How to Be a Better Parent: Preparing Our Children for The Fight Against Evil - Lessons from the War Chapters of the Book of Mormon

What lessons can we learn for today in the War Chapters of the Book of Mormon? Decide for yourself of how these might relate to today’s fight against evil. How can you apply these in your own family or situation?

Elder Bednar did a great job listing some the lessons we learn from the war chapters:

David A. Bednar, BYUI, 2003

Have you ever wondered why so much is recorded in the Book of Mormon about war? There are approximately 100 recorded instances of armed conflict in the Book of Mormon. The word war occurs 132 times in the Book of Mormon. The war chapters of Alma 43-63 alone include more than 50 pages- approximately 10 percent of the entire Book of Mormon.

Why so much about war? And how do the descriptions of wars and battles help us today in seeking the gift of courage? President Benson taught:

The Book of Mormon was written for us today. God is the author of the book. God, who knows the end from the beginning, told [Mormon] what to include in his abridgment that we would need for our day (President Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, April 1975, p. 94).

Let me suggest that one of the primary reasons so much information is recorded about war in the Book of Mormon is to help you and me in these latter days appropriately seek the gift of courage.

What lessons do we learn about courage and war in The Book of Mormon?

·         We learn about the strategies and tactics of those who oppose righteousness

·         The defensive and protective strategies and tactics of the righteous.

·         We learn that the righteous can be strengthened in battle by the hand of the Lord.

·         And perhaps most importantly, we learn that small groups of the righteous can escape from the grasp of their enemies or emerge victorious against overwhelming opposing numbers and weaponry.

What Worked in the Past Isn’t Enough: Prepare in a Manner “Which has Never Been Known” Alma 49:8

Note this warning given by President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency:

“As the forces around us increase in intensity, whatever spiritual strength was once sufficient will not be enough. And whatever growth in spiritual strength we once thought was possible, greater growth will be made available to us. Both the need for spiritual strength and the opportunity to acquire it will increase at rates which we underestimate at our peril” (“Always” [Church Educational System fireside for young adults], Jan. 3, 1999, 3, ldsces.org).

Alma 43 - How did Moroni prepare against the evil of Zerahemnah? (an army twice as numerous)

1.      vs. 19 - Captain Moroni prepared his people with armor and thick clothing

2.      vs. 23 - Captain Moroni sends spies to watch the enemy

3.      vs. 23 - Captain Moroni sends a messenger to Alma the prophet to have him ask the Lord where they should go

4.      vs. 48 - As his men begin to fear, Captain Moroni inspires his men with the truth of their cause

5.      vs. 49 - they cry to the Lord for help and in vs. 50 In the selfsame hour that they cry to the Lord, they stand with power against their enemies.

6.      Alma 44:9  Zerahemnah, leader of their enemies, denies that it was the Lord who gave the Nephites the victory.

Alma 48 - How did Moroni prepare against the evil of Amalakiah?

1.      vs. 7 - Captain Moroni was “preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord.

2.      vs. 8 - Captain Moroni erected small forts, or places of resort to enclose his armies, and built walls of stone to encircle them about.

3.      vs. 9 - Captain Moroni fortified their weakest places by placing the greater number of men.

Ensign Article by By Kerry Hanson Jensen, 1/16

I began to feel a sense of helplessness and vulnerability in protecting my children. I unexpectedly found reassurance in 1 Nephi 15. Nephi is explaining Lehi’s vision of the tree of life to Laman and Lemuel when they ask the meaning of the river of water. Nephi answers in verse 27: “And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water”. Lehi’s mind was focused on the tree of life and getting his family to it to partake of its fruit! He didn’t even see the filthiness because of this focus.

That was the answer! Keeping inappropriate media out of our home was a start, but a more direct and conscious effort to teach our children the gospel is what would ultimately be their best defense against anything that could lead them away.

Alma 58 - How did the Lord strengthen the people against their enemies?

1.      Helaman and the Stripling Warriors poured out their souls for strength vs. 10

2.      The Lord did visit them with assurances and did speak peace to their souls vs. 11

3.      The Lord did grant unto them great faith and did cause that they should hope for deliverance. vs. 11

Other Resources:

Alma 50: 23 never had been a happier time among the Nephites

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/personal-strength-through-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng&query=%22Captain+Moroni%22

Elder Richard G. Scott

In between the many battles, Captain Moroni directed fortification of the weakest cities. “He caused that they should build a breastwork of timbers upon the inner bank of the ditch; and they cast up dirt out of the ditch against the breastwork of timbers … until they had encircled the city … with a strong wall of timbers and earth, to an exceeding height.”14 Captain Moroni understood the importance of fortifying the weak areas to create strength.15

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/prepared-in-a-manner-that-never-had-been-known?lang=eng&query=%22Captain+Moroni%22

Linda C. Reeves

As I am again reading about Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon, I am reminded that one of Moroni’s greatest accomplishments was his careful preparation of the Nephites to withstand the frightening Lamanite army. He prepared his people so well that we read, “Behold, to [the Lamanites’] uttermost astonishment, [the Nephites] were prepared for them, in a manner which never had been known.”3

That phrase, “prepared … in a manner which never had been known,” really caught my attention.

