"Now there were many, when they heard these words and saw the scalp which was upon the sword, that were struck with fear; and many came forth and threw down their weapons of war at the feet of Moroni, and entered into a covenant of peace. And as many as entered into a covenant they suffered to depart into the wilderness."
Alma 44:15
This is interesting. Moroni asked them to promise to not fight them anymore, and when they covenanted, he believed them, and he let them go. Stuff like that would seem stupid in today's wars. I mean, we break promises lightly, all the time, in today's world. Courts are filled with people telling opposite stories and trying to figure out who is telling the truth... oath or not.
I don't think that it was a religious thing either... I mean, the Lamanites didn't believe, so how could it be a more important promise due to religious reasons? The same thing happens with Nephi and Laban's servant. Nephi grabs him, prevents him from running away, and when he promises to stay with them, he stops worrying about it. If a kidnapper makes someone promise not to escape, is that a binding deal?
Hmm... and it isn't like we don't have examples of promises not kept in the scriptures either... so why the trust? Is it the power of faith mixed in there somewhere... if we believe other people and show our trust for them, does that encourage them to keep their covenants? Or was it a cultural thing where promises meant more to people? Just thinking out loud... but keeping our promises is something we can all think about and work on today. :)
Alma 44:15
This is interesting. Moroni asked them to promise to not fight them anymore, and when they covenanted, he believed them, and he let them go. Stuff like that would seem stupid in today's wars. I mean, we break promises lightly, all the time, in today's world. Courts are filled with people telling opposite stories and trying to figure out who is telling the truth... oath or not.
I don't think that it was a religious thing either... I mean, the Lamanites didn't believe, so how could it be a more important promise due to religious reasons? The same thing happens with Nephi and Laban's servant. Nephi grabs him, prevents him from running away, and when he promises to stay with them, he stops worrying about it. If a kidnapper makes someone promise not to escape, is that a binding deal?
Hmm... and it isn't like we don't have examples of promises not kept in the scriptures either... so why the trust? Is it the power of faith mixed in there somewhere... if we believe other people and show our trust for them, does that encourage them to keep their covenants? Or was it a cultural thing where promises meant more to people? Just thinking out loud... but keeping our promises is something we can all think about and work on today. :)
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