Following the account of the missionary labors and the anti-Christ confrontations, the Nephite record next turns to a detailed description of some wars that were waged between the Nephites and the Lamanites. Considering the forces of temptation that encompass us, we see that these temporal wars contain many instructive spiritual patterns.
A fundamental principle is that sin leads to captivity while obedience leads to freedom. (John 8:32,34.) In the story of nations we often see this principle fulfilled in a very physical way. A nation's fall to a tyrannical rule is usually preceded by the deterioration of the moral fiber of its people. Whether we are captive or free, as individuals or nations, depends on our obedience to the commandments of God.(1) The Nephite record states that "...those who were a.faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were b.delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their c.wicked brethren have been d.consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites." (Alma 50:22.) Likewise, on the personal level, "all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been--if they have been a.righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and b.deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been c.evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and d.captivation of the devil." (Alma 9:28.)
Motives very similar to those of Satan's in his conquest for the soul can be seen reflected in the aggressive forces which bring about the enslavement of weakened nations. The Lamanites sought "to a.destroy their brethren, or to subject them and bring them into b.bondage that they might c.establish a kingdom unto themselves over all the land." (Alma 43:29.) So also does the devil seeks "to b.captivate, to bring [us] a.down to hell, that he may c.reign over [us] in his own kingdom." (2 Ne. 2:29.)
Specifically, we know that it is "the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate...." (2 Ne. 2:29.) So as we picture the Lamanites' aggression towards the Nephites, we might create a mental image of the debasing drives of the body assailing our aspiring spirit. Peter said that "fleshly lusts...war against the soul." (1 Pet. 2:11.)(2) Drawing applications from Book of Mormon history, we find answers about how to command and triumph in this struggle.
For example, the record suggests how a state of freedom can be maintained. It reveals that as long as the Nephites were obedient to the word of God, the Lamanites "could not obtain power over the Nephites," and "the Nephites had all power over their enemies...." (Alma 49:22,23.) The Lamanites were only able to gain power over the Nephites in proportion to the wickedness of the Nephites. (Alma 53:9; 59:12.) Applying this to the individual, we recall the statement that "whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction." (1 Ne. 15:24.)
A compelling example of this is found with the 2,060 stripling warriors of Helaman, who came to fight after the Lamanites had begun gaining power over some of the Nephite cities. In a desperate battle, not one of them was slain while 1,000 of their enemy were slain. (Alma 57:25,26.) This was because "they did obey...every work of command with exactness." (57:21.) "Their minds [were] firm, and they...put their trust in God continually." (57:27.) The reason for their faith and their determination was attributed to the fact that "they had been taught by their mothers that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them." (56:47.) This becomes a compelling commentary about the magnificent influence good mothers can have on the upbringing of their children, fortifying them for the temporal as well as spiritual battles they will face throughout life.
At the beginning of the great war waged between the Nephites and the Lamanites, the Lamanites came against the city of Ammonihah because "they supposed that it would...become an easy prey for them." (Alma 49:3.) They had previously "destroyed it once because of the iniquity of the people...." (Ibid.) They were disappointed in this because of the Nephites' astonishing level of preparation. They had fortified the city to such an extent that the Lamanites could not get power over it. (Alma 49:4.) Then the Lamanites proceeded to the city of Noah which also "had hitherto been a weak place...." (Alma 49:14.) But it too, "had now, by the means of Moroni [the Nephite general], become strong...." (Ibid.) Isn't this also true of humble individuals who place their trust in God? The Lord promised: "I [will] make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27; compare Alma 58:37.)
Another gem of spiritual insight is found in general Moroni's wisdom pertaining to war. He knew "that it was easier to keep the city from falling into the hands of the Lamanites than to retake it from them...." (Alma 59:9.) This makes a firm statement against flirting with temptation and rationalizing that repentance can always follow. Resisting sin in the first place is much easier than climbing the difficult road of repentance. "Therefore," we might conclude, as did the defending Nephites, "let us resist evil...that we may retain our freedom...." (61:14.)
Once a nation has lost or begins to lose its freedom, blood must usually be spilt before freedom can be regained.(3) We can see this theme illustrated vividly in the Nephite-Lamanite wars as well as in the conflicts which we have experienced in the latter days.(4) In the same way, once a person gives in to sin, only through "the atoning blood of Christ," and by placing his trust in God, can he be freed from the bonds of transgression. (Mosiah 3:17,18; Acts 44:12; D&C 27:2.)
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Endnotes:
1. At first, there may seem to be exceptions to this: wicked nations that are not in captivity, or righteous nations that are in captivity. However, with time wicked nations will go into captivity or destruction, and righteous nations will be delivered. (See Alma 61:12-14.) The same applies to the individual.
2. The aim, of course, is not war, but peace. We are to strive to bring the body and the spirit into harmony, for only then can we "receive a fullness of joy." (D&C 93:33.) Looking in Book of Mormon history we see a parallel, for the time came that there were no longer "any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God." (4 Ne. 1:17.)
3. Book of Mormon history gives several examples of instances when blood was not required to regain freedom. But in those cases, divine intervention was what brought about their deliverance. (See, for example, Mosiah 24:21.)
4. For example, in 1944 President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. said, "...We stand in danger of losing our liberties, and...once lost, only blood will bring them back...." (Ezra Taft Benson, CR, Oct. 1966, p. 124.)
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