ZARAHEMLA REC lssue45 .|989 TheMeanirg Behind November Moroni'sTitle of Liberty by David Lamb \-/ ne of the greatest insights es- gain the advantage. Only by con- it is safeto assumethat Moroni was sential to understanding the scrip- stantly looking to the rod which well versedin the word of God and tures can be found in 2 Nephi 8:9: Moses holds up do the Israelites the usageof types and shadows. In "And all things which have been prevail and become victorious over fact, it is highly possiblethat given of God from the beginning of their adversary. Moroni's idea for the title of liberty the world, unto man, are the typlfy- The key to understanding the was the result of his familiarity with ing of him" (lesus Christ). Simply symbolism in this account is found the Jehovah-Nissiaccount. stated, God has placed a pattern in in verse 15 as Moses builds an altar To understandthe symbolism all things, and all things bear witness to commemorate the event and calls associatedwith the title of liberty, it of JesusChrist that we might not be the altar IEHOVAH-NISSI, which is necessaryto realizethat physical deceived. Time after time, God translated means THE LORD IS MY warfare, as depicted in the scrip- reveals this pattern through the BANNER. The Hebrew word nissi tures, is symbolic of spiritual war- means of types and shadows. This may equally be translated as "stan- fare. Satanand his followers con- use of symbolism reminds us that dard," "ensign," or "pole," as well as stantly seekto attack (makewar Jesusis the only one to whom we are "banner." The insight to be gained against)that which belongsto God, to look for eternal salvation and from this event is that only by contendingfor the very souls of deliverance from death and hell. constantly looking to JesusChrist men. This scenariois played out in The concept that "all things bear can power and victory be achieved both the Bible and the Book of witness of Christ" is profound and over the adversary. Christ is our Mormon through wars and conten- must be implemented into our standard, our ensign, and our tions betweenGod's covenant scripture study if we are to gain true banner which must be held up people and their enemies.The title- understanding. As we study the constantly in our daily lives if we are of-liberty accountis of particular scriptures, we should continually to overcome the temptations of interestin this respectas it gives a ask ourselves, "How does this verse Satan. If we are to prevail and symbolic step-by-stepprocedure on or story bear witness of Jesus inherit life eternal, we must focus all preparationfor spiritual warfare Christ?" our attention upon |esus Christ and through the upholding of Jesus A classic example of Jesusbeing no other, for he is the only one who Christ. Thesesteps are listed below: revealed through the use fore- can deliver us from of the adversary. 1 shadowing is found in Exodus 77:8- The Book of Mormon account of ro In Alma 27:40 we find that 16. In this account, the Israelites chief captain Moroni and his title of Moroni is angry with Amalickiah prevail in battle over their enemy, liberty is in many respects similar to and his dissenting followers who are the Amalekites, by constant obser- the account of jehovah-Nissi. Both plotting to overthrow the free vance of the rod which Moses holds the rod which Moses holds up, and government of the Nephites and up for all to see during the course of the banner which Moroni displays, establish a monarchy with Amal- the battle. As the Israelites look to represent JesusChrist in type-and- ickiah as king. Moroni realizes that, the rod, they maintain an advantage shadow form. Alma 27:123 states if unchecked, these dissenters will over the Amalekites. When they that Moroni was a man of "perfect accomplish their evil designs and lose sight of the rod, the Amalekites understanding." With this in mind, bring the people under their control. , , , thot fhey (the remnonf of the house of tsroet)moy know fhe covenonts of fhe Lord , . ' Likewise,we should despiseevil stant attackwhich is being directed our nation in an effort to prevent this and realizethat Satanand his towards our families. from happening. If we are to followers are enemiesof the king- maintain our freedom and our dom of God. Satan'sgreatest desire J. Alma 21:42continues the inheritance,then we must strike out is to overthrow God's kingdom and accountwith Moroni putting on his againstSatan and his constant sethimself up as king. If unchecked, armor and picking up the banner attemptsto destroy our nation. We Satanwill gain victory over the souls (which representsChrist). It is must dedicatethe land to God and of all who will not resisthis evil interestingto note that he puts on his