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“Firm
in the
Faith of Christ”
Alma 43–52
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Lesson
31
Summary |
Scripture
Summary: |
Alma and his sons preach the word—The
Zoramites and other Nephite dissenters become Lamanites—The Lamanites
come against the Nephites in war—Moroni arms the Nephites with defensive
armor—The Lord reveals to Alma the strategy of the Lamanites—The
Nephites defend their homes, liberties, families, and religion—The armies
of Moroni and Lehi surround the Lamanites. [About 74 B.C.] |
Moroni
commands the Lamanites to make a covenant of peace or be destroyed—Zerahemnah
rejects the offer, and the battle resumes—Moroni’s armies defeat the
Lamanites. [About 74—73 B.C.]
Helaman believes the words of Alma—Alma prophesies the destruction of
the Nephites—He blesses and curses the land—Alma is taken up by the
Spirit, even as Moses—Dissension grows in the Church. [73 B.C.]
Amalickiah conspires to be king—Moroni raises the title of liberty—He
rallies the people to defend their religion—True believers are called
Christians—A remnant of Joseph shall be preserved—Amalickiah and the
dissenters flee to the land of Nephi—Those who will not support the
cause of freedom are put to death. [Between 73 and 72 B.C.]
Amalickiah uses treachery, murder, and intrigue to become king of the
Lamanites—The Nephite dissenters are more wicked and ferocious than the
Lamanites.
Amalickiah incites the Lamanites against the Nephites—Moroni prepares
his people to defend the cause of the Christians—He rejoiced in liberty
and freedom and was a mighty man of God.
The invading Lamanites are unable to take the fortified cities of
Ammonihah and Noah—Amalickiah curses God and swears to drink the blood
of Moroni—Helaman and his brethren continue to strengthen the Church.
[72 B.C.]
Moroni fortifies the lands of the Nephites—They build many new cities—Wars
and destructions befell the Nephites in the days of their wickedness and
abominations—Morianton and his dissenters are defeated by Teancum—Nephihah
dies and his son Pahoran fills the judgment-seat. [About 72—67 B.C.]
The king-men seek to change the law and set up a king—Pahoran and the
freemen are supported by the voice of the people—Moroni compels the
king-men to defend their liberty or be put to death—Amalickiah and the
Lamanites capture many fortified cities—Teancum repels the Lamanite
invasion and slays Amalickiah in his tent. [About 67 B.C.]
Ammoron succeeds Amalickiah as king of the Lamanites—Moroni, Teancum,
and Lehi lead the Nephites in a victorious war against the Lamanites—The
city of Mulek is retaken, and Jacob the Lamanite is slain. [About 66—64
B.C.] |
Supplemental
Holy Land
and Jewish
insights:
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Modern Parallels: The politics and wars
that follow in the chapters being studied show the use and abuse of both the
justice and mercy examined in the previous lesson. There are parallels to Israel’s
modern history as rights and obligations are being challenged and then balanced
with ideologies and political aspirations. Israel is not seeking for monarchy or
power over one ethnic group or another. Rather, an existence promised by God
along with coexistence of others in the same land.
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Justification for War:
"Nevertheless, the Nephites
were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for
monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and
their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all,
yea, for their rites of worship and their church." (Alma
43:45)
Moroni’s "Cunning" and Israel’s
"Apache Helicopters:" Zerahemna
denied the reason for the Moroni’s success which was rooted in
faith and in God-given destiny. He claimed that the Nephite’s
weaponry and state-of-the-art military skills gave them an advantage
over the Lamanites. A parallel to that can be seen in Israel’s
modern history. Those who choose to fight against Israel deny Israel’s
claim rooted in faith and in a God-given destiny. They also complain
that the USA is giving state-of-the-art military aid to Israel, an
unfair advantage over "Palestinians."
One-third Sided with Violence and Force: It
must be noted, however, that most of the Arabs under (and not under)
"Palestinian Authority" do not wish to fight. Polls done
in the area of the Palestinian Authority, repeatedly show that the
popular vote for the Palestinian leader seems to be considerably
less than a majority of the entire population. It generally show
about one-third siding with violence and force. Please note that the
figures were about the same in the "War in Heaven."
A Reason for Not Beheading:
For years I wondered what the reason was that Zarahemna’s life was
spared . . . even when he attacked Moroni at the "Peace
Conference." Anyone traveling to Mayan ruins in Central America
soon learns that in some "ball games" the winner gets
decapitated as the audience witnesses this "exciting"
event. If Zarahemna would have been decapitated instead of receiving
a "hair cut" – he would have been the
"winner!" At least, his people, with such a lust for
blood, would have interpreted it that way.
Demise of Dictatorships – Mutation of Monarchies: The
ultimate resolution to conflict is following the instruction and
counsel of the Messiah in accepting his eventual arrival and rule.
Then the rights and obligations and the ideologies and political
aspirations will be righteously balanced. Powers usurped by
monarchies or dictatorships will disappear as the Savior appears and
leads with justice and mercy.
www.HolyLandsRevealed.com
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