Here are some very late comments on my studies of the end of Alma! Have I said that I love this book yet?!?! :D
In Alma 59:9 "And now as Moroni had supposed that there ^ashould be men sent to the city of Nephihah, to the assistance of the people to maintain that city, and knowing that it was easier to keep the city from falling into the hands of the Lamanites than to retake it from them, he supposed that they would easily maintain that city" (italics added).  When I read this I thought of how much easier it is to follow the commandments and be obedient than it is to fall and have to repent and work our way back to the top. I don't remember who said it but someone said 'its easier to be 100% obedient than 90% obedient' or something to that effect.
Another chapter I really like was Alma 62:40-41 (vs. 41) "But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their ^aafflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility." How do we take our 'afflictions' do we just kind of roll with the punches? Do we take them with bitterness and become even more bitter after each trial or do we live and learn with a humble heart and positive attitude. I'd like to say I'm always the humble type learning from all of my experiences and being grateful for them but...that is something I could definitely work on. Sometimes I think its hard to stay positive during the trying times and we forget that everything we go through is for our good and learning. I hope we can all strive to learn from our challenges and become better and stronger because of them. Let us be like those who "were softened because of their afflictions" and let us humble ourselves before God. Though I may not appreciate my trials at the time they happened I can now say that I am so grateful for the experiences I have had in my life and for the opportunities Heavenly Father has given me to become a stronger, better disciple, and daughter of God.

:( Alma is almost over!

Ok so its been a minute since I've written and I just want to touch on a few things that stood out to me as I have been reading the last few weeks. Soo much good stuff! Where to start...ok so kind of tying it back into my last post; Moroni prepared his people and it worked. But he didn't stop there. The next chapters (48-55ish) are filled with how Moroni continued to strengthen and fortify the people. I love this because he had found something that worked and that protected them from the Lamanites and yet he continued to prepare because he knew that his people could & must become stronger. He understood that preparation is not simply a one time thing but something that must be continued like enduring to the end, but not just enduring but enduring well. So just because we've prepared ourselves (against Satan, temptations, weaknesses, our enemies/anything that will/can keep us from God) and succeeded once doesn't mean we're good to go or should be content. But that we must continue to prepare/strengthen and fortify ourselves against the enemy. Always staying two or three steps ahead. Being content is a false sense of security and a dangerous state of being. -Random tangent: Satan tries to lull us into a sense of security and contentment because it keeps us from progressing. When we are 'content where we're at' we've stopped our progression and are missing out on things that the Lord is simply waiting to bless us with. So if we feel content with the knowlege and other things that we have (spiritual) something is wrong and we need to take another look and change something.

Ah too much I want to say and not enough time to say it all!!! Um...Moroni is AmAzInG! LoVe him! Alma 48:16-17!

Helaman and his army (the 2000 stripling worriars) so amazing! Their faith, dilligence and commitment to be obedient is phenomenal and as you read chapters 56-58 you will see just how blessed they are for that faith and obedience. They are described as not doubting, having exceeding faith, great faith, fixed determination and more. They are amazing.

I love the scriptures! I learn so much from them as I read them and study them with prayer. I am so grateful to the Lord and 'His great goodness'! I wish I could say more but as I said time is not on my side. Have a wonderful day!!