July-Book of Mormon Class Recap

"The War Chapters" -Alma 43-63

In many ways, we are under attack from the forces of evil in a similar way that the Nephites were under attack from the Lamanites.  As we study these chapters, we can learn from great examples, such as Captain Moroni, Pahoran, and Helaman and his young soldiers—lessons that will help us stay safe and secure. We can learn the price of contention and the power of righteous unity.  We can see the result of keeping covenants and the blessings that can flow from being true in whatever circumstances we face. We can see the blessings of gospel-centered homes, and gain increased appreciation for the Lord’s closeness to His chosen servants in times of difficulty and trial.

These chapters can and should be studied with a mind geared towards application to our lives today.   This statement from George Albert Smith helps us remember whose side we are on and why we need to be so careful in staying in safe and friendly territory:

“There is a division line well defined that separates the Lord’s territory from Lucifer’s. If we live on the Lord’s side of the line, Lucifer cannot come there to influence us, but if we cross the line into his territory, we are in his power. By keeping the commandments of the Lord, we are safe on His side of the line, but if we disobey His teachings we voluntarily cross onto the zone of temptation and invite the destruction that is ever present there” (George Albert Smith; Improvement Era, May 1935, 278).

Chapter 58 is one of my most favorite chapters in the entire Book of Mormon.  It lays out a pattern of hope, faith, peace, and assurances of deliverance to the righteous in all situations we may face.  If you have a chance read it again, while applying it to your circumstances.  I love this quote from Gene R Cook:

“It may be that the Nephites hoped for a miracle. Maybe they wanted angels to come to deliver them, as had happened a time or two in the Old Testament. But what did they receive? The Lord gave them assurance, peace, faith, and hope. He didn’t directly destroy their enemies, but he did give them the gifts they needed so they could deliver themselves. …

“In other words, the Lord put inside these men the will and the power to do what they desired—to begin with a strong resolve and then to see it through. After their prayer was answered, the Nephites went on to secure their liberty.

“When the Lord instills hope and faith and peace and assurance in people, they can bring great things to pass. This, then, is often what we should look for when we ask for help—not a miracle to solve our problem for us, but a miracle inside, to help us come to the solution ourselves, with the Lord’s help and the Lord’s power” (Receiving Answers to Our Prayers [1996], 156–57).

Such powerful lessons are learned in these wars chapters in Alma!!