The Final Kick

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, as defined by Christ, consists of Faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Enduring to the end is the hard part.

When I was in high school I decided to join the cross country team. No one was cut from the team, because the coach did not feel that was necessary. Anyone who didn't really want to be there would quit within a week or two. I did not join because I loved to run, nor because I was good at running. I joined because I had friends in cross country, and because I wanted to see if I could handle it.

I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from birth, but I feel that this experience taught me a little bit about what it would be like to join the Church as a convert. The cross country team had their own lingo, and they already knew each other. I was an outsider, and I wasn't good at running. And it was hard. If I had been there solely for the company of my friends, my cross country career would not have lasted more than one day (I nearly fainted after the first practice from dehydration. It was September in Las Vegas, probably 105 F or more). I didn't quit because I had to prove to myself that I could do it. My friends helped me, and gave me advice, but I would not have stayed just for them. I would not still be a member of the Church if I were in it just for friends. I love the Church, as I grew to love running. I'm grateful for the friendships I have had within each, but neither is worthwhile only for the social aspects.

I have since stopped running, but I've taken up cycling. I guess I like pain. I have called my blog and this post the final kick because that is what I love most about running and cycling and life. During the last 200-300 meters, when there is nothing left but pure will and a desire for the pain to end, when at the end of a 50 mile ride, you pedal so fast you can't feel your legs - you can't hardly see - and you finish strong. To give everything you have for the entire race, and give even more during the final kick - that is what life is all about, to me. 

Lessons from War

In the Book of Mormon, in the latter half of the the Book of Alma, the text is consumed by the subject of war. There are two large wars between the Nephites and the Lamanites in the last decade of history of the Book of Alma.

These are the things I have learned as I studied these wars.

The first war was much smaller and much more short-lived. It is contained entirely within the two chapters of Alma 43 and 44. The war is short in great part because the Nephites are prepared and the Lamanites are unprepared. The Lamanites came to battle with no armor at all. Alma 43:20 says "Now the army of Zerahemnah was not prepared with any such thing; they had only their swords and their cimeters, their bows and their arrows, their stones and their slings; and they were naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins . . ." The Nephites, however, had prepared themselves for battle with strong armor. From the surprise of the Lamanites in seeing the strong armor, it appears that this wasn't a common practice before.

Between the two wars there is a time of prosperity for the Nephites. Moroni spends this time fortifying the cities of the Nephites, especially the cities that had before been weak.

The Lamanites returned to war approximately two years later. It is interesting to note the manner in which they came: "yea, and they had also prepared themselves with shields, and with breastplates; and they had also prepared themselves with garments of skins, yea, very thick garments to cover their nakedness." (Alma 49:6)

If we take the position that the Lamanites represent evil, or temptation, we can see evil progressing. The Lamanites came the first time expecting to defeat the Nephites because of their large army, but they were disappointed because of their lack of armor. When they came the second time, they knew they would be unable to defeat the Nephites if they again came unprepared. Temptation learns.

The righteousness of Moroni and the Nephites is exhibited here, because, while temptation was progressing, so were they. The Lamanites were again disappointed because of the strength of the fortified Nephite cities.

Progression is a principle of the Gospel of Christ. If we do not progress, we will be unable to overcome future temptations, even if we have been able to overcome those of the past, because temptation is progressing, too.


Another interesting lesson from these wars is that our greatest strengths can become our greatest weaknesses. The cities were further strengthened by Moroni with "works of timbers", towers, and other fortifications. After a description of their fortification, we read that the people became wicked and were driven out of those fortified cities by the Lamanites. Now, the strongholds that once belonged to the Nephites belonged to the Lamanites. This is one of the reasons the second war lasted so long. The Nephites feared to attack the Lamanites in their strongholds. The strength of the cities had not changed, just who was in control.

If we allow ourselves to lose our strongholds, we sometimes find these strengths become our greatest weaknesses. If we allow Satan into our lives and allow God to be driven out, our strengths do not change, just who is in control.

My Witness

I have had the opportunity hundreds of times to verbally testify of the spiritual things I know to be true. Although these opportunities are important and valuable, they are fleeting. I would like to record this witness, that it may be permanent, and in hopes that it may be of value to any who might read it.

I know of only one way to arrive at any conclusion about things spiritual in nature, and that is by the spirit of God(See John 4:24). I know by the power of God that He exists, and that Jesus Christ is His son. I know that they have created a plan to save all man kind, and that plan is sufficient to save all man kind. I know, too, that our salvation depends on our obedience to the laws of God; the parameters of the plan.
I know that this plan has been revealed by God to man through prophets since the beginning of human history. Seeing as I believe in God and the creation, I believe that human history began with the creation of Adam.
I know that Joseph Smith was called by God to be a prophet in these latter days, and that God's plan of Salvation was given to man through Joseph Smith. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, as is the Bible. I have exercised my faith in these things and have not been disappointed.
I don't know that anyone will ever read this; but, anyone who has questions about or is interested in the things I have said here is welcome to email at smfoote@gmail.com.