Peoples' Character

One thing that stands out to me in the scriptures is when there is time spent describing a person individually, especially if that description speaks to that person's character. This part of the Book of Mormon, with all the time spent on describing battles and wars, it seems to especially stand out.

"Now behold, this Lehi was a man who had been with Moroni in the more part of all his battles; and he was a man like unto Moroni, and they rejoiced in each other’s safety; yea, they were beloved by each other, and also beloved by all the people of Nephi." (Alma 53:2)

"[Lehi] was a man like unto Moroni". Earlier, when we first become acquainted with Moroni, it was said that "if all men were...like unto Moroni, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever;" This is a pretty powerful statement about one's character. And then to go on and say that Lehi was like unto Moroni. They were friends, and they were beloved by all the people. That's pretty awesome.

The Anti-Nephi-Lehis were awesome people. When they became converted, they made an oath to not fight. They were so committed to this oath that they were willing to die without fighting the Lamanites, just to keep their promise to never take up weapons of war again. From this time forward, they had been living peacefully among the Nephites, who protected them.

"But it came to pass that when they saw the danger, and the many afflictions and tribulations which the Nephites bore for them, they were moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country." (Alma 53:13)

 These people, who were willing to die to keep their promises, had so much compassion on the Nephites that they were willing to break their oath to help fight with the Nephites. This speaks to how much they loved the Nephites and appreciated their sacrifice up to this point in protecting them.

Helaman wouldn't let them take up arms and break their oath. He didn't want them to lose their souls by doing so. However, they had quite a few sons who had not made that oath and were willing to fight. In fact, they entered into their own covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites and protect the land, and that they NEVER would give up their liberty. This is a pretty amazing covenant to make when you are young. Here is how they were described.

"20 And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

21 Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him." (Alma 53:20-21)

I love this description. Honestly, if I could at some point in my life be described this way, that would be awesome. I have a ways to go before that.

I think that people get described in the scriptures to inspire us to be like them. It helps me to understand their motivations and the cause for some of their actions, and it helps me to want to do better in my own life. I'm grateful for the people in the scriptures and in my life that keep to their character and ethics. They are such an example to me and I hope to always do my best to see good character traits in others. And then I hope to try to emulate those traits.