Day 43 - Alma 43-45

LOOK FOR A NEW FORMAT FOR WAR CHAPTERS
Years ago I put together extensive tables on the War Chapters - trying to keep things straight between the Lamanites and the Nephites and the stories that took place in which city.  From now until the end of Alma - I will share these with you.  (See 1st Table below).  Don't forget to click here to go back to post where I gave you a Book of Mormon Map - so you can follow along with the new Tables.

Why so many War Chapters? (Excerpts from 1992 - Ensign - by Sister Kathleen McConkie)

"The morning was dark and cold, the children were half-asleep, and our reading in the Book of Mormon seemed endless.  We were mired somewhere in the last half of the book of Alma and, frankly, we weren't getting much out of it.
            "Whenever we got into those detailed accounts of the wars between the Nephites and the Lamanites, our enthusiasm for daily scripture study waned.  Mormon's extensive treatment of the subject of war, though informative and even inspiring at times, just did not seem to apply to us personally….             "And so, as the sleepy voices droned on, my mind began to wander.  Why?  Why did Mormon include so much detail about the wars?  With all the wonderful spiritual events that must have taken place, why would he use so much valuable space on the plates to record military intrigue and battle strategy?"

"Then it hit me.  That was it!  This was the war that applied to me--not a war of swords and spears, but the eternal war for my soul and those of my family.  Satan is waging an all-out war against truth and righteousness.  His forces are everywhere, and we are involved in that war whether we like it or not. 

The danger is real, and the stakes are high.  All around us we see the battle casualties, their lives ruined and their souls scarred.  If we expect to avoid becoming casualties ourselves, we desperately need the Lord's guidance--and there is no better place to find it than in that book of scripture prepared specifically for our day: the Book of Mormon!"

For our purposes, let’s replace the following with more current terms

Nephites                                            Our Families
Captain Moroni                                 Parents, Church Leaders
Zoramites, King Men                       Apostates, Dissenters
Lamanites                                         Those who would attack our Family
Zerahemnah, Amalickiah               Those who would use the world to destroy us

Focus Scripture Table to study: (double click to make larger - or email me for original)

 For Kids:

Click here to watch video of Captain Moroni defeating Zerahemnah

NEW SEMINARY VIDEOS FOR TEENS/ADULTS:
Click here to watch non animated video of Captain Moroni defeating Zerahemnah - Part 1 - 10 min.
Click here to watch Part 2 - 3 1/2 min.

Food for Thought:  Spiritual Lessons from the War Chapters (This is new too!)
           --Excerpts taken from “Righteous Warriors” by John Bytheway

Chapter 43 -  Prophets Know Where the Enemy Will Strike

1. The Lord is concerned with the desires of our hearts (why we do what we do).
2. Faith and works; we do what we can do, and the Lord will help us with the rest.
3. The prophets know where the enemy will strike, so listen up!

Chapter 44 – Faith in Christ in Times of War and Peace

1. Faith in Jesus Christ is powerful in any situation.
2. A testimony can be shared in unusual places, even in war.
3. We owe all of our happiness to the Word of God.
4. If warring apostates can keep covenants, maybe we can keep ours.

Chapter 45 – Expedient to Declare the Word of God

1. The word of God is a stabilizing force in society.
2. The word of God is the first and best preparation for facing a world in turmoil.
3. Pride is more dangerous than aggression.

BOMING Picture:  Zerahemnah defeated and his scalp cut off!

    
                                          Zarahemnah's people lay down their weapons