In Alma 43 we are reminded of the people of Ammon, whom after being converted to the gospel, buried their weapons of war in order to show forth a symbol of their covenant with God that their hearts had changed, and they had been converted to Christ's church. Because of this covenant they made with God they were put into a dangerous situation, as it reads, " if they should fall into the hands of the Lamenites they would be destroyed, " ( Alma 43:11 ) a result of their covenant that they would never take up arms again- even in self-defense because of such sorrow for their sins that the weapons represent to them.
We learn that the " Nephites would not suffer that they should be destroyed; therefore they gave them their lands for their inheritance, and the people of Ammon did give unto the Nephites a large portion of their substance to support their armies, and thus the Nephites were compelled to stand alone to withstand against the Lamenites." ( Alma 43:13 )
We can see the love that these members of Christ's church had for each other in this example.
All throughout history we see great sacrifices of love in the name of Christ and the building of His kingdom. This senerio was not the first or the last time that followers of Christ would give up their land, or even their lives in order to support each other, and newly converted saints - nor will it be the last.
In Acts, as Peter and John are about their work of building the kingdom upon the earth, or in other words teaching, gathering, and organizing the church, we see even new converts to the church giving all they had to be divided among the saints in order that all things would be common among them, we can read: " Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet; and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need." ( Acts 4: 34-35 )
We also have the example of Latter-day Saints giving of their land, in order to live the Law of Consecration; where they too would have everything in common. ( D&C 105:29 )
Another example was when President Young established the Perpetual Emigration Fund to assist poor Latter-day Saint immigrants. The fund helped some 30,000 immigrants from the British Isles, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands reach America- more than one-third of the total Later-day saint immigrants were from Europe during that period. This fund also provided land and all these early saints needed. Much like the people of Ammon needed to be kept physically safe, these early saints needed to be kept spiritually safe, and come to gather with the saints where their testimonies could flourish and Zion could be established.
What a beautiful work that we have the opportunity as Members of Christ's church to be a part of, and what a beautiful witness yet again that Christ's church is the same across time, both in the Bible, The Book of Mormon, and the record of the early saints in the Doctrine and Covenants. I personally can not wait to give of everything that I have in not just time and talents, but also in physical possessions, in order that it may be divided among us; that we may all be equal. What a blessing to be able to have God reveal to you through his prophet, that you have exactly what you need; and that you are not holding back on what you could be giving to the poor and other saints that need help; as it was divided equally among everyone.
And what a wonderful witness these things are to me that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. ( Mormon 9:9 )
I am so thankful to be a member of Christ's church on the earth, and I hope that I can be worthy to be with Him again.
In the name of Jesus Christ.amen.
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