Chapter 43 begins what is generally referred to as "the war chapters" of The Book of Mormon, though there are many other wars throughout the book, these chapters are concerned with little else. I read an article from the Maxwell institute today that helped me have a different perspective on why Mormon felt to include so much about wars:
Purpose of the War Chapters in the Book of Mormon
The article lists these reasons:
1. The war chapters have much less to do with wars then with deliverance from wars
2. The tactics used during the Nephite physical wars are relevant for the spiritual wars we fight today. Seeing as how The Book of Mormon was written for our day, and though we have physical wars, the spiritual wars are much more of a threat.
3. The war chapters give us many accounts of faith concerning physical issues (war) strengthening spiritual propensity. And in so doing, indicates that God cares about both our physical and spiritual situation.
4. The Book of Mormon draws a direct correlation between the righteous having success and the unrighteous experiencing failure. While this is not the case in all wars in The Book of Mormon, it is the prevalent correlation.
5. The last paragraph in the short essay sums up the purpose of the war chapters:
What, then, does the Book of Mormon do concerning this latter-day warfare? It shows the fundamental nature of the battle and gives hope to the Lord's people. With accounts of the victories of small minorities against overwhelming odds (often with no lives of the righteous being lost) or of escapes from their enemies (as with the people of Lehi, Nephi, Mosiah, Alma the elder, and Limhi), it confirms the truth of President Benson's words to us, "God will provide strength for the righteous and the means of escape."There is a passage in Chapter Alma 48, that includes impressive tactic by Captain Moroni and the Nephites. Alma 48:7-17
1. The italicized words indicate that there is much more time, energy and teaching put into defensive measures rather than offensive. Because why would a God-fearing person want to end the life/probationary state of another person on purpose? Save lives, if at all possible, but defend your own lives if necessary.
2. The underlined words are some of the characteristics of Captain Moroni. Perhaps this passage is read so much within the church that it has lost its potency. In my opinion, it should be read over and over again until it stick. Just reading about this man makes you want to be better.
3. The bold words indicate what the Nephites believed the Lord would do for them. When the Nephites were successful, they made sure to thank God for their protection. I assume that when things didn't quite go their way, they also thanked God for whatever blessings they did have. With a leader who had "perfect understanding" I'm sure whatever the outcome of the war, he helped them understand their purpose and what to learn.
7 Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God.
8 Yea, he had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites, and erecting small forts, or places of resort; throwing up banks of earth round about to enclose his armies, and also building walls of stone to encircle them about, round about their cities and the borders of their lands; yea, all round about the land.
9 And in their weakest fortifications he did place the greater number of men; and thus he did fortify and strengthen the land which was possessed by the Nephites.
10 And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians.
11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;
12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.
13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.
14 Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives.
15 And this was their faith, that by so doing God would prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to their danger;
16 And also, that God would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing, the Lord would deliver them; and this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity.
17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.
Having talked about the purposes of war in The Book of Mormon, I think next week I will discuss the spiritual strategies of battle.
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