The Title of Liberty

I was going to dash off to the Mad Mac Lab early. Then I trolled a few blogs and you all got me thinking .... of the great debt.... of how tender my heart and feelings are for.... our veterans.
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Thinking of veteran's Day today this scripture popped into my head...
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John15:13
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Also, a story from the book of Mormon came to mind. It's a story about the courage of one man, an ancient, who rose to become a great military leader in defense of his family, his brethren and his homeland - despite his own distaste for bloodshed and war.
He is known as 'Captain Moroni'.
He stood in opposition to a wicked man seeking to destroy the church of God and to destroy the foundation of liberty - which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous sake.
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Moroni was the chief commander of the armies of a peaceable Christian people ...and when he'd heard of the dissention of this one man who was drawing many down with him into iniquity - leading them away to do evil and be the cause of great wickedness, so that he could devide the people, break them and rule over them - Moroni rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it -- In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children -- and he fastened it up the end of a pole. ...and he called it the title of liberty. and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessing of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land -- .
..... He prayed that the cause of the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be favored, ...when he had poured out his soul to God, ... he named all the land - a chosen land, and the land of liberty. And he said: Surely God shall not suffer that we, who are despised because we take upon us the name of Christ, shall be trodden down and destroyed, until we bring it upon us by our own transgressions. And when Moroni had said these words he went forth among the people... the story explains a little history and Moroni's inspiration behind the title of liberty. In rallying his people he reminded them of their linage and that they were a remnant of the seed of Jacob and also of Joseph, who's coat of many colors was rent by his brethren into many pieces; 'yea, and now behold, let us remember to keep the commandments of God, or our garments shall be rent by our brethren, and we be cast into prison, or be sold, or be slain.
. It was an anguishing time, for Moroni and his people looked upon their adversary and saw a fallen brethren persecuting them, for taking upon them, the name of Christ...
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.Sure. I know. You're probably thinking about all the horrible, horrible atrocities committed in the name of "Christianity" and that all who fight a cause may not be Christian at all... I'd say to that, let's not digress here, as I'm not quite done with telling my story, and I'll give you this; I'm always suspicious of anyone saying 'God told me to wage war with you'. However, the remarkable thing about Captain Moroni is his faithful, wise, and merciful heart - the story goes on to detail how, through prayer and the exercise of his faith, he was given over to extrodinary skill and knowledge in defending, the title of liberty shall we say, through fortification of the cities and the preperation of protective armerment for his men and strategic planning in gaining the upper hand over the adversary in selection and placement of his people on the potential battle fields - I say potential, because Captain Moroni is on record as giving the 'enemy' an opportunity to lay down their weopons and to covenant to never wage war with his people again. Those that did so, were allowed to leave the battlefield in peace, and return to their homes and their families. Those that refused were thus engaged.
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A heartfelt salute to all those who've answered the call to defend 'the title of liberty' and my ferverant prayers are likewise, thus engaged, for all those standing firmly on the potential battlefield this day and always - making those difficult and oft' times split second decisions between life and death - may they all find their peace....
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I am humbled and greatful beyond words for their love and their sacrafices.
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Now off to school on a wing and that prayer of mine.....