Helaman 1:11-34

Pacumeni takes over the judgement seat in really tragic circumstances. One of his brother’s had been executed as a traitor by the other, who was then murdered. I wonder if they had been close before the lust for power lead to all this fighting and death? It is tragic that having a righteous father didn’t lead to a better outcome for that family. They had their agency, I suppose. And I am sure, as now, that being the government leader required sacrifices from his family. That is always something that is hard to choose.

Coriantumr was able to take Zarahemla for two reasons that seem important in our life battles. One the Nephites had been distracted by pride which led to fighting and contention, and so were not being vigilant in protecting themselves. I can see that contention does lead to being unable to hear the Spirit and too distracted to do those things that will protect a home or a soul. The second was that they had a false sense of security; that the Lamenites would never come to Zarahemla. Sometimes I think we start to believe our family is safe at home, or in the church. We are good people and don’t need to be as vigilant here. But we always have to be vigilant. There is no place in the world so safe, no life so free from temptation that we don’t need to pray and read scriptures and remember. It always matters. And once we see the danger, that is when it is too late to start preparing. That’s when there will be injuries and fatalities. It has to be before.

And then Pacumeni get slaughtered, too. That was really a tragic family!

Another lesson here is to not give up, I guess. Coriantumr was marching through the middle of the land slaughtering everyone, but the preparations they Nephite’s had made in their border cities allowed them to trap the Lamenite’s in the center. Some battles were lost, but good won the war through the preparations they had made. Imperfection does not mean all is lost.

It is always crazy to me that at the end of a war, everyone just goes home. Not just in the Book of Mormon but in modern times, like at the end of WWII. The German and Japanese armies were sent home in peace.

Helaman 1:11-34

Helaman 1:1-10

Could only Pahoran’s sons be the next judge? It is an interesting combination of monarchy and a republic. It is also interesting that Helaman, or maybe Mormon, see it as bad that there were multiple contenders, and that it caused division. I suppose it is like all of life, where the difficulty and struggle of democracy are necessary. The best things in life, including freedom, are hard fought for. And sometimes that includes accepting leaders that were not your choice for the good of the whole. It is easy to see here that the people who lost the election should have supported those who won, but hard to see that in real life. This all seems so pertinent and important in the current political climate with Trump and Hillary and the nation so venomous and divided.

Helaman 1:1-10

Alma 63

When describing Shiblon, they didn’t just say he was righteous, but listed three specific things:

1.      He was a just man

2.      He walked uprightly before God

3.      He did observe to do good continually, to keep the commandments of God

Why are those three things specific? When I look up just is says behavior based on that which is morally right and fair. I think that has to do with how you treat others. It feels like it is related to having integrity.

Uprightly is defined as honest, honorable, and straightforward. So before God I guess has to do with not being a hypocrite, and having a pure heart. Not trying to fake it. So then when they tell us he tried to good, we know it was because of pure intentions. It was a real goodness, a real follower of Christ.

I feel like being authentic is something I struggle with. I am almost always worried about what people think of me. I need to be more like Shiblon, more upright. This description feels like such a clear description of what I want to aspire to, and the struggles I want to overcome.

I wonder why it was so important to record about all the people heading North and off in ships. What do we learn from that?

It is interesting that Helaman and Shiblon were brothers. They were both good men, who did important things, but one is remembered and revered, and the other briefly mentioned. Sometimes it is hard for me to feel like the quiet life of righteousness is worth as much as the one who changes the world or performs some notable heroics. It is sometimes hard for me to be at peace with the role I found in life. Just a mom. Just a wife. Just. It all sometimes feels like not enough. But reading about Shiblon I feel peaceful about walking uprightly before God, and letting that be enough.

Alma 63

Alma 62:15-32

When the Nephites were fighting the Lamenites and they would not kill anyone who promised not to hurt them anymore, why did they believe them? Enough to send them to live with the people of Ammon who were basically defenseless. And did they send them to live there out of racism, or separatism? Or was it, as someone once theorized, because of their righteousness they were the best missionaries? Did they let them go home and get their families first? Or was sent them to live with the Ammonites really code for some kind of prison there?

It is interesting that the Lamenites didn’t have guards around the whole wall if it was climbable. I am sure there are lessons here about making sure all parts of our lives our guarded, but I also feel like there is a lesson about doing your own work. The Lamenite army had not designed and built the fortifications, and all that back work and planning and effort is what made them more useful to the Nephites. I feel like they would have known to guard the wall. There is strength in struggle and work that is difficult to replicate. Can it be replicated? Do I need to allow my own children to struggle more? Not dangerously, but work things out themselves for greater understanding. It is probably like testimonies, also. Relying for a time on others does offer some protection, but nothing like the deep understanding and strength that comes from your own effort and confirmation.

Here again, the Lamenites that said they wanted to be free were allowed to join the people of Ammon. The Nephites definitely tempered their politics and fear with compassion and human dignity. All the prisoners chose to go work hard and be reformed. Would more people choose that given that opportunity now? I wonder about the practicalities. How did they get land? Where did the live when they first got to the city of Ammon. Did the people there take them into their homes and give up their land? How did they eat, and get the implements to start farming? Just being sent there wouldn’t have been enough, there must have been some kind of life restarting help?

Alma 62:15-32

Alma 62:1-14

What does it mean that Moroni’s heart took courage? How do I feel when my heart needs courage?  Is that what anxiety and stress are? Moroni sounded so sure in the previous letter, but if his heart needed to take courage, perhaps he was not? I appreciate the description of his great joy and great sadness existing together at the same time. I wonder what the records said that Mormon abridged it to this? It must have been a very emotional moment.

With no internet, no tv, no media, I wonder if the people Mormon met on his march even knew someone was trying to overthrow their government before he came through? Did they flock to him because they just found out, or because they were excited to have a way to face the problem? Sometimes I feel like we all just sit around and fret about the things that are wrong, but take no action to do anything. Maybe that explains why people are flocking to Trump (which seems unexplainable to me) because he makes them feel like he will do something about the things they hate, and by voting for him they are able to “act instead of being acted upon”. I think it is an important leadership lesson, to not only have a message about what is good and bad, but a way for people to take action. Why to care and HOW to care.

