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.
46 And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God…
Part of the challenge in setting goals is ensuring that they are aligned with our values. If we are not cognizant of the things we value most, we may set the wrong goals for ourselves or we may compromise our values in the pursuit of our goals.
The Nephite army, under the direction of Captain Moroni understood very well what they were fighting for. Even before he codified their battle cry on the Title of Liberty, they were unified in defending their families, their freedoms, and their religion. Every tactical goal they set could be measured against these core values. For example, when they finally defeated the Lamanite army and regained their lands, there was no question of continuing the war and taking control of Lamanite territory. That wasn’t consistent with their motives for fighting in the first place, and those motives hadn’t changed. This is also the reason why Moroni intentionally held back from destroying the Lamanites when he had the option (Alma 55:19). His goal was not victory at any cost but rather success in defending the things he valued most.
Today, I will consider my goals in light of my core values. I will remember the things that matter most to me, including my family, my freedoms, and my religion, and I will ensure that the things I accomplish serve the purpose of strengthening and preserving those things.
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