I Seek Freedom

Alma 60:36 ". . I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my country."

Moroni was a great American patriot!

Their Indifference Concerning Freedom

Alma 59:13 ". . Moroni was angry with the government, because of their indifference concerning the freedom of their country."

You mean the way I'm angry with President Obama?

God Can Deliver Us

Alma 58:10 ". . we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies . ."

Because prayer works.

Obedience with Exactness

Alma 57:21 ". . they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness;"

There's obedience and then there's exact obedience.

The Liberty of Their Fathers

Alma 56:47 ". . they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives;"

Liberty and lawlessness aren't the same.

Remember the Lord During Afflictions

Alma 55:31 "But behold, the Nephites were not slow to remember the Lord their God in this their time of affliction . ."

A lot depends on turning our hearts to God despite circumstances.

God is the Father of All

Alma 54:21 ". . if it so be that there is (a God), we know not but that he hath made us as well as you."

Everyone is a child of God, and He loves every one.

Enter 2,000 Stripling Warriors

Alma 53:20 ". . (two thousand stripling sons of the people of Ammon) were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage . . strength . . and activity;"

Valiant youth make a difference.

War is the Default

Alma 52 (After Amalickiah's death, his brother, Ammoron, challenges Teancum, Lehi and Moroni in vicious battles.)

The default for mankind is war. Why?

A Javelin to His Heart

Alma 51:33-34 (Teancum kills Amalickiah with a javelin to his heart, ending the evil king's dream of "ruling the world.")

Who didn't see this coming?

The Lord's Words Are Verified

Alma 50:19 "And thus we see how merciful and just are all the dealings of the Lord, to the fulfilling of all his words unto the children of men; yea, we can behold that his words are verified."

See for yourself.

Moroni Altered History by Preparing

Alma 49:11 ". . Moroni had altered the management of affairs . ."

Keeping God's commandments and being prepared can alter history.

Firm in the Faith

Alma 48:13 "(Moroni) was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion . ."

There are still men like Moroni.

One Evil Man's Journey

Alma 47 (This chapter tells of evil Amalickiah, who became king of the Lamanites through treachery, murder, and intrigue.)

Wanna guess how Amalickiah's story ends?

Destruction By Our Own Transgressions

Alma 46:18 "Surely God shall not suffer that we, who are despised because we take upon us the name of Christ, shall be trodden down and destroyed, until we bring it upon us by our own transgressions."

Will Ye Keep My Commandments?

Alma 45:6-7 "Will ye keep my commandments? . . Yea, I will keep thy commandments with all my heart."

Our thoughts, words and deeds display our answer.

So Long As We Are Faithful

Alma 44:4 ". . God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; . ."

Is this still true in America?

The Spirit of Prophecy and Revelation

Alma 43:2 ". . they preached the word, and the truth, according to the spirit of prophecy and revelation . ."

Conviction to "the word and the truth" is the key.

Declare the Word

Alma 42:31 ". . declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them."

Just do it.

Wickedness Never was Happiness

Alma 41:10 "Do not suppose . . that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold . . wickedness never was happiness."

That's easier to understand than to live.

The Kingdom of God

Alma 40:26 ". . no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God;"

We are made clean through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our Savior, on condition of our repentance.

Turn to the Lord

Alma 39:13 ". . turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength;"

All the Lord asks for is our minds, bodies, and hearts.

We Can Have God's Spirit

Alma 38:6 ". . it is the Spirit of God which is in me which maketh these things known unto me;"

Knowing what to think, say and do is a precious gift of the Spirit.

Keep a Record

Alma 37:2 ". . keep a record of this people . . for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept."

Journals and keepsakes link us to our heritage.

Put Their Trust in God

Alma 36:3 ". . for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials . . troubles . . and afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day."

Yes!

Instruments in the Hands of God

Alma 35:14 ". . after having been instruments in the hands of God of bringing many . . to repentance;"

We can be instruments in God's hands if we "let go" and let Him!

Take Upon You Christ's Name

Alma 34:38 ". . contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but . . receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ . ."

Why fight God and his holy son, Jesus? They can help us!

Heavenly Father Hears Our Prayers

Alma 33:8 "Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee . . and thou wilt hear them."

Whoever, wherever, whatever you are. God will hear your prayers.

Nourish the Word with Faith

Alma 32:41 ". . if ye will nourish the word . . by your faith with great diligence, and with patience . . it shall take root; and it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life."

The Power of the Word

Alma 31:5 ". . as the word . . had more powerful effect upon . . the people than the sword, or anything else . . they should try the virtue of the word of God."

So try it and see.

Death is Not the End

Alma 30:18 " . . (Korihor) . . did preach . . that when a man was dead, that was the end thereof."

Because Jesus Christ came for us, we can know that life goes on after death.

Come Unto Our God

Alma 29:2 ". . repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth."

The formula is simple. Yet, we make the solutions difficult.

Their Incomprehensible Joy

Alma 28:8 ". . this is the account of . . their journeyings . . their sufferings . . their sorrows, and their afflictions, and their incomprehensible joy,"

No joy comes without sorrows.

Will Ye Go?

Alma 27:7 ". . I will go and inquire of the Lord, and if he say unto us, go down unto our brethren, will ye go?"

Do I have the faith to ask the Lord . . then trust . . and act?

The Storm Cannot Penetrate Them

Alma 26:6 ". . when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them;"

In conversion is safety and peace.

Converted in the Wilderness

Alma 25:6 "For many of them, after having suffered much loss and so many afflictions . . converted in the wilderness."

Why wait for loss and afflictions?