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Written by:
Alice Gifford The YW Connection
(8/30/1999)
This morning as my husband left for
work he said, "Well, off to battle!". I laughed and then thought how
appropriate for what we are studying right now. The next chapters of the
Book of Mormon are heartbreaking. My husband goes off to battle everyday
to "fight the good fight" and as I have reflected upon the upcoming
chapters I've thought about the battle plan that Captain Moroni used and
the protection he provided for his armies. There are many great insights
to these chapters! As I read about Alma, who "could not rest", it brings
tears to my eyes to learn of his dedication to the Lord. Am I that
dedicated?
As I think about Helaman and the 2000 Stripling Warriors, do I have
their faith and courage? And there are many more great men who we can
gain strength from in following their examples! I pray for their
strength, courage and conviction. I pray that my heart will not be
hardened in the battle before me. I love these might men who knew where
their strength came from, who's bended knees were callused and worn.
Sometimes at night I hope into bed exhausted from my day of "battle" and
I think, "Heavenly Father, I'm so tired! Please forgive me for not
kneeling" and then I feel ashamed because I KNOW these men were never
too tired to give thanks for the battles won, and never too tired to ask
for help when needed.
I've often wondered why more women are not mentioned in the scriptures
though I am not bothered by this. We have been told that the nature of
women is much closer to God's than man's. Could it possibly be that
women do not need to have as many role models as men? When the
Priesthood of God is under attack, who better to show the way than
Nephi, Jacob, Sam, Ammon, and the list goes on.... I almost don't want
to make a list because I don't want to slight any of these men! Our
children need role models! They need to know of these men who our Father
in Heaven loved so dearly! I'm grateful to them. I'm grateful for their
love of me! I'm grateful that they were willing to preserve these sacred
records so that we would have a place to go for answers and strategic
battle plans. As as a woman, I can also look up to these men as role
model! They are teaching me so much!!!!
As we read this chapter, notice how Moroni "united" his people. In our
Gospel Doctrine class a member of our stake presidency used the analogy
of a chain's strength Vs. a rope's strength. A chain loses it's strength
once a link is broken while a rope can have a broken strand or many
broken strands but will still remain together. I've thought a lot about
his comments. How true! A rope CAN have a broken strand in one place but
you may notice this same strand is strong and unbroken farther along the
rope.
We all have weaknesses and we may have a broken strand here or there
that needs repair. However, if we are united together, you will keep me
in place until a repair can be made, and I may be keeping you in place
as we are intertwined in unity somewhere else.
I also started thinking about thick Vs. thin ropes. Have you ever tried
to get a knot out of a very thin rope or piece of string? It is very
difficult. But a thicker rope is much easier. I hope this analogy makes
sense but I thought isn't it true that we are much easier "undone" when
we become puffed up in ourselves thinking we don't need anyone else and
we make try and strengthen our rope by ourselves. We may have many
strands to build the rope but who will hold us together when someone
comes along to untie us? Unity in family, unity in a neighborhood, unity
in a ward and community brings great strength.
I wish I had been blessed with a daughter or two, but I wouldn't give up
my boys for anything! I love thinking of them in their "armor"! I love
knowing that they are righteous young men who I'm trying to teach to
"fight" as Captain Moroni and Helaman and the 2000. Our youth can become
a might rope when united together in the fight for truth and
righteousness and we have the strands to help them!
As you read the rest of these chapters, think of the "battle plan" being
give to us. Think of the armor we need to wear. Think of the strength
that comes from unity in God.
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