Book of Mormon: Day 225: A Better Cause

Today’s Reading:  Alma 43

 45 Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church.

One of the greatest heroes in the Book of Mormon emerges in this chapter.  Captain Moroni.  Just hearing those two words thrusts my spirit forward and I feel myself enter battle mode.  At only 25 years old, he was made captain over all of the Nephite armies and led them through some of the fiercest battles they had ever experienced.  They were greatly outnumbered by the Lamanites, but they had something that the Lamanites did not…protective armor.

Moroni had prepared the people of Nephi with breastplates, arm-shields and shields to defend their heads.  They were also dressed with thick clothing and had swords, cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war (v. 18-19).  Moroni knew the importance of being prepared for a battle and he not only prepared his armies physically, but he prepared them spiritually as well.  When the people saw the fierceness and the anger of the Lamanites, Moroni inspired their hearts with thoughts of what they were fighting for (v. 48).

So what were they fighting for?

In verse 45, we learn that they were not fighting for power, but they were fighting for their homes, liberties, families, and for their right to worship the Lord.  My friends, we are fighting that same battle today.  Our enemies may not look like the Lamanites of the Book of Mormon time, but they are equal in their fierceness and anger.  Satan and his followers “fight like dragons” (v. 44) as they go about deceiving the hearts of men and women.  They may not carry actual swords, but their cunning and craftiness pierce us deeply if we let them.

“There is one thing that the power of God and the power of Satan have in common:  Neither can influence us unless we allow them to.”  -Sheri Dew

On the battlefield of motherhood, I feel like the Nephites.  I wake up every morning determined to be stronger than Satan and to lead and guide my kids to do the same.  I fight for them on a daily basis.  I am not willing to give up or give in.  I am not fighting for glory or honor or for the praise of men, but I am fighting for these spirit children that Heavenly Father has lovingly placed in my care.  He has faith in me and that gives me courage and strength.  I am the right mom for the job for Josh, Emma, Abbie, and Ellie.  I have been prepared to teach them, to love them, and to “fight like a dragon” for them.  I am “inspired by a better cause” and pray daily, and sometimes even hourly, that I can be like Moroni and fill my little soldiers hearts and minds with encouraging thoughts to keep them pressing forward in Christ and being anxiously engaged in good works.

As I strive to encourage them to seek for how the Spirit speaks to them, I know that they will be able to add to their armor, piece by piece.  As they learn to make righteous choices and as they allow the power of God to influence them over the power of Satan, they will be able to face any battlefield they come across.  I, too, have to continue to add to my armor by daily seeking for the companionship of the spirit, keeping the covenants I have made with my Father in Heaven, and pressing forward towards Christ.  Just as Captain Moroni had prepared himself to command the Nephite armies, so I must prepare myself to continue to lead my little army safely into the arms of their loving Savior.

Desirae Ogden

I grew up the oldest of 5 children in the blazing heat of Southern Utah. After high school and some college experience I met and married Mark Ogden and we are the parents of four children. I have owned and operated my own home-based preschool for more than a dozen years, and I consider myself an accidental author as well. When I am not in my minivan transporting children from one activity to the next, I enjoy playing the piano, blogging, speaking about my life’s experiences, and feeding my insatiable crafting disease.