The People of Limhi and the People of Alma

Rachel and Caleb brought up an idea that I've been really thinking about today.  Alma the Older took the righteous out of the land of wicked King Noah.  The Lamanites were allowed to takeover the people of King Limhi due to their wickedness AND the people of Alma despite their being righteous.  Their experiences were different however.  The people of Limhi, in their pride, fought back and fought back, and fought back until they became sufficiently humbled.  They suffered tremendously for their pride and arrogance.  The people of Alma, other than having to bear the burdens unjustly placed on them, did not suffer death or wounds, because they humbled themselves and did not fight back.  Both were freed eventually.

I don't know where the line is, as to when we need to stand up for freedom, and when we need to submit and let the Lord fight our battles.  But I do know that when we trust the Lord, He takes care of us.  I myself have done some fighting and some submitting.  Again I don't know where the line is.  I suppose there is some leeway.  Consider what may be coming and that the membership of the Church in the United States is only about 2%.  While we shouldn't be lazy or lack courage, let us also be humble enough that we don't have to suffer more than is necessary.

Who will win?

 With all that is going on and statements made, when even our own judgments seem to fail, who will win?  We know who will win - Christ and His kingdom.  We do not know the path that leads to the win, the twists and turns meant to ferret out all of the secret combinations and those whose hearts are not turned to the Lord, but we do know that in the end there will be a complete win.  The evil will be completely destroyed and the right will be victorious.  And it will be astonishing to BOTH the righteous and the wicked.

So when comments are made that make us, "Say what?!"  Don't let it get under our skin.  If people surprise us, if things challenge your faith, fall back to the Book of Mormon and prayer.  Use your shield of faith when you don't always understand everything.

But keep your shield and weapons in good shape for the battle, by obeying the commandments, being kind, serving, prayer, forgiving and asking for forgiveness, and studying the words of the prophets.  If you need reinforcements, look to your family.  We, with the help of our ancestors and the Savior, we'll get through this together.  Don't be overly alarmed, but don't be complacent either.

Regarding our country and the saving of the Constitution, perhaps it will not be saved by some assault on evil, but just by our individual faith and righteousness when no one else seems to see.  Pres. Benson himself said it will not be saved in Washington.