I read these things:
Nephi’s Thoughts
27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.
30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation. (2 Nephi 4:27-30)
vs
Laman and Lemuel’s Thoughts
2 But behold, their anger did increase against me, insomuch that they did seek to take away my life.
3 Yea, they did murmur against me, saying: Our younger brother thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of him; wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words. For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler; for it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people.
4 Now I do not write upon these plates all the words which they murmured against me. But it sufficeth me to say, that they did seek to take away my life. (2 Nephi 5:2-4)
As I read the two comparisons of these brothers' anger management skills, I thought long and hard about the importance of making every effort to not be angry with my enemies. I could feel in my heart that this was a very important topic. When I brought this idea up for discussion in our class, there were fantastic comments and great feedback on the importance of not being angry with one's enemies. Here are a few of the thoughts that were discussed:
First, why is it a practical thing to not be angry with one's enemy?
If we are not angry with our enemy, then we deflate the opportunity for escalating emotions in many cases. Instead of a "tennis match" of angry actions, blame and accusations, you can end up with peace in your heart while the other does whatever they are going to do with their anger.
We remain healthy psycologically and spiritually.
Second, how can we realistically accomplish this?
We can concentrate on building bridges or at least not burning too many with angry indignation.
We can be cordial in all cases.
We can step back in a heated moment, take a break and come back ready to calmly consider the situation.
Don't let one's pride step in when one's character is being challenged or beat up.
Remember, too, that the atonement is for everyone. So that person or people you might consider enemies now, might forgive/repent and make amends so that you can at least be cordial if not completely get along fantastically in the end.
President Howard W. Hunter taught: “We need a more peaceful world, growing out of more peaceful families and neighborhoods and communities. To secure and cultivate such peace, ‘we must love others, even our enemies as well as our friends.’ … We need to extend the hand of friendship. We need to be kinder, more gentle, more forgiving, and slower to anger. We need to love one another with the pure love of Christ. May this be our course and our desire” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1992, 87; or Ensign, May 1992, 63).
As we discussed things further, we talked about the fact that the Lord told Nephi that his brothers were going to kill him. Laman and Lemuel hated Nephi and their excuse for killing him was that they thought that he wanted to be king over them and they were the oldest and should be the rulers (a topic of the 10th commandment -coveting-came up at this point). Nephi took whoever wanted to go with him and went away from his brothers and the people who were with them and began to thrive. Here is what is recorded of what Nephi and his group did in their area:
10 And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things, according to the law of Moses.
11 And the Lord was with us; and we did prosper exceedingly; for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance. And we began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind.
12 And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written.
13 And it came to pass that we began to prosper exceedingly, and to multiply in the land.
14 And I, Nephi, did take the sword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make many swords, lest by any means the people who were now called Lamanites should come upon us and destroy us; for I knew their hatred towards me and my children and those who were called my people.
15 And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance.
16 And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon’s temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine. 17 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cause my people to be industrious, and to labor with their hands. (2 Nephi 5:10-16)
Living after the Manner of Happiness
One concern that would naturally be brought up is the question, "Do I look weak if I am not angry with my enemies?"
Some answers were:
People who are industrious and prosperous are strong.
If one is happy and hangs on to their self esteem they feel strong.
The person who has let go of the weakening emotion of anger feels strong.
If our energies are turned from blame and revenge, are we more productive and strong?
If God has promised to fight our battles if we turn to Him, are we weak? We can't be.
Instead of being defensive or angry that they had to leave in order to survive, Nephi and his group moved on. It appears that they were happy because they lived the Commandments of God, they had scripture and geneological records, they were hardworking and industrious, they were prepared for danger, and they built a Temple-a place of peace and worship for them. What a distinctive difference from the brothers' attitudes.
The brothers of Nephi, Laman and Lemuel, couldn't leave well enough alone. They claimed to have been worried about Nephi being their ruler and telling them what to do. Yet not long after the split of people, Laman and Lemuel's group came over to battle Nephi's group! So it appears that the anger was just a festering thing for them and as we read further, it doesn't subside much. It actually leads to many wars.
So which way looks like the most productive, happy way to live?
It seems very clear that we have a very good example of how letting go of anger towards our enemies is an essential way to happiness. Many times this takes a great deal of faith in God and his promise to work with us and to help us to accomplish this action. But the example for "living after the manner of happiness" is clear. We need to trust in God and move forward working, loving, serving, and worshipping in order to have the peace in this life that makes it all worthwhile.
http://scriptures.lds.org/2_ne/5/10-17#10
