Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 57:21, 27

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 57:21, 27
"Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.
Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually."

This made me reflect on the youth of today, and how they were reserved for these latter-days. They are the Lord's battalion. I noted that not all the Nephite youth joined in this battle, as the sons of the people of Ammon did. It was only those that were obedient, performed commands with exactness, and lived by faith. Their minds were firm and they trusted in God continually. They remembered the oaths and covenants their fathers made and honored that.

This reminded me of Brother Steven J. Lund's interview on his call as Young Men's General President in April 2020. I watched this video over again. President Nelson told him, "It's important that you're here, and it's important that you understand this, because this is a very important time for the church. You know we're in the end of times here. This is a very important time for the youth of the church. I've called them, I've invited them, to serve in the Lord's battalions." Brother Lund said "Yes, President Nelson, I know that you have, and I know that they're listening." President Nelson said. "I hope so, I know that many are, because this is such an important time of gathering. And the opportunity for them to be engaged in that work of gathering has never been like this before."
President Nelson spoke to him for about 10 minutes of this final work of the gathering and his deployment of the youth of the church to make that happen. "This thing that has been talked about by apostles and prophets for as long as there has been people on this earth. Looking forward to the end game, when the earth will be rolled up like a scroll, and the Savior will come again."
Brother Lund said he "walked out that room with this intense understanding, and knowledge, confirmed to me by the spirit, that I share with you, and that is, that He's Coming! He really is, and it's imminent. I don't know what that means. All I know is that there is a sense of urgency about the brethren."
(Steven J. Lund, "He is Coming. He really is and it's IMMINENT!", YouTube Channel, A Warning Voice, 28 Oct 2023)

Day 3501

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 53:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 53:19
"And now behold, as they never had hitherto been a disadvantage to the Nephites, they became now at this period of time also a great support; for they took their weapons of war, and they would that Helaman should be their leader."

I was curious as to why the two thousand stripling warriors wanted Helaman as their leader? Why not Moroni who was a righteous Nephite military commander, firm in his faith in Christ .

"Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.
Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God."
(Alma 48:17-18)

I went back and read Alma 53:14-15.

"But behold, as they were about to take their weapons of war, they were overpowered by the persuasions of Helaman and his brethren, for they were about to break the oath which they had made.
And Helaman feared lest by so doing they should lose their souls; therefore all those who had entered into this covenant were compelled to behold their brethren wade through their afflictions, in their dangerous circumstances at this time."

Helaman, son of Alma the younger, was a spiritual leader to them. He feared that their fathers that made an oath to bury their weapons of war would lose their souls to take them up again. If I had to select someone that would care for my young sons it would be such a leader.

Day 3497

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 56:37, 40, 54

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 56:37, 40, 54

"Yea, even to a considerable distance, insomuch that when they saw the army of Antipus pursuing them, with their might, they did not turn to the right nor to the left, but pursued their march in a straight course after us; and, as we suppose, it was their intent to slay us before Antipus should overtake them, and this that they might not be surrounded by our people.

Now they durst not turn to the right nor to the left lest they should be surrounded; neither would I turn to the right nor to the left lest they should overtake me, and we could not stand against them, but be slain, and they would make their escape; and thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness, even until it was dark.

And now it came to pass that we, the people of Nephi, the people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand, did surround the Lamanites, and did slay them; yea, insomuch that they were compelled to deliver up their weapons of war and also themselves as prisoners of war."

Twice in this chapter it mentions the tactic of turning neither to the left or to right. Both sides knew the moment they did that they would be surrounded and overcome. It made me think of the importance of staying in the mainstream of the church and not going into the fringes, to the far right or the far left. There are so many parallels in life that going to the extreme either way will cause you to become unbalanced and eventually overcome. 

Eventually Antipus army in the rear caught up to and fell upon the Lamanites. While the Lamanites were trying to overpower the army of Antipus the army of Helaman turned with its 2000 stripling warriors and fell upon them. The Lamanites were now caught in the middle and overcome. Teaching me that if I am faithful and neither turn to the right or the left, that when the time comes that I must stand against evil I will win when the Lord is on my side. 

"...Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall.."  (Alma 56:46)

Day 1914

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 8:40

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 8:40
"And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin."

Not as many mentions of valiant men in this chapter. Just the one with the sons of Ulam, descendants of Benjamin. I decided to look up in the topical guide all the references for valiant. This one was my favorite.

"And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all - they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted." (Alma 53:20)

I have always loved the story of the two thousand stripling warriors. I found a YouTube video of the Bountiful South Stake that did a recreation of Helaman's 2000 sons, the stripling warriors. It really touched my heart to listen to the music and see these images. It really does take a lot of courage to be missionaries at this time. Some battles are not fought with the spear. I wonder what will be written in the histories about the valiant youth of today?

Stripling Warriors marching, KSL clip and Bednar added

Day 921