Freedom Isn't Free

Putting It All Together

Alma 43-63

This week I am putting together this blog entry because my thoughts have been too jumbled to really put them into a talk or other presentation.  I will try to be clear and maybe putting them down here will help me to organize them better. 

This week as we have been studying through the chapters on Moroni, I have been blown away by some of the parallels I have been witnessing in society today.  As I have gotten older I have worked to be more informed about the happenings in the world, but what has also happened as a result is my growing frustration about my powerlessness to fix many of the terrible things going on.  

I was especially touched by quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley in his talk titled "War and Peace" he said ,"..there are times and circumstances when nations are justified, in fact have an obligation, to fight for family, for liberty, and against tyranny, threat, and oppression." He went on to say ,"This places us in the position of those who long for peace, who teach peace, who work for peace, but who also are citizens of nations and are subject to the laws of our governments. Furthermore, we are a freedom-loving people, committed to the defense of liberty wherever it is in jeopardy."  

I have been pondering this week about what can I do in these situations?  How can I fight for freedom for my family and for those who cannot fight for themselves and I was just stumped.  President Hinckley answered some of these questions for me later in the talk he said, "Even in an evil world we can so live our lives as to merit the protecting care of our Father in Heaven. We can be as the righteous living among the evils of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham pleaded that these cities might be spared for the sake of the righteous. (See Gen. 18:20–32.) And, above all, we can cultivate in our own hearts, and proclaim to the world, the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through His atoning sacrifice we are certain life will continue beyond the veil of death. We can teach that gospel which will lead to the exaltation of the obedient."

I have been so impressed by Moroni.  His decision to lead the armies of the Nephites and to seek to protect those that needed it really resonated with me this week. The world is very different now so I don't have the option to tear my cloak and form up an army so I need to find a way to be like Moroni that will meet our current laws. The thing that is great about Moroni is that he was more than just an army captain, there were many other things that he did that I can actually be putting into practice right now. 

First, Moroni sought out guidance from the prophet.  He sent men to ask Alma where the Lamanites would go.  I can seek guidance from our prophet. There are many times that this is where people stray, they forget that we have direct guidance from the mouth of the Lord. 

In chapter 46 verse 16 And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the cause of the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be favored. This is something that I can definitely be putting into practice and start exercising some faith that as Moroni said in verse 18 "Surely God shall not suffer that we, who are despised because we take upon us the name of Christ, shall be trodden down and destroyed, until we bring it upon us by our own transgressions." I will keep in mind that although we, as Christians may face persecution we are on the right side and I need to find peace in that. 

One last thing I will talk about with Moroni, he inspired men.  He reminded them of their cause and to exercise faith. I may not have the magnetism that Moroni had, but I can learn to speak up. I can speak truth and I can educate myself so that I can be sure that I am speaking correct truth. 

In all of this I think that I have come to the conclusion, that I may not understand why everything is happening in the world today, but I can remember that Heavenly Father is in charge and as we learned last week if we are righteous all things will be restored. In the end everything will be made just.