Some Noble Cause

After Ammon taught the Lamanites and helped thousands of them come unto Christ, these valiant new converts showed their devotion to God by making a convenant with him to never shed blood again. The record states, "they did bury [their weapons] deep in the earth. And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man's blood...that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives" (Alma 24:18).

Some twenty years later, these same faithful saints were faced with iminent attack from the Lamanites. The Nephites who had been protecting them up to this point were weakened and under much tribulation such that Ammons converts "were moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country" (Alma 53:13).

I believe that this cause under which the people of Ammon sought to justify going to war is a very noble cause. Throughout the Book of Mormon as well as Latter-day revelation, the Lord has revealed that we are justified in fighting to protect our families and our freedom. However, Helams feared that by "[breaking] the oath which they had made....by so doing they should lose their souls" (Alma 53:14-15).

As I read this the question came to my mind, "What convenants have I made which I might break for some noble cause?" For each of us the answer to that question will be different. Take for example the following things that we might place too much empahsis on. Each of these are worthwhile and character building activities. In fact the Lord has encouraged and in many cases commanded us to participate in all of these things in one way or another.

1. Quality time with our Families

2. Church callings

3. Temple Work

4. Exercise and healthy living

5. Job responsibilities

6. Caring for the sick and needy

7. Home teaching

8. Community volunteer work

9. Gaining an education

10. Yardwork

Do we spend so much time with our church calling that we neglect the convenants we have made to our family? Or is it the other way around. Do we spend so much time making our own yard look nice, that we fail to fufill our responsibilities as a home teacher to help the families we home teach with projects they may have? Do we get so busy serving others that we neglect our own yard? Are we so caught up with our job responsibilities that we don't find time to care for the needy and visit the sick?

This list could go on endlessly. For the people of Ammon the proper course of action was very clear. However for our daily lives which convenant should take top prioity may not be as clear. There are so many "noble" causes out there which we can pursue. At times, one of these may need to take a back seat to another. But if too much emphasis is placed on one or the other for too long, then the balance of our lives can be thrown into disequillibrium and our spiritual progress stops. By finding the proper balance, we are blessed abundantly and will one day partake of eternal life.