How can we better prepare for sacred temple blessings? The Lord taught, “And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things.”4Let’s consider a scriptural pattern to help us prepare well. Moroni’s preparation for the enemy took consistent and faithful diligence, and this pattern will require the same.

Book of Mormon Themes: The Methods of Satan and the Effects of Sin

I.        Statement of Principle: Satan uses subtle ways to tempt us:

·         The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic means. First, it tells in a plain manner of Christ and his gospel.  Second, the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12.) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time. Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, May 1975, 63

• 2 Nephi 28:2 And the things which shall be written out of the ^abook shall be of great ^bworth unto the children of men FOR IN THAT DAY: (2 Nephi 28 lists many of Satan’s methods)

Reference                Subtlety of Satan                                                         

Isaiah 5:20               Woe unto them that call ^aevil ^bgood, and good evil

Isaiah. 47: 10           Thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None ^aseeth^• me.

1 Nephi 3:5               Sometimes we say it is a hard thing the Lord requires of us

1 Nephi 13:9            He wants us to desire the praise of the world

2 Nephi 2:18            Satan desires all men to be miserable

2 Nephi 2:29            The will of the flesh is sometimes evil

2 Nephi 26:22          Satan starts with small things:  he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.

2 Nephi 28:5            They say unto the people: there is no God today

2 Nephi 28: 7-8       Eat, Drink and be merry for tomorrow we die and it shall be well with us

2 Nephi 28:20          Satan stirs people up to anger against good                                                                          

2 Nephi 28:21          Satan will lull us away into carnal security so we think all is well in Zion    

2 Nephi 28:22          He wants us to think there is no devil

2 Nephi 32:8            For the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray

Jacob 2:13                 Because of the costliness of your apparel, ye persecute your brethren

Alma 10:25              Why hath Satan got such great hold upon your hearts that he may have power over you, to...

Alma 30:15               Ye cannot know of things which ye do not see.

Alma 46:8                 Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord, yea how quick to do iniquity

Helaman 2:8            It was the object of all those who belonged to his band to gain power

Helaman 12:2          They do harden their hearts and do forget the Lord, and this because of their ease and exceeding prosperity.

Moroni 7:17             For the devil persuadeth no man to do good, no not one.

II.     Statement of Principle: There are effects from sin:

·          2 Nephi 9:47 Ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I ^bteach you the consequences of sin. 

·          Enos 1:23 And there was nothing save it was exceeding ^aharshness, ^bpreaching and prophesying and continually

reminding them of death, and the duration of eternity, would keep them from going down speedily to destruction.

Reference            Consequence                                                                     

2 Peter 1:1-9       But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off

1 Nephi 16:2        The wicked take the truth to be hard

2 Nephi 4:27        He destroys my peace

Mosiah 2:36         If ye should transgress, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved

Alma 41:11           They have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness

Helaman 4:13      Because of their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength they were left in their own strength

Helaman 4:24      The Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples

Mormon 2:13       The Lord would not always allow them to take happiness in sin.

Mormon 5:18       They are led about by Satan as a vessel without sail or anchor or anything to steer

Moroni10:22        And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity

III.    Statement of Principle: We can overcome the temptations of Satan:

Helaman 3:29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the ^aword^• of God, which is ^bquick^• and powerful, which shall ^cdivide^• asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and ^dnarrow^• course across that everlasting ^egulf^• of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked

Reference            Solution                                                                              

Isa. 58: 6               Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the ^abands^• of wickedness

1 Nephi 15:3        Things are hard to understand if we don’t inquire of the Lord

2 Nephi 1:13        We need to “awake from a deep sleep”, or take a look at where we are at

2 Nephi 4:31        Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

2 Nephi 8:7           Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings

2 Nephi 9:49        Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart ^adelighteth in righteousness

Jacob 2:8               The pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul

Mosiah 3:19         The natural man is an enemy to God, and will be forever unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit^.

Mosiah 5:2           Because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty ^achange in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

Mosiah 18:10       Ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

Alma 5:57             Come ye out from the wicked, and be ye ^bseparate, and touch not their unclean things

Alma 13:28          But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and ^awatch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear

Alma 31:5             Preaching of the word had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword or anything else.

Alma 38:12           See that ye bridle all your passions.

Alma 39:14           Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you.

