Alma 53

Everyone always points to verses 20-21 in this chapter where it talks about the courage and faith of Helaman's stripling warriors. But I think the key verses are 8-9. In these, Mormon tells us that because of the iniquity and dissensions within the Nephites, the Lamanites had gained much ground and taken control of many cities. For example Mormon says, "And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves, yea, because of dissensions and intrigue among themselves they were placed in the most dangerous circumstances." The same can be said for individuals. When we leave the charted and true courses of righteous living, we can place ourselves in dangerous circumstances. This is something our parents told us in so many ways growing up. "Don't play in the street, it isn't safe." "Those aren't people you want to be with, they can get you in trouble." "Don't stay out too late." I'm sure you can think of your own that you use with your kids. The commandments are no different. Just like kids question the wisdom of the parents because they aren't getting what they want, we often question the wisdom of some commandments (usually the ones we don't want to keep) and ignore the possibility of unseen consequences. And while some say that keeping the commandments takes free agency out of life, I think that it actually increases free agency and makes life much more adventurous. Getting back to the Book of Mormon, if the Nephites had not had their dissensions and iniquity, the stripling warriors would not have been induced to fight in place of their fathers who had taken the oath to never take up arms again.