My thoughts on the Matter

I was reading the scriptures the other day and this struck me. Are we really so different than ancient times?

In ancient times there was a blood thirsty, riotous people. It is said they became that way because of the "traditions of their Fathers". That interests me because this horrible behavior and mind set is ingrained in their behavior generations after a set of prideful, arrogant, brothers fought over a birthright. The relationship in the family,especially among these siblings,caused their posterity to "make constant war".

There is still no peace to this day in their homeland.

Fast forward a few decades/centuries and theses groups are still fighting. There was a faction of "blood thirsty army" that's hearts were changed. Changed so much so that they laid down their weapons of war.....actually buried them...and made a covenant to never take up arms again.

Buried.... interesting. Buried and made a covenant....very symbolic in nature...

Almost like baptism...buried =immersion in water as Christ did. In baptism by immersion is giving up one life or lifestyle , making covenants,being buried
in water, and when coming up, refreshed or renewed (resurrected almost).

I also imagine it was difficult for this little fraction group of people that after generations and generations....perhaps they were afraid they would be tempted to take up arms again.

And as always with life, the time came to see how truly committed to their covenant they were (see Alma 53:10-15).

See they had been taken in by the good guys and care for. They fit in and belonged now, but the big bad army came a calling and.....they were afraid for their new people. The Big Bad Army didn't play by the rules. They took women and children prisoner and worse.

The People of Ammon thought that maybe the Lord would understand that they were defending the right this time... (sounds like an alcoholic with good intention). They were in a war as bystanders. Helplessly watching their new people who took them into their cities, the former enemy. Surely one sword fight wouldn't hurt....well yes it would hurt ,but you know what I mean.
So what did they do?
The answer comes from an unlikely place.
Or at least I would think so.
From the leader of the Good Guys. He was in a pickle.
But
He was more concerned with their souls than winning a war.
Really
Seriously.
Think of it. The Commander of the Army. wondering how to save his people AND allow the covenants to remain intact.Knowing ALL could die an awful death, it was more important to not only HONOR this people's covenant with the Lord, but to support it and make arrangements. but how?
Yeah No, we don't live in the same times
So he came up with a plan.
The people of Ammon had sons....turns out a lot of sons....over 2000. Here comes the sacrifice so big it mirrors that of Abrahmam and Issac.

The Mothers taught them well. These blood thirsty, riotous people for generations...taught their children differently...Mothers taught their sons well. The scriptures tell us this.

These boys listened to their Mama's and walked upright.

In one generation things had changed drastically.

The army comes and says 'Ma'am we need your boy.'

These boys had not made the covenant, and were willing to take up arms.
Their Mama's were scared..rightfully so. They knew personally how dirty things could get and where before they took no thought to it...now they were sending their sons to the for front.


What mother hasn't thought 'No take me!! Not my child!!'?

So the story is told that the Lord blesses these boy..scripture calls them Stripling Warriors."
The war was bad....the lost was great...may died,murdered.
Many more were taken away prisoner....and worse.
It was worst of humanity.
Not one of the Stripling Warriors were killed.
Not one.
Now generations know them and revere them as not blood and thirsty murderers, the opposite.

We often talk about how great the mothers were to these boys...and I love that... especially as I am a mother.
I find it interesting today, to look at the whole picture....
Just a few thought on the matter.