Fearless Heart

"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear." ~D&C 38:30 "Fearless Heart" by Katherine Nelson

Usually when reading of Captain Moroni, I focus on how he wrote the Title of Liberty. But something new stood out to me this time: PREPARATION. The title of Liberty in Alma 46, was quite a powerful motivation Moroni used to bring the people to fight for their freedoms. But I believe it had such a fast and immediate reaction from the people because of what they'd experienced in their war with the lamanites only about one year prior; which they'd PREPARED for! Alma 43:9 says, "And now the design of the Nephites was to support their lands, and their houses, and their wives, and their children, that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies; and also that they might preserve their rights and their privileges, yea, and also their liberty, that they might worship God according to their desires." Here's the point: The Nephites had set their ground and standards long before. I believe it had become ingrained in their hearts and minds, so much so, that when they fought the lamanites and were extremely outnumbered, they felt courage and strength by having their standards set, and having faith and love in God and love for their families. They were prepared! So how did they prepare to preserve their rights and Privileges and Liberty? 1) They prepared their hearts and Minds. (See Alma 43:9 ) 2) They prepared physically. (See Alma 43:18 ) 3) They prepared spiritually. (See Alma 43:23-24 ) 4) They prepared with location and strategy. (See Alma 43:25-32 ) They had everything prepared BEFORE they even had a sword lifted at them! Because of all their preparations, they were well ahead of the game. And even in the darkest moments of battle when their enemies "did fight like dragons" and "did smite in their fierce anger" ; though "they were about to shrink and flee", they were reminded and inspired in their hearts, with Captain Moroni's help, of their lands, their liberty, their country, their rights and religion, and their freedom from bondage! They needed that preparation in order to stand strong in the middle of the battle. If they have not had that preparation they would have fallen! ( read Alma 43:49- ch. 44 for the ending of this epic battle!) The battle is stirring all around us now. How prepared are we mentally? Emotionally? Physically? Spiritually? Do we have a plan of action to defend our families, our freedoms, and our liberties? Do we pray for personal revelation of where the enemy (Satan) will go so we can be prepared before he gets there? I have faith and confidence that if we do, we, like the Nephites, can rejoice "because the Lord [will have] again delivered [us] out of the hands of [our] enemies"! (Alma 45:1) Prayers and Love, Jillene Smith