Thursday, August 15, 2024

Alma 46: 11-22



What exactly is the cause that you are participating in?

"11 And now it came to pass that when Moroni, who was the chief commander of the armies of the Nephites, had heard of these dissensions, he was angry with Amalickiah.

12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land—

14 For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church.

15 And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.

16 And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the cause of the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be favored.

17 And it came to pass that when he had poured out his soul to God, he named all the land which was south of the land Desolation, yea, and in fine, all the land, both on the north and on the south—A chosen land, and the land of liberty.

18 And he said: Surely God shall not suffer that we, who are despised because we take upon us the name of Christ, shall be trodden down and destroyed, until we bring it upon us by our own transgressions.

19 And when Moroni had said these words, he went forth among the people, waving the rent part of his garment in the air, that all might see the writing which he had written upon the rent part, and crying with a loud voice, saying:

20 Behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them.

21 And it came to pass that when Moroni had proclaimed these words, behold, the people came running together with their armor girded about their loins, rending their garments in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments.

22 Now this was the covenant which they made, and they cast their garments at the feet of Moroni, saying: We covenant with our God, that we shall be destroyed, even as our brethren in the land northward, if we shall fall into transgression; yea, he may cast us at the feet of our enemies, even as we have cast our garments at thy feet to be trodden under foot, if we shall fall into transgression." (Alma 46: 11-22)


And here's the end part of the commentary entitled: “Stand fast in the faith of Christ.” :


"You might also study how Moroni inspired others in “the cause of the Christians” (see Alma 46:11–22). How would you describe that cause? What can you do to participate in it? How can you inspire others to participate too?

One thing Moroni did to inspire others was create the title of liberty, which emphasized principles to inspire the Nephites (see verse 12). What principles are our Church leaders emphasizing in our day? You might look for them in For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (booklet, 2022), “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” the Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood Quorum themes, or recent general conference messages. You could summarize what they are teaching into some simple statements to create your own title of liberty—something to remind you to be true to the Savior and His gospel.

See also Gospel Topic, “Faith in Jesus Christ,” Gospel Library."

"The cause of the Christians" is to maintain the freedom of religion to be able to worship God, and to maintain their peace and order in the land, and to protect their families. 

My own title of liberty: In memory of my Heavenly Father, my Savior Jesus Christ, and my beloved family members and friends with whom I am looking forward to live together eternally.

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