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Center of Our Lands

 "Center of our lands" What does that phrase mean to you? To me, it means home, my property, the place that I own, the land that is mine. 

When the Gadianton robbers were growing and their influence of corruption was spreading, their greed was growing at the same time. Giddianhi, the leader of the Gadianton robbers wrote an epistle, a letter, to the governor of the Nephites, Lachoneus. He was making a lot of crazy claims, but he was asking that the Nephites just peacefully hand over their lands to them. That way, the Gadianton robbers would have what "rightfully" belonged to them and there would be no bloodshed. Lachoneus was taken back by this request and desired to go to the Gadianton robbers and fight them. The prophet during this time, Gidgiddoni, prayed unto the Lord for direction in what they should do. I found the Lord's response to be very applicable to the world today. 

"But Gidgiddoni saith unto them: The Lord forbid; for if we should go up against them the Lord would deliver us into their hands; therefore we will prepare ourselves in the center of our lands, and we will gather all our armies together, and we will not go against them, but we will wait till they shall come against us; therefore as the Lord lived, if we do this he will deliver them into our hands." -3 Nephi 3: 21

The Nephites were not supposed to go looking for a fight; because of their righteousness, the fight would inevitably come to them. Instead, the Lord counseled them to prepare. "...we will prepare ourselves in the center of our lands..." He wanted them to strengthen themselves for battle in their own homes. In these latter days, wickedness abounds all around. It will eventually come to the doors of our homes. If we are not prepared to defend our homes then it will have an easy time coming in. 

I often find myself wondering "should I go and say something" or "is there something that I should go and do". After reading this scripture I realized I have been wondering about the wrong thing. I don't need to go looking for a fight. I don't need to go find a situation where I can stand up for the Lord. The fight will eventually come to the center of my lands. Will I be ready for it? That is where my focus should be, preparing my home and at home with my family, so we can fight off the wickedness that will come. I, for one, would like my home, my family, and myself to be ready for that battle. 

"And they did fortify themselves against their enemies; and they did dwell in one land, and in one body, and they did fear the words which had been spoken by Lachoneus, insomuch that they did repent of all their sins; and they did put up their prayers unto the Lord their God, that he would deliver them in the time that their enemies should come down against them to battle." -3 Nephi 3:25

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