Defending Yourself From the Enemy | Alma 48-56 | Come Follow Me | The Book of Mormon Master Class 33

[@jamiespiers294]

Another great class!! I love the quote by President Hunter. I need to hear that one often 🙏🏼

[@johnhiltoniii]

That is a powerful quote!

[@mikelight2008]

I listen to a lot of the different come follow me podcast. This particular episode is one of the greatest I have ever heard. John, you knocked it out of the park. You're the Caitlin Clark of podcasters. Your insights were tremendous in this episode. Keep up the great work you're doing. Thank you for sharing your insights.

[@johnhiltoniii]

Thanks so much for your kind words!

[@cynthiafasulo3828]

Wow...tears too. I needed to hear this. I followed your lessons on Jesus. So glad I found your work once again. Thank you so much.

[@johnhiltoniii]

You are so welcome! Glad you found this class!

[@safrew1]

Wonderful! I was taught by the Spirit and moved to action in my own life with these invitations! I loved your chart comparing the people of Ammon to the Stripling Warriors. An insight we had as a family regarding the Faith of the Stripling Warriors is found in there declaration " we did not doubt our mother's knew..." Our thoughts were there are varying degrees of faith but the descriptive word phrase- .."They did not doubt..." Shows what kind of faith they had. That confidence that surety/trust in the Lord is magnificent. We also talked about what things had happened in their lives that would have brought about that kind of fath in the Lord. One thought was that most likely some if not many of these mother's were single because in previous chapters we saw the people of Ammon lay down and die before take up arms against their brother. We talked about the Covenant to obey and to sacrafice to live the gospel. How the Covenant power was truly upon these exceedingly young men. The Lord is our protector.

[@safrew1]

After finishing your podcast, I realized my math was off, but the principle was the same. These mothers had known great sacrifice and had known the power of the Lord through Covenant- just awesome!

[@safrew1]

I am a mother! And being a mother is the greatest joy of my life!

[@jamesbroughton7870]

This video brought me to tears. There was a lot of wonderful information, especially the end part about mothers. I am a man who has been unable to have children and it’s been a real sad part of my life. We were too old by the time we gave up on trying to adopt, but I’m so glad that there are still women out there that choose what I think is the most important job in the world good families that trust in the Lord thank you for this wonderful video

[@johnhiltoniii]

Thank you for sharing your tender experience.

[@dsuedsue6426]

Oh, this lesson hit so many chords with me! First, obviously I’m letting good things in because I watch this and all your Master Class lessons! Also, I never had children of my own, however, 16 years ago my niece asked me to come take care of her 3 month old and live with them. That grew to 6 kids in seemingly short order, and I have had the privilege and blessing to be their homeschool teacher for the last 13 years. I’m may not be their mom (no one could be better than their own mom!), but have had a good deal influence in their lives, hopefully, and especially, with their individual relationship with Jesus Christ. We as women can have extraordinary relationships with the children in our care if only for a few minutes at Primary. Thanks so much for your generosity in teaching and the gospel!

[@johnhiltoniii]

This is beautiful...thank you!

[@jillhealey7586]

Thank you for this great lesson today. My mother taught me by example. I have 3 beautiful daughters now, and my mother's example shows in their lives. I have grandchildren now and the goal is to keep this example going for generations.

[@johnhiltoniii]

So grateful to hear of your mothers example!!!

[@FocusingOnChrist]

When I was in high school, I entered a pageant. The question was about how we felt we could make the biggest impact on society. I said I wanted to be a mother. That I felt I could have more influence on the next generation by doing that than any other way. I didn’t win the pageant but I got a scholarship for ‘Being your best self’. I pursued and obtained an associates degree and worked in that field until two months before our first child was born. I’ve been a stay at home mother ever since. It is a daily struggle to keep up with six children but I cannot imagine anything better for my life.

[@johnhiltoniii]

Wow, love this story! Thanks for sharing this experience.

[@PanfiloBaron]

Thanks Brother Hilton, I remember My Mother too...!

