Alma 43-63

In the reading this week one of the stories really stuck out to me. The Nephites and the Lamanites are at war. During this time a very righteous and wise man named Moroni is given command of the armies of the Nephites. At this time Moroni is only 25 years old, but he proves himself to be a capable general.

In chapter 43 we learn that the Lamanites come up to battle against the Nephites, but Moroni "had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields... and also they were dressed with thick clothing." When the Laminates see them, they are afraid and decide that they should attack in another area, where the Nephites might not be as prepared. Now, there is a whole lesson on being prepared that we could go in to, but what I want to focus on what Moroni does next.

While the Laminates slink off to try another city Moroni does two things. One he sends scouts to follow the Lamanites; and two he sends a messenger to Alma, the prophet, and requests that Alma inquire of the Lord as to where he should take the armies of the Nephites to defend themselves.

What's cool about this is that Moroni doesn't just ask the Lord what to do next, but he sends out spies to gather the best human knowledge he can get. Moroni knows "that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23). So he is doing his part and trusting that the Lord through Alma will make up the difference.

I love the lesson here. That the Lord doesn't just expect me to ask him what to do next, but he expects me to do the best I can to gather information and then come to him with specific questions to get the details.