Bearing Testimony on the Battlefield

The Content

Alma 44

Verse 5

And now, Zerahemnah, I command you, in the name of that all-powerful God, who has strengthened our arms that we have gained power over you, by our faith, by our religion, and by our rites of worship, and by our church, and by the sacred support which we owe to our wives and our children, by that liberty which binds us to our lands and our country; yea, and also by the maintenance of the sacred word of God, to which we owe all our happiness; and by all that is most dear unto us—

The Comments:

I’m not sure I can dissect that.

First off, Moroni commands Zarahmenah in the name of God…can he do that? And what does it mean?

At what point can/should we command our enemies in the name of God?  I’m not entirely clear on that—haven’t really thought about it before. Perhaps it’s a “when the Spirit strikes you” sort of thing. Or a Priesthood thing. Huh.

The rest of this is an awesome decree about why the Nephites are fighting. Relly, I don’t feel that I have much to add, so I will simply point out a few things that I liked.

God strengthened their arms—the part of them that must have gotten the most tired during a battle. We should pay attention to how the Lord strengthens us. I’m sure that it is similar.

The sacred support which we owe to our wives and our children. I find the wording on this one quite interesting. Sacred support—sounds intense and feels like it runs deep. Covenants perhaps? Or the fact that our families are potentially eternal.

Liberty which binds us to our lands.  Is this a step beyond patriotism?  Something to think about.

Owe all happiness to the word of God. Not just God, but to the word of God. Our happiness comes through obedience and faith.

Pretty cool that Moroni stands on the battlefield and bears his testimony to his enemies. Could we do that if we were called upon? Not sure I could. Go Moroni!