Counsel with thy Brethren

Today I read Alma 52, which is a continuation of the war chapters. The thing that really struck me in this chapter is how well Moroni, Lehi and Teancum work together in these dark times and that they work as a council and not with Moroni dictating what is going to happen. When Amalickiah's brother, Ammoron, takes over the leadership of the Lamanite army, instead of insisting that he knows best, Moroni holds a council of war with Teancum and several of his chief commanders.

This reminds me of the leadership of the church and how a bishopric or a stake presidency functions. I'm sure that in this case the ultimate descion was Moroni's, but he valued their opinion and asked for their help in overcoming these obstacles.

The thing that really amazes me in this chapter is the audacity of the Nephites. They want Jacob, the Zoramite, who has taken over the city of Mulek to come out and fight them on the field of battle. I can't help but wonder what they hoped to accomplish by such direct methods? I don't really believe that if the situation was reversed the Nephites would have left their fortifications to do battle with the Lamanites. So I have always found that part of this chapter to be a little strange.

Nevertheless, through their efforts, they are able to retake the cities and are able to continue defending the cause of their people. This chapter also kind of reminds me of the repentance process. The Nephites, through their inattentiveness on the matters at hand, lost several citites to the Lamanites. Now they must struggle to regain them and get back to where they had once started from. This reminds me of us. We sometimes fall, or stumble and then have to struggle mightily to get back to where we started from and to progress even further.

I think that is just another part of what we are supposed to take away from the war chapters. Also, however, like I mentioned earlier, there are other things we can take away from these chapters. The cohesion of the Nephite command for one thing. They were a great example to us on being unified and being one in purpose. This is even more important during times of crisis. We need to make sure that we are unified in purpose with our spiritual leaders and following their counsel and direction to us. As we do this, the Lord will bless us for our faithfulness. Until tomorrow.