belief, not about lineage)
vs. 8. – Zarahemna’s designs were to stir up the Lamanites to anger
vs. 17 – Moroni was 25 years old when he took up the army
vs. 19 – Moroni prepared his people with breastplates, helmets, bows and arrows; Lamanites were in loin cloth
vs. 23 – Moroni sent spies in the wilderness to watch their camp, also sent people to talk with Alma to see where they should go (faith and works)
vs. 54 – Moroni commanded his men to stop shedding their blood
What’s the spiritual message?
Prophets can tell us where the enemy will strike. In 1972, Harold B. Lee told us that Satan’s greatest biggest threat is to destroy the family and make a mockery of the Law of Chastity.
Alma 44
vs. 1 – Moroni tells the Lamanites they don’t want to slay them
vs. 2 – Moroni tell them why they are angry – the Lord is with us (Romans 8:31)
Moroni never took credit for the success.
vs. 3 – it’s all about FAITH! Moroni stands as a witness of his Faith – that this is why they have been delivered and are about to destroy the Lamanites.
Some of the dissenters are Zoramites, the Ramiumtum people who said there would be no Christ
vs. 5 – Moroni commands Zarahemna to drop the weapons, swear and oath, and go home. Zarahemna gives his weapons but won’t make an oath.
vs. 10 – Moroni returns his sword and says, “Behold, we will end the conflict.”
vs. 14 – The best object lesson… 🙂
vs. 19 – Zarahemna cries to make a covenant to never come against them again.
Freedom isn’t free!
What’s the spiritual message?
Faith is a power to be reckoned with, even in war. When there are problems in the Church, it’s due to transgression or lack of faith in Jesus Christ.
Alma 45
What’s the spiritual message?
It’s expedient that the word of God is declared.
Alma 46
The enemy here is Amalickiah.
He wants to be king, but Captain Moroni says no way.
Captain Moroni creates the Title of Liberty: my God, my religion, my freedom, my peace, my wife, my children.
The Title of Liberty is received by covenant.
What’s the spiritual message?
Place reminders of your covenants everywhere! Have a picture of the Savior, the Temple – EVERYWHERE!
Alma 47
Amalickiah stirs up the Lamanite king to anger against the Nephites. Some of the Lamanites don’t want to go attack them.
vs. 6 – Lehonti and his people aren’t coming down to talk with Amalickiah.
vs. 12 – Amalickiah goes up to the mount, nearly to Lehonti’s camp, come down just a little bit – bring your guards, you’ll be safe. Lehonti comes down, just a little bit. Amalickiah says he’s his friend and gives him some ideas to give up his army, just make me 2nd in command.
vs. 18 – Amalickiah kills Lehonti by degrees with poison. (2 Nephi 28:21 – Satan leads us carefully down to hell – by degrees – and put us into bondage)
What’s the spiritual message?
Don’t come down from your mountain of the Lord!
Lehonti is poisoned by degrees, little by little, just a little bit. (This is just like pornography…it happens “just a little bit”.)
Amalickiah is a type of Satan – he was a Nephite who had followers who wanted him to be king, he wants to be king too, he’s cast out and takes followers with him, he’s opposing the Prophet of the time. Amalickiah invites them to come down “just a little bit”. He tells the people he’s not their enemy – tells them “you guys can’t do ANYTHING” in your church. He poisons us by degrees – he’s cunning, flattering, a murder.
Alma 48
vs. 1 – he began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the Nephites.
vs. 7 – Amalickiah is about deceit, Moroni is about faithfulness – get your spiritual act together NOW (this is the main theme of the war chapters)
vs. 17 – Be like Moroni and the devil will have no power.
vs. 23 – they were sorry to take up arms against the Lamanites and send them to eternity unprepared to meet God.
There is no tragedy in death, only in sin. – President Kimball
What’s the spiritual message?
Spiritual preparation first!
Alma 49
If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear!
vs. 9 – they were prepared. The Lamanites were astonished by their manner of preparation for war.
The world’s way to prepare for spiritual war vs. God’s way to prepare.
vs. 14 – the city of Noah was weak but is now strong (Ether 12:27 – weaknesses become strengths)
Where am I weakest? This is what I should fortify first!
vs. 27-28 – Amalickiah was exceedingly roth because Moroni had kept the commandments. The people of Nephi thanked their God for his deliverance.
What’s the spiritual message?
The preparation chapter!
I really enjoy listening to Brother Bytheway and his analysis of the War Chapters.
I’m grateful for his knowledge of the scriptures and how he explains things clearly and applicably.
I’m grateful I took the time today to listen and take notes.
I’m grateful for the understanding I’m gaining of the war chapters in the Book of Mormon and how they apply to my life now.
I know that Mormon and Captain Moroni were inspired to do they things they did in order to teach me how I can best prepare for the spiritual wars I’m fighting in.
I love the gospel and always want to feel this way.
I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with Becky and the kids and help them understand how they can prepare as well.
I’m grateful for Jesus Christ and his teachings.
I’m grateful for how clear the Book of Mormon is – God wants us to understand His will and carry it out each day of our lives.
Hasta manana!
Nate
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