THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOOK OF MORMON

Some years ago when my daughter returned home from her mission, she gave a copy of the Book of Mormon to a co-worker and told him to read the last 20 chapters of the book of Alma. When I she told me this, I said: “Oh no, not the war chapters!!! How dry and boring!!!”  My reasoning was that the war chapters were lacking doctrine. A few days later, my daughter’s co-worker got back to her with: “Oh I loved the war chapters!!!” Hmmmm

A short time after that experience I started to study the war chapters more intently and I discovered a treasure trove. Now I read these chapters with bated breath wondering what they will teach me next. I am constantly amazed by the inexhaustible lessons I learn from the Book of Mormon.

Of course, when I study the war chapters, Captain Moroni leaves me breathless, every time. I can't say enough good things about him. A motivator, a source of inspiration, a believer in the cause of truth (Alma 43:48,49) 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 to defend the liberty of his people as the insurrection fuelled by the rise of the king-men sought to overthrow the government of the judges (Alma 46:4-6,12)?

This is what I admire about Moroni the most, he was a man of God. Besides being the brightest miliary mind of his day, Moroni was a man of humility who sought the prophet’s counsel for his actions (Alma 43:23,24); he was well versed in scripture and a fervent upholder of covenants (Alma 60:34,36); and a man who feared only God (Alma 60:28). It is Moroni’s spiritual strength that gave him enormous advantage over his enemies.

Hugh Nibley described the onset of the war chapters introducing Moroni thus: “The Lamanite campaign was directed by Amalekite and Zoramite officers, whose knowledge [being Nephite dissenters] of Nephite military secrets and methods would have given them an enormous advantage over any commander but Moroni.” (Hugh Nibley, Since Cumorah, 2^nd ed. [1988], 296). As I read chapter 43 I understood that statement. The greatest sign of Moroni’s genius would have to be the armour he prepared his people with to fight the scantily clad Lamanites (v 18-22). This resulted in absolute slaughter of the Lamanites (v 37,38). What spiritual lesson can we take away from this military strategy of Captain Moroni?

When writing to the Ephesians, Paul admonished them to put on the whole armour of God accentuating gospel principles which offer spiritual protection. He took this concept to a new level when he admonished the Romans to put on ‘the armour of light’ meaning ‘the Lord Jesus Christ’ (Romans 13:14). The armour of God truly does protect us from spiritual darkness because each section of the armour deals with a gospel principle that counteracts sin. This is the greatest protection we can have. The ‘armour of light’, however, suggests something more. It means bringing the light of Christ to the world to counteract the darkness.

Now more than ever, we, the disciples of Christ and bearers of truth, need to wear the ‘armour of light’ and bring it to the world.  The more righteous we are, the more light we are endowed with until we come to that day when we become as glorious as the one who is the source of all light. Nephi saw the power of God in our day descending on the saints of the Church of the Lamb who were few and scattered upon the face of the earth, but 'armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory' (1 Nephi 14:14). Why were we given this power? Because ‘gathered together were multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the Gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God….and his covenant people’ (v 13, 14).

We are at war too but in the words of Terri Savelle Foy: Satan has no power on his best day to take you out on your worst day……

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Captain Moroni - Come Forth by Walter Rane)

 

ARMOUR OF GOD

There is an interesting story in chapter 22 of 1 Kings in the Old Testament  featuring King Ahab, the most wicked and powerful king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Ahab had married Jezebel who introduced the worship of Baal and Asherah to the Kingdom of Israel. Together Ahab and Jezebel sought to slay all the Lord's prophets and eradicate the worship of Jehovah from Israel. It was a very grim time in Israel's history.

After three years of peace with Syria, Ahab decided that he wanted to conquer the land of Ramoth in Gilead which he believed belonged rightfully to Israel. To strengthen his forces against Syria Ahab approached Jehoshaphat, King of Judah for an alliance. Jehoshaphat agreed but he wanted assurance from God that this was a good move so he asked Ahab to inquire of the Lord. Ahab gathered together his 400 'prophets' and asked if he should go against Syria to capture Ramoth-gilead. The prophets flattered him and told him to go for it and he will prosper because the Lord will deliver Syrians into his hand. Jehoshaphat who must have seen through these false prophets asked if there was a prophet of the Lord that they could also ask. Ahab replied there was one Micaiah but that he hated him because he always prophesied evil against him. Really???  Under Jehoshaphat's persuasion Ahab summoned Micaiah and put the same question to him. Micaiah replied: "I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd" (1 Kings 22:17) and then recited to him an amusing anecdote. He said he saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven around him and the Lord asked "Who shall persuade Ahab that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?" Several made different propositions and then one spirit came forward and said, "I will persuade him". When the Lord inquired how he proposed to do that, he answered that he will put a lying spirit in Ahab's 400 prophets who will tell him to go to battle. And the Lord agreed to this plan. This angered Ahab terribly and he ordered for Micaiah to be put into prison and be fed nothing but bread and water until he returns from battle in peace. Micaiah's only response was: "If you return at all in peace, the Lord has not spoken it by me!" (1 Kings 22:28)

Ahab and Jehoshaphat did go to battle with Syria. In his arrogance and self-importance Ahab devised what he thought was a clever plan, to disguise himself so Syrians would not know who he was on the battle field. This he did taking elaborate measures but he overlooked one thing - he did not wear a full armour. Once on the battle field a certain man randomly drew his bow and 'smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness' (1 Kings 22:34) wounding him without even knowing who he was. By the time the evening came Ahab had bled to death.

