2020 Study Summary 31: Stand Fast In the Faith of Christ
Alma 43-52
“Stand Fast In the Faith of Christ”
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. [72 B.C.]
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. [72 B.C.]
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.]
How can I differentiate between monarchy and liberty?
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 last lesson. There are parallels to Israel’s modern history as rights and obligations must be balanced with ideologies and political aspirations. Israel is not seeking for monarchy or power over one ethnic group or another. Neither did the Nephites. “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)
How do scriptures help me see through today’s politics?
Zerahemna denies 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.” 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.
What could be the reason for “just a haircut?”
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, could have interpreted it that way.
How can and does history repeat itself?
There is an interesting model for today in that a portion of land was inhabited by the Nephites and a portion by the Lamanites. Somehow, they could have been left to themselves, however the Lamanites sought to conquer the Nephites. The similarity in Israel right now is that the Arabs who call themselves Palestinians have leadership that has committed destroy all of Israel. Many Arabs and Jews in Israel are anxiously awaiting peace treaties, however, substantive progress is difficult because both are still using weapons to express their themselves as retaliation never seems to end.
How can some view Israel’s military victories?
At West Point Military Academy, while wars fought throughout the world are studied to learn military strategy, the Israeli wars are excluded from the curriculum. This is because according to military strategy, Israel should have lost them. Israeli victories defy logic because they are more often than not honest to God miracles. At West Point Military Academy, it benefits to teach logic and not the unexplainable miracles that make up Israel. These frequent miracles should be expected rather than surprising because God is faithful to His promises. He is a miracle-working God: “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:10). Though modern Jews have strayed from the faith revealed in God’s Word, following their own traditions (Mark 7:6-9), the God of their fathers still watches over them.” (israelvideonetwork.com/list/top-17-miraculous-israeli-military-victories)
What solution do I anticipate?
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.
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