The Calling

The Content:
Alma
Verse 16

Now, the leader of the Nephites, or the man who had been appointed to be the chief captain over the Nephites—now the chief captain took the command of all the armies of the Nephites—and his name was Moroni;

The Comments:

Enter Moroni-appointed to be chief captain over ALL of the armies of the Nephites.

I'm not sure why, but the word appointed made this seem more like a calling than anything else.  I could, of course, be making it up, but how would you like that visit to the Stake President's office?

"Hey Moroni."  The Stake President leans back in his creaky, leather chair and steeples his hands.  "So it's come to my attention that you're quite the strategist, and that you have some experience in fighting."  He tries to smile. "I heard all about the battle of Sidon."

Awkward silence.

The Stake President continues.  "Well, we've thought about it and prayed about it, and we feel like you should be the man to lead us through this upcoming war with our greatest enemies."

Yikes.

We don't know a ton about Moroni (most if it is on Alma 48), but it never feels like he aspired to this position.  However, he's very good at it, as we'll see the farther we get into these war chapters.

Of course, after thinking about Moroni's calling, it makes being appointed "chief captain" over all the primary kids in the ward sound like a cake walk.

Which it isn't, by the way.