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What Can I Learn From the War Chapters?

The last two weeks of the Come, Follow Me readings have been what are called the "war chapters" of the Book of Mormon.  Trying to get through all of this can sometimes be daunting, so I thought I would offer a few thoughts that might make it easier to feel a connection to this part of the Book of Mormon.

Captain Moroni and Zerahemnah - www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media

There are three periods of time during the history of the Nephites and Lamanites that is covered in detail in the Book of Mormon.  The first is the exodus of Lehi and his family from Jerusalem, the second is the 100 years leading up to the coming of Christ (beginning with Mosiah II establishing judges and culminating in 3 Nephi 11), and the last is the destruction of the Nephites around 400 AD.

We are living in the last days before the coming of Christ, so we should pay particular attention to things that happen in the Book of Alma and onwards.  There are so many lessons to be learned here: how to deal with Anti-Christs, the ways in which the devil tries to fool us into sinning, how to be spiritually and temporally prepared, and much more.  I recommend reading the war chapters with a similar mindset to what you have when reading Isaiah - there was the literal fulfillment that is now history, but there will also be spiritual interpretations come to pass in the last days shortly before the coming of Christ.  I hope we can all learn something to help us better prepare for the return of our Lord.


Besides my words, John Bytheway and Hugh Nibley have both spoken about the war chapters.  I definitely recommend listening to Bro. Bytheway.  I kind of recommend listening to Bro. Nibley, if you're the kind of person who likes to listen to professors of ancient religion ramble about Nephite (and German) military strategies.

Righteous Warriors: Lessons from the War Chapters - John Bytheway

The Book of Mormon As a Record of Military Strategy - Hugh Nibley

Personally, from listening to Bro. Bytheway, I learned that besides types of Christ in the scriptures, there can also be types of Satan.  Amalickiah is one to watch out for; the tactics he uses to deceive both Lamanites and Nephites can be a great warning to how the Adversary may try to deceive us.  However, those who diligently follow Jesus and wear the armor of the God will be able to withstand the wiles of the devil.

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