David Journal

Category: Scripture Notes

  • The last war

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    David
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    While Amalickiah and his generals were fighting the last war—adjusting to what Moroni had done before but not advancing anything themselves—Moroni by contrast was looking for ways to advance his defenses and also to predict how the Lamanites would think and set a defensive strategy that would be to his advantage.

  • Time to be like Moroni

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    David
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    “If all men had been and were and ever would be like unto Moroni…” Let’s remember that Moroni was a specific example of a class of men working diligently to preserve their people. Here are the key characteristics including other men who fit the mold: Moroni was a strong and a mighty man he was…

  • Subtle and patient

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    David
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    With how direct Amalickiah was about what he wanted, some might underestimate his capacity for subtlety and patience. He was overt about wanting to be king of the Nephites. He was direct in stirring up the Lamanites to fight the Nephites, but when they refused he was able to shift seamlessly to an indirect path…

  • Not ignoring the past

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    David
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    The Psalms are unflinching in recognizing the history of backsliding that Israel has had. We must be just as honest about it failings if we are to be humble enough to let the heal us from them.

  • Make in me a clean heart

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    David
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    I think for the first time I understand the nature of David’s repentance and why the Lord accepted it so readily. Even with his terrible sin, David turned aside from his own will and did not fall for the idea that he could rectify the problem. He turned willingly to the Lord seeking for his…

  • Modern parallels

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    David
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    I read the origins of Amalickiah and the response if Moroni and I see so many parallels. Sadly the parallels that are more clear are the ones between Amalickiah and the wicked forces of today. It’s much harder to find the modern parallels to the forces that saved the Nephites at that time. Who is…

  • Seeing patterns

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    David
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    The prophecy of Alma about the people of Nephi going extinct probably sprang from his observations in his own day about the way people were unstable in maintaining righteousness and that wickedness tended to get more extreme over time. He probably recognized things among the people that others, like Helaman perhaps, only began to notice…

  • Two different approaches

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    David
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    After gaining power over the army of Zerahemnah Moroni first tried to let them leave in peace because his son was the security of his people, not the punishing of his enemy. When Zerahemnah refused that offer and stirred up his people to fight Moroni (as he had warned) commanded his people to destroy the…

  • Seeing the big picture

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    David
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    One of Moroni’s great skills was to perceive and focus on the big picture. He was never just trying to win the battle before him and he recognized the ultimate intent of those he fought so that he knew the importance of why he fought. That was why he was not lulled when Amalickiah had…

  • Why so young?

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    David
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    Moroni was given command at the age of 25 and i have to wonder if that was because he had shown his propensity for finding creative ways to give his men a tactical advantage. Had he looked a division and provided armor to them so that the political leaders recognized him as the man who…