ALMA 61

-There is so much to be said of Pahoran and how he handles this situation. How would I react? How have I responded in the past to false accusations?
-It would have been so easy for him to take offense and say "How dare you!?" This is too often our response--How dare you!? Rather, Pahoran is understanding; he knows the heart of Moroni and while his words may have been harsh, that is not what is important right now.
-We need to step back and say I understand where you are coming from or I can understand why you feel that way. Too often we want to be the martyr and say how could you say that to me or I can't believe you would say that.
-Brigham young stated that "he who takes offense when no offense was intended is a fool. And he who takes offense when offense was intended is usually a fool. It was then explained that there are two courses of action to follow when one is bitten by a rattlesnake. One may in anger, fear, or vengefulness pursue the creature and kill it. Or he may make full haste to get the venom out of his system. If we pursue the latter course we will likely survive, but if we attempt to follow the former, we may not be around long enough to finish it.
***WOW! This is a fantastic analogy! What a waste of time and energy to be hurt or offended.

Alma 60

What I find interesting about this chapter is that although Moroni is mistaken in wrongly accusing Pahoran of slothfulness and neglecting his people, he does it with all the right intentions. He is committed to the freedoms and prosperity of his people.

-we see here what internal conflicts amongst one another can lead to--they open us up to potentially devastating outside influences; they leave us vulnerable. This applies to the home, our personal life, church, etc.

ALMA 55

-Moroni's wisdom continues to lead him to gain strength over his wicked rival Ammon
-he has an easy opportunity to wipe out the drunken Lamanite men, but he does not desire to shed blood

ALMA 54

-Nephites took no women or child as prisoner; Lamanites took many
-Moroni takes very interesting tone w/ Ammoron in his epistle. He reminds him of his wicked and murderous ways and the wrath of God that awaits him, but this time he does not ask for him to stop or change his ways cause he knows that he is dealing w/ someone who is set in his ways.
-Almost terrorist-like negotiations. He tells him that he knows he is not going to stop the killing and the wars and so he will be prepared to meet him, but if he wants some of his men back he is going to have to give a whole lot more in exchange or he will uterly destroy him and his people
-What a prime example this is of those who are raised in darkness and false teachings. What a powerful impact one man or one family can have on generations to come either for good or bad (in this instance--very bad!).
-Maybe the dumbest statement made by anyone in the BoM is when Ammoron states near the end of his response to Moroni that "these things matter not" when referring to heaven, hell, and the existence of God. Obviously they do matter if they have gotten him so riled up enough to debate them.

ALMA 53

-Moroni is always preparing, making sure their cities are fortified and protected and that everyone has the provisions that they need. What a great lesson this is to make the preparations of your home and family a top priority.
-Intrigue and dissensions among the Nephites-->dangerous circumstances
-Interesting situation that the people of Ammon are put in--they have made an oath to never fight again, but nearly break that oath because their great friends and protectors, the Nephites, are in danger.
-We can find ourselves in similar situations--moments when compromising the promises and covenants we have made may seem like the 'smarter' or 'easier' thing to do, but we must remember the blessings that come from keeping true to those covenants
-Also interesting to note that their sons took up an oath almost exactly opposite of the oath they had made just so that they could protect their Fathers
-Very neat that it states that these people, though they did not fight w/ Nephite armies, "they never had hitherto been a disadvantage to the Nephites..."
-Could you receive a better compliment than this?: " They were men who were true at all times, in whatsoever thing they were entrusted."

ALMA 52

-The proud and greedy are easily deceived. Moroni and Teancum easily trick the Lamanites because they are so confident that they are easily distracted by a small group of Teancum and his men, thus leaving their city vulnerable to attack.
-I am never too strong or too righteous to not be vulnerable. Allowing the slightest thing to distract me for a moment opens the door for the adversary to strike.
-Another point here is that the Lamanites were left confused and in disarray by the tactics of Moroni and his men.
-Expending energy on light-mindedness and things of the world will only bring confusion and disorder into life.