Sunday, March 30, 2014

Alma Ch46

In this chapter there comes a man among the Nephites who desires to be king and leads away a part of the people after he is voted against. It is also the chapter that consists of the title of liberty that Captain Moroni raises to inspire his people to defend their religion.
The ones from last chapter who start to ignore the teachings of Helman as the new church leader are becoming wicked and have a man names Amalickiah as their leader who wanted to be king and had followers wanting that same power (v1-5). Amalickiah was a cunning man and ended up leading away many with his flattering words to the people which caused a divide of the allegiance of the Nephites and caused be sinful (v6-7). The effect one wicked man had on a nation  right after they were so thankful to the Lord is heartbreaking especially since that man is trying to deprive them of their liberty granted by God (v8-10).
When Captain Moroni heard about this guy, he was pretty angry (he kind of has a temper), and ripped his clothes just to have material to write on as a declaration to everyone (v11-12). He called it the title of liberty and prayed that God would bless it and it's purpose for remembering God and peace to inspire fellow Christians to protect their religion, freedom, and family (v12-14). This is actually the first time the members of the church are called Christians by the nonmembers and they happily took upon them the name to be Christians and show their faith in that way (v14-15).
Moroni prays for liberty for Christians and has faith that God will protect His people, then went among the people to inspire them to enter a covenant with God to maintain their rights (v16-20). Many came to tear their clothing as a sign of covenanting and take upon the name of Christ to not transgress or be destroyed (v21-22). Moroni warns the people with a story about their ancestor, Joseph, and his brothers who sold him as a slave; the story is given as an example that if they do not preserve their liberty through faith in Christ, they will be in bondage and perish (v23-27).
Almalickiah saw that the people Moroni gathered outnumbered his followers and left the land of Nephi, but Moroni knew that he would go stir up the Lamanites to start attacking again and gain power, so Moroni went to confront the Amalickiahites before they got too far with his army (v28-32). Amalickiah fled with a few of his men when they saw the army coming and the rest of his followers were brought back to Zarahemla being forced to enter into a covenant to help the cause for peace and freedom or die by Moroni who had that authority (v33-35). After all that, the title of liberty was hoisted everywhere and there was peace in the land for 4 years as Helman led the church as high priest (v36-38). Anyone who passed away and were believers, passed knowing they were redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ and not many died from unnatural causes because there was much prosperity (v39-41).

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