Aug 11, 2024

The Good Shepherd by Kenna Elizabeth

In Alma 43 to 52, Amalikiah used many tactics to persuade others to follow him and do his will. He stirred the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites, used flattery and false promises to get them to follow him, and coaxed Lehonti down the mountain to meet him, promising safety and mutual benefits. All the while, Amalikiah sought only his own power and glory. 

Satan uses the same tactics on us today. He makes us angry enough to lash out at others’ weaknesses. He uses half-truths to appeal to our vanity or insecurities. And he tempts us, little by little, to follow him instead of God. 

1 Nephi 17:3 speaks to the trustworthiness of the Lord. “And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them.” 

Alma 30:60, on the other hand, speaks to the devil’s lack of trustworthiness. “The devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell.”

Satan cannot be trusted, but Christ can. He will be our strength and our comfort. He will prepare us for what is to come. Wilford Woodruff taught, “The gospel of Christ has never disappointed any man or woman that ever dwelt in the flesh.” 

In contrast to Amalikiah, Moroni prepared his people to withstand the attacks they would face. He did not do this through flattery or anger, but with faith and love. President Russell M. Nelson explains, “First, he helped them create areas where they would be safe—‘places of security’ he called them [Alma 49:5]. Second, he prepared ‘the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord’ [Alma 48:7]. And third, he never stopped preparing his people—physically or spiritually.”

As we make our homes places of security and prepare our minds and spirits to be faithful to God, we will withstand the evil efforts of the devil. As we trust in the Lord and never stop preparing, we will find happiness and peace through all our days. 

Lyndie is working toward a degree in Public Relations at Brigham Young University. Originally from Idaho Falls, Idaho, she enjoys running, spending time with her husband and family, and reading. Lyndie served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hermosillo, Mexico, where she developed a love for the Spanish language and the people there. She was drawn to the Wilford Woodruff Papers out of a desire to learn more about Church history and enjoys being part of the organization’s efforts to touch lives with Wilford Woodruff’s words.

The Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation’s mission is to digitally preserve and publish Wilford Woodruff’s eyewitness account of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and make his records universally accessible in order to inspire all people, especially the rising generation, to study and to increase their faith in Jesus Christ. For more information, please explore wilfordwoodruffpapers.org.