When you get towards the end of the book of Alma you get into some pretty detailed accounts of a pretty intense war between the Lamanites and the Nephites. For some people it's something they skim through or just take it at face value. There's lots of fantastic stories in there, like the 2,000 stripling warriors or the story of Lehonti's demise. But everything recorded in the Book of Mormon is there for a reason . . .
As I read Alma 58 I noticed some interesting things that I think apply to us in our own lives.
In this chapter Helaman and his army have just successfully retaken a city that had been captured by the Lamanites. Basically the Nephites want to get back the cities that were theirs in the first place, and they want to preserve their liberty, especially their right to worship freely.
Problem is the next city they need to take has an enormous Lamanite army protecting it and they remember the tricks the Nephites have pulled on them before to recapture other cities.
Helaman asks for reinforcements and fresh supplies, but because of dissension in the capitol (which he is unaware of) only a small army comes with some supplies, all the while the Lamanites are getting reinforcements and food.
So here's Helaman with his small army, they're low on supplies, they're low on strength of numbers and they're about ready to starve to death. They're suffering and they're terrified that they won't be able to defend or protect their families and their liberty. So what do they do?
The pour out their souls in prayer to God that he would strengthen and deliver them. It is then that God comforts them with "assurances that he would deliver us . . . he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him."
After receiving that answer to their prayers they take courage and have the determination to be victorious. I am imagining that that experience is an incredibly spiritual and tender experience for this small army.
Imagine yourself in their situation and having the Holy Ghost testify to the entire army that God will deliver you.
After that they are able to take the city without any blood being shed (the Lamanite army chases after what they think is the full army while two smaller groups come in and take the city while they're gone).
I know I've received similar answers to prayers when I've felt that I'm about to starve to death in the wilderness with the odds stacked against me. God gave me peace and hope. I just wish that I had more faith to trust in answers given a long time ago instead of needing to be reassured every few steps.
"But behold, we trust in our God who has given us victory."
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