Alma 57:21

"Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them..."

Obedience with exactness brings blessings.  It's not good enough to be almost completely obedient.  But, when we make mistakes we can repent and get back on the path of exact obedience.

Alma 56:47-48

 "47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the ^aliberty of their ^bfathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their ^cmothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

 48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their ^amothers, saying: We ^bdo not doubt our mothers knew it."

These verses stuck out to me today because I am a new mom.  I want my son to say someday that I taught him well.  I want him to make good choices that will lead to his happiness because I taught him to do that and lived as a good example to him.  I don't say this to be vain or proud of it, but to be relieved.  I would feel horrible if my little boy did not learn what I was supposed to teach him.

Alma 55:28

"And it came to pass that the Nephites began again to be victorious, and to reclaim their rights and their privileges."

The Nephites were having success because their causes were just and they did not seek to destroy.  Rather they sought to defend and fortify.

Alma 54:9

This chapter includes epistles between Moroni and Ammoron.  As I read both epistles I noticed a huge difference between the two.  Moroni was concerned about preserving his people and getting his prisoners back so that they could be protected again. Ammoron was more concerned about revenge and righting the wrongs he felt against him. Moroni tells Ammoron:

"And now behold, we are prepared to receive you; yea, and except you withdraw your purposes, behold, ye will pull down the wrath of that God whom ye have rejected upon you, even to your utter destruction."

Moroni and his men had God on their side and fought in His name. They knew their cause was just and that the Lamanites were not just. Moroni knew that he could defeat the Lamanites with the help of the Lord, but he gave them chances to be saved. Moroni shows mercy.

Alma 53:15

"And Helaman feared lest by so doing they should lose their souls..."

Helaman feared that if the people of Ammon broke their covenant and fought the Lamanites they would lose their souls.  Helaman understood the importance of keeping covenants made with the Lord. It is better to suffer and die than to break sacred covenants. So many blessing come when covenants are kept and the opposite it true when they are broken.

Alma 52:9

"And he also sent orders unto him that he should fortify the land Bountiful, and secure the narrow pass which led into the land northward, lest the Lamanites should obtain that point and should have power to harass them on every side."

Though the pass was narrow and seemingly insignificant, loosing it would cause great calamity. By loosing that one small pass the Nephites would be exposed 'on every side.'  Giving up something small can lead to greater devastation. This can relate to sin.  Sometimes sinning a little doesn't seem bad, but it can desensitize us and give Satan access to us 'on every side.'

Alma 50:1

"And now it came to pass that Moroni did not stop making preparations for war..."

Although there were a few years of peace where the Lamanites did not come against the Nephites, Moroni never stopped preparing and fortifying his cities. Today I think of all the ways Satan is fighting against me even when I don't think he is.  There are so many temptations and things that seem good or ok, but they aren't.  I must arm myself each day with a firm faith in what is right and what God wants me to do.  Many people say it's ok to dress immodestly, to support gay marriage, to be vulgar, and many other things.  It is tempting to believe these people and convince myself that these things really are ok.  But I know that many Prophets and church leaders have plainly stated the importance of dressing modestly, of defending marriage as the union between a man and woman, and that purity in thought and language is necessary.  There are many other issues that I feel at war with and, just as Moroni, I need never stop making preparations for war.  I must study, pray, and do what I know to be right in the sight of my Savior.  Nothing else matters that what He thinks of me.

Alma 49:30

"Yea, and there was continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God..."

In this chapter Amalickiah's armies came against two Nephite cities and were astonished at how prepared the Nephites were.  Moroni fortified all the cities, making it possible for them to defend themselves against the numerous enemy armies.  After defeating the Lamanites, the Nephites were grateful for their rescue and devoted their lives to God.  Because they were so devoted to the gospel and truly lived it they had peace and prosperity.  When all church members are heeding the word of God, peace follows.

Alma 48:7

"Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God."

Moroni, captain of the Nephite armies, found primary importance in making sure his people had faith in the Lord. While preparing for battle there are many other things he could have put at greater importance, but Moroni knew that the greatest aid to them in battle was their faith in God. The Lamanites were armed with hatred and greed while the Nephites were armed with love and humility.

Alma 47:18

"And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died."

Amalickiah works through fraud and trickery to get what he wants. He feigned alliance with Lehonti so that he could kill him and take his place. Amalickiah did not do these wicked things outright and in the open, rather he did them in secret and "by degrees."  This is exactly how Satan works.  Satan pushes a little evil in with some good and gradually takes over.  He is super tricky.  This is why it is so important to pray and study the scriptures daily.

