Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 46:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 46:10

"Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for righteous sake."

This chapter speaks of Moroni and raising the title of liberty across the land. This was after Amalickiah sought to become a king and change the liberty that they had. I love how the people come rushing to support Moroni in raising the title of liberty throughout the land. Because of their numbers Amalickiah and those that followed him gave up their quest. 

I cannot help but think of our political processes today. We do have people trying to change our foundation of liberty, our constitution, our rights and beliefs. We live in such dangerous times. What I see as a warning message in the Book of Mormon is that that such people live in our day that desire to destroy all that God has blessed us with. I don't think this is a one time occurrence. I think its a warning that it will be a continual battle with evil to not allow them to overcome our land and take away our rights. Just because someone tried to make themselves king doesn't mean that is what we will see too. What the danger is, is that they tried to change the government that was setup by God.

We need to group together to not have them change what God has divinely inspired. I am afraid that if people cannot see there are different political voices and how they aim to change and destroy this land, then their souls are in danger for being blinded by Satan. It's not something coming, its already here. The battle has been going on a long time and will continue until the end. The questions I ask myself is the person purposes leading people to righteousness. Do they instill bondage or freedom? Do they support or tear down our constitution? It amazes me what people are willing to give up with false hope and promises when the Lords standards has already been set. How can we ever think we know better than God.

Day 320 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 45:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 45:1

Behold, now it came to pass that the people of Nephi were exceedingly rejoiced, because the Lord had again delivered them out of the hands of their enemies; therefore they gave thanks unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy."

When I read this verse I realized that when I have been so grateful for the Lord's blessings I have never thought to fast in gratitude. I have said prayers of thanks but never fasted for thanks. I should do that. I think nothing of fasting when I need blessings. It seems so fitting now to fast for the joy of what I have received.

Day 319 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 44:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 44:9

"Behold, we are not of your faith; we do not believe that is God that has delivered us into your hands; but we believe that is your cunning that has preserved you from our swords. Behold, it is your breastplates and your shields that have preserved you."

Captain Moroni in battle had sought the prophet Alma to find out from the Lord where the Lamanites were planning to attack. With this knowledge he was able to devise a cunning plan to surround the Lamanites and preserve their freedom. He also was inspired to prepare weapons of war and protection for his men for doing battle. This knowledge all came from the Lord and not from a 25 year man's cunning mind. 

Zerahemnah upon being surrounded and asked to lay down his weapons of war declares it was not God that allowed them to be delivered into the Nephites hands. I could not help but wonder at that comment. Both sides had equal opportunity to come up with these plans, yet the Lamanites did not. Why would that be? If God didn't do that then what would you expect him to do to save them? You don't have to have lightening or floods come destroy your enemies to show the power of God. God works with all the common things around us first. If he can give us strength to do amazing things then he will have us be His instrument. God's will inspire and bless men to do his work by small and simple means. Then great things will be accomplished. The greatest of all is what happens to the heart of the man that acknowledges his strength comes from the Lord. Such a person grows in faith and trust in the Lord that he will fight all their battles, even the one to save their souls.

Day 318 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 43:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 43:19-20

"And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing - 

Now the army of Zerahemnah was not prepare with any such thing; they had only their swords and their cimeters, their bows and their arrows, their stones and their slings; and they were naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins; yea, all were naked, save it were the Zoramites and the Amalekites;"

I have entered the war chapters in the Book of Mormon. The Lamanites and all those that dissented from the Nephites joined together to came upon the Nephites. Their desire was to gain power over the Nephites and bring them into bondage. A righteous 25 year old man was appointed chief captain over the Nephite armies. The Nephites were motivated by their desire to support and preserve their lands, homes and families from their enemies. They desired to preserve their rights and privileges, their liberty and the right to worship God according to their desires.

The war chapters have always been hard to read. I weep at the loss of so much life, it just breaks my heart. As I have learned of the archaeological evidence that supports the time frame and people of the Book of Mormon, in the lands of North America, I have come to see these chapters differently. The evidence fits with these war chapters, showing how the people protected themselves with weapons of war and the physical changes made to the land for their defense. It's almost like there was another purpose for these Lamanite - Nephite battles. It was to leave a physically record to my generation of what will become us, if we do not listen to the warning message of what destroyed the Nephite people. They left more than the book I now hold in my hands. The greatest witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon is borne by the spirit. Those with doubting hearts that want it laid out in their hands can see the evidence from the earth. 

To learn more go to: www.bookofmormonevidence.org 

Though I must warn, there is a need for moderation in looking at physical evidence and ignoring the spirit and message of the Book of Mormon itself. Greater time should be spent reading the scriptures than having others tell you about it. Only then can the spirit guide and not have you deceived going off on strange tangents. I have had to learn to sift the good from the bad. I don't attend the Firm Foundation Expos anymore because of spiritual speculation. There is an over focus on the last days that has overtake some, that troubles my soul. If it only focused on the Book of Mormon evidence then I would attend.

Day 317 Tami Fitzgerald Harris