Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 61:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 61:4
"And it is those who have sought to take away the judgment-seat from me that have been the cause of this great iniquity; for they have used great flattery, and they have led away the hearts of many people, which will be the cause of sore affliction among us; they have withheld our provisions, and have daunted our freemen that they have not come unto you."

The king-men had risen up in rebellion and taken possession of Zarahemla, their capital. The word flattery is what stood out to me.

“Flattery” is most commonly defined as excessive and insincere praise. The naïve, the needy, the impressionable, or the ego-centric view flattery as genuine praise. Discerning people understand flattery to be disingenuous, false praise motivated by an agenda."

What is needed is discernment, the spirit as your guide. As the chapter continues Pahoran is reinforcing the need for them to act according to the Spirit of God.

"Therefore, come unto me speedily with a few of your men, and leave the remainder in the charge of Lehi and Teancum; give unto them power to conduct the war in that part of the land, according to the Spirit of God, which is also the spirit of freedom which is in them." (vs 15)

I looked for other scriptures where flattery is used.

"He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail."
(Job 17:5)

"To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman." (Proverbs 6:24)

"And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil."
(Jacob 7:4)

"Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities."
(Mosiah 8:8)

This made me think of a recent warning by President Nelson.
"There is no end to the adversary’s deceptions. Please be prepared. Never take counsel from those who do not believe. Seek guidance from voices you can trust—from prophets, seers, and revelators and from the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, who “will show unto you all things what ye should do.” Please do the spiritual work to increase your capacity to receive personal revelation."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Think Celestial!", Oct 2023 General Conference)

Day 3505

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 52:13, 19

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 52:13, 19
"And thus he was endeavoring to harass the Nephites, and to draw away a part of their forces to that part of the land, while he had commanded those whom he had left to possess the cities which he had taken, that they should also harass the Nephites on the borders by the east sea, and should take possession of their lands as much as it was in their power, according to the power of their armies.
And in the commencement of the twenty and eighth year, Moroni and Teancum and many of the chief captains held a council of war—what they should do to cause the Lamanites to come out against them to battle; or that they might by some means flatter them out of their strongholds, that they might gain advantage over them and take again the city of Mulek."

Two words stood out to me in these verses, harass and flatter. The Lamanites used the tool of harassment to try and overpower the Nephites. It appears to have had no effect on them. The Nephites were inspired to use flattery to outmaneuver the Lamanites. They knew the pride of their enemy well and understood that to flatter them would lead to their downfall. They were able to flatter the Lamanites into thinking they could easily overtake the Nephites on their march. When in truth they were being tricked and ultimately surrounded. This was war and the enemy fell for the trap. This is a lesson for us today. First, the dangers of leaders were flattery and pride can over take them. Second, for us to be able to endure harassment.

Day 3496