Covenants of Courage

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

The former President of the United States, John F. Kennedy wrote a book entitled, Profiles in Courage, wherein he told heroic stories of people who exhibited profound courage under great stress and sometimes impossible odds. Through his stories we learn of the elements required for courage.  General George Patton defined courage this way, “Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.” If true, courage is not absent of fear, but persevering through fear for just a while longer.   Perhaps long enough to allow faith to surface and give us additional courage and strength.

Such was the courage of the ancient prophet Daniel, who entered the “lion’s den” but exited triumphantly from what then could be called “Daniel’s den.” Such was the courage of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, also of Daniel’s day, as they entered the “fiery furnace of affliction” and exited unscathed the “fiery furnace of faith and courage.”  Such was the courage of the Apostle Paul who, after so many imprisonments and beatings could say, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;  (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Our meditative verse harkens back to a story from ancient America when 2,000 young men stood up against tyranny while their parents stood up for their Godly covenants.  Having covenanted never to take up arms again, they were being attacked by a ferocious enemy.  So, their sons, who were not part of the original covenant, themselves entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of their families. So strong and valiant were they – so focused on their sense of right and responsibility that, while suffering wounds, not one lost their life in battle while prevailing over the enemy.  Thus, we refer to two thousand “Covenants of Courage.”

Covenants of Courage

And because of their oath they had been kept from taking up arms against their brethren….But behold, it came to pass they had many sons, who had not entered into a covenant that they would not take their weapons of war to defend themselves against their enemies; therefore they did assemble themselves together…. And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, ….and they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.  Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.

Alma 53:11, 16-17, 20-21

They marched into the battle’s fray

Covenanted soldiers, but not just them

Parents too, alongside in spirit each day

Men of God, walking uprightly before Him

The parents had covenanted not to fight

But not so their sons, who battled for liberty

Offering their lives for freedom and right

“Never in bondage,” their motto and decree

Never before and perhaps never since

Was there an army so brave and strong

With swords and spears, and faith intense

Christ they did serve and to Him belong

They were true at all times and places

And in all they were entrusted to do

God’s light shown bright in their faces

All things could they defeat and subdue

Where is such an army today

It is the army of our righteous youth

Millennial soldiers of Christ who obey

And fight for God’s light and truth

Larry Doyle Crenshaw