And then we get into execution of traitors. Mormon editorializes that it was necessary to execute them for the safety of the country. So they couldn’t incite further rebellion? To discourage further rebellion? Did they really all have to be killed? Why were they so stubborn knowing the consequence that they wouldn’t recant and help fight the Lamenites? Or perhaps they were never given that chance? Or maybe it was fear that they would cause more problems again, even as soldiers? Would this happen now, or have we found other ways to deal with things? It seems like the narrative for the other side would be that Pahoran and Moroni were executing political enemies, where is the freedom in that? Although this wasn’t really a voting situation, since they overthrew the government by force as well. Perhaps in times of war, surrounded by violence, the violence becomes easier to advocate?

Alma 62:1-14

Alma 61:14-21

Pahoran says “let us resist evil” and says that when we cannot resist evil with our words we must fight. I think that there are two points here. One that fighting is only for when words won’t work, but also, that there are some evils where words are not the appropriate response. I suppose like not negotiating with terrorists. It seems like words should always work, but sometimes hearts are too hard, I suppose. Pure real evil is something I haven’t had a lot of experience with, and sometimes I forget how real the power of evil is in the world.

It’s also interesting that he says that the Spirit of God is also the spirit of freedom. That longing that all people have to be free comes from God. I also love how the Nephite leaders, when they are righteous always recognize constantly that their strength and power to overcome comes from God. I need to be more constantly and consistently humble in my life, in my thoughts. And I will always love how humble Pahoran was in his response. It would have been so easy to let offense cloud his judgement and not be able to work with Moroni to accomplish the good they did.  It reminds me of David Bednar’s talk about how being offended is a choice. It really struck me at the time, and has stayed with me. We often use it a sword to beat each other with when someone else is offended and we don’t think they should be. But it is useful if I really use to think about myself and my own reactions to things.

Alma 61:14-21

Alma 61:1-13

As I read about the trouble Pahoran had when he was driven out by the king-men, I am reminded of the tweet I read recently about the Anti-Nephi-Lehis, and how they were the only people in the Book of Mormon to really have the courage to be completely pacifist. And how their commitment to not fight actually was a powerful tool in softening hearts and converting their brothers. I have been thinking a lot lately about how loving each other is really what we are supposed to do in this world. And being completely pacifist fit with that idea. Because people are generally not inherently evil, slaughtering innocents did soften with Lamenite hearts. But I suppose, as I read this, that some people perhaps are evil enough to take advantage of the pacifism. The first commandment has to be to love God. To love and serve Him and follow His will above all else. Commitment to any other idea, even loving people, even pacifism, ends up being a false God. Loving people can end up being very complicated the more responsibility you have, anyway, because people often have competing needs, and you must choose the greater good. Loving God, staying close to His Spirit, is the only way to truly know what the greater good is. That is why Pahoran was so comofoted by Moroni’s spiritual conviction that withholding the supplies from the warriors was wrong and had to be stopped by force if force was required.

As I have followed the news this past week, with police shooting and police being shot, Black Lives Matter, and All Lives Matter and all the arguing that goes on, it strikes me that people want the surety of an uncomplicated position. No one wants to deal in nuance and complication and grey areas, and competing needs. But the truth is always a complicated thing, changed by perspective and detail and feelings. Truth, with a capital T, would have to encompass all those different feelings and needs and experiences and perspectives. The more we are willing to complicate the issue the closer to Truth we can get. It feels scary when everything becomes relative. The only sure foundation truly can be found in Jesus Christ, in revelation of God’s will. Eternity is a hard concept to understand, to comprehend. I think Truth is like that, too, overwhelming expansive. But I think trying to get to real complete truth is worth the effort, and an important part of the growth we are supposed to accomplish in this life. Like all growth, which is change, it is hard and scary.

Alma 61:1-13

Alma 60:23-36

Mormon starts talking about the sin of doing nothing in the face of suffering and wrong, and says we must repent and be up and doing. Anxiously engaged, I guess. It is hard to know how and when, when there is so much suffering all around. Sometimes I avoid problems because I don’t know how to begin to deal with them. I went to Sacrament meeting in Fernando’s ward yesterday, and one of the speakers talked about becoming a Zion people partially means there are no poor among us. Sometimes, helping people seems so overwhelming because there seems to be no end. It isn’t a task to accomplish and finish sometimes, sometimes it is ongoing needed help into forever. For my task oriented mind that is so difficult and stressful to even think about, let alone do. But as I heard him talking about it I realized that the justification I tell myself about not helping people who aren’t trying, or won’t help themselves, are really that, just prideful justifications. I suppose, like everything, it comes back to being spiritually in-tune and knowing which things are your things to do, because no one can do everything. But I do love his call to “begin to be up and doing.”

Moroni’s threatening letter also reminds me of another truth I have been trying to learn for several years. I feel like I have to know the perfect answer and do the perfect thing before becoming involved or trying. But here, he knew what his goal was, and he was trying to accomplish it imperfectly, and he was totally wrong. But he was in there trying. I don’t have to be afraid of being wrong. That is a hard lesson for me to learn deep inside where decision making happens.

I also love that Moroni was not afraid of power or opinion of others in following what he knew God wanted him to do. He knew that he had been commanded on this fight the Lamenites course of action, so he was all in. I do no often have that sense of surety of purpose, but when I do I need to have that kind of courageous faith.

Moroni’s letter also shows the folly of judging other people’s intentions. He assigns meaning and value to situations and other people’s actions that are completely wrong. We all do this. It is good to remember when I am getting angry.

It also shows how we can misinterpret revelation. Moroni felt God tell him that he did not want his army to starve. He may have even felt like it was revelation that he would have to fight for that food. But how he tried to apply that revelation was not accurate. However, God is so great that he took Moroni’s trying and made it work how it needed to. Even though Moroni misunderstood and was completely wrong, he was doing the best he could to follow revelation and the will of the Lord, and the Lord used his grace to magnify those efforts. Another reason never to make choices based on fear, even fear of being wrong. No FEAR!

Alma 60:23-36

Alma 60:15-23

I am reading Rough Stone Rolling, about Joseph Smith, and the beginning of the church. The Lord kept telling the Saints this same thing, if it weren’t for their own wickedness they would have conquered their enemies. I keep thinking about Joseph Smith at the rattlesnakes on the Zion’s Camp march. He told the men not to hurt the snakes, and the change in the world wouldn’t come until we (humans) stopped being violent. I have struggled a lot with anger and impatience, but the last few days I have felt like my heart has been changed, and it’s been much easier to be quiet and calm. Somehow, all these things taken together give me a glimpse of what Zion really is. We as a people will be slowly changed through the atonement of Christ until everything is just about kindness and love. The Celestial Kingdom will come as we become Celestial. Peace comes from righteousness, and most importantly, through the power of God through Christ and His atonement, that gives us opportunity and power to change and become. Zion is people who are one because they are people who have really learned to love God and each other and nothing else.

