I can't say enough good things about Captain Moroni. And it seems neither can the historians. Moroni took command of the entire Nephite army at the tender age of 25 (Alma 43:16-17). His warfare acumen and military strategies are astounding. His achievements as protector of his people and defender of liberty, legendary. His devotion to God and the covenants he had made to keep the commandments of God, more than admirable. Equal to all these qualities, was his passionate nature which was the genesis of the success he achieved. Who can forget the title of liberty which he raised at the onset of his military career to defend the liberty of his people as the insurrection fueled by the rise of the king-men sought to overthrow the government of the judges (Alma 46:4-6,12)?
Besides being a man of war, Moroni was well versed in scripture and a fervent upholder of covenants (Alma 60:34,36); he had an incredible talent to inspire people (Alma 62:4,5); a man of un-daunting faith in his actions (Alma 60:25); a man who feared only God (Alma 60:28); a man of fearless courage who dared to address his enemy as 'a child of hell' (Alma 54:11).
Moroni spent most of his adult life shouldering immense responsibility for the peace of a whole nation. What is even more impressive is that his faith never wavered despite incredible hardships of warfare as recounted by Mormon in the war chapters of the book of Alma. Mormon, himself being a military man, obviously admired Moroni greatly. Besides being impressed by his military maneuvers, Mormon was most impressed with his spiritual stature as he wrote this this worthy epitaph of the man: "...if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever...." (Alma 48:17).
Historians have thought it odd that Mormon would include in his record Moroni's epistle to the chief governor Pahoran (Alma 60) which seems to suggest Moroni was a bit of a hot head. To me, however, Mormon was only highlighting what a good man Moroni was. Pahoran never got offended by the accusatory tone of Moroni's letter, whom he called 'my beloved brother' (Alma 61:20). Pahoran knew only too well what truly motivated Moroni's passionate outburst: his concern for the welfare of others and the freedom of the country. It was Helaman's letter to Moroni outlining the dire circumstances of his army that motivated him to write to Pahoran in the first place asking for assistance (Alma 59:3). When the reply was not forthcoming and circumstances became even more dire, Moroni's concern escalated to one of indignation. How could you possibly be offended by the goodness of someone's heart?
I saw Captain Moroni in a new light this year. I saw him and Helaman as spiritual giants of Nephite warfare. I was mesmerised by their acts of courage but more than that, I saw the men behind the scenes of battle. I cried when I read of Moroni's death. He was a warrior of unequaled passion. A warrior for the right cause. A warrior who valiantly said: ".....I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God...." (Alma 60:36). Makes you want to weep, doesn't it?
- Cathryne Allen, Did Not Our Hearts Burn When He Opened To Us The Scriptures?
published 2021 by amazon.com
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