covenantpeople. We must plan. his armor beforehe picks up the declarethat the prince of darkness banner. Symbolicallyspeaking, he has no claim nor right to destroy that !. Alma 27:41tellsus that prepareshimself by putting on the which belongsto the Lord and his Moroni beginshis campaignagainst armorqlrrr\rr ofvr Goduvu beforevLrvrL herrE upholdsuyf rvrL people. the adversaryby humbling himself lfesusChrist (thebanner) to his beforeGod through the rending of people. This is important for us to f . Alma 27:48-49gives the his coat. He then takesthe torn remember. If we are to uphold accountof Moroni going forth Christ to the world, we must first be among the people,hoisting the dressedin the whole armor of God banner and challengingall to join as referredto in Isaiah 59:77and him in a covenantto fight for Ephesians6:73-77. freedomand resistthe adversary. , , , only bV constanfly This is the highlight of the story. looking to JesusChrisf {. Alma 27:43tells us that Symbolically,Moroni establishes con power ond vicfory Moroni then bows before the Lord JesusChrist (Jehovah-Nissi)as a and entersinto mighty prayer,com- banner or standardin his life. He ac- be ochieved over fhe mitting himself and his people into knowledgesthat Christ is Lord of odversory, the handsof God. In so doing, he their religion, freedom,peace, and seeksguidance from the Lord in families. He upholds fesusChrist preparation for battle. Likewise, piece and inscribes it with the oncewe have dressedourselves in following: "In memory of our God, the armor of Cod, we must con- our religion, and freedom, and our stantly seekthe Lord's direction and lf is inferesting fo nofe peace, our wives, and our children." instruction through prayer if we are fhat the fhingswhich Next he attaches the rent piece to a to be effectivewarriors against pole. Humbling ourselves before Satan. were wriften on Moroni's our Creator should also be our first banner ore fhe same step as we prepare to resist the $. Alma 27:46describes how attack of Satan. We must realize that Moroni then dedicatesthe land to identical fhings which if we go forth in our own strength, i God and proclaims the land as a ore under greafesf ot- we will fail. After humbling himself I choice land and the land of liberty. fock foday by Safon, before God, Moroni writes an I Moroni realizes that the land of inscription upon his torn cloth to j Zarahemla is a choice land and the remind himself and his people I land of his inheritance. He realizes and goesforth among the people exactly what is at stake in the war that Cod has established the land of calling them to look to their Lord against the adversary. This is a his inheritance. He realizes that God and enter into a covenantto keep his perfect example for us today. We has established the land as a land of commandments.The people re- need to know exactly what is at freedom and he speaks out against spond to the banner and they rally to stake. What will be the result if the those dissenters who were seeking to defeatthe enemy and maintain adversary prevails in our lives? It is destroy that freedom. He proclaims freedom througirout the land. interesting to note that the things that the land rightfully belongs to which were written on Moroni's the covenant people of God and that This is a type for our day. We banner are the same identical things Amalickiah and his followers have must uphold JesusChrist in our lives which are under greatest attack no rightful claim to the land. We, and recognizethat he is Lord of all todav by Satan. Satan and his like Moroni, should realize that we the earth. We must then uphold followers are attackingour God and live in a choice land of freedom. We Christ to all who will respond. We religion today as never before. Our must keep in mind that the kingdom must make fesusthe focal point of freedom and peaceare consistently of God (Zion) will one day be our lives and look to him as Lord being threatenedby the powers of established in this land. We must and Savior,our Jehovah-Nissi,the darkness,not to mention the con- realize that Satan desires to control one of whom all things bear witness. Bookof MormonGeography: TheFour Ouodronts The Book of Mormon contains mentions WESTSEA NORTH (Gulfof Mexico) many references to the geography of one of the e the land, and as a result, many sixteen s3 people have attempted to organize cardinal oa a2FO these geographical referencesby points <+ UJE creating maps to show places such (south- s) as Zarahemla, the river Sidon, hill southeast, 1 Cumorah, and so forth. Anyone Nephi who has seriously undertaken such a 5:16).In task knows the difficulty and almost four frustrations of putting the pieces hundred WEST SEA SOUTH (Pacific together.