What enemies is our wickedness allowing to come into our home and have power over us? What enemies have come in? We have seen our children become more angry and violent and bitter and critical. And the critical can lead to doubts and not feeling the Spirit. I feel like this reaffirms the revelations I had about how important it was for our family to read scriptures and have gospel study every day. We need that constant refocusing on the Lord, and opportunities to feel His Spirit. We need to be kinder to each other, especially in the words we say and how we say them. The emotional divisions are as dangerous as the king-men divisions were for the Nephites. And like the king-men, it is usually one of us trying to exercise power over the other. I need to remember that.

Moroni was saying lots of things that were true in this letter, and then he gets to the false accusations in his anger. I am always amazed by Pahoran’s humble response. Sometimes people really are doing things that are unfair or unkind. But Pahoran’s true motivation was to serve, and he could forgive, because he could look at the situation from the perspective of the ones he wanted to serve instead of his own self-interest, as I learned from Cheryl Esplin in her talk about being His hands at the women’s session of General Conference. It really helped me to be forgiving when I was so angry and hurt when trying to serve someone.

Alma 60:15-23

Alma 60:12-15

Moroni is preaching doctrine in verse 12 that is very hard for people to understand. When bad things happen to people, in this case, death, it is not because they were wicked. Sometimes it is because of other people’s wickedness, sometimes it is just the nature of a fallen world. I remember when Rich Sebo got cancer and his church, I think it was Glad Tidings, believed it was because he was wicked, and he was trying so hard to purify himself. It made me really sad, because he was so kind and big-hearted with all those troubled kids. It was terrible to me that he felt like he deserved it. I am not sure how they explain all the truly wicked people who never got cancer? In any event, I am grateful to know that it isn’t true. Moroni was using that knowledge as a weapon here, but it is usually a great comfort, because crummy and awful stuff happens to all of us.

Moroni says that the Lord suffers the righteous to be slain that his judgement may come upon the wicked. I think what he is really saying is that the Lord gives us our agency and doesn’t interfere, even when our choices our horrible. But the righteous who are killed enter into Paradise, and are happy and at peace, and the peace can even come in this life when things are going bad because of other people, through the atonement of Christ. So while it seems, to our small understanding, unfair that the righteous should suffer at the hands of the wicked, all suffering is swallowed up in the glory of Christ, with blessings far beyond what we could have ever earned through that suffering. While the wicked are allowed their agency and even opportunity to repent.

Moroni is afraid that the wickedness and slothfulness of the government will cause God to withdraw his support for all of the people and their cause. It is a sobering reminder that our sins can bring destruction to other people. I always wonder what more good I could have done if I had been in tune with the Spirit, or been a good example instead of bad. And as the leaders of the government in my home, how much pain our bad examples could cause our children, even destruction. It also highlights the importance of trying to choose righteous leaders. If they lead us into unrighteous causes, we have no Heavenly support. But mainly, for my life, it is so important to try to ALWAYS be a good example, and behave as an example of the believer.

Alma 60:12-15

Alma 60:1-11

Was it a sin for Moroni to condemn Pahoran and the other war leaders. Obviously he was wrong, but was it a sin? Sometimes it is hard for me to take any action because I am afraid it will be the wrong action. But because Moroni took action, even though he was wrong, God was able to do good things with what he had done. It is hard for me to understand the balance between thinking and choosing wisely, and just getting something done. I feel like one wrong move and everything is over and ruined, but that isn’t the way anything works with God. How can I remember that when I am completely stunted by anxiety?

It is interesting that Moroni said if they had only suffered hunger and thirst and fatigue and crummy conditions they wouldn’t complain, but it is their loss of men that it is so hard and wrong. I feel like that is echoed in the book we just read for book club, Tough as They Come by Travis Mills about his experiences in Afghanistan and as a quadruple amputee. When they are out on missions the conditions are horrible, but that didn’t seem to be a complaint for them, either. It really made me respect the sacrifice of the soldiers who fight for our freedom. It also makes me feel like a wimp who is quick to complain, and want to do better.

Moroni really rips into Pahoran hard, “sitting on your throne in a state of thoughtless stupor.” It makes me laugh, but it also makes me think. He is really upset because the people trusted their leaders to take care of them, and they were not. Am I taking seriously the responsibilities I have been entrusted with? I am grateful I finally told Omar about the inspiration to read scriptures, and we did that last night, but there are so many other areas where I need to do better. Omar goes to work every day trusting that I will take care of things at home, but I so often fail to do that. I have been entrusted with loving and teaching my children, and protecting them, yet so often my anger is the thing they need protection from. I need to take my callings more seriously, I need to reach out more to the people around me. I have been given many talents and responsibilities and blessings. Am I taking those responsibilities seriously, or am I sitting in a thoughtless stupor?

And verse 11 really hits home as well. It is good to trust God, but we must do our part, and not sit and wait for him to solve our problems. If I am feeling myself getting depressed and overwhelmed, prayer is good, but I also need to do the things I know will help. Like exercise and reading scriptures and eating well and working hard. I have to do all I can before I can rely on His help. Which is what I want to teach my kids not just about God, but about asking for anyone’s help. I need to do much better to teach them to be responsible for themselves.

Alma 60:1-11

Alma 59

When Moroni read Helaman’s epistle and was full of joy, he didn’t just feel it, he shared it. He spread it all around so that all the people could have joy as well. Part of love is not just comforting and lifting, it is also spreading joy. I feel like it’s partly about sharing good worldly things, and partly missionary work. It is also about parenting, and not just correcting and fixing, but sharing joy. It is okay to revel in the goodness in the world, and not just okay but important and good.

Because of Helaman’s faith, and that of his soldiers, and their success because of it, Moroni and his men were inspired to take back the land from the Lamenites where they were. Sharing goodness also helps people to have hope and to be able to do more themselves.

I am also amazed at the faith of the Nephite leaders. When they were not succeeding against the Lamenites they worried about the wickedness of the people, never questioning the love of help of God. How quickly they went from rejoicing to sorrow, but saw the goodness of God in all of it.

Alma 59

Alma 58:30-41

The Nephite armies were too small to maintain the lands which they had retaken from the Lamenites, but they weren’t afraid because they trusted God. Not being afraid is a good constant reminder for my anxiety.

Why didn’t the men who had come to strengthen the army know what was going on with the rebellion in Zarahemla? I have always wondered about that.

