Victory’s message: “repent!”

  In Alma 4 the Nephites had just won a major victory - the Lord had preserved them in battles with the Amlicites and then the numberless host of the Lamanites the Amlicites had joined with. The Nephite armies had lost only half as many casualties as the others - or even less, yet every Nephite soul had cause to mourn. Each one had suffered devastating personal losses. Even in a condition where they could clearly recognize God’s hand in blessing and delivering them they had also felt loss and heard His call to repentance. Perhaps they believed that God would have delivered them even more miraculously had they been worthy of a greater blessing. Perhaps some of their loved ones that had perished would have been spared if they as a people had repented before. 

These battles could certainly be seen as circumstances beyond their control also - the results of the choices of others. They still hear a personal call in them though. These Nephite survivors awaken to repentance, missionary work, and strengthening the church. This is a good pattern. It is always a good check to make when in adversity to see if you haven’t brought it upon yourself in some way or to some degree - even when spared from a much worse fate.

What about this virus we’ve been wrestling with for a while now? It has come upon largely us as a circumstance beyond our control. It has given many, if not most, of us personal cause to mourn. We have also fasted and prayed for deliverance. God’s prophet, President Nelson, has called the vaccine “an answer to prayer,” and “a literal godsend.” It has dramatically curtailed the spread and effects of Covid 19. Though this pandemic is not yet over, I feel greatly blessed and spared through it all (that’s not to say those who have suffered more or more personally than I have through this pandemic were any less worthy). Could it have been more dramatically stayed had we been worthy of a greater blessing? 

The real question is: do I hear God’s voice in the midst of it all calling me to repentance? General Conference is a good place to look for that personal call. May we feel both grateful and determined to repent that we might qualify for the greatest blessings He has to give us.