Back somewhere around 90-77 B.C., there was a group of people named the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. They had spent all their lives fighting. And it wasn't the valiant fighting of our great men in the military. It was slaughtering. Killing for revenge or even just because. Like an addiction. A thirst for violence. When these people received the Gospel and decided to commit their lives to Christ, they knew their drive for violence was inhibiting their relationship with Heavenly Father, so they buried their weapons in the ground to lesson the temptation.
They promised the Lord to never turn back.
In return, the Lord promised to protect them.
Later on, a group of enemies approached their land, preparing to attack. The Anti-Nephi-Lehies had a choice to make,
and these were the words of their leader:
These people realized the strength and power they had in Christ without going back to their weakness. Though their choice to stay committed to the promise they'd made with God cost their lives, they maintained their integrity, faith, and relationship with Christ. Now, It's not about if Christ would have loved them more or less because of which choice they made.
I KNOW it wouldn't have made a difference.
What was at stake was missing out on an opportunity
To consider their love for Christ and let that guide their choice,
to be strong in the sight of temptation.
They chose strength instead of a stain.
