Read: Alma 52-54
Mark: Alma 53:20-21
"In the spiritual battles you are waging, I see you as today's sons of Helaman." -- President Ezra Taft Benson
To ponder:
Notice how Mormon describes these young men. How are you living so that you can be likened to the stripling warriors?
I love the 2,000 stripling warriors and their faith and obedience. (Did you know that 'stripling' simply means young?)
ReplyDeleteI love that Helaman would not let the people of Ammon take upon their weapons because of the oath they had made--he was afraid that they would lose their very souls! Can you imagine how hard it had to be for the people of Ammon to watch those who defended them and not help?
I want to be a stripling warrior: valiant, courageous, filled with strength and good works, a woman of truth, who keeps all of the commandments and walks uprightly before God.
LIKE!!!
DeleteSo, in my scriptures I have a star next to Alma 52:9 and have written beneath that verse "chastity". Interesting. I thought about that for quite a while tonight before moving any further forward. Just thought I'd share that quickly for anyone else who may appreciate the multiplicity of symbolism there.
ReplyDeleteI also had a thought when reading Alma 52:33--Jacob had "an unconquerable spirit." Why'd they mention that? I mean, isn't that a GOOD trait? I think they made special mention of that because he could've been so great, but he sided with the enemy. I think if Jacob had been with the Nephites he might have accomplished some pretty great things with that "unconquerable spirit". We're all God's children, and all of us have gifts given to us. How will we use them?
Alma 53 is just plain amazing. I love the stripling soldiers who take up arms for their country and fathers! I would love to meet these "exceedingly valiant" men some day! I especially love in verse 21, "they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him." Just wow. How many young men do you know who fit this bill? Honestly, I'm REALLY impressed with the young men in our ward! REALLY! I think some of them could have been stripling warriors if they'd lived back then. I don't remember there being too many young men I was impressed with when I was in the youth program (at least not in my home ward). But my husband was one of the few young men I was very impressed with in my youth. I like to think I've married quite the stripling warrior myself. :)
I heard a saying that the tone is set at the top. That the #1 person, owner, president, etc sets the tone and attitude of an entire company. I have found this to be very true as I look at past to present employers and groups I have been involved. Moroni & Helaman set the tone. They walked the walk God asked of them. They had faith God would deliver them. They prayed and obeyed. The stripling warriors saw this faith and built their faith and strength upon it for God. This made their testimonies and faith even stronger.
ReplyDeleteChapter 52: Don't grow too confident in your own strengths - those muscles must be exercised - skills must be practiced - or the enemy will penetrate, take residence and use your strengths against you.
ReplyDeleteChapter 53: Remember your covenants. Make them part of you - understand how necessary they are for (eternal) life. Need them. Need to keep them. Don't let "intrigue" persuade you from this! I wonder what "intrigue" it was that was causing Nephites to descent....
Teach your children correct principles, but don't require them to draw all the same lines that you have. Remember where you drew lines and that you drew them to keep yourself from your own weaknesses and past mistakes. Do not condemn your children because they do not put the same fences or protections around themselves. They will have different struggles and will discover what lines they need to draw. The Anti-Nephi-Lehites took a covenant - they drew a line that they would not pick up weapons again. This was a good thing! They did not require it of their children, but they did teach them to love peace and Christ and his gospel. They taught them to do what was necessary. They taught them to know and judge for themselves. We should do the same.
Chapter 54: When you have better intentions & the upperhand because you're on the same side as God then you get to demand more in negotiations. It is merciful for you to negotiate at all! :)