The Face-Off

The Content:
Alma 43
Verse 15

And it came to pass as the armies of the Lamanites had gathered together in the land of Antionum, behold, the armies of the Nephites were prepared to meet them in the land of Jershon.

The Comments:

This battle has been coming for a while. We've been given the tactics and the motivations behind each side, and finally they're ready to face-off.

There are certainly times in our lives when we know that a fight is coming. I'm not talking about with a friend or a family member (although those can certainly apply), I'm thinking more along the lines of when Satan is closing in on you, and you can feel it.

For instance, when you decide to make a big decision in your life (go to the temple, stop a bad habit that you have, get married, change to direction of your life to more fully align with God) there is sure to be retribution from the forces of Satan that will result in him attacking you.  It will happen.  It is possible to both feel and be ready for this.

As I read this, I thought about the fact that two armies were attacking one another-so on a large scale.  But also, that individuals were about to fight.  Just like in the martial arts, you need to train and be in the correct mind set to fend off an attack. Or if you're not in the mind set, you need to get their fast.

We may be one in the army of our religion, but Satan doesn't just attack on the large scale.  He's all about wittling down the opposition person by person. It's one of his greatest tools.

But if we do the things the Lord has asked us to do, listen to the Spirit in our lives and  stay united in the gospel with others, then we too can both be ready for the big picture battles, but also the little things that Satan is sure to throw at us.