A Mighty Fortress

Copyright Darrell J. Wyatt

Heaps of earth round about all the cities. 

Timbers "built up to the height of a man" atop these heaps of earth round about all the cities.

Strong and high pickets upon the timbers atop these heaps of earth round about all the cities. 

Towers erected to overlook the pickets upon the timbers atop these heaps of earth round about all the cities. 

Places of security built upon the towers erected to overlook the pickets upon the timbers atop these heaps of earth round about all the cities.

"Thus Moroni did prepare strongholds against the coming of their enemies, round about every city in all the land." (Alma 50:1-6)

I've always admired Captain Moroni. He was young, fearless, wise and strategic, among many other things. At the top of the list of his leadership qualities, his preparedness saved the lives of thousands of people on several different occasions. It's important to note that these particular preparations were made during a time of relative peace amongst the Nephites. Sure, they had to throw some rocks and shoot a few arrows from the top of their "places of security" every once in awhile to keep out those pesky Lamanites, but Moroni's leadership gave the people confidence in their safety. In fact, this confidence gave them the freedom to "prosper exceedingly...and wax strong in the land."

"But behold, there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi...than in the days of Moroni." (Alma 50:23)

This prosperity and peace lasted for several years, until a contention over land rights began to boil. What started out as a quarrel over property quickly eroded the unity of the Nephite people. They formed two separate divisions - one that supported the government and one for whom the overthrow of the government was their end goal. There was warring. There were murders and secret plots. There was great disharmony.

"And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves, yea, because of dissensions and intrigue among themselves they were placed in the most dangerous circumstances." (Alma 53:9)

All the time and effort that was expended by Moroni and his armies in fortifying each city against outside forces was undone by contention within the fortress-like walls. 

I see a close parallel between this time, more than 2000 years ago, and our present circumstances. Though we are not fighting a literal, physical war with an ever-threatening foe as were the Nephites for nearly one-third of The Book of Mormon, we are most definitely at spiritual war with a relentless and savage adversary. Like the Lamanites, his goal is to "usurp great power over [us], and also that he might gain power over [us] by bringing [us] into bondage," (Alma 43:8)

We know this. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are keenly aware of the danger coming at us from all directions. So what do we do? Ideally, we fortify our homes as Moroni fortified his cities. We close every opportunity for the adversary to gain entrance into our places of security. We become unified as families. We keep up our preparations, even in times of peace and prosperity. We fling the rocks of family scripture study and fire off the arrows of Family Home Evening when we can feel him drawing ever nearer.

Lehi was the first Book of Mormon prophet to preach the importance of family unity when he, on his deathbed, told his children, "...be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity." (2 Nephi 1:21)

Our family unity is the key to surviving the onslaught of the adversary. Contention is his key to unlocking our front doors and letting himself in. No amount of figurative heaps of earth or turrets or towers will be enough to keep him out if we are not united inside.

"...We warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets."(The Family: A Proclamation to the World."

Let us not allow all of our fortifications to be undone by contention in our homes. Let us be united in such a way that the power of Satan will be dispelled on every side. We have the promise of the Lord that if we keep the commandments, we will be "delivered at all times." (Alma 50:22)

I testify that if we do our part, He will do His.

The Profit

I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for my whole life. As such, I have held numerous positions or "callings", as we refer to them in the church. I suppose my first official calling came when I was around twelve years old. I was called to the Beehive Presidency. Beehives are girls, ages 12 and 13, and the class presidency is responsible for such things as watching over and fellowshiping class members, "especially those who are new members or less active and those who have disabilities or other special needs. They pray for them, spend time with them, and become genuine friends. They help class members establish close friendships, learn leadership skills, and live the gospel. They help each young woman know that she is welcome when she becomes a member of their class.They support class members’ efforts in the Personal Progress program. They hold regular class presidency meetings.They conduct the Sunday meetings for their classes. They help plan activities, including Mutual. The class presidents serve on the bishopric youth committee (Handbook 2: Administering the Church, 10.3.5). " That's a lot of responsibility for a 12 year-old, but I don't remember ever feeling burdened by it.

Through the years, I have held callings in the Primary, the Young Women, and the Relief Society organizations. I have been a Sports Director for the Young Women's sports program. I, along with my husband, was in charge of monthly youth dances for a time. I'm currently a Gospel Doctrine teacher, which gives me the opportunity to study the scriptures way more deeply than I have ever done before.  I am teaching doctors, lawyers, judges, and teachers. My class consists of former Mission Presidents and their wives, former Area Authorities, Seminary teachers, Bishops and Stake Presidents. It's a calling for which I feel at worst unqualified and at best inadequate. Of all of the callings that have stretched me as a person, this one has got to be at the top of the list.

I was thinking of these callings today, as I read chapter 30 in the book of Alma. In the LDS church, our clergy are unpaid. From the nursery leader to the scoutmaster to the Bishop, there is no monetary compensation for the sometimes countless hours spent performing duties.

"And now, if we do not receive anything for our labors in the church, what doth it profit us to labor in the church...?" (Alma 30:34)

What does it profit me? I have pondered this question more than once. What am I getting out of this? So much time and so much energy, both physical and emotional, are required to "magnify" my callings. What's in it for me?

If I were to compose a list of the things that I have benefited from by accepting callings, it would undoubtedly be shockingly incomplete. The blessings are innumerable, but I thought it important to name a just few:

I'm grateful for the empowering nature of the organization of the church. Thanks to primary talks and class presidency callings, my kids are growing up to be confident, compassionate young adults. They have been speaking in public since they were three years old, so giving a speech in school is second nature. They have been looking after the needs of their peers and planning meetings for many years, which will give them so much the advantage in the corporate world, should they choose that path. My daughters are being taught that, contrary to what the world says, being a wife and mother is a noble and fulfilling privilege and responsibility. If there were nothing else, the blessing of seeing my children empowered would be profit enough for my labors in the church.

But there is more. I have been blessed to grow my testimony of the spiritual mantle that comes with each calling extended by the Lord through his servants. Whether I am planning a youth dance or teaching doctrine from the scriptures, I have felt the comforting support of the spirit guiding and directing my decisions. My mind is quick to understand the sometimes complex principles and doctrine, and my desire to learn is immeasurable. Because of this, I, an uneducated homemaker, can teach with power and authority - even to those whom I am far less experienced than in the matters of the gospel.

This all translates to my family life, where I know that the Lord is with me as I lead my household. The family is central to God's plan of salvation, and if he will lift me up as a once-a-month Sunday School teacher, he will most certainly lift me up in my desire to raise righteous children.

What doth it profit me to labor in the church? Everything.