When Paul was imprisoned for the firs time in Rome he wrote a letter to the Ephesian saints in 61 A.D. reminding them that they were on a spiritual battle field fighting against 'the rulers of the darkness of this world' and admonished them to wear the full armour of God or they will not be able to stand (Ephesians 6:11-17). He named protective parts of the armour such as the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, being the word of God. At the start of this same letter Paul mentions 'the dispensation of the fullness of times' (Ephesians 1:10) making it clear to us of this dispensation that we too should take heed because the battle that began so long ago is still raging. In our need for protection, which parts of God's armour could we afford not to wear in our combat with the forces of evil? We cannot afford to choose which part of the armour we will wear and which we will ditch because it's 'too heavy'. A section or two is not enough. Almost all the armour will not do. Full protection requires full armour.

When the fiery darts of the adversary strike will they find an unprotected part of us to sink into or will they bounce off the armour that's in place? Will we conquer the enemy of all righteousness or will we bleed to death on the battle field?

HOW'S YOUR ARMOUR?

Elder Carlos E. Asay had the following dream concerning the Lord's armour:

"As a small boy in grammar school, I had a teacher who made King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table come alive.  She caused me to become so obsessed with stories of knights that I played and dreamed that I was one.  One evening I dreamed that I was a white knight on a white horse riding over the greens of England.  Suddenly, without warning, a knight dressed in black armour and mounted on a black horse appeared at the edge of the forest.  We measured each other carefully, lowered our lances, and charged at full gallop.  The lances struck target and both of us were knocked off our steeds.

"I scrambled to my feet knowing that swords would be drawn and that hand-to-hand combat was imminent.  Fear gripped my heart as I saw my opponent rushing toward me flashing a long, gleaming sword.  Instinctively, I reached to my side and drew forth from the scabbard my weapon.  That is when the dream turned into a nightmare!  For in my hand was a small, dinky dagger - not a long, gleaming sword.  I woke up in a cold sweat screaming for help. 

"Many times since that nightmarish experience, I have wondered about the serviceability of the Saints, particularly the young Latter-day Saints.  When God calls you to serve, are you positioned in the scabbard and ready to be drawn?  When the Lord draws you forth as his instrument in combating evil forces, what does he have in his hand - a long, gleaming sword or a dinky dagger?...The saving virtue of a sword is related to its strength, sharpness, cleanliness, and the hand which guides it.  Is it not the same with people?  I would pray that you would seek strength of character, sharpness of mind, and cleanliness of soul so as to become gleaming swords of righteousness.  By doing this, there will be no embarrassment, no disappointment, and no nightmare when He draws you out in battling the powers of darkness" (Elder Carlos E. Asay, "Instruments of Righteousness", New Era, June 1983)

"Wherefore lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armour, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.

"Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;

"Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen."
(D&C 27:15-18)

We are engaged in the mother of all battles.  Our enemy has been perfecting his craft for nearly 6,000 years.  He knows us both from our pre-mortal life and from observing us in our mortal state.  He knows what buttons to push when and he knows how to get into our cracks and inflict wounds that might never heal.  The message in the abovementioned scripture is that we take up the 'whole armour' of God upon us to prevent these wounds.  A section or two is not enough.  Almost all the armour will not do.  It needs to be complete armour for complete protection.

When Ahab, the king of Israel led his army against the forces of Syria, he took every precaution to avoid being injured, even disguising himself so that the Syrians would not recognise him and focus on his destruction.  The only thing he forgot was to wear enough armour.

"But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armour". (2K22:34, NIV) (Ted Gibbons, SS Lesson 43 - Take Upon You My Whole Armour)

The degree of protection we have from the adversary is directly proportional to the diligence and heed we give to the Lord's commandments.  How obedient we are here is an indication of how much we are willing to stand for the conviction that was ours in our pre-existence.  The extent of our armour is a good indication of how valiant in our testimony of Jesus we are being here and now.  We cannot afford to choose which commandment we will obey and which we will let slide.  This life is not a cafeteria. 

If you ever wanted to be a hero, this is the time and the place.  Examine the cracks in your armour and sharpen your sword of righteousness.  President Ezra Taft Benson said: "You will never have a better opportunity to be a greater hero in a more crucial battle than in the battle you will face today and in the immediate future. Be warned that some of the greatest battles you will face will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul.  David's battles in the field against the foe were not as critical as David's battles in the palace against a lustful eye.  We will each find our own battlefield". (Ezra Taft Benson, "In His Steps", 1979, Devotional Speeches of the Year, 60).

When the war is over and the battle won, whose side will you be found on?