This is such a letter written by a prophet. He had so many things to worry about, and to complain about and accuse about, but it wasn’t that way at all. It reminds me of this talk by President Hinkley, Slow to Anger, that I read this morning. When I couldn’t sleep last night, not being angry and frustrated what something that I felt impressed about a lot as I read Camilla Kimball’s biography in the middle of the night. It has been on my mind for a long time, but especially lately. I am anxious and impatient, and want to find some parenting solution that fixes problems immediately. I need to just keep doing the right thing and trust the Lord and His eventuality. I need to not be afraid, and not be impatient and angry.

I love that the Ammonite boys were “strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day.” I don’t think I am strict enough with myself, and let days go by without scripture reading and teaching my children. I need to be more consistent. The other day I was thinking about how they have their agency, and no matter what I teach them they may choose wickedness in the end. It broke my heart and I had the thought that I would be willing to do anything and everything to protect them from that unhappiness. And then the prompting came that I wasn’t do everything, and we needed to more faithfully read scriptures and take their spiritual preparation more seriously.  And yet, last night came late again, and I didn’t make us read scriptures. What am I so afraid of?

Alma 58:30-41

Alma 58:12-29

Having courage is really hard for me. When I am fired up I run straight ahead, until I calm down and then my anxiety sets in. They took courage and were determined because they knew their cause was right. I need to be more careful that the fights I undertake and according to the Lord’s will. I tend to get caught up in what I think is right, and forget to ask Him if I am right. Knowing things were truly good, and His way, would help me have more courage and determination. And if a battle is worth fighting, it should be “with all my might.”

But then, the lesson from the Lamenites here is not to get so distracted by the battle that I fail to guard my base, or my home. Keeping my home safe and protected has to always be the most important thing, or when my focus is elsewhere it would be easy for my enemies to come in. And also, the lesson again that sleep is not always the most important thing. I tend to feel like it is, even though I know it isn’t. This conference talk by Richard G. Scott from October 2014 comes to my mind all the time, about how reading scriptures is more important than sleep. I felt this powerfully when he said it, yet I still choose bedtime when it gets late for my kids every night. I need to do better!

Alma 58:12-29

Alma 58:4-11

It was months of near starvation and worry before God spoke peace to their souls. I read an article yesterday about how sadness is good for us, and it is our struggles that bring us close to God, so we shouldn’t be afraid of them. Omar and I have been talking about that a lot this week, too, as Isaiah keeps getting hurt and then won’t let us help him because he is afraid or care will hurt. He feels like any pain is the worst possible outcome, but we know that it is not, and have to try and help him see that. Then last night I had a really vivid dream about being a missionary and Elder Eyring came to our mission. I know we were doing some time of service, I am not sure what anymore, but he said that the work moves forward among the poor and troubled because happy people are not looking for a solution. I know that we are refined by fire in this life, and I have personally experienced that change that comes from suffering. When things are at their worst I pray so hard and sincerely for relief and comfort. It has never been my experience to have to wait for that comfort to come, to have to feel like I am walking through my trials alone. Even when my troubles don’t disappear, the comfort always comes. But here it did not come immediately, and I am sure those months felt long. I remember when Omar had that experience what a heavy burden it felt like alone, and how painful it was for him. I don’t know why sometimes God withholds his assurances. It is so hard to even watch. But I do trust His perfect goodness, that somehow that pain that He allows is best. But sometimes best is so very hard.

The idea of trust has come up for me several times this past week, also. As I prepared my sharing time lesson for Senior Primary I turned to the Come Follow Me lessons and found this talk by Carole M. Stephens, If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments. She talks about how trust is a principle that keeps us on the right path. We have to trust in God’s love, and Christ’s atonement and trust the promptings of the Holy Ghost. It keeps coming back to my mind, and was one of the things I shared with the kids yesterday. And when we were trying to help Isaiah, I had to help him trust me and my love, so that he would let me care for him in ways that were important, but scared him. Is faith really an exercise of trust? Probably sometimes.

Alma 58:4-11

Alma 58:1-3

I just realized that it is significant that the Book of Mormon is always talking about how the Lamenite armies were so much bigger than their own. In the last days God’s kingdom will always be a small part of the world, always arrayed against a larger and seemingly more powerful foe. But as the Nephites trusted in Him, they always came out victorious. It is a lesson of hope for us in the latter days. God will conquer, God’s army will prevail. We just have to choose to be on His side, no matter what the numbers look like.

Faced with the greater army, it was very important to maintain the ground they had already gained. Which could be analogous to our own personal testimonies like Jeffrey R. Holland’s conference talk, Lord, I believe. It also feels like it is about keeping our homes and our families strong. Sometimes it is so easy to get distracted by all the things going on outside my home, good and bad, that I forget how important it is to spend my energy strengthening and protecting it. Missionary work is good, there truly are battle to be fought, but they can’t be at the expense of the things I have to protect at home. Other concerns can’t take my energy and focus and time to the detriment of maintaining my current strong holds.

Alma 58:1-3

Alma 57

I can’t get over how many people keep dying. War is awful. What made the Lamenites keep fighting in the face of so much horror? They were not fighting for their freedom and safety. They could just go home. Is this a case of the misplaced enmity my dad talks about? It seems like now the aggressors in these types of battle always have to convince their soldiers they are fighting a holy war. It makes me sad that people can get so deceived, and have their hearts so hardened against the truth.

Alma 57

Alma 56

It is interesting to me that when Helaman was describing these boys that he had led and loved he didn’t call them Lamanites, but took them time to describe them as descendants of Laman, the eldest son of our father Lehi. At this point the Lamenites were enemies, and calling them that would have meant something different. Because he loved them he wasn’t lumping them into a despised cultural group. It makes me wonder if using those types of descriptions to describe people, Mexican, Asian, or whatever, can ever by loving, or if it is always lazy and a laced with prejudice.

I am always amazed at Helaman’s faith that the Lord with strengthen them because they kept their covenants. He believed in that they would be temporally better off by keeping those spiritual promises, even though from a worldly perspective it made no sense. Faith doesn’t have to make sense because our vision of what is right or possible is so limited compared to God’s. I need to learn to better trust his expansive vision. Why is trust, even of God, so difficult for me?

