Elder Robert D. Hales and Sis. Elaine S. Dalton, mentioned the story of Lehonti, during our recent General Conference (Oct. 2008).\u00a0\u00a0 Poor Lehonti.\u00a0 He was an example of how foolish action can jeopardize us, even unto death.\u00a0 (Alma 47)<\/p>\n
This is such a great story to use as an example of how Satan works; little by little, \u201cby degrees\u201d.\u00a0 Amalackiah was truly a type and shadow of Satan.\u00a0 Later on, Giddianhi will also be a type and shadow.\u00a0 Only the person who deals with him, Lachoneus, shows us how to correctly confront a \u201cSatan\u201d type.<\/p>\n
In 3 Nephi 3, Giddianhi, leader of the Gadianton Robbers, writes a letter to Lachoneus, governor of the land.\u00a0 As you read the letter carefully, you can easily spot various lies, flatterings, threats, etc. Giddianhi uses to try to scare Lachoneus into giving up and giving power to him.<\/p>\n
Lachoneus is my hero.\u00a0 Upon receiving the letter, he \u201ccould not be frightened\u201d, and he \u201cdid not hearken\u201d to Giddianhi.\u00a0 He immediately gathered his people to \u201ccry unto the Lord for strength\u201d (v 12).\u00a0 That is an important key\u2014to gather.\u00a0 When we are threatened with evil, we as family, as wards, as stakes must gather together.\u00a0 He had fortifications built up to give protection and strength to their borders and set up guards to watch both day and night (v 14).\u00a0 In the world we live in we have to protect our families aggressively.\u00a0 We must watch constantly against evil that may trickle in unawares.<\/p>\n
He preached repentance to his people that they may stand pure before the Lord, in order to receive His protection (v 15), and \u201cthey did exert themselves in their might to do according to the words of Lachoneus (v 16).\u00a0 More prophets were called to lead the people and gather them in.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, the people wanted to go into the wilderness and attack the robbers and destroy them.\u00a0 This was Lehonti\u2019s downfall.\u00a0 He thought he could outsmart Amalackiah; that the best way to protect yourself was to attack, or leave the center.<\/p>\n
Gidgiddoni, the prophet Lachoneus placed as chief captain, or prophet, explained to the people the Lord\u2019s way, \u201cThe Lord forbid; for if we should go up against them the Lord would deliver us into their hands; therefore we will prepare ourselves in the center of our lands, and we will gather all our armies together, and we will not go against them, but we will wait till they shall come against us; therefore as the Lord liveth, if we do this he will deliver them into our hands\u201d (v21).<\/p>\n
If we go our own way, act independently, think we know how to handle things on our own, we lose strength and power, and more importantly, the Lord cannot help us, because we have chosen to help ourselves.\u00a0 On the other hand, if we gather in the center, we are strong in defense of one another.\u00a0 As well, by defending what we hold dear, and by praying and repenting continuously, the Lord will fight our battles.\u00a0 We\u2019ve seen it work multiple times throughout the Book of Mormon and the Old Testament.\u00a0 This is the Lord\u2019s Battle Plan for us.\u00a0 A guide each of us can watch for and avoid Satan\u2019s tricks.<\/p>\n
Relief Society sisters can teach this plan clearly in lessons.\u00a0 We can be visiting teachers who gather all into the fold, to be protected in the center.\u00a0 We can help guard one another, motivate one another, give one another hope.\u00a0 We need each other for strength, for comfort, for support.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Elder Robert D. Hales and Sis. Elaine S. Dalton, mentioned the story of Lehonti, during our recent General Conference (Oct. 2008).\u00a0\u00a0 Poor Lehonti.\u00a0 He was an example of how foolish action can jeopardize us, even unto death.\u00a0 (Alma 47) This is such a great story to use as an example of how Satan works; little […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,19],"tags":[51],"class_list":["post-135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-scriptures","category-relief-societyyoung-women","tag-teaching-youth"],"yoast_head":"\n