Alma 46:13

"And he fastened on his headplate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land-"

Captain Moroni feared the destruction of their liberty by Amalickiah, so instead of waiting for this to happen he took action.  He created the title of liberty whereon he wrote reasons to fight for (for their God, religion, freedom, peace, wives, and children).  After doing this he immediately clothed himself in armor and prayed 'mightily' to God to have his blessing and aid in defending liberty.  I really like how he started something and then prayed to see if God would be with him and then he acted on it.  Prayer is a necessity and can help with anything and everything. Never feel like you cannot pray.

Alma 44:4

"Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith."

Those who have true faith of God will be protected by Him.  God will not destroy His faithful people, rather he will bless and protect them.  This does not mean that they will not go through hard times and suffer great trials.  Those things are important parts of mortal life.  But, God will be ever aware of their needs and will comfort them.

Alma 43:45

"Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church."

The Lamanites want to destroy the Nephites because they worship differently.  Lamanite leaders want to rule over the Nephites and gain glory, money, and land.  Nephites only want to protect what they love and hold sacred.  Many Nephites died fighting to protect their families and religion. Although there is not actual war today against the Church, Satan has riled up so much hatred against us.  We need to have the courage that the Nephites had and be willing to sacrifice to protect what we love.

Alma 42:20

"And also, if there was no law given against sin men would not be afraid to sin."

Committing sin is not unpunished.  Many do not think sining is bad, but sin is always against God.  This is why it is so important that we repent.  It is so wonderful that God forgives us when we do so.

Alma 41:14

"Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgement restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again."

This makes sense.  If you are merciful, just, righteous, and do good then you will receive those things again.  It may not happen on this life, but God will reward you for your goodness. Treat others how you want to be treated.

Alma 40:3

"...Now, I unfold unto you a mystery; nevertheless, there are many mysteries which are kept, that no one knoweth them save God himself. But I show unto you one thing which I have inquired diligently of God that I might know- that is concerning the resurrection."

Alma here shows that is is possible to receive additional knowledge/light directly from God. This comes through diligent study, pondering, reading the scriptures, and prayer.  God is not closed off to the world at all.  He loves to share what He knows to those who are humble and truly seek knowledge from Him.  Our Heavenly Father is so loving that he will answer our prayers and inquiries as we ask with faith, patience, and sincerity.

Alma 39:8

"But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from God; and except ye repent they will stand as a testimony against you at the last day."

This verse scares me a little.  I cannot keep any of my sins secret from God, so I better repent! This is something that I need to do everyday so that nothing can be held against me at the last day.

Alma 37 :5

"And now behold, if they are kept they must retain their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ."

I like how it says that the plates will maintain their brightness.  I take this literally and figuratively.  The plates are all made of metal and I'm sure are preserved beautifully and remain shiny.  Figuratively these plates hold extreme brightness, light, and knowledge.  These scriptures will always have the light of the gospel of Christ within them and will never dim.

Alma 36:19

"And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, i was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more."

Alma recounts his conversion story to his son Helaman.  Alma was a huge antagonizer of the Church and had many sins and huge guilt for all the people he led astray.  For 3 days he suffered for these sins and was miserable.  When he remembered the Savior and called upon Him, Alma was forgiven and was cleansed of his sins. The Atonement is real and really cleanses us and makes us holy.

Alma 35:9

"... they did receive all the poor of the Zoramites that came over unto them, and they did nourish them, and did clothe them, and did give unto them lands for their inheritance; and they did administer unto them according to their wants."

How wonderful to take care of a people that were cast out of their living places.  The people of Ammon showed true Christ-like love for these people by nourishing, clothing, housing, and being there for them.  Such a good example to me!

Alma 34 is such a powerful chapter.  Amulek is teaching the people the gospel and he puts it into such simple terms.  I love it!  He teaches a lot about the plan of salvation and it is so good.

I really liked in verse 33 where Amulek says:

"...for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed."

This really puts our time here on earth in perspective.  If we are not bettering ourselves here then we are wasting this precious probationary state.  Earth life is when we can choose who we want to become.  How are we living our lives?  Are we living them in a way that will make us happy for eternity?

Alma 33:23

"And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen."

When we accept the gospel of Jesus Christ in our hearts so many blessing come.  We can receive true joy through Christ and we can become pure.

Alma 32:21

"And now if as I said concerning faith- faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true."

This is a definition for faith.  It is a hope for things unseen.  Faith is something that is hard to describe because it is not tangible, but faith is so important and prevalent.  Faith can lead to perfect understanding of truth.