Alma: Mosiah 18, 23-24 - Part 2

One thing I wanted to talk about regarding these passages have to do with - what else - the time line of events...  Consider this table I have prepared:

Date	Land of Zarahemla	Land of Lehi/Nephi	City of Helam (Alma)
200 B.C.	Zeniff and  people leave for Lehi/Nephi	Zeniff is made King by his people in Lehi/Nephi.
~180 B.C.	Benjamin, son of Mosiah, becomes king of Nephites at Zarahemla
160 B.C.		Noah, son of Zeniff, becomes king of Lehi/Nephi.  He and his people become wicked
150 B.C.		Abinadi comes to the land, prophesies against the king and his ways, flees for his life
148 -  147 B.C.		Abinadi again prophesies, teaches about the coming of the Savior.  Abinadi is put to death for his efforts by Noah and his evil priests.	Alma believes Abinadi, and has to flee. He writes Abinadi's words and secretly begins teaching them to people in Lehi/Nephi.
147 B.C.			Alma baptizes the believers in the Waters of Mormon
145 B.C.		King Noah hears of a new movement in his land, discovers Alma is preaching, sends his army to destroy Alma and his followers	Alma is warned by the Lord, takes his people (about 450 souls) and journeys into the wilderness.  They create the land of Helam.
~145 - 144 B.C.		Gideon and his supporters battle with Noah and his priests.  Lamanites attack, Noah orders his men to flee with him.  Noah is put to death by fire.  Limhi, Noah's son, is made king.
124 B.C.	Mosiah, Benjamin's son, becomes king of Nephites at Zarahemla	After years of battles and subjugation, the people of Lehi/Nephi are in complete bondage to the Lamanites
121 B.C.	People want to know about Zeniff and his people. They continually worry King Mosiah about them.  Mosiah sends Ammon and his men to find Lehi/Nephi.  Mosiah and the people of Zarahemla welcome Limhi's people to their lands.	Limhi receives Ammon and his men, make preparations to travel and miraculously escape the Lamanites. Limhi and his people, led by Ammon, return to Zarahemla and are received there.	Lamanite army who pursued Limhi discover the surviving priests of Noah as they try to find their way back to Lehi/Nephi.  Together they find Alma's people in Helam and subject the righteous people of Alma to bondage and torture.
120 B.C.	Mosiah and his people welcome Alma and the people who followed him to Zarahemla.		The Lord prepares Alma and his people to flee the Lamanites.  The Lamanites pursue them but are stopped.  Alma's people are welcomed by Mosiah at Zarahemla.

It's interesting to see the events laid out in a table this way; I think it gives a perspective that we may not have otherwise, at least to me it does.  First a couple of side-notes: 
I didn't realize that Noah was king for over 15 years before his unfortunate demise....  It didn't occur to me that it took him a lot of time to drag down his people as much as he did.  It's interesting to me that the Lord gave Noah ample opportunity to change his ways...
I didn't have a good appreciation for how long Limhi was king after his father left.  I imagine that Limhi's job was very difficult - to be the leader of the people during war time and war time occupation would be very difficult indeed.  To have to right the foundering ship of social and religious values at the same time would be extremely difficult.

Now to talk about Alma and his people:  I have the same comment for Alma and his people at Helam:  They were there a lot longer than I realized...  They also were under Lamanite occupation a much shorter time than the people of Limhi were.  What lesson do we learn from this?  I think that Alma's people were taken care of by the Lord sooner in their tribulation because they had learned to live Godly lives before they were tried.  I think Limhi's people had not yet turned back to the Lord when their tribulations started and it took a lot of woe and suffering to bring them to the point that they realized they needed God in their lives.  As an example of this, just think of how the Limhites reacted to occupation and bondage versus how the Almahites reacted...  Limhi's people put up with it briefly and then demanded that Limhi take them into battle to solve their problems.  The people of Helam, on the other hand, poured their souls out to God, trusted that He would take care of them, submitted themselves to be used, and felt the Lord's hand when He eased their burdens.  The difference?  Alma's people were relieved of their burden within the year by escaping through divine intervention.

