"And as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred and the tradition of their fathers."
Helaman 5:51
I really like the idea that these people were converted all the way through. They didn't just change their actions, they changed their hearts and feelings as well. Thay laid down their weapons AND their hatred. Throughout the Book of Mormon, even just to this point, we have seen the Lamanites lay down their weapons and depart with a covenant of peace, only to have them, or their descendants, come back later because their whole society is still teaching hatred... but this group stopped hating.
That's often the solution to our own troubles too. We definitely should put down our weapons, or whatever we are using to fight those we hate. Our voices or our keyboards sometimes. It doesn't mean that we shouldn't speak the truth or participate in respectful political discourse (if we can find the respectful kind), but what is does mean is that we have to let go of our hate. We have to realize that hate never helps, or succeeds. It only poisons. The solution is always going to be Christ, and love.
In the chapter above, in the very next verse, the Lamanites give up the lands that they won in the many wars, and give them back to the Nephites. Not in a war, not even in a treaty negotiation. Just because they let go of their hatred. What would our lives look like if we let go of hatred? ... Remember, not just going silent and seething in private. What if we actually just let it go completely? Today, let's find out. Let's ask God to fight the battles that need to be fought, but to help us purge any hatred from our hearts so that we can serve and love and be part of the solution... like these people were. Let's remember that we are on God's side, and that's the only side we need.
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