“Burying Their Weapons,” by Dan Burr
How do you make conversion permanent? King Benjamin recorded the names of everyone who had taken upon themselves the name of Christ, and he appointed priests “to stir them up in remembrance of the oath which they had made” (Mosiah 6:1, 3). Years later, Benjamin’s grandsons taught thousands of Lamanites whose conversion was remarkably durable. “As many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away” (Alma 23:6).
One key to their steadiness was the covenant they collectively made, physically burying their weapons of war in the earth and collectively promising never to shed blood, to be givers instead of takers, and to be diligent. (See Alma 24:17-18.) After making that promise, they refused to fight, even when attacked, “and they never did look upon death with any degree of terror, for…death was swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it” (Alma 27:28).
Our background and culture may be very different from these Lamanite converts, but we can follow their examples. We can all identify “weapons” in our lives which have the power to pull us away from God and erode our conversion. Burying those weapons—letting them go permanently—can help us remain faithful over time.
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned from these chapters:
Outline
- Alma 23 – Thousands of Lamanites are converted and are known as Anti-Nephi-Lehies.
- Alma 24 – The believers bury their weapons and refuse to fight.
- Alma 25 – The unbelievers attack the Nephites, then turn against the Amulonites.
- Alma 26 – Ammon praises God and rejoices in the Lamanites’ remarkable conversion.
- Alma 27 – The believers immigrate to Zarahemla and settle in Jershon.
- Alma 28 – Lamanites attack, and the Nephites defend the refugees.
- Alma 29 – Alma expresses both sorrow and gratitude as he reflects on his ministry and the missionary service of his friends.
Key Themes
- Religious freedom includes not only the right to believe as you choose but the right to communicate your beliefs.
- Some things that can make your conversion more durable include: covenants and mutual support among believers, as well as structured worship and scripture.
- When we measure outcomes according to God’s perspective, we see more clearly.
- God fulfills all of His promises, completely and perfectly.
- God expects us to look after the most vulnerable people among us.
Connections
- Jesus taught Peter, “All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matthew 26:52). The Anti-Nephi-Lehies adopted this principle, and their refusal to fight inspired many to accept the gospel. (See Alma 24:23-26, Alma 25:13-14.)
- Jesus reached out to Samaritans, even though his people avoided interacting with them. (See John 4:9.) Similarly, Ammon and his brothers preached the gospel to the Lamanites, even though their friends and neighbors warned them that the Lamanites were inherently evil, beyond redemption. (See Alma 26:24-25.)
Applications
- Let go of the emotional “weapons” that you use when you feel threatened, including blaming and stonewalling.
- Find joy in your experiences and allow yourself to feel it.
- Watch and pray for opportunities to do God’s work in His way, to be an instrument in His hands.
- When bad things happen, choose to be solemn—serious, dignified, and sincere.
- Identify inappropriate emotions, and convert them into positive ones.
- Recognize and celebrate the achievements of other people.
Recommended Posts
- When Is Violence Justified?
- What Can I Do to Feel More Joy?
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Refugees?
- Was It a Sin for Alma to Wish He Were an Angel?
Blog Posts: July 9-14
Converted
Many Lamanites were converted after being taught by the sons of Mosiah. Elder David A. Bednar taught that, for most of us, conversion is a gradual change. We must be patient as our natures become aligned with the will of God over time.
A Call from Arms
The Lamanites who were converted buried their weapons. This act of consecration is so remarkable that it appears many times in the Book of Mormon, including a final invitation from Mormon to us. President Nelson has also invited us to bury our weapons.
“As Though They Were Angels”
Not all angels are from the other side of the veil. The Lamanite converts treated the sons of Mosiah “as though they were angels sent from God,” and rightly so. We can be grateful for people who serve as angels to us, lifting us closer to God.
Targets of Rage
Anger is a primal emotion. It seeks a target, but it begins with pain. The stories of Lamoni’s father and the unbelieving Lamanites illustrate that the target of our anger can change. It is better to calm our anger rather than act on it.
Uninhibited Joy
Ammon was overwhelmed by joy when he and his brothers were reunited with Alma. We need to govern our emotions but not stifle them. Some emotions are meant to be felt fully, without reservations or bashfulness. God is pleased when we feel pure joy.
The Fruits of our Labors
Joy comes from meaningful accomplishments. We can feel joy even as we recognize that we couldn’t have done it without God. We can feel joy in the accomplishments of others and in our relationships. We can also feel joy in future, hoped-for accomplishments
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