[@daffodil71]

Thank you for reminding us of the importance of being good mothers and parents. “I did not doubt my father knew it” His unwavering faith and strength have guided my life choices. Now I am intentionally setting a good example and letting my grandchildren know that their grandma knows it.

[@johnhiltoniii]

Love this!

[@hennore]

You are the greatest! The Murmuring 101 podcast by Laman was a great touch 😂

[@johnhiltoniii]

Haha, good job finding the little details! :)

[@tammy9147]

Thank you for another wonderful Wednesday early morning scripture study. Every Wednesday I study with you and I appreciate your time and knowledge you share.

[@johnhiltoniii]

I'm so happy that you're part of this master class!

[@tammy9147]

@@johnhiltoniii me too!

[@terryharper2024]

John Hilton you are a great teacher.

[@maryjames8854]

Got me thinking more about what other layers I need to better protect myself or just get ahead of Satan's tactics. This is something that I can discuss with my kids on the daily.

[@johnhiltoniii]

Awesome!

[@kenyankatalyst]

My mother knew it! I am so grateful for her.

[@johnhiltoniii]

Moms are the best!

[@rebeccakline2799]

This was such an inspiring episode. I loved the deeper dive into these chapters to see how applicable they can be to our own lives. Thank you.

[@johnhiltoniii]

Yes! The war chapters are filled with powerful insights!

[@wandagurr4763]

I am grateful that you have this podcast! It takes time and organization in your part to get it ready for us to enjoy leisurely in our homes. Thank you! It is enlarging my love of this great Book of Mormon!

[@johnhiltoniii]

I'm so happy this is increasing your love for the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ!

[@gloriahicks1]

Wow! That was wonderful! That should be given as a Mother's Day Talk! Makes me so grateful that i'm a mother, a grandmother and now a great grandmother!

[@johnhiltoniii]

Congratulations on a wonderful posterity!

[@dinocollins720]

I enjoyed the discussion 19:39 weaknesses and building layers of defense. Really interesting timing I’ve been pondering/studying about finding our weaknesses. One way is to look at our strengths… our strengths are directly tied to our weaknesses. Captain Moroni for example is bold, assertive, and proactive but at the same time this can make him aggressive, rash, quick to judge… like we see in his letter to Pahoran. This can help us amplify our strengths and minimize our weaknesses.

[@johnhiltoniii]

Love these insights!

[@safrew1]

Excellent observation. Thank you

[@dinocollins720]

@@safrew1 that is so kind of you! Thank you!

[@nettajar1938]

The most difficult job that I have ever had, yet the most precious work I've ever have done was, and is, being a Mother. Thank you for reminding me of that fact.

[@johnhiltoniii]

Amen! Thank you!

[@dinocollins720]

Another powerful lesson! Thanks bro Hilton! I’m hyped about this video game 😂

[@johnhiltoniii]

You will love it!!! :)

[@brendafarris7350]

So beautifully said

[@johnhiltoniii]

Thank you!

[@eveelane2806]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@gretchenr2307]

I am just a mother, and I have no regrets.

[@johnhiltoniii]

Many years ago the First Presidency issued a statement that said, “Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.”

[@monicainla27]

We need committed mothers. It’s an amazing journey

[@johnhiltoniii]

1,000%, yes!

[@TheRozylass]

Concerning the "heat of the day" on the last day of the year; what evidence do we have that they used a calendar like ours? Did they use one similar to or evolved from the Hebrew calendar, or did they make up their own? This time period, the war chapters, is over 500 years after they left Jerusalem, and they have been without any communication (that we know of) from the old world. Isn't it possible that they are using a calendar that is quite different from ours? Throughout the world there have been many different calendars. Some begin the new year in the spring, the time of planting. Also, I firmly believe in the "heartland" placement of the events of the Book of Mormon for the simple reason that the Land of Promise, usually spoken of in the book as "this land" is prophesied to be a Land of Liberty where the gospel would be restored and where the Book of Mormon would come forth. What part of Central or South America is that? It's not. It is the United States of America. And because the entire face of the land was changed during the three hours of earthquakes, tempests, etc at the time of the crucifixion, we can presume that the geographical markers mentioned in the text prior to that event have all changed and been lost. I'm not trying to convince anyone else, just sharing what I have learned, pondered, and know to be true.

