Week 6

This week I was reading in Alma chapter 53, which is the chapter of the stripling warriors. While reading this, verse 17 struck me, "And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea to protect the land even unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage." There were 2,000 men who decided to fight because their fathers couldn't, and not only did they decide this, but entered into a covenant. It was a very different covenant from their fathers but one just as important.

This shows me that The Lord truly has a plan for each of us, and if we listen to Him and follow that plan we will end up doing the best we can. If the fathers of the stripling warriors had broken their covenant, they would have been lost. In contrast, if their sons had not been raised by peace loving mothers and fathers, only deciding to fight for the reason of keeping their home and only fighting with the power of the Lord, they would have failed as well. But as it was, in verse 56 of chapter 56, "But behold to my great joy, there had not been one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea and they had fought as if with the strength of God".

These stripling warriors, as well as the parents that raised them, can be an example of total faith and trust in the Lord. When making the promise to no longer bear arms, the fathers of the stripling warriors had faith the Lord would protect them in other ways. When going into battle, the stripling warriors knew the Lord would be with them in the battle. I want to have the faith that when I do the right, obey the Lord's commandments and do as he asks of me, everything will be well in my life in the end. I also want to be sure to teach my children the same thing, and raise more stripling warriors in this world that seems to be getting more and more wicked every day. Following God's plan for us, and even knowing that He does indeed have one for each and every one of us can help me get closer to this goal.