Alma 48:11,17     Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ.  If all men were like unto Moroni, the very powers of hell would have been shaken, yea the devil would have no power

Alma 53:20           They were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted

Alma 62:41           And many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God

Helaman 3:35      Nevertheless they did ^afast and ^bpray oft, and did wax firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, yea, even to the ^dpurifying and the ^esanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their ^fyielding^• their hearts unto God.

Helaman 5:9        Remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the ^batoning^• blood of  Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to ^credeem the ^dworld.

Helaman 5:12      Remember, remember that it is upon the ^arock^• of our Redeemer, that ye must build your ^bfoundation^•; that when the devil shall send all his hail and his mighty ^cstorm^• it shall have no power over you

3 Nephi 18:7        And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you

3 Nephi 18:15      I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil.

Mormon 9:28       Ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation.

Ether 6:7               When they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again

Ether 12:27          If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  For if they humble themselves before me and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong.

Moroni 6:4           They might be nourished by the good word of God

Moroni 7:13         That which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually.  Do not judge that which is evil to be of God.

Moroni 7:27         Wherefore my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased?

3 Nephi 18:32      Come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal you.

 

Other Insights into How Satan Works:

By reclaiming an erring brother, we save both him and ourselves. Our sins are hidden (remitted) because we ministered for the salvation and blessing of another member of the kingdom. In principle this special reward for Christ's ministers applies also to those who preach the gospel and bring souls into the kingdom. The minister is rewarded with salvation and, of necessity, in the process, is freed from his own sins. (D&C 4:1–4.) (Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966–73], 3:279.)

James E. Faust – Ensign, June 2006

Today we are barraged by multitudes of voices telling us how to live, how to gratify our passions, how to have it all. At our fingertips we have software, databases, television channels, interactive computer modems, satellite receivers, and communications networks that suffocate us with information. There are fewer places of refuge and serenity. Our young people are bombarded with evil and wickedness like no other generation. As I contemplate this prospect, I am reminded of the poet T. S. Eliot’s words: “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?”11

It may be harder for our rising generation to be faithful, perhaps in some ways even more challenging than pulling a handcart across the plains. When someone died in the wilderness of frontier America, that person’s physical remains were buried and the handcarts continued west, but the mourning survivors had hope for their loved one’s eternal soul. However, when someone dies spiritually in the wilderness of sin, hope may be replaced by dread and fear for the loved one’s eternal welfare.

Many in the younger generation have been conditioned by the world to want it all and to want it now. They do not want to save or work. Such self-centered, impatient desires make them susceptible to temptation. [In 1 Nephi 22:23] the Book of Mormon identifies four categories of enticements that Satan appeals to:

• Getting gain.

• Gaining power over the flesh.

• Gaining popularity in the eyes of the world.

• Seeking the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world.

Marion G. Romney, “The Price of Peace,” Ensign, Oct 1983, 3

I know that there are some in the world who deny the existence of a personal Satan. This denial is false, being sponsored by the father of lies himself, but there is nothing new about it.” 

Richard G. Scott, BYU Aug. 1997

Recognizing that you are a person who wants to live worthily and be obedient to Father in Heaven, how would Satan strive to lead you from the path to happiness? Surely he would not be successful by tempting you to commit serious transgression—at least not initially. He would more likely fill your mind and heart with visions of many, many worthwhile things—none of which could be criticized as being wrong, but, taken together, they would so occupy your time that you would not do those things that are absolutely essential for eternal life with Father in Heaven and his Beloved Son. Nephi warned of that approach.

 

Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence’,” Ensign, Mar 2000, 7

“The reminder is that we cannot sign on for a battle of such eternal significance and everlasting consequence without knowing it will be a fight—a good fight and a winning fight, but a fight nevertheless. I suppose every returned missionary and probably every convert reading these words knows exactly what I am talking about.”  

James E. Faust, “Ten Things to Know Before You Go,” New Era, Jul 2002, 4

You must know that Satan will oppose you, and be prepared for his opposition. Do not be surprised. He wants you to fail. Discouragement is one of the devil’s tools. Have courage and go forward. Recognize that the gospel has been preached with some pain and sorrow from the very beginning of time. Do not expect that your experience will be otherwise.  

Sin is addictive; self-degenerating; conducive to other strains of corruption; deadening to spirituality, conscience, and reason; blinding to reality; contagious; destructive to mind, body, and spirit. Sin is spiritually corrosive. Unrestrained it becomes all-consuming. It is overcome by repentance and righteousness.

Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance", Ensign, Nov. 2009

I share a warning. Satan is extremely good at blocking spiritual communication by inducing individuals, through temptation, to violate the laws upon which spiritual communication is founded. With some, he is able to convince them that they are not able to receive such guidance from the Lord.