Book of Mormon chapters 45 through 62 have been referred to as “the war chapters.” For some this has been a bit of a mystery with questions like, “If this book was preserved for the last days, how are these chapters relevant? Why does this have to be so gruesome? If this book is divinely inspired, what is the divine benefit of this content and what personal revelation should I expect to get from this?”
In a previous post, I explained what I believe are the 3 primary purposes of the Book of Mormon. One of the three purposes is, preparation for the last days:
There are patterns throughout history. When it comes to the Book of Mormon, the prophet, Mormon, saw our day and knew which patterns would repeat themselves in the last days. So, under divine inspiration and commandment, everything that he included was intentional and meaningful to you.
This explains why the war chapters and even gruesome details were included. This also explains why only portions of records were part of the final abridgment—because these select chapters or verses were specific to last days events.
Blog: Do You Really Believe? The Right and Wrong of the Book of Mormon
The overall theme of these war chapters is the battle for freedom, personal liberty, and power of the people as opposed to those that favor the power of the one (a king), the few, or the elite. This theme is ever-present today. Whether you realize it or not, for generations, the church of the devil has been laying a foundation for a global one-world government. These ideologies and narratives have infiltrated select leaders in global governments, societies, universities, politics, religion, entertainment, sympathetic causes, and every other narrative or dogma that we personally consume. First and foremost, this is a battle for the mind—yours, mine, everyone. It might seem like a secular, godless approach but the truth is that through propaganda and eventually submission the goal is to channel you to the church of the devil.
The doctrine of Christ stands completely opposed to the doctrine of the devil, his church, and his kingdom. The modern war chapters are being written as we speak. I invite you to see with new eyes how these specific chapters are completely relevant and to also see how the Book of Mormon is a divine witness and a warning for each soul today.
CHAPTER 45 (About 73 B.C.)
1 Behold, now it came to pass that the people of Nephi were exceedingly rejoiced, because the Lord had again delivered them out of the hands of their enemies; therefore they gave thanks unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy. [they reinvested in their personal relationship with the Lord]
2 And it came to pass in the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that Alma came unto his son Helaman and said unto him: Believest thou the words which I spake unto thee concerning those records which have been kept? [They were so faithful to maintain the library of records. Remember, Mormon and Moroni are only going to include select portions of the large library. “The words” referred to here were not just historical narratives but the personal experiences of individuals that taught, experienced, and personally fulfilled the doctrine of Christ (Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Alma, Alma younger, etc.]
3 And Helaman said unto him: Yea, I believe.
4 And Alma said again: Believest thou in Jesus Christ, who shall come?
5 And he said: Yea, I believe all the words which thou hast spoken.
6 And Alma said unto him again: Will ye keep my commandments?
7 And he said: Yea, I will keep thy commandments with all my heart.
8 Then Alma said unto him: Blessed art thou; and the Lord shall prosper thee in this land.
9 But behold, I have somewhat to prophesy unto thee; but what I prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known; yea, what I prophesy unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy is fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say.
10 And these are the words: Behold, I perceive that this very people, the Nephites, according to the spirit of revelation which is in me, in four hundred years from the time that Jesus Christ shall manifest himself unto them, shall dwindle in unbelief. [We could say at this moment he is acting as a prophet because he is “professing” what was revealed to him by the Lord. If Alma “saw it in vision with his spiritual eyes” then in this situation we could say he is also acting as a seer. If either of these are true then he is acting as a revelator because he is “revealing” the Lord’s purposes or truth. (See also Prophets, Seers, Revelators)]
11 Yea, and then shall they see wars and pestilences, yea, famines and bloodshed, even until the people of Nephi shall become extinct—
12 Yea, and this because they shall dwindle in unbelief [unbelief is the spiritual plague of every dispensation including our own] and fall into the works of darkness [the devices of the devil which are the cunning methods of the devil and the church of the devil on earth for control and personal gain], and lasciviousness [unrighteous sex has always been a cunning device of the devil and among his church], and all manner of iniquities [think of this as “in-equalities” or unrighteous control or dominion of one over another which also includes within relationships]; yea, I say unto you, that because they shall sin against so great light and knowledge [referring to liberal access to Christ’s doctrine among other truths], yea, I say unto you, that from that day, even the fourth generation shall not all pass away before this great iniquity shall come [all fulfilled in the Book of Third Nephi].
