Dirt, Forts, & Towers

In the Book of Mormon, there are many stories that teach us of tragedy and triumph. Many lessons can be applied beyond the pages we read.

One of the stories I enjoyed sharing is one I call, “Sticks, Forts, and Towers.” It is a story of tragedy by degrees and preparedness in times of peace to keep us safe from harm.

The story begins in Alma 47 where we learn about Amalickiah, “for he being a very subtle man to do evil therefore he laid the plan in his heart to dethrone the king of the Lamanites” (Alma 47:4). He was a man of many unrighteous desires.

He marched and caused his army to “pitch their tents in the valley which was near the mount Antipas” (Alma 47:9). Now, on this mount lived Lehonti, the leader of those who lived on that mountain. He and his people were safe there.

Amalickiah wanted to speak with Lehonti because “it was his intention to gain favor with the armies of the Lamanites, that he might place himself at their head and dethrone the king and take possession of the kingdom” (Alma 47:8). But Lehonti sent the secret embassy away three times.

Amalickiah finally got smart and went himself to ask Lehonti to come out of his safe place, which he did. Some other events pass, Amalickiah tricks Lehonti, and rises to second in command.

It is not until now, that we learn about the tragic mistake Lehonti made, for “it came to pass that Amalickiah cause that one of his servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died” (Alma 47:18).

Lehonti said no three times. It was the fourth time & the small thing that did him in. Once he crossed that line, he was no longer in control of it. It is the small things that will poison you by degrees and “kill” you.

So, how is it that you can protect yourself, even in times of “apparent” peace?

In Alma 48 we learn of a man named Moroni who “was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding;… a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedome of his country… Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God… Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ…” (Alma 48:11-13).

He is quite the opposite of Amalickiah. In fact he became the arch nemis causing Amalickiah to swear “an oath that he would drink his blood; and this because Moroni had kept the commandments of God in preparing for the safety of his people (Alma 49:27). Mororni had gone about preparing cities that they would “become strong.”

So, how is it that you can build your “city” to “become strong” and help protect you from being taken over “by degrees”?

Alma 50 teaches that Moroni started by “digging heaps of earth round about all the cities” (Alma 50:1). These heaps of dirt can be likened to simple things in our lives, the first principles if you will, such as prayer, faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and family home evening. The “heaps of dirt” in your life with help keep your testimony “a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall” (Hel 5:12).

Building upon those heaps of dirt, Moroni continues to build in verse 2 saying “upon the top of these ridges of earth he caused that there should be timbers, yea, works of timbers built up to the height of a man.” Building upon the first principles in our lives, these timbers can resemble baptism, church attendance, activities, institute, and scripture study.

Moroni continued to build “frame pickets built upon the timbers round about; and they were strong and high.” For me, this is the Bishop, the sacrament, prayer, a mission, fasting, Relief Society and Elders Quorum.

When Christ instituted the sacrament among the Nephites in the Book of Mormon, he taught them about the symbolism and importance of the sacrament, “And this ye do in rememberance… And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my spirit to be with you” (3 Ne. 18:7).

You may think that your fort is done, but it isn’t. Moroni “caused towers to be erected that overlooked those works of pickets, and he caused places of security to be built upon those towers, that the stones and the arrows of the Lamanites could not hurt them.”

There are “towers” in life that will help to protect you if you will head them: Jesus Christ, prophets, the Holy Ghost, and the temple. All around you are choices in this world, things that will either lead you closer to, or farther away, from your eternal destination. If you will seek out these “places of security” you will find that the stones and the arrows will not hurt you.

Having the Spirit in your life is vital to your success. He is the one who will testify to you of everything else, and also give you warnings if you are listening. The Lord taught Joseph Smith, “the rights of the priesthood (your baptismal covenants) are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.” (DyC 121:36).

It is our challenge to be obedient, but everything you do hinges upon that obedience. “Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men…” (DyC 121:34-35). Get and maintain the spirit in your life that you may be protected and taught. “And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come” (DyC 130:19).

Elder Gene R. Cook, of the Seventy, said, “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is fully sustaining. Man can cause things to happen by disciplining himself and paying the price… Be truly committed and you will see the hand of the Lord revealed on your behalf.”

Through your diligence and obedience, you will build your fort that it will be strong. Commit yourself to the gospel of Jesus Christ and you will have power in your life with “so much the advantage in the world to come."