December 15, 2010

I read Alma 59 tonight. I am really intrigued by the character of Moroni. In this short chapter he receives Helaman's letter and is very happy and excited about Helaman's miraculous success. He sends a letter to Zarahemla requesting strength for Helaman's armies and then begins making plans to retake the other cities that are still in the Lamanites' possession. Meanwhile, the city of Nephihah is attacked and taken over by the Lamanites. Moroni is distraught, as are his chief captains. They all "begin to doubt" and wonder if the Lamanites had such success in overtaking that city because the people are so wicked. Then, in the very last verse it says that Moroni is "angry with the government because of their indifference." This anger reminds me of the anger filled letters he had written earlier. Here he is in a situation where things are not going according to the plan, and his response is of doubt and anger; and what even feels like blame. Helaman's example from the previous chapter was more inspiring to me. Although this account of Moroni's reaction does prompt me to ask myself, "What would I do in a situation like that? What kind of response would I have?" And perhaps it would be a combination of both, with initially feeling doubt and anger, yet then choosing to replace those thoughts with ones of faith and trust in the Lord and prayer. Moroni is a good man, in fact, in chapter 48 it says that if all men were like Moroni "the very powers of hell would be shaken forever, and the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men." Maybe I am reading too much into these responses of Moroni. Nonetheless, it does help me to think about my own character and the person I am trying to be.