13 And when that great day cometh, behold, the time very soon cometh that those who are now, or the seed of those who are now numbered among the people of Nephi, shall no more be numbered among the people of Nephi.
14 But whosoever remaineth, and is not destroyed in that great and dreadful day, shall be numbered among the Lamanites, and shall become like unto them, all, save it be a few who shall be called the disciples of the Lord; and them shall the Lamanites pursue even until they shall become extinct. And now, because of iniquity, this prophecy shall be fulfilled.
[A parallel to the time period he’s referring to, so in our last days will people be spiritually sick with “unbelief” and not remain faithful to an intimate relationship with the Lord. Either by choice or compulsion individual souls will align with the church of the devil—either formally or informally (supportive and aligned with the ideologies of the telestial manifestations, and institutions of the church of the devil.) Those that remain are not necessarily part of a select, elite institution. Instead, they are simply “called disciples of the Lord” because they individually choose to be a follower of Christ and His doctrine—not necessarily because they claim to be part of an elite religious institution. Continuing with this parallel, telestial institutions that represent the church of the devil will “pursue even until they shall become extinct.” The exceptions to extinction are disciples of Christ that are willing to will follow personal revelation to be in safe places or select gathering places of other disciples where they will be protected.]
15 And now it came to pass that after Alma had said these things to Helaman, he blessed him, and also his other sons; and he also blessed the earth for the righteous’ sake [for the sake of the Kingdom of God (Kingdom of Light)].
16 And he said: Thus saith the Lord God—Cursed shall be the land, yea, this land, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, unto destruction, which do wickedly, when they are fully ripe; and as I have said so shall it be; for this is the cursing and the blessing of God upon the land, for the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.
17 And now, when Alma had said these words he blessed the church [the group of common believers willing to follow Christ and His doctrine (D&C 10:67)], yea, all those who should stand fast in the faith [faith in the Lord and His personal direction, commands] from that time henceforth.
18 And when Alma had done this he departed out of the land of Zarahemla, as if to go into the land of Melek. And it came to pass that he was never heard of more; as to his death or burial we know not of.
19 Behold, this we know, that he was a righteous man; and the saying went abroad in the church that he was taken up by the Spirit, or buried by the hand of the Lord, even as Moses. But behold, the scriptures saith the Lord took Moses unto himself; and we suppose that he has also received Alma in the spirit, unto himself; therefore, for this cause we know nothing concerning his death and burial.
20 And now it came to pass in the commencement of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that Helaman went forth among the people to declare the word unto them. [Christ’s doctrine, to encourage them to engage in and remain faithful to their personal relationship with the Lord. Is there any other way?]
21 For behold, because of their wars with the Lamanites and the many little dissensions and disturbances which had been among the people, it became expedient that the word of God should be declared among them, yea, and that a regulation should be made throughout the church. [A parallel to this time period, because of the interfering, counter propaganda of the church of the devil, it is necessary now, as it was then, to preach the doctrine of Christ (a standard) throughout the followers of Christ.]
22 Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth to establish the church [solidify, strengthen the followers of Christ] again in all the land, yea, in every city throughout all the land which was possessed by the people of Nephi. And it came to pass that they did appoint priests and teachers throughout all the land, over all the churches.
23 And now it came to pass that after Helaman and his brethren had appointed priests and teachers over the churches that there arose a dissension among them, and they would not give heed to the words of Helaman and his brethren [Helaman and his brothers were simply vessels for teaching “the word.” They were not requiring that the people offer up their undying loyalty or sustaining vote to Helaman and his brothers. Assuming they were speaking and teaching Christ’s words and doctrine, they were rejecting “the words” of the Lord.];
24 But they grew proud [The outcomes of the cunning devices of the devil; still believing in the interfering, opposing propaganda of the church of the devil.] , being lifted up in their hearts, because of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they grew rich in their own eyes, and would not give heed to their words, to walk uprightly before God.
Next: The Modern War Chapters: Alma 46
For more understanding of this covenant path and its milestones taught throughout the scriptures, you are welcome to begin your personal study and your own journey in and through the doctrine of Christ through The Doctrine of Christ Study Guide. Also, to help you increase your confidence in personal revelation and develop your own gift of discernment, I invite you to study The 3 Voices of Personal Revelation Study Guide.
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