In studying more about captain Moroni, I am wanting and wishing we knew something about his parents. He was truly amazing. He was a man of God who loved the people he served and his lands and liberty. He was valiant, courageous, patriotic, full of integrity and charitable. How hard would it be, to be a man of God who is expected to take lives. the Book of Mormon talks about how it is okay when the first and second offense are not yours, but how hard it must be to take lives. Our Military men and women are faced with similar situations. How trying on your spirits that must be. And to face situations like that and then be able to stand strong and valiant and still believe as Moroni did is mind boggling to me.
From what we know, Moroni never doubted. He didn't fear man. He stood strong to the causes which were most important to him. He was not ashamed of his God or his beliefs, he understood the importance of family (we don't know anything about his family) He was young. Nephi was young. Joseph Smith was young. The stripling warriors were young. Do you think that should teach us something about the youth of the church? How much they can withstand. How strong they can be. How humble they might be. What a difference they can make.
The world we live in is full of evil. Satan is trying to be everywhere. There has always been things to fear, trials to overcome, strength to gain and opportunities to overcome the things of this world and become something better as these men did. In quite a few of the talks given in Conference this April, the apostles talked about this. They talked about how "we are positive and happy not afraid of life." (Pres. Packer) "We should have great cause for concern. But we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We combat those fears by strengthening our faith."( Elder Nelson) "Pain brings you to a humility that allows you to ponder..... Opposition is part of Heavenly Fathers plan of happiness. We all encounter enough to bring us to an awareness of our Father's love and of our need for our Savior's help" (Elder Kent Richard)
Moroni often talks about relying on the Lord, inquiring of the Lord, trusting in the Lord. He did his best to live the commandments, to defend the truth. He fasted and prayed in times of need and also to show thanks to the Lord after he and his people were blessed.
Moroni and the people of God were prepared. They knew their enemy, they knew what they stood for and they had physically prepared themselves for what might come. we need to do the same. How can a parent teach and help their children to be prepared if they themselves are not. We take time to teach our kids what to do in a big "emergency" like if the house catches on fire or if someone tries to kidnap them. we teach them to say no to drugs. How to cross the street. But do we take the time or know how to teach them to rely on the Lord when someone questions the gospel or when they get made fun of or when their friends are headed down a path that is not a great one. Do we know how to prepare them for the spiritual emergency they may face? Elder Nelson's talk goes on to say, "Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be faithful Latter-day Saints. Each of us will be tested.... That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives."
I also learned (was reminded, is maybe a better thing to call it) how smart and cunning the devil is. in Alma 46, Amalickiah is leading some of the high priets of the church astray. He is flattering them, by telling them they will get more autority and power if he is their king. These people give up all they know, believe and all they have because of an idea. How sad this is and how much smarter we need to be.
It is time to get Asher down for a nap. I will write more later.
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