Weapons of Rebellion

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The Lamanites to whom the sons of Mosiah preached embraced the gospel and became known as the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. "For they became a righteous people; they did lay down their weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren" (Alma 23:7).

We are familiar with the story of these Lamanites burying their weapons and refusing to defend themselves, leading to their slaughter and later to the two thousand stripling warriors. But I think the above verse highlights a more important aspect of their conversion. It mentions first that they stopped fighting against God, then against the Nephites. While fighting righteous Nephites is also fighting God, I believe it was referring to all rebellion against God; that is, sin. The weapons of their rebellion were not just physical weapons but also everything that fights against righteousness. Their burying their weapons was a symbolic act of their complete repentance and dedication to remain clean at all costs, even death (Alma 24:7-19). They were making a covenant with God to never return to wickedness, and they succeeded (Alma 23:6).

Challenge: Discern what your weapons of rebellion are and bury them; that is, repent and never go back to that sin again! If it helps, take an item related to the sin (or write it down on a piece of paper) and bury it in the ground. Also, remember that taking the sacrament is our symbolic act of repenting and starting anew.

Comments

DAD said…

it is my goal to do what you said

November 3, 2013 at 8:50 PM

Anonymous said…

Excellent article. I agree with you completely. People need to read this. When we repent, we feel happy and clean.
Constance

November 3, 2013 at 10:24 PM

Anonymous said…

And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow D&C 1:3

I know this is true, for I have seen this in the lives of those that refuse to do what God has requested.
Mom

December 1, 2013 at 5:46 PM

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