Moroni 9:1-5

9:1-5 - I got caught up in reading something else, so I don't have a lot of time tonight, which is my own fault and I should have known better, but let's get to it anyway. This is the second letter from Mormon to his son Moroni, and unlike the last one, this isn't to squash a doctrinal issue, but more to give him an update on what's going on in the war with the Lamanites, and it is "grievous." Interestingly, Mormon, the military protege says that his people, the Nephites are most likely going to be destroyed, meaning he's going to lose the war, but he doesn't cite one military reason as to why. It's not "they have greater numbers," or "they have better weapons or training or supply lines," the only reason that he gives is the wickedness of the people, "for they do not repent, and Satan stirreth them up continually to anger one with another." The Nephite's reason for losing the war, according to probably the greatest Nephite commander, has absolutely nothing to do with their enemy, and how often do we hear that? How often is our victory or defeat ever seen to be in our own hands, and based upon besting the enemy? Always, there's never a non-military reason for our victory or defeat in our modern age, and maybe that's why we are a bloody people, steeped in war and death. This anger that Mormon mentions is interesting because it seems to me that because the Nephites can't ever find peace with themselves and each other, violence and conflict seem to be their constant companion. The IM comments on "Anger," "Mormon wrote that the Nephites would 'tremble and anger' aggainst him when he spoke the word of God plainly to them. Such a response is consistent with other scriptural examples of those who had hardened their hearts to principles of righteousness. The Jaredites rejected Ether and sought to kill him. The inhabitants of Jerusalem sought Lehi's life. The unrighteous in Ammonihah were so angry that they burned the believers and all of their scriptures. This response to the word of God demonstrates an advanced state of wickedness that frequently precedes total destruction of cities or societies. Many people in our day believe they are victims of their own anger. Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the SEventy explained that we are able to choose whether to react with anger or not: 'A cunning part of his (Satan's( strategy is to dissociate anger from agency, making us believe that we are victims of an emotion that we cannot control. We hear, 'I love my temper.' Losing one's temper is an interesting choice of words that has become a widely used idiom. To 'lose something' implies 'not meaning to,' 'accidental,' 'involuntary,' 'not responsible'- careless perhaps but not responsible. 'He made me mad.' This is another phrase we hear, also implying lack of control or agency. This is a myth that must be debunked. No one makes us mad. Others don't make us angry. There is no force involved. Becoming angry is a conscious choice, a decision; therefore, we can make the choice not to become angry. We choose!To those who say, 'But I can't help myself,' author William Wilbanks responds, 'Nonsense. Agression,... suppressing the anger, talking about it, screaming and yelling,' are all learned strategies in dealing with anger. 'We choose the one that has proved effective for us in the past. Ever notice how seldom we lose control when frustrated by our boss, but how often we do when annoyed by friends or family?'" Excellent points there. I try really hard to teach my children that you are in charge of your own emotions and that if you are angry or mad or fighting, it's no one's fault but your own. Imagine my fury when I told my kids "you're making me so mad!" Only to have my daughter turn to me, and answer "we can't make you mad mom, you're in charge of your own feelings!" She wasn't trying to be a smarty pants or anything I think she was just trying to reconcile the disconnect between what I was teaching and expecting of them, and what I myself was doing. I was shocked, proud of her but irritated that she was right. The mastery of one's emotions, I think is a very advanced skill and one that I know that I'm still working on diligently, I think, anyway. This anger that the Nephites were always engulfed in didn't let them rest or even think of peace as a solution to their problems, in fact war was probably the most conducive outlet that they had to spill all their hatred and anger that they'd been holding onto, refusing to let go on. It's a vicious cycle, like we've seen both in the Book of Mormon and our own history, one war ends, then the people either winners or losers, are so bitter and angry that the war starts again, and it's a downward spiral until it's just complete chaos. I'd also like to point out here that this is not God's doing, this is not God actively punishing the people who won't repent or conform, this is simply God backing out of a place where he is actively not wanted. God doesn't stir people up to anger as a punishment, he just withdraws and allows people to act for themselves, unrestrained by His Spirit. This is all Satan's doing, this is the loyalty he serves to his followers, he hates his most loyal subject as much as he hates those trying to get away from his influence. He desires their destruction as much as he desires anyone else's, and that's the ultimate irony yes? Those who were the most wicked weren't protected by him, in fact it was his other followers who destroyed them, there's no loyalty there. In fact, that's what Mormon says in verse 5, "For so exceedingly do they anger that it seemeth me that they have no fear of death; and they have lost their love, one towards another; and they thirst after blood and revenge continually." Concerning the Loss of Love, the IM teaches, "One of the tragic results of anger and wickedness is the loss of the Spirit. When this happens, the Book of Mormon clearly teaches that one loses the capacity to love others. This was the case among the wicked Nephites. This loss of love leads to such things as divorce, abuse, and abandonment, all of which are rampant problems in our day. Elder David E. Sorensen of the Presidency of the Seventy explained how a loss of love can happen in our homes: 'In much of todays' popular culture, the virtues of forgiveness and kindness are belittled, which ridicule, anger, and harsh criticism are encouraged. If we are not careful, we can all prey to these habits within our own homes and families and soon find ourselves criticizing our spouse, our children, our extended family members. Let us now hurt the ones we love the most by selfish criticism! In our families, small arguments and petty criticisms, if allowed to go unchecked, can poison relationships and escalate into estrangements, even abuse and divorce. Instead... we must 'make full haste' to reduce arguments, eliminate ridicule, do away with criticism, and remove resentment and anger. We cannot afford to let such dangerous passions ruminate- not even one day.'" Criticism is an interesting concept, especially as a parent, because without teaching or correction, a child can never learn how to be a happy, healthy, productive member of society, not that all adults are that, or even close sometimes, but I know exactly what it's like to be nit picked to death and beaten down about every little thing. There are things that need to be taught or corrected that can be helpful and have to be done in a manner that show love and concern, but I'm going to have to see how I interact with my children tomorrow to see if I am soul destroyingly critical or if I'm providing love and correction.