The two best passages from this story:  "And it came to pass that they did multiply and prosper exceedingly in the land of Helam; and they built a city, which they called the city of Helam.  Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.  Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people." (Mosiah 23: 20-22).
"And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.  And [their captors] commanded them that they should stop their cries; and [they] put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.  And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.  And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.  And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.  And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." (Mosiah 24: 10-15).

Let us be prepared for trials, troubles or tribulations by already calling on the Lord, by already loving the Gospel, by already living God's commands.  It's not a matter of doing the right things so God will know who we are; it's a matter of doing the right things so that we will know who God is, how to recognize Him and where to look for Him.  May we be able to know God daily - in all things and in all seasons.

Don

Intermission: Just a moment for a disclaimer....

A preamble to my comments in this post (probably more like pReAMBLE).  I am constantly occupied with the concern that this blog should provide insights to the Book of Mormon that will uplift and enrich you, my blog readers.  I want you to know that I know that the Book of Mormon is true. 

Let me define what I mean when I use the word "true" in this instance:  This book is truly a record of groups of people that originated in Jerusalem and were led to what we know as the American continents.  The record was kept by men of God who recorded the lessons and trials that were faced by people who lived Godly lives.  It also records the consequences that these ancient people faced when they rejected godliness.  The events that are recorded in the book actually happened.  They were preserved by the hand of God for the purpose of convincing us, the people of the latter days of earth's history, that Jesus Christ is the son of God and that He lived and died to save mankind.  When I say the Book of Mormon is true, this is what I mean.

Some of the things I write about in this blog stem from questions that I have when I read the Book of Mormon.  I don't wish to have my questions become stumbling blocks that hinder belief for someone who may not have a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true.  If you don't have testimony of the truth of the Book of Mormon, please, please, please read from the Book of Mormon and then pray about what you have read.  I promise the same thing that the prophet Moroni promised, which is found at the end of the book: "...when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them ...remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things...  And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10: 3-5).  To reiterate:  Read these things;  Ask God in the name of Jesus if they are true; Receive a manifestation from God.

In researching answers to the questions that pop up in my head about the Book of Mormon, I start with the knowledge that what is written is true.  This rules out the possibility that what was written was fiction, myth or an out and out lie.  This opens many faith-promoting possibilities of answers to my questions.  In my reading and pondering I feel I have been led to conclusions (albeit sometimes speculation) that are in harmony with truth.  Let me say this, though:  my speculations and conclusions are my views and you, the reader, are free to accept them as possibilities as well.  I think that once we are past the veil, we will understand all things and any questions we may have will be answered.

Ok, I told you it was going to ramble.  I will soon finish my discussion of Alma and his people.  Until then, please read and pray.

Don

Alma: Serving God - Mosiah 18, 23, 24

There was one convert to Abinadi's valiant and moving testimony, and that was Alma, one of wicked king Noah's priests.  The holy spirit must have testified strongly to Alma; he was so moved by Abinadi's words that Alma stood up to the king's court and plead that Abinadi should be released and allowed to depart.  This angered the king, who had Alma removed from his service and then sent his servants after him to kill him.  We can thank Alma for his willingness to speak up and we can be thankful that Alma managed to escape; it was Alma who wrote down Abinadi's sermon and testimony, and it was Alma who probably was able to relate the entire incident that we have in these chapters.  Some of Noah's people were also indebted to Alma... He proceeded to preach the things that Abinadi spoke of:  the the need for men to repent, the need for an atonement for mankind, the coming of Christ, and Christ's sacrifice on behalf of all men that all might be redeemed.

