This Chief Captain prepared his people to defend themselves against their enemies and sought constant guidance from God. He was a man of prayer, and constantly was about preparing the minds of his people to be faithful unto their God. He used strategy and spies in defense of his people. He knew that the intentions of his enemies were to bring his people into bondage and that the only desire his people had was to preserve their lands, their liberties, and their right to worship as they may.
As a leader, he was a motivator, and could inspire his warriors to arms and in battle. He had the ability to make them feel they were doing their duty for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their liberties, their wives, their children and for their rites of worship. He was a humble and loyal servant to the people whom he was appointed to protect and to serve. He would always acknowledge the Lord’s hand in all things and he demonstrated great faith. This Chief Captain was a man who showed compassion and mercy towards his enemies. He was a negotiator, a truce maker, and both a covenant maker and keeper. He was a man of his word while being a no nonsense type of leader. He showed feelings of anger towards those who would not do what was right for the people as a whole. He would always keep his promises by following through with his commitments no matter what the consequences were. He was a leader who led and lived his life with the utmost Integrity.
This artwork is titled “For The Blessings of Liberty”. Moroni wrote the following on a torn piece of his coat and attached it to a pole: “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children”. With it he went forth among the people waiving the rent part of this garment in the air, that all might see the writing which he had written upon the rent part: and crying with a loud voice, saying: “behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them”. The reaction of the people from his words and action was the people came running together with their armor girded about their loins, rendering their garments in token as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God.
By: Douglas L. McDermott