[@johnhiltoniii]

Thanks for raising some important issues. If you look below in other comments I've responded on the calendar issue. The short version is that the point I was trying to make wasn't about whether they used a calendar similar to ours, or where the Book of Mormon took place, but rather that there is a clear coherence in the timing of the Book of Mormon where wars consistently come at the same time.

[@janacox3686]

How do we know that their 1st month of the year is the same as our January (referring to heat of the day) and how do we know if the climate was the same 2,000 years ago as it is now?

[@johnhiltoniii]

Great question on the calendar...It could have been like the Hebrew calendar (new year begins in the fall); many ancient American cultures did start their new year calendar with the winter solstice, so that's what make that argument compelling.

[@DavidAlexander-German-xf4wv]

in relation to the Gadianton robbers or secret combinations (today we would call them terrorists), you mention that we do not have to fear them etc.. On the other hand it needs to be mentioned that such terrorists etc. were at the end eradicated by physical force. Nephite and Lamanite combined armies destroyed those secrect combination physically. See 3. Ne. chapter 4 and other places.

[@jkats102]

I cant access the game! what am I doing wrong?

[@johnhiltoniii]

Hmm...don't know it should be downloadable from the link above. Did you try on a PC?

[@mikelight2008]

Your New Year's Eve and heat of the day comment is interesting. Joseph likely did not know of himself the calendar of the people he was writing about. And if he was dictating at a clip of 10 pages per day, it's impressive that he would have thought of that little detail if he was simply writing the book on his own and not translating it. But back to your heat of the day comment. Many cultures have started their new year in the middle of summer. For example, the early Egyptian culture celebrated their new year at the time of the summer solstice, a time of great heat in some parts of the world.

[@johnhiltoniii]

It will be interesting one day to see what we learn in the next life about these details!

[@kday6809]

Thank you for calling them "Stripling Warriors" and NOT "Stripling Soldiers". Never in the scriptures are they called "Stripling Soldiers" but we hear them called that all the time.

[@johnhiltoniii]

Actually, in Alma 53:22 they are called "stripling solidiers." In fact, they are never called "stripling warriors" in the scriptures!!!

[@cfosburg]

The whole point of the Ammonite boys is that they were NOT warriors, they were young boys ‘for they were all of them very young’. They were soldiers enlisted in a Nephite army to protect their parents covenants and defend the Nephite lands. Helaman affectionately calls them his sons ‘I did join my two thousand sons, (for they are worthy to be called sons)…and again he described them as ‘those sons of mine’…He tells Moroni ‘This little force…our little army’ In describing the them before the battle he says ‘were not sufficiently strong…now they never had fought….my stripling Ammonites’ Helaman seems to want to impress on the reader four things during the Battle for Antipus: how young they were, how inexperienced and weak they were, and how faithful they were, and how they were preserved by the Lord, using phases like - Alma 56: 10, 17, 39, 47, 57 While it’s true they stopped being ‘green’ after the battle for Antipus, you could argue they really cut their teeth in the battle of Cumeni. But I don’t think that was the point of this small group. Only once are the front and center of a battle, and that was Antipus. The other battles the Ammonite sons were present and fought but I don’t think they were the main focus. These Ammonite lads were a symbol to the Nephite army that God was with them. Much like Joan of Arc was to the French armies. In fact, making them these incredible warriors diminishes their importance and the miracle that time and time again preserved them. The Ammonite sons are only mentioned by the word ‘stripling’ twice in the scriptures: Alma 53: 22 And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at the head of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of the people in the borders of the land on the south by the west sea. Alma 56: 57 And as we had no place for our prisoners, that we could guard them to keep them from the armies of the Lamanites, therefore we sent them to the land of Zarahemla, and a part of those men who were not slain of Antipus, with them; and the remainder I took and joined them to my stripling Ammonites, and took our march back to the city of Judea.