Alma's teaching resonated with some of the people and they began to meet regularly to hear the message of salvation and to worship together.  They met at a place known as Mormon which was described as a secluded, wooded and unpopulated area which gave them a private place to gather together.  On one occasion Alma challenged those with him:  "Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life- Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?" (Mosiah 18:8-10).  Alma's challenge has been echoed many times in our day at baptismal meetings and in countless missionary discussions.  Look at the things he mentions in these 3 verses:
--  A desire to join with "the fold of God", who are like minded people that serve the Lord,
--  A willingness to be known as the Lord's people.
--  A desire to help others:  to bear others burdens and to mourn with and comfort others.  In other words, to be Christ-like in dealings with other people.
--  To "stand as a witness" of God at all times, in all places.
--  To receive baptism as a token of being willing to serve the Lord and keep His commandments.
--  Stand ready to receive His spirit.
These are things that any member of the church of Christ, then or today, should continually use as a measure of their testimony and faithfulness.  We should ask ourselves:  Am I willing to show that I am a faithful member of Christ's church?  Am I helping those who need my help?  Am I standing up to testify that God's church is on the earth today?  Am I furthering righteousness by my actions?  Am I keeping myself ready to receive inspiration?

Some of the wording of Alma's challenge has always puzzled me:  "...what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord..." (Mosiah 18:10).  It almost sounds like a question to me - what have you against...  Sort of like someone saying "what have you got against me?"  However, I realize that Alma wasn't asking a question... he was inviting those who desired to join the church using the colloquialism of his time.  Today we might say it like this: "...If you have a testimony of the Gospel, why don't you be baptized in the name of the Lord...".  It's not a question... it is gentle direction.

Alma's challenge did not go unanswered:  "...when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts" (Mosiah 18:11).  He baptized over 200 people in the Waters of Mormon on that occasion.  It's not clear to me if this occasion was the first time his followers were baptized into his church, or if there were others before.  In either case, they were a church devoted to the coming of the Savior and the precepts that had been taught by Abinadi and were now taught by Alma, and the were known as the church of God.  Chapter 18 discusses the church's organization, teachings and the interactions of the people, both ordained priests and the members, in accordance with the Gospel they had received.  I find it notable that Alma, who made a living in the king's cadre of priests, was very specific that the ordained priests of God's church should labor for their own support.  The only pay they should expect for teaching the Gospel was the joy they received from the conversion and spiritual experiences of those they taught.

So king Noah discovered this movement and sent his spies to find out what was going on... where they met, who was participating, etc.  He sent his army to destroy this movement, but Alma and his people were warned to flee, and flee they did.  Alma took his people - now numbering about 450 souls - with their possessions and journeyed into the wilderness for 8 days, putting them beyond the reach of the king's armies.

In a beautiful land they called Helam, they began to put down their roots.  We learn that the people tilled the ground, built buildings, were industrious and labored for their welfare.  It is evident to us that they were living righteously, for they prospered in the land and multiplied there.  They loved Alma, their leader and wanted to make him their king.  Alma declined the honor, and taught the people an important truth.  He said "Behold, it is not expedient that we should have a king; for thus saith the Lord: Ye shall not esteem one flesh above another, or one man shall not think himself above another... Nevertheless, if it were possible that ye could always have just men to be your kings it would be well for you to have a king.  But remember the iniquity of king Noah and his priests...  ye have been oppressed by king Noah...  And now as ye have been delivered by the power of God out of these bonds... even so I desire that ye should stand fast in this liberty wherewith ye have been made free, and that ye trust no man to be a king over you" (Mosiah 23:7-9,13).  This wise counsel given by Alma to his people is applicable to us today on a couple of levels.  Firstly, when we place people into a position of government, we give them power that we submit to.  We must be sure that they represent goodness and will do what is right for their constituents.  Nobody can determine who WE think is the right person.  It requires that we do our homework on the person we wish to vote for to determine if they represent the values we hold dear.  Once a person is in power, it is often difficult to unseat them.  On another level, it is important that we not allow improper habits, passions or desires in a position of power over us.  Removing bad habits or immoral tendencies can be as costly as removing a wicked king from power.  Leaving such habits or passions in their prominent position in our lives can be even more costly.  We must choose wisely who and what rules over us.

Alma also warned his people in choosing their teachers and ministers:  "And also trust no one to be your teacher nor your minister, except he be a man of God, walking in his ways and keeping his commandments" (Mosiah 23:14).   Another way of saying this:  "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" (Matthew 7:16, also see v.20 and 3 Nephi 14:16, 20).  I urge each of us to 1) live so that we can be judged worthy of ministering to others; 2) use the Holy Ghost in wisely choosing by whom we will be taught.  Heavenly Father wants to guide us.  He has given us the ability to receive His guidance and has also given us the ability to make our own choices.  Seems like these match up well together, don't you think?

