As I was reading this chapter (Alma 52) it occurred to me that every time there is a war in the scriptures, the people who have God in their lives are only defending themselves and their people. So here is Moroni, working to get the city Mulek back (in the previous chapter they lost the city most likely because of the division in his own land caused by the prideful kingmen who sought power and did not want to follow the laws), not because he is blood thirsty or wants power, but because many of his people who once lived in that land who had freedom now have become prisoners and are now under control by a King.
Now perhaps the people of Moroni, did not start the war (and none of the people of God in the scriptures ever start the wars) because they were happy and content with their lives. On the other hand, Amalikiah's people or I suppose I should now say, Ammoron's people (and all the people who start wars in the scriptures) are people who do not have the gospel in their lives. What is the result of this: they always want more, they never have enough, they are covetous, and blood thirsty kind of people. Which reminds me of the scripture found in Alma 41:10-
" 10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness."
How does this apply to our day? Well we do have constant war going on in this world, but I like to look more on a personal level. The war with Satan in this world. One day I was walking through the mall and I couldn't help but notice that there were many woman who allowed their bodies to be used as advertisements. I thought to myself how sad it was that they allowed others to expose their bodies like that for money and so people would lust after them.
I also wondered why would they do that? After thinking about it, I realized, they do not have God in their lives. In fact there are too many people these days that are not making an effort to come to know their Father in Heaven. Because a relationship is absent with Him, they must feel very empty inside and are trying to find anything, even if only temporary, to fill that emptiness. This is only one small example of course of the many things people do to feel happiness and love when God is absent in their lives.
As Moroni illustrates this through his example of the life he lived, he had enough. He was not covetous, he was not looking for more, he was not starting wars for power, etc... He had a relationship with God. He was never looking for more. Even when Moroni was given the chance to take revenge on the people of Ammoron, make their lives miserable he said in verse 37: "If ye will bring forth your weapons of war and deliver them up, behold we will forbear shedding your blood." He was willing to make peace and he easily forgave instead of held violent anger towards them.
I know that as we spend time with God, His love will fill that emptiness that comes when He is absent in our lives. We can be like the people of God in the scriptures, content and happy with our lives.
Love,
Becky joy
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