Helaman’s consolation over the men lost to war, that they died in the cause of their country and their God and are happy, feels very timely today. Bruce Bowling’s death makes me very sad, and I know it is a million times harder for his family. But if ever there was a way to die in the service of your God, it is surely doing things to prepare to serve another mission. And I know he is happy. He was always happy, but he is now full of joy. The human capacity to feel joy and peace and sorrow and so many feelings at the same time is amazing. The depth of human experience is complicated and convoluted. How can we ever judge another’s intentions or feelings when our own so often seem unknowable?

The 2000 warriors would have been a blessing even if they never fought, just because the exhausted men were not attacked by the Lamenties who feared their arrival. The army they came to strengthen was depressed and ready to make their last futile stand, and their arrival afforded them a reprieve, and gave them a chance to gather courage, strength, and hope. Sometimes I hesitate to serve, because I am not sure what I could really offer in some circumstances. But perhaps it is just the strength in numbers that is needed sometimes. Maybe just being there is enough.

I love that Helaman recognizes the hand of the Lord gratefully is the things that happen. That is a great question in my mind, how much and why does the Lord interfere in the affairs of men. How much of what happens is just the result of a fallen world and use of agency?

It had to have taken so much courage for them to march out and bait the strongest army of the Lamenites. I can’t even imagine. So much faith!

The thought of Antipus and his men hurrying behind the Lamenites trying to save the young men, makes me want to cry today. I can imagine their exhaustion, but the need to protect the youth and not let them down driving them onward. It is a feeling I recognize in the adults around the youth and children I am exposed to every day. I am always so moved when they catch the Lamenties and stop their pursuit of Helaman’s boys. And their great slaughter breaks my heart. I know that Helaman and his stripling warriors were heros here, especially when the vote to turn and fight, but Antipus and his men and their sacrifice truly touch me, and inspire me love bigger and bolder.

The scripture about how their mother’s had taught them that if they did not doubt God would deliver them always give me cause to pause and reflect. Could I teach my sons that? Eternally, yes, but I don’t know about here on earth. So many good men die in war. Had the mothers received special confirmation that this was so? Or is my faith just so severely lacking that this should be an obvious truth that he would protect them, but I just don’t see? I think it must have been specific revelation. Because even in this war good men died serving God. Helaman had just written that very thing to Moroni. Maybe the lesson is more about faith in your personal revelations than it is about faith in general. Even Helaman, because it was not his revelation, thought that a great many of his soldiers were going to have been slain. But none of them were.

When Helaman talks about the faith and power of his boys, I always feel so proud of them, which must be because of his pride in them as he writes. You can feel his love and awe through his words. I hear the song “rise up, oh men of God” in my head and want to be braver and stronger because they were so brave and strong. And I want to teach my boys to be this kind of men.

Alma 56

Alma 55

I think the Lamenites were so easily deceived by Laman and his wine because he was telling them what they wanted to hear. It is something to be careful of. It is also another cautionary tale about drinking. And I love the Moroni could have slaughtered all the gaurds and freed his people, but didn’t. He came up with a plan that would result in the least amount of killing as possible. A good lesson on always maintaining your value, even in extreme circumstances.

But then you get to the part about making the Lamenite prisoners try their wine before they drank in case it was poisoned. That part always twinges my heart.

Mostly I think the lesson today is doing the right thing, what Jesus would do, no matter what circumstances I find myself in. Sometimes it is the littlest problems, like being late, that make it feel okay to yell or be unkind. But the answer is always making the right choice. Loving people to the full extent of my ability no matter who they are or what choices they are making.

Alma 55

Alma 54

Why did Moroni start his epistle with calling Amaron out for his wickedness and telling him he was going to hell unless he repented. And then it wasn’t even a loving call to repentance, because he followed that with saying he knew he would reject it. It is interesting to me, though, that Moroni wasn’t wishing for Amaron and his brother to go to hell. He still saw repentance as an option for them if they were willing to take it. The imperfect human reaction, like being cut off is hoping someone crashes. But Moroni wasn’t hoping they would go to hell, just recognizing the reality if they didn’t change their path. Although he does call him a child of hell.

I always assumed Amaron was talking about the government being robbed from the Lamenites, because I thought he was responding to Moroni’s allusion in his letter. However, it makes more sense that he is talking about the king-men, here. Amalikiah though he should have been the Nephite king, is that who Amaron thinks was robbed?

It is interesting that Amaron rejects the idea of obedience as a requirement for God’s protection and blessings. He isn’t sure there is a God, but if there is, says he made us as well as you, which Moroni would have agreed with, if they were having a real conversation. The thing that Amaron, and people today don’t want to acknowledge, is that God requires anything of us. God is a God of love, but that love desires our growth and progression. Just like the love of earthly parents truly requires them to set boundaries and make rules for the protection and progression of their children.

It always strikes me how much pain Amaron is feeling at the loss of his brother. It comes through so clearly in his return letter, especially in his response to Mornoi’s hinting that he has gone to hell.

Oh, wait, I was wrong, Amaron claims that the war is for the Lamenites to reclaim their rights of government. It is a strange claim, since the Nephites never tried to rule over the Lamenites, they just left. It is a strange idea to think that you get to force people to be your subjects, though I suppose that is the way most of the world has worked throughout history, and even a lot of it today. It makes me grateful to live in a free country, with grand ideas of democracy and self-determination. It also makes me think about my right to “rule” in my family. I often want to rule by force, but that doesn’t feel like the best way. Just the easiest.

Alma 54

Alma 53

I always remember from this story that it was easier to guard the Lamenites while they were working. It stands out to me as important, but I never know why. How does that apply to me? Is it a lesson about being too busy to have time to really think? Or perhaps that business keeps you out of trouble? I don’t know, but it has always jumped out at me.

Moroni didn’t rush off to fight, but took time to prepare and to care for their families. That is definitely a lesson about being too busy, and as a leader requiring too much from other people. Sometimes in my rush to accomplish things I forget the value in the preparation and mundane get the food together tasks. But nothing can be accomplished well without those steps. It reminds me of Greta’s letter yesterday about when they don’t have time to study and prepare for lessons they don’t go as well. Sometimes I just like to be buys accomplishing things, but I need to remember how important the study and preparation are to really do the things I want to do well.

I wonder if the Nephites wickedness caused them to lose because God stop protecting them, or if it is just a natural consequence of the choice that they were making. I am sure partly they couldn’t be in tune with the Spirit while being wicked, but it also just would mess them up to have infighting during a battle. Sometimes I think unhappiness from wickedness and peace and happiness from righteousness are not just blessings, but also just the natural consequence of choices. Like how Omar always talks about how you can sleep at night if you are honest.