In my next post we will continue with Alma and his people.

Don

...Comes Around Mosiah 19-22, Part 2.

Previously we saw how the people of king Noah had slid off the path of righteousness, how Noah's perversions were repaid to him, and how his son Limhi became the king.  We saw that the people began to be smitten for their collective sins and for actively (or even passively) participating in the martyrdom of a prophet.  Limhi's people battled the Lamanites who unfairly and incorrectly accused them of stealing away some of their daughters, but through an act of wisdom and kindness, spared the Lamanite king, who helped Limhi's people avoid being exterminated.

Once this debacle was behind them, though, they were still in subjugation to the Lamanites, who took every opportunity to harass the Nephites.  I can see this happening - I would think that, although the Lamanite king was convinced that Limhi's people had nothing to do with the stealing of Lamanite girls, the Lamanites would still hold a grudge against the Nephites.  Think of the sentiment against all Muslims in this country after 9/11.  Think of the sentiment against the Japanese after Pearl Harbor.  I don't think the Lamanites, being human beings, would have been any different.  At any rate, the Lamanites were "stirred up in anger against the Nephites and they began to come into the borders of the land round about" (Mosiah 21:2).   According to their king's command, they couldn't kill the Nephites, but they "...would smite them on their cheeks...exercise authority over them, and...put heavy burdens on their backs and drive them as they would a dumb ass..." Mosiah 21:3).

Why did God allow this to happen?  These are words that have been spoken by people throughout the ages, by people of faith and by people who have little or no spiritual beliefs at all.  I'm sure Limhi's people asked this question at this time as well.  In their case, some already knew the answer.  Mormon, in his abridgment of these records, declares: "Yea, all this was done that the word of the Lord might be fulfilled... " (Mosiah 21:4).  Limhi, himself, spoke of the iniquities of his people under Noah's rule: "Yea, I say unto you, great are the reasons which we have to mourn; for behold how many of our brethren have been slain, and their blood has been spilt in vain, and all because of iniquity.  For if this people had not fallen into transgression the Lord would not have suffered that this great evil should come upon them. But behold, they would not hearken unto his words; but there arose contentions among them, even so much that they did shed blood among themselves.  And a prophet of the Lord have they slain; yea, a chosen man of God, who told them of their wickedness and abominations..." (Mosiah 7: 24-26).

It is interesting to think about the time line that is involved:  Noah's reign was about 15 years (160 B.C. to 145  B.C.).  Abinadi appears after 10 years (150 B.C.), and he was killed 2 years later (148 B.C.).  3 years later Noah flees from his own people and from the Lamanites and is killed (145 B.C.).  Limhi rules for 24 years (from 145 B.C. to 121 B.C.) and during that time his people are in bondage to the Lamanites and suffer humiliation, brutality and loss of life at the hands of their oppressors.  Note how much quicker they fell from God's good graces than for them to return to His favor.  Mormon comments about this:  "And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities..." (Mosiah 21:15).  This is a good lesson for us, one that I think we may already know:  It is easier (and better) to refrain from sin than it is to repent from sin.  I have seen this during my lifetime, as I have observed my actions and from observing others.  This is a truth that we need to keep in our minds and hearts on a daily basis.

A question pops up in my mind:  Does this make the Lord vindictive, vengeful and uncaring?  Certainly some of the people didn't agree with Noah, or his ways, and probably did not participate in his debauchery.  Was it fair to them?  Why did the Lord ignore their suffering?  For that matter, why did the Lord make the people in general suffer for so much longer than they (as a society) were astray?

First of all, I don't believe the Lord turns away from His children... It pains Him when they commit sin.  It pains Him when they suffer consequences that sinful actions bring on.  I believe the Lord truly sees all and knows what goes on.  I have to believe that Limhi's people were not ready to put their sins behind them until so much time had passed, and the Lord sent Ammon and his men to find them.  Limhi's people needed to "humble themselves even in the depths of humility and ...cry mightily to God, yea, even all the day long...unto their God..." (Mosiah 21:14).

