Missed Opportunites

 

A few years ago, Dave and I were in a situation where we were being treated unfairly, at least in my eyes. At one point after the situation was over and we were looking back on it, my emotions were such that what I wanted to do was complain about the situation and how he just didn’t deserve to be treated that way and how we could have spoken up and maybe handled it differently than we did. He said, “We were just given an opportunity to be Christ like”. That stopped me in my tracks. Of course, he was right. I was reminded of that recently as I was doing some scripture reading.

 

I was reading in the Book of Mormon about the letter exchange between Moroni and Pahoran. I’ve recently enjoyed these 2 chapters because they tell us a lot about the character of these two men. You remember the story. Or in case you don’t or have never even heard about it, let me tell you a bit. First, we have Moroni. Now this is Captain Moroni, not the Moroni who hid the plates with all the writings and history and later delivered them to Joseph Smith. Captain Moroni was an incredible commander of the Nephite army. He was a passionate defender of truth and freedom. They were involved in a war with a group of people, the Lamanites and other groups that joined the Lamanites, who wanted to wipe the entire Nephite nation off the face of the earth. Now to understand my intrigue with the letter exchange mentioned above, you first need to understand the character of Moroni. In a passage in the Book of Mormon found in Alma 48: 11-12, it tells us this:

   11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;

   12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.

 

The Nephites were taught to defend their freedoms, but only to take a life or shed blood of their enemies if it were in defense of their own lives and freedoms. It further tells us in verse 17:

 

   17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.

 

So, Moroni was an incredible human being. His faith in God, his commitment to follow God and his understanding of listening to the promptings and inspiration are what made him the leader he was. These qualities lead him and his armies to regained many of their cities after the Lamanites came in and took over. Many times, without taking any lives, but purely by strategy. They were clearly outnumbered by the Lamanites but had many victories. So, here’s where it gets interesting. In the course of these battles and travels from city to city over many years, Moroni and his armies were expecting food and more men sent to relieve them and fortify them. This help did not come. They were hungry and weak and desperate, expecting help and still it did not come. So, Moroni wrote a letter and had it delivered to Pahoran, who was the Chief Judge, or head of government. This was not a kind letter. This letter was full of passion and accusation, and even threatenings. It can be found in chapter 60 of Alma. I can feel the intense passion, even incredible anger when I read it. Moroni really let loose on Pahoran for his neglect and betrayal of the armies in their need. Now Pahoran had been a good guy so far, supporting the cause of liberty and sending out forces to retake the Nephite cities that were taken over by the Lamanites. This behavior of Moroni’s certainly shows his passion for the well-being of his armies but I often feel it is not consistent with the character of Moroni. Verse 33 has caught my attention numerous times, stating:

 

   33 Ye know that ye do transgress the laws of God, and ye do know that ye do trample them under your feet. Behold, the Lord saith unto me: If those whom ye have appointed your governors do not repent of their sins and iniquities, ye shall go up to battle against them.

 

Keep this scripture in mind for a few minutes while I go on and tell you about Pahoran’s letter back to Moroni, which is in chapter 61. Turns out Moroni had it all wrong. Everything he accused Pahoran of was not true. Seems there were dissenters in the area and gathered and gained power. When Pahoran was supposed to be sending out reinforcements to Moroni’s army, he was busy in his own city with his own men fighting for their lives and freedoms. Battles were raging there too and Pahoran and many others had to flee to save their own lives. To me, it seems in verse 33 above, Moroni is saying the Lord told him to write this letter to Pahoran and to even threaten him. Many times, reading this, that just didn’t make sense to me. But not too long ago, it made perfect sense and became clear in my mind. Pahoran’s letter was not filled with anger back towards Moroni who had just accused him of some really awful things. He did explain why he was not able to send help and food, but the tone was one of meekness and love. Verse 19 and 20 of chapter 61 is where the reason for verse 33

above was made clear to me.

 

   19 And now, Moroni, I do joy in receiving your epistle, for I was somewhat worried concerning what we should do, whether it should be just in us to go against our brethren.

   20 But ye have said, except they repent the Lord hath commanded you that ye should go against them.

 

Pahoran was looking for answers himself. He was looking for the next step of what to do in this battle. He had his answer in Moroni’s statement, even if delivered in a seemingly unjustifiable way. His dilemma was solved. He was also given an opportunity to be Christ like. He did not miss that opportunity. I think we are all given many of those opportunities in this life. Whether we see them that way or not.