The story of the people of Ammon is always intriguing to me. When they saw people dying and they couldn’t help, it must have been so hard. I don’t blame them for wanting to break their oath. It almost doesn’t seem wrong to me for them to break their oath in those extenuating circumstances. But I wonder if that is the weakness of my over-valuing efficiency. Sometimes God’s way seems so impractical, and I am sure that for the sake of practicality there would be leniency. But there were amazing miracles that happened because they did not fight, and their children were amazingly blessed for their obedience. I need to have more faith in the inefficiency of God’s way.

I always told Helaman that verse 14 was the reason we gave him his name. A hero who helps people to keep their covenants and sacrifices to serve those who cannot help themselves.

I want to think more about the description of the stripling warriors:

• Exceedingly valiant for courage
• Also for strength and activity
• True at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted
• Men of truth and soberness
• Taught to keep the commandments of God and walk uprightly before Him

That is what I would pray for my sons. With all my heart! How can I help them to develop courage? I already know I need to do more to help them be strong and active, that has been on my mind a lot. And I need to help them be more true to their responsibilities. It is really hard for me to let them take that on and not interfere. But I need to be more conscious about teaching instead of making life easy.

Alma 53

Alma 52

I think the thing I am learning from Tiancum is that you have to pick your battles. Not every battle is worth fighting and sometimes the timing isn’t right.

It also stands out to me that they only killed people who wouldn’t stop fighting, or who wouldn’t give up their weapons of war. Even in the craziness it was never about vengeance.

I am also thinking about the war council. In most of the Book of Mormon you hear about men whose contribution was prophets and record keepers, peaceful and wise kings, missionaries. But here are men whose talent to serve the people was strength and war strategy. Sometimes as a woman it feels like my talents are supposed to be tender and soft spoken, but as I think about this I feel like Heavenly Father is telling me that everyone is needed, even strong voices.

How did Moroni make announcements in the middle of battles? As Jacob was dying, did he regret his life choices, or did he feel like it was worth it?

Alma 52

Alma 51

The Nephites democracy was constantly threatened by men who would be kings and people who wanted kings. I feel like there is no parallel in the history of our free government. But I also think that in times of trouble, people could be tempted to want stronger centralized leadership, like FDR running and winning the presidency for 4 terms during WWII. I feel like sometimes I take our free government for granted, and don’t realize how easily it could all be lost.

It seems so wicked that king-men were glad when the Lamenites were coming and wouldn’t help defend their country. It is probably the same wickedness that ever wants revenge when we are angry, or withholding help from people we don’t like or disagree with.

Was Moroni’s action right in compelling them to take up arms? When I was younger I used to hear the argument a lot about not taking away people’s agency. This seems like a crazy thing to do, but do the ends sometimes justify the means? Or was it not wrong or weird at all, and it only seems like it to me?

While the Nephites were busy fighting with themselves the Lamenites came and took the city of Moroni and killed a lot of people. The Nephites had been so successful when they were united and righteous, and then they lost that help when they were fighting each other. I can see that the Lord could not be here helping our family when we were fighting this morning. Even if the Holy Ghost had been trying to talk to me, I never would have been able to hear him over my own anger and yelling. At that point it didn’t matter who was doing wrong things (all of us, but way more me in the yelling) but it mattered that with the contention we couldn’t have divine protection.

Teancum’s ability to murder the king in his sleep goes to show again that the devil will not support you in the end.

Alma 51

Alma 50

Even after decisively beating the Lamenites and returning to a time of peace, Moroni did not let up in his preparations for war and creating strong defenses for his people. Which seems wise from a political war standpoint, but also reminds me of the counsel not to forget God when our lives get easy. In times of crisis it is easier to remember to pray always and seek the Lord’s comfort and counsel, but the times of peace between the times of war, are when it is easy to be lazy in maintaining that relationship and seeking His help. I have to be constantly diligent in my own preparation but also in preparing and protecting my family.

And Moroni didn’t just do one type of fortification, he did everything thing he could think of to protect the people, with walls and then timbers and then pickets and the secure and armed towers. I think too often I have a good enough approach to everything. It is something I have struggled with my whole life, like only wanting to do one draft of a paper, or not rechecking my work. Moroni teaches me about working hard and putting a whole best effort, not good enough effort. And also that we have to do everything that we can to fortify our families. It isn’t enough to just have family prayer, we need all the help of family scripture study and family home evening and going to church together, and gospel discussions, and constantly praying for them. If it is important to keep them safe, it needs to be a constant best effort in every possible way.

Moroni also worked hard to make a clear line between the Nephites and the Lamenites. We need to protect our family by making sure the lines between right and wrong are clearly defined as they can be. That we are as valiant as we can be as an example of what is good. So that the line between us and our enemy is clearly defined and defend-able.

Moroni’s army increased daily because the people saw the protection that his preparations offered them. Which seems like it would be another side effect of dedicated work in the kingdom. If we are clearly trying to be good and avoid the appearance of evil, but make clear lines, it is easier for people to see what it looks like and want to be a part of it. They will know what it is that keeps our family safe, and it will be easier for them to believe.

I love Mormon’s “thus we see” inserts throughout his summary, and how he wants to point out important things he is learning from the text.

It is an interesting side note that Alma first tried to give the plates to Nephihah before giving them to Helaman, but he wouldn’t take them. How different would the record be if he had accepted the calling? Or perhaps the record would be no different, but Nephihah would. Or maybe he felt inspired not to?

The responsibility of the chief judge of the Nephites was huge. It is also interesting that they had no separation of church and state. One of the things the chief judges swore their oath to do was support and maintain the cause of God. I think that was once implied in the U.S., but that surely does not seem to be the case now.

Alma 50

Alma 49

The parallel between the city of Ammonihah and true repentance strikes me today. The Lamenites had been able to cause destruction there previously because of the wickedness of the people, and so assumed they would be able to again. But the people had rebuilt it and strengthened it to the point that the Lamenites could not get anywhere in their attempts to attack it. Repentance is partially making weak things become strong through Jesus Christ. I have read things, and used to believe, that once you have given in to certain temptations that will also be a weakness for you, like if you give into the temptation of premarital sex you will be more tempted than other people to have an affair in your marriage. But with true repentance, true change of heart, that isn’t true. Our weaknesses become our greatest strengths. He changes us into something strong and pure and good, and impenetrable.