We should remember that God is not a vending machine where, when we need blessings, we drop in a couple of prayers and out pops the blessing we asked for.  God is a real, living being who knows our needs and our actions.  He is full of mercy but is bound by justice.  He wants what is best for us but has to look on when bad choices are made.  He is bound by freedom of choice;  I said "bound by" but I should have said that He is a strong, strong proponent of freedom of choice because of the love He has for us.  Before Limhi's people could be accepted into the righteous Zarahemla society, they had to want to live as righteous beings.  To not wait until this refinement took place would have been to invite serious difficulties for Limhi's people as well as for the rest of the Nephites in Zarahemla.

Committing a sin takes us away from the Lord faster and easier than the return trip will take.  The return trip will be more costly to us as well.  Wisdom would dictate that we avoide the outward journey in the first place.  Oh, that we were always wise...

So the Lord DID send Ammon, and with his arrival, Limhi and his people found new hope;  Ammon's arrival was the catalyst to the people's escape from Lamanite rule.  A couple of interesting things to mention:
"...it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to consult with the people how they should deliver themselves out of bondage...they could find no way to deliver themselves...except it were to take their women...children...flocks...herds...tents, and depart into the wilderness" (Mosiah 22:1-2).  After 24 years they put their heads together and decide that they could leave?  I am reminded of the movie "The Wizard of Oz";  Dorothy wanted to go home, and Glenda, the good witch, told Dorothy that she already knew how to; she knew it all along...  This comes back to what I said earlier... Limhi and his people were not yet ready and the Lord knew they weren't until they had become humbled, repentant.  Until they were ready.

The people, acting as one body, hastily prepared themselves to flee and then somehow were able to escape from under the (drunken) Lamanite guards noses.  They were a united body of people, united in a purpose, united in desire and (most importantly) united in faith.  An ember, removed from the fire, dies out quickly, but when united with the other embers, remains hot and glowing.  We are better when we are united in righteousness with our family, our friends and our society.

So Limhi's people escaped.  Although the Lamanites pursued them,  they were successful in evading the Lamanite armies until they had made it to the land of Zarahemla (good thing Ammon's party kept good notes on the journey to Lehi-Nephi). 

I think there are good lessons to take to our hearts in this story.  We have the right to make choices for ourselves.  With that right comes the responsibility for our choices.  No matter how much we may sometimes wish otherwise, we are solely responsible for any bad choices we make and the consequences that follow.  The Lord wants what is best for us.  He doesn't abandon us when we turn from Him.  He allows us to return to Him through any difficulties our choices have brought, and He loves us when we strive to make our lives right.  I know this is true.


Don

What goes around... Mosiah 19 - 22

I have skipped over a couple chapters - 17 and 18 of Mosiah; I will circle back and talk about those soon.

I'm going to try to cover 4 chapters by relating basic events.  Here are the hi-lights.

King Noah has lived the high life.  He has been king for about 15 years and his debauchery has spread through a lot of his society - although not all.  There are some of his people who dislike Noah's effect on them, so much so that in chapter 19 we read that there is contention in their kingdom.  One man who disapproves of Noah is Gideonl; he vowed to remove Noah from office.  When Gideon fights Noah and begins to prevail, Noah is saved by the sudden appearance of a Lamanite army.  Using this turn of events to his advantage, Noah cries "Gideon, spare me, for the Lamanites are upon us...yeah, they will destroy my people" (Mosiah 19:8).    Of course, Noah was only concerned for his own skin:  "...the king was not so much concerned about his people as his own life..." (Mosiah 19:8).  (I have to laugh about Mormon's commentary sometimes; I think he was my kind of guy).  Noah then orders his people to flee and when that isn't good enough he orders the men to leave their families and flee with him.  Many of the men refused, but many went with him and left their families behind.

I can't help but wonder why a man would leave his wife and children behind to possible annihilation.  Why would a good man do that?  In asking this question, I guess I'm showing my intolerance - or at least some might say that.  I don't have a good experience base to really know how I would act in that circumstance; however, my gut tells me that I couldn't abandon my family so that I might save my skin. 

