Brothers and Sisters—
Have you ever looked at rope?
We often think of rope as a singular item, but it is traditionally made from twisting long strands of fiber together into a single length. Twisting the strands not only keeps them together, but more evenly distributes tension among the individual strands. This process brings to light the imagery found in the 2 Nephi 26:22, when we read that the devil “leads them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.”
I wonder how many of us would lay still and allow a potential burglar to carefully tie us up one strand of fabric at a time until we are bound with cords too strong to break? My guess is none. However, we are often deceived little by little, justifying things here and there, until we’ve been led “carefully down to hell.” (2 Nephi 28:21).
We read about another example of this technique in this week’s “Come, Follow Me” suggested study outline.
In Alma chapter 47, we read about a cunning man named Amalickiah. After retreating from the Nephite army led by Captain Moroni, Amalickiah made his way to the Land of Nephi where he sought to consolidate strength with the Lamanites who lived there. Eventually, he and a small army of Lamanites went to contend with a rival faction led by Lahonti.
Lehonti and his army were firmly, and safely, entrenched atop a mountain called Antipas. However, through a series of small, subtle and ultimately tragic decisions, Amalickiah poisoned Lahonti and wrestled control of the army. Elder Robert D. Hales shares what happened and how it can serve as a warning to us.
“The traitorous Amalickiah urged Lehonti to ‘come down’ and meet him in the valley. But when Lehonti left the high ground, he was poisoned ‘by degrees’ until he died, and his army fell into Amalickiah’s hands (see Alma 47). By arguments and accusations, some people bait us to leave the high ground. The high ground is where the light is. … It is the safe ground.”
“Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 74
Each of us face daily decisions of discipleship. We have the ability to decide what we will do with our agency. We will decide whether we will continually shrug off the small cords Satan tries to bind us with through devotion to the Savior or if we will clear ourselves of the selfishness that comes too easily to the natural man.
We decide for ourselves whether we will leave the safety of the high ground — where the light is — lowering ourselves into the valley where we are an easier target for deception, contention and dissatisfaction.
Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” — dating back to 500 B.C. — recognized the military advantage found in the high ground. Medieval castles were built to provide even more “high ground” advantage. This is a well-tested principle.
As we move through our daily lives, I hope we will all spend as much time in elevated living, basking in as much light as we can. When we find ourselves slipping down the hillside, I know it is through the Light of the world that we can again find our personal light again.
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
John 8:12
While I long for the day we can all meet again together in the chapel — in one big meeting with everyone — I know that each of us are having experiences with the Holy Ghost that enable us to more fully appreciate the covenants we’ve made and the Atonement in our lives.
I look forward to seeing Group 2 tomorrow at church. For those who are unable to meet with us, again I authorize the sacrament to be administered in the home by worthy priesthood holders of appropriate office. As always, please feel free to reach out to a member of the bishopric, elders quorum presidency or Relief Society presidency with any questions.
Have a great week!
Bishop Bennett