Covering the Important Bits

The Content:
Alma 43
Verse 19

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—

The Comments:

Moroni decked his armies out in armor.  Considering the reaction from the Lamanites, I'd have to say that this is the first time they've seen this new-fangled armor stuff..

First off, it frightens the Lamanites. It's always good to surprise your enemies-keep them on their toes and all that.

Second, the armor covered all of the important places: chest, arms, heads...  All with purpose and in an effort to stay alive.  I doubt they had thumb armor or anything like that.

Third, the army listened to Moroni and agreed to do it.  Some of them may have been skeptical. Maybe they laughed or complained at the restrictive nature of the armor.  Men today complain about a suit and tie, for crying out loud.

Wow, think about that for a second. How many times do we hear (or perhaps we have said) that the commandments are restrictive?

I wonder what the soldiers had to say after the battle.  And what do we have to say when we see that a commandment actually kept us from harm, or when we disobey and find ourselves in a bind? Gotta love hind-sight. 

This verse also shows me that we must be willing to adapt in life.  God's laws do not change, but sometimes the tactics we must use to obey them does.