The war chapters of Alma have many principles teaching me how to be a better husband and father, and how to better prepare myself and my family against the enemy that tries to destroy us. The preparation of Moroni in chapters 48-50 of Alma was impressive. Moroni is a type of Christ and Amalakiah is a type of Satan. Amalakiah's whole intent was to bring the Nephites into bondage. To have power over them. To make them suffer. Moroni's entire intent was to strengthen the Nephites and to keep, or deliver them from bondage. Like Amalakiah, Satan is familiar with us and our weaknesses. He appoints his legions to attack us where we are weakest. Like Moroni, I must strengthen my cities. My people. My family. I must prepare them for the battle before the enemy attacks and I must encourage and help them in the battles. Moroni placed the greatest number of men in the weakest places. For myself, I can apply this by placing the greatest focus and efforts into overcoming my greatest weaknesses. If I put forth real effort, the Lord will strengthen me in my weakness. For my family, I can know each family member and their strengths and weaknesses. I can put individualized efforts into strengthening each one in their greatest places of weakness. As I learned from Alma (Alma 36-42), I do not need to spend the same amount of time teaching each child the same thing. Some will need more focus in some areas than others. I need to discern what they need and how I can best help strengthen them individually. This takes great effort and diligence. I need to be better.
The Nephites had faith "that God would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies" (Alma 48:16). If I am faithful in keeping the commandments, God will make it known unto me whither I should go to defend my family against the adversary. He will give me spiritual guidance and direction regarding where I need to strengthen or what I need to fight against. I have seen this to be true in my life. I have recently received guidance about things to discuss individually with my children to help strengthen them individually.
In chapter 50, we read that in a brief period of peace, Moroni did not stop preparing and strengthening his cities. It mentions at least 5 levels of security he put in place. I also need to continually be diligent in preparing myself and my family spiritually, especially in times of relative peace. I need to be diligent in applying multiple layers of security. I find verses 22 and 23 of Alma 50 especially comforting. We read that "those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times", and that "there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi".
It is interesting that in the midst of the war with the Lamanites, this is the happiest period of time that the Nephites had experienced to this point. What created this happiness? They were still in danger. Amalakiah was still determined to destroy them. But they had peace, happiness and prosperity. They had deliverance from the Lord from their sin and unhappiness. I think much of this had to do with the preparations Moroni had them make, coupled with the spiritual preparations they made - the heed and diligence they gave to the word of God (Alma 49:3). In my life, I think this can also be true. There can be chaos around me. Forces of evil can be seeking to destroy me. But if I keep fortifying myself with personal study, prayer, service, etc., I can have peace and prosperity in my heart, despite all the craziness around me. The same can be true in my family if we all work toward this end.
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