The Grim Picture

The Content:

Alma 43

Verse 37

And the work of death commenced on both sides, but it was more dreadful on the part of the Lamanites, for their nakedness was exposed to the heavy blows of the Nephites with their swords and their cimeters, which brought death almost at every stroke.

The Comments:

“And the work of death commenced”

Sort of a grim picture there—hard truth.

War is death. There is no getting around it. The decision to go to war means leading people into death, leaving families without loved ones, breaking minds and sending people to the afterlife before their time.

Who would want to do that?

It would either be a very hard decision (hopefully that is the case), or a very selfish decision by someone who only cares about what they want and are willing to do terrible things to other people to get it. I really don't like to think about it either way, and I hope that it is a decision that I will never have to make.

The Nephites had some advantages this time because of their armor as well as listening to their leaders and being prepared. Wait, that sounds so familiar...

The Nephites brought death with every stroke. That's even more grim, knowing you have the power to cut a swath through the enemy ranks. What could that do to a man/person? Did anyone want to hesitate? Or did their righteous cause give them courage? I'm sure it went both ways.