Sometimes life appears too overwhelming, and sometimes it is the wickedness in the world that seems too great to win against. Sometimes it is the wickedness in my heart that seems too big to conquer. Just like the Lamenite army was huge and well prepared, they believed they would easily overcome the Nephites. But because they Nephites were following Moroni in their preparations, who in his faith was following the Lord, they were strong enough to overcome insurmountable odds. With God nothing is impossible, even the war inside myself.

It is interesting that when the Lamenite captains got to Noah they had to attack even though they knew it was a bad idea, because they had sworn in front of the people to do it. It is a lesson in being careful with what you say. Is it also a lesson in honor, that they did what they swore to do, or is a lesson in pride that they would not back down because they had already sworn? Sometimes I am not sure which of those is a virtue. Like when I give my kids a punishment that I later regret, do I stick to it, or do I tell them I made a mistake a change it? Does changing my mind make them not trust me or respect what I say I will do? Maybe it matters why I changed my mind? I really struggle with this.

It is sad how many Lamenites died for no reason because of their stubborn leaders. Why were they willing to keep following them?

Alma 49

Alma 48:14-25

The Nephites believed that if they kept the commandments they never had to be afraid because he would warn them to flee or to prepare for war when it was necessary, and that he would deliver them. There are so many things in life that I worry about constantly. I feel like a lot of my reaction to my kids’ misbehavior and to the world in general comes from a place of fear. I also think that the reason I hate when I feel not in control is because I am afraid. It all seems to come back again to the constantly remembering, and focusing on Christ. When I stop to think about it, I do trust God to take care of everything, and know that His ways are best. But in the midst of everyday life it is so easy for me to forget. I even forget the plans that I make or the ways I have been inspired to always remember.

What does it mean that Moroni gloried in his faith? When I look up the definition is to exult with triumph. Did his faith preclude fear and stress in war time? Is that why if all men had been like Moroni hell would be shaken forever?

I love that Mormon brings up that Helaman and his brethren were just as important to the people as Moroni. Although he was the great famous war leader, they were preaching the word of God, and that mattered just as much. Sometimes it is so easy to feel like the little things I do as a mother, or at church, are so unimportant. I often struggle with feelings of wanting to do something big and important in the world. I am grateful for the reminder this morning, that when I teach my kids the gospel, and I share the good news, I am doing something important in the world.

Alma 48:14-25

Alma 48:1-13

It seems like one lesson here is to be careful of leaders who lead by hate and anger. Amalickiah managed to get the Lamanties to go to battle against the Nephites, even though one short year ago they had been determined to fight each other not to have to go. He did it by making them feel angry and hateful towards them. I can’t see God working that way, which makes it hard to believe that leaders would be choosing the right when they were making choices or trying to persuade you that way.

It feels like it is dirty for him to use Nephite dissenters as the leaders of the army because they knew where the Nephites were weak and what their strategies and strengths were. But it only feels dirty because his intentions are evil. I guess this is where it comes in again that Moroni didn’t consider it a sin to use strategy to beat the Lamenites. Some actions are not inherently good or evil, it is really about intentions and what you are trying to accomplish. So often when we judge each other it is because we assigning intent to what someone is doing, which we often can’t really know, and shouldn’t assume. I know that is something I have a hard time with. Because I don’t even notice that I am making assumptions as I interpret a situation. It is really hard to step back from that and see an action isolated from intent.

It is important to me that Moroni didn’t start preparing for the attack on his people when the armies were approaching. He began before they had even been convinced to fight. I think for me as a parent that is important to remember because I need to home and family and children to be protected and fortified before the attack comes. There are no huge temptations in their lives yet, but they need to be strengthened before that time, not in the midst of the battle. Then when the hard things do come they are more likely to survive. What can I do better?

Mormon gives some really specific details about how Moroni prepared his people. If he took the time to carve it into the plates, the specifics must matter.

What Moroni Did	What I can do
Preparing the minds of the people to be faithful to the Lord their God (v. 7)	This is the gospel teaching in our home. Teaching my children about God’s love and what he has given us. Especially teaching them about the atonement and how it gives us hope and joy and how we can trust Him to save us. When we know how much he loves us, when we really know what he has done for us, that is when we are prepared to be faithful to him.
Strengthening the armies of the Nephites (v.8)	My army is my family. I need to be consciously doing what I can to help them be strong, and make sure that they have a good network of fellow soldiers to help them feel strong.
Erecting forts (v.8)	About making safe places and times of refuge. I think this is about making sacred spaces. Family scripture study and prayers, family night, going to church together. Set times and places to reconnect with each other and with the Spirit. Established places of refuge.
Walls around the cities (v.8)	The rules we make for protection of our family. Keeping bad media out of our home, treating each other kindly. Being in sacred places.
Concentrated most effort weaknesses (v.9)	This feels like it has to do with the deliberate parenting Rebecca always talks about. I need to be mindful of what needs to be taught, who needs to be comforted, and how I can do those things with the help of God. It is going through the day and making my decisions with thought instead of reaction. Individually, this reminds me of the talk about “what lack I yet.” And also the scripture from Ether 12:27. It isn’t just that he gives us weaknesses to make us humble, but also that he will show us what they are and help us strengthen them.

So then to protect my family like Moroni protected his people, do I need to be the kind of leader he was? Mormon describes him as:

• Strong and mighty
• Maybe just firm in standing for truth. I think I have a strong personality if not physique. And I am grateful for the idea that being strong is not a bad thing.
• Update: I had some more thoughts about the strong and mighty part later. I started thinking about President Nelson’s talk from the last general conference called A Plea to My Sisters. Especially this: “We need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices.” Not only is okay to be strong, but God needs our strength, specifically. Voices that tell us to be docile and wrong.
• I was also thinking that how we physically present ourselves in a situation matters. Moroni was strong and mighty in a time of a war, which was what people needed to feel confident. It is the same reason missionaries need to look nice, and the same reason I always wear makeup if I am going to be presenting, or in a meeting where I need to be taken more seriously. 
• Perfect understanding
• I wish for perfect understanding, and I suppose I do try to seek for perfect understanding. But perfect is a big word there. I think the seeking is a good start?
• Did not delight in bloodshed
• I think for me this is about when I am right, not enjoying that someone else is wrong and I win. Not punishing my kids because I am mad, but doing things only with a pure heart and good intentions.
• Joy in the liberty and freedom of his country
• My joy is in my family being free from sin and becoming good men. Sometimes I forget that that is really my priority, and where my joy comes from. Being mindful of goals.
• Heart swollen with thanksgiving to God
• Remembering all that God has done for our family, for me, for all of us, so that my faith in Him and this cause remain. Not getting caught up in the hard things, but remembering that Christ is victorious in the end. If I can focus on the thanksgiving, will that make the details less frustrating?
• Labor exceedingly in his cause
• NOT BE LAZY
• Firm in the faith of Christ
• To lead my family to the safety of faith, I have to be firmly there. Small daily choices that help me remember and feel the Spirit.
• Sworn an oath to defend his people, even to the loss of his blood
• Willing to sacrifice whatever it takes. Selfless. So hard.

