Vulnerability at the Gate

I was reading in Alma 49 and had some thoughts that I felt came from the Lord. In this chapter, the Lamanites had come upon the Nephites to battle to the cities they thought were least fortified. Moroni had prepared by putting the most fortifications in their weakest cities. Weaknesses had become strengths (Ether 12:27). In this way they were prepared and defeated the Lamanites. Even though there was strength in these weak places, there was still one place that was vulnerable. It was the entrance. The record explains how they protected the entrance. It reads,

“18 Now behold, the Lamanites could not get into their forts of security by any other way save by the entrance, because of the highness of the bank which had been thrown up, and the depth of the ditch which had been dug round about, save it were by the entrance.
19 And thus were the Nephites prepared to destroy all such as should attempt to climb up to enter the fort by any other way, by casting over stones and arrows at them.
20 Thus they were prepared, yea, a body of their strongest men, with their swords and their slings, to smite down all who should attempt to come into their place of security by the place of entrance; and thus were they prepared to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
21 And it came to pass that the captains of the Lamanites brought up their armies before the place of entrance, and began to contend with the Nephites, to get into their place of security; but behold, they were driven back from time to time, insomuch that they were slain with an immense slaughter” (Alma 49:18-21).

It is interesting that the entrance had to remain a little more vulnerable because they had to use the entrance when they weren’t in a battle. So, they increased their defenses in the spot of vulnerability and they put their strongest men there to defend that spot. In our lives there are some things that remain vulnerable because of the world we live in and the necessities of day to day living. For example, there is a telestial world that we live in. Sometimes it is impossible to block out all the filth. We interact with people that use poor language etc. When we interact with members of the church, many have lower standards and make evil look good. We must prepare with the most strength we can to fight off any false ideas, false doctrine and principles of evil that are taught all about us, from whatever source they come. We need the sword of truth to help us defend ourselves by the unrelenting attacks of the adversary. It is interesting in this account that the Lamanites care not for the lives of their people and are determined to take down even the most fortified city. We can never let our guards down. We must invite the Spirit into our lives each day.

It is interesting to me that even though they had prepared the rest of the city to be protected, they still needed active, live men to fight off those that attempted to attack them. We need to come ready to battle each day, no matter how much we feel prepared for the attacks of the adversary.

In reference to the entrance, it struck me that in order to progress in life, we have to be willing to consider doctrines and principles that we haven’t considered before. We have to be willing to be vulnerable, open to receiving new truths from God in the manner He chooses to expose us to them. For example, when someone loves the Bible and are exposed to the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It can make them feel vulnerable to read such a record. In their minds, it might expose them to ideas that are untrue etc. If they exercise faith, they can read and ask God if it is true. When we are given the sealed portion, I’m sure we will have similar doubts and worries. If we are fortified with the Spirit of the Lord, having done this before we are presented with new information, then when we read new records we can take them to the Lord and recognize if they are rooted in Him or not.

I have been reading new records. Some have tasted very good and sweet to me. Others I wonder and ponder upon. I have been open to others sharing dreams and visions and I have read their accounts and taken it to the Lord to know if these things can be of benefit to me and are worth my time and ponderings. Some would argue they have enough in the Book of Mormon, but I would say that saying we have enough is exactly what Nephi warns us of saying. “Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!” (2 Nephi 28:27). God has many, many records and witnesses He wishes to give us to enlighten us and come more fully unto Him. I know this is true. Joseph Smith taught about reading apocryphal writings, “Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth; And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom; And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited” (Doctrine and Covenants 91:4-6).

If we are going to ascend unto God, we must be willing to receive light and truth from whatever source God decides to lead us to. This will stretch us as we will feel vulnerable. That vulnerability creates a window of humility, an openness to the possibility that God is trying to teach us something useful and give us more light and knowledge.

Many people aren’t willing to expose themselves to new ideas because they are worried they will be deceived. This is interesting because they are already deceived. We live in a telestial world. We have to get past a telestial (deceived) level of thinking if we are going to rise above to greater light. To not be willing to learn new ideas is to be satisfied with the deceptions and lies we already live in.

I think some reasons we hold ourselves back from entertaining new ideas is the fear that we can’t recognize truth from error. I have found one good thing for me to do is stay firmly rooted in those things I know are true. For example, when I was studying for my masters degree in Bible and Ministry, I always made time to study and ponder in the Book of Mormon. There is a true, familiar spirit that I feel in the Book of Mormon. In this way, when I read other things or am exposed to different ideas, I can test how I feel as I’m reading these new ideas to how I feel when I read the Book of Mormon. I know what truth tastes like. Just like testing a new fruit. I know what a sweet orange tastes like and a fruit that isn’t sweet will not be one I want to continue tasting.