War stories in Alma

[askandanswer]

Why do you think Mormon decided to include so much of the military history recorded by Alma and Helaman in chapters 43 – 62 of Alma, and why do you think other major military battles rated scarcely a mention, eg, Alma 28: 2,3 and Omni 1:5. What message do you think Alma, Helaman and Mormon want us to get from this lengthy description of this war?

[a mustard seed]

I assumed because it is something we can liken to our spiritual battles now and how we fortify ourselves against the adversary. 

[mirkwood]

To expose Secret Combinations and the dangers they represent to our freedom and our religion. 

[CV75]

9 hours ago, askandanswer said:

Why do you think Mormon decided to include so much of the military history recorded by Alma and Helaman in chapters 43 – 62 of Alma, and why do you think other major military battles rated scarcely a mention, eg, Alma 28: 2,3 and Omni 1:5. What message do you think Alma, Helaman and Mormon want us to get from this lengthy description of this war?

I think it is a practical example of keeping the faith during those conditions that are most common in mankind to destroy it from the outside in, whether spiritual or physical war. Mormon also saw our day and our wars and contentions, especially in those parts of the world where we have not seen the Church enter, and which have been in a constant state of war on some level for hundreds if not thousands of years.

Edited February 12, 2017 by CV75

[Guest]

Because he really liked Moroni.

 

[Guest]

Just now, Carborendum said:

Because he really liked Moroni.

 

Can you blame him?

[Vort]

2 hours ago, Eowyn said:

Can you blame him?

Moroni would not be well-liked among most of the world and much of the Church today. He would be viewed as inflexible and (ironically) intolerant, with an overly simplistic worldview and a faith borne of ignorance and wishful thinking. His death before reaching 50 would be whispered as proof of the foolishness of his radical ideology.

[Guest]

4 hours ago, Vort said:

Moroni would not be well-liked among most of the world and much of the Church today. He would be viewed as inflexible and (ironically) intolerant, with an overly simplistic worldview and a faith borne of ignorance and wishful thinking. His death before reaching 50 would be whispered as proof of the foolishness of his radical ideology.

Those who admire Churchill would have a hard time disliking Moroni.

Quote

Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense

 

Edited February 13, 2017 by Guest

[Vort]

4 minutes ago, Carborendum said:

Those who admire Churchill would have a hard time disliking Moroni.

It's easy to admire Churchill. He's dead. If he were alive, don't deceive yourself that he would bask in popularity. He, too, would be derided for his myopic viewpoints and inability to grasp the greater good of holding the right opinions.

[Blackmarch]

17 hours ago, askandanswer said:

Why do you think Mormon decided to include so much of the military history recorded by Alma and Helaman in chapters 43 – 62 of Alma, and why do you think other major military battles rated scarcely a mention, eg, Alma 28: 2,3 and Omni 1:5. What message do you think Alma, Helaman and Mormon want us to get from this lengthy description of this war?

 

Well the whole book of alma is poetic and the very structure of it points to christ.  We are in a battle of sorts, and jewish custom used symbology by using things we can see and understand to help explain the mysteries of God. Its also likely that there are multiple reasons.

[Guest]

By their fruits, and all that.

[Traveler]

On ‎2‎/‎12‎/‎2017 at 9:33 AM, mirkwood said:

To expose Secret Combinations and the dangers they represent to our freedom and our religion. 

 

I would add to your most important thought and input - that because the Book of Mormon is prophetic I also believe that this is necessary as doctrine in that good and righteous people (individuals) must be willing to take up arms and defend their freedom and liberty from Secret Combinations - to the death.

 

The Traveler