Alma 48:1-13

Alma 47

It has always stuck out to me that the servants of the king ran to the people of Ammon and joined them. If they were faithful to the king, they had not long ago been enemies, and yet the people of Ammon took them in. And how did king’s servants know they would have mercy on them? Had they noticed the goodness that comes from truly living the gospel?

It is sad that the Nephite dissenters became hardened and forgot God. It is easy to become distracted by people’s imperfections, or imperfect government in the church or country, it easy to be offended. All the things that people are hurt about, the hurt is real. But we hurt ourselves more when we leave because of it. Last night I took Helaman’s stuffed Mario mushroom away at bedtime because they boys were being crazy. He was very upset, and then threw his blanket and pillow off his bed and announced he wasn’t going to sleep the whole night and freeze if he couldn’t have his mushroom. Omar had a long talk with him about not making more bad choices when we are upset that just end up hurting ourselves. He didn’t want him to start down that painful path. And yet, as adults, I feel like we do that, too. We get upset and stay away from church, or from things we once loved and found joy in. We get hurt by our spouse and stop talking to them, and the hurt grows until we damage that relationship. The dissenters got upset and lost their connection to God, and all the peace and joy that could have come from that. Why do we hurt ourselves?

Alma 47

Alma 46:19-41

I wonder what made some of the Amalekiahites willing to die for their cause, when they had the chance to be spared and free. What makes us so stuck in wrong that we can’t choose the right any more? Is that what it really is to be too late to repent? We are too mired in our sins to see them for what they are?

I wonder if hundreds of years from now someone writing the history of the church in our day would note times of peace and conflict. Four years of peace in the church seems like so little, but I suppose if there were no dissensions in that time, and everyone was getting along, that would feel like a lot. I wonder if the trouble was the same then as it is now, partly a church run by imperfect people, and partly imperfect people belonging to the church.

I wonder why it was important at this particular point in history to point out that those who died with faith died happy.

Alma 46:19-41

Alma 46:9-18

We have to be careful not to be deceived by the very wicked men in our day. They have to be persuasive, or they wouldn’t really convince anyone.  I observe, and sometimes feel how a mob can get swept up in passionate feelings about something completely wrong. It seems to me, the only way to not be deceived is to rely on the Holy Ghost, and to remember to pay attention to the Holy Ghost. Sometimes his prompting feel so similar to other things, we have to always remember to really listen, and do those things that make it easier to hear. (Like, Jinny, reading scriptures every day).  It is why the commandment to “ALWAYS remember” the Savior is so important. If I can really focus on Him in everything I am doing, it will change the way I see everything.

I wonder if the title of liberty had better flow in their language? It is really awkward wording in English.

Moroni said that God would not allow them to be trodden down and destroyed except by their own transgression. But then we hear about how God allows others to use their agency and of course bad things happen to good people. But things like what Moroni said I think are why the bad things are such a faith-shaking experience for people. We are told repeatedly in the scriptures we will be blessed and protected for being righteous. And then when things are hard we are told that means eternally, but Moroni clearly means it temporally here. Maybe it means God will not let all of His people be destroyed, but is that comforting in times of individual suffering? I suppose if we have a larger Zion vision of life that it would be. Except if we believe God’s work cannot be stopped, and things will work out in the end, why would it even matter? It is hard for my mind to reconcile.

Alma 46:9-18

Alma 46:1-8

Why do people have to fight against the church when they don’t believe. Why don’t we say, fine, you believe that and I will believe this. I feel like some people eventually get to that point, kind of, when they stop believing, but there is always this feeling of animosity. Did the non-believers feel like Helaman was lying to them, or trying to steal from them or take power from them? What is that people feel like they have to fight against? In this case it feels like it is just a way to get what they want, to gain power over the people. And I can see that I few wicked leaders start out that way, but how do they justify the angry fight to everyone else? In my experience in life, most people are trying to do good things, they are just often deceived about what really is good. What was the good justification here? Does my wanting to have power and control of my family lead me to justify bad behavior, specifically angry coercive behavior? I suppose my anger isn’t really that different than this. Christ told us that the anger itself is a sin similar to the actualy murder. Maybe the secret to being more in control of my anger is looking more closesly at my intentions in the moment. The problem is, in the moment, it is hard to be anything other than angry. If I can let go of the need to control everything, maybe the ager won’t come?

The thus we see how quickly people forget God really feels important in my life. I can have amazing spiritual expereinces, and then get busy and distracted and feel so far away from Him so quickly. The praying and reading scriptures every day is so important because it is so easy to forget His blessings and mercy. All of us have been saved by our enemy by Him, just like the Nephites. And in the moment that we are aware of our salvation we rejoice and are grateful. But it is so easy to forget. I don’t want to forget. I want to do better at consistently focusing on Him and losing myself in His work. EVERY DAY

Alma 46:1-8

Alma 45

Did the Nephites rejoicing come from the deliverance or the gratitude? Probably both, but it has been a long time since my family has been able to lean in enough to feel “exceedingly great joy.” It says they worshiped God with exceedingly great joy. I don’t feel like we fast with great joy. It really does comes down to our attitude of gratitude to God, and seeing His great blessings for what they are. How do we focus on that more? How can we be less cynical?

Along with the idea of not being cynical, Helaman totally trusted Alma enough to say he would keep his commandments without first hearing what they were. I don’t find myself to be that humble, or that trusting.

Did the Nephites not have wards and stakes established? It seems like the leaders of the church were constantly having to go and reestablish the church among the people, and deal with dissensions and such. I never realized before what a blessing it is to have an organized church that meets every week. We constantly have the opportunity to be preached to, and to strengthen each other. And then when Helaman appointed local leaders, that didn’t work because they wouldn’t listen to the prophet and became proud. Is this the warning that makes correlation necessary? I can see how if I was a leader of the church now, I would read these verses as a warning of what could go wrong. The balance between individual revelation and local control, and the need to keep the people of the church teaching and learning true doctrine is a very tricky place. That makes me feel less cynical about it.

Alma 45