Noah got his just reward (considering what he has done to his people and what he caused to happen with Abinadi).  The men who left with him decided to return to face the same fate as those left behind.  Noah ordered them to stay and they turned on him and put him to death by fire...  just as Abinadi predicted.  When Noah's priests tried to intervene, the men went after them as well, but they escaped.  The men returned to find that, happily, their families had been spared.

Noah's son, Limhi, is declared king, and Limhi is a better man than his father. Limhi sought to bring the kingdom back to more stolid ways.  It is a tribute to Limhi's governance that the people were able to enjoy some peace after the stormy period they had just gone through.  It is a tribute to the love of the Lord that peace could come to this people after such a difficult experience.  We learn that the Lord's peace is upon all of His children who seek to be in harmony with His ways.

The peace didn't last for the Nephites; Noah's priests stirred up trouble for Limhi and the kingdom when they kidnapped a group of Lamanite daughters.  Why?  Probably because they wanted them, probably because they could, and probably because they had no respect for the likely outcome.  The Lamanite king blamed Limhi's people and came in his wrath to punish Limhi and his people.  Because Limhi was diligent in keeping watches, the Nephites had enough warning to prepare for battle.  The Nephites prevailed because "...they fought for their lives, and for their wives, and for their children; therefore they exerted themselves and like dragons did they fight" (Mosiah 20:11).  What cause do we fight for?  For that matter, what cause do we live each day for?  If our priorities are set properly, there is no question that we would prevail in our daily struggles because we would be expending our daily exertions in the right cause.

After driving the Lamanites out, Limhi's people find the injured Lamanite king among the Lamanite dead.  Limhi has them treat his wounds and then questions him; he finds that the Lamanites broke the treaty because their daughters had been carried away, and everyone blamed Limhi's people.  Talk about jumping to conclusions!  This is a good lesson for us; Often we make decisions - sometimes life-altering ones - based upon our own impressions, knowledge or experience.  We need to seek the Lord's guidance when we make choices, especially when they are critical.  We might know a lot - the Lord knows all.  We might understand much - the Lord understands all.  We might see many things - the Lord sees all.  Sometimes the choice the Lord would have us make is not what we would have chosen;  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8).  We have to trust that the Lord's guidance will lead us to the right decision, and that the outcome from trusting the Lord's guidance is ultimately for our good.

This is interesting:  Limhi and his people convinced the Lamanite king that Noah's priests were the perpetrators of the heinous daughter-snatching act.  The king convinces Limhi and his people to lay down their weapons of war and accompany him to the front of the Lamanite army.  Both things, miraculous by themselves, lead to the amazing halt of bloodshed - just when the Lamanites were about to overwhelm the Nephites in battle.  These events all stemmed from an act of compassion and kindness and built upon a need to understand.  Limhi spared the Lamanite king, even though his people wanted to finish him off.  He had to know what had happened; he wanted to know what provoked the Lamanite king to break his vow.  I think he also felt it wrong to slay the injured king.  Mankind has advanced, technologically and spiritually, because people had to know why.  People who wanted to understand things have led us to better standards of living.  People who had a thirst for knowledge of the physical and spiritual world have paved the way for us.  We strive to know more and thus follow in their footsteps.  In turn, we prepare the way for those who come after in the same manner.  There is a quote by an author whose name I don't know:  "We stand on the shoulders of those who came before; We provide the shoulders for those who follow us".  In knowledge - of the world and of spiritual things - we truly owe a lot to those who came before and we repay that debt to our successors.

Limhi and his people were spared destruction by the Lamanite army.  Their king persuaded them to stop the bloodshed; the Lamanite army had compassion when they saw that the Nephites had come to them unarmed.  Interestingly enough, this is the second time in these couple of chapters that the Lamanite army showed compassion on the Nephites.  I believe that the Lord's work is being done when compassion is demonstrated by someone in a position to make a difference.  Think about it... Compassion is becoming a rare quality in these times.

More about Limhi's people in my next post.

Don