Book of Mormon Blogging Part One. Alma 62.

In the 62nd chapter of Alma, the war that's last for about 15 years or so between the Nephites and the Lamanites is just clearing up. Thankfully the righteous have won and peace is again being restored to the land. Why have the righteous won? Verse 40 of Alma 62 gives us the answer: because they prayed. This verse teaches us many lessons. One is that prayer is important. One is that God seeks to, and will, bless us when we are righteous. Perhaps the best lesson though is that the minority can make a difference. It was the small, unseen act of the minority that turned the fate of the war around.

"40 And there had been murders, and contentions, and dissensions, and all manner of iniquity among the people of Nephi; nevertheless for the ^arighteous’ sake, yea, because of the prayers of the righteous, they were spared."

Verse 41 also teaches some great lessons. It states:

" 41 But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their ^aafflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility."

Isn't it fascinating that although everyone endured the same war, people came away with two different outcomes? Some people hardened their hearts and turned away from God because they couldn't understand their afflictions, and others came to God for that very same reason. I believe that the latter group, those that humbled themselves and sought God's help, were much happier.

The fact that there were two different outcomes in attitude tells us something pretty monumental: that the effects of the war on each individual was a choice, whether conscious or not. The war did not force people to leave their faith, nor did it force people to become humbled. Individuals had to choose the outcome for themselves.

So, when the whirlwinds of life come your way, which outcome are you going to choose?