In our family we have reached 3 Nephi where the people of Nephi reach a critical point in their history. The Gadianton band of robbers and thieves has become so powerful and prevalent, they threaten to completely overrun the Nephites. After being delivered an ultimatum by the Gadianton leade to surrender or be destroyed, the Nephite leader brings the people together in the center of the land. They build and fortify a place of safety. They store up crops and bring their flocks. They have everything they need to last seven years. After a failed attempt to lure them out they switch tactics:
“And in the twenty and first year they did not come up to battle, but they came up on all sides to lay siege round about the people of Nephi; for they did suppose that if they should cut off the people of Nephi from their lands, and should hem them in on every side, and if they should cut them off from all their outward privileges, that they could cause them to yield themselves up according to their wishes” (Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi, Chapter 4).
As I considered this tactic, it occurred to me that Satan uses a very similar method today. When temptations and trials come, Satan will try to isolate us from those things that can make a positive influence in our life, those things that can bring us happiness and give us hope.
The siege on the people of Nephi was not effective because they had prepared sufficiently so they could outlast the siege. I believe there is an important lesson in their ability to outlast the opposition because of their preparation. If we are not spiritually prepared for the attacks and sieges that may come, we may not be able to see it through.
Elder Anderson in the October 2012 General Conference taught on the purpose of trials but the risk inherent in them:
“These fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son of God and to weaken your resolve to keep your promises to Him. These trials are often camouflaged, making them difficult to identify. They take root in our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, our sensitivities, or in those things that matter most to us. A real but manageable test for one can be a fiery trial for another” (2012 October General Conference, Trial of Your Faith, Sat. Afternoon Session – By Neil L. Andersen).
We must be like the wise virgins who took thought to keep extra oil, so in the middle of the night, when they are called upon to show they are called upon to show their loyalty to the Bridegroom, there is no faltering in their ability to stand true.
In the words of Paul:
“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions …
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
“For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry”
(Hebrews 10:32,35-37)