Today the word "anti" is defined as "against or opposed, situated opposite." I learned this week that during the time the prophet Joseph Smith was translating the plates, one of the meanings of the word "anti" was "in the mirror image of."
In Alma, Chapter 23, we learn about a blood-thirsty region of the Land of Nephi where Lamanites listened to the teachings and testimony of Aaron and his bretheren, and were converted. They were convinced, by the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, that the traditions of their fathers had been wrong. They had no more desire to do evil, and thousands covenanted to live peacefully. Knowing of the earlier meaning of the word "anti" makes the choice of names by which the converted Lamanites wished to be called, The Anti-Nephi-Lehies make much more sense. They wanted to emulated their righteous ancestors, to be associated with righteous men, to make themselves over in the mirror image of good examples.
These once murderous Lamanites, wishing to show their God the sincerity of their hearts, buried their swords, their bows and arrows and other weapons of destruction deep in the earth. This commitment did many things; it made them vulnerable to their enemies, showed humility, and demonstrated their complete reliance upon their God for their safety and salvation.
Pondering the sacrifice that the Anti-Nephi-Lehies made as they tossed their weapons of sin into the pit, I wondered; what are we willing to toss into the pit to show our earnestness and commitment?
Most of us have committed to living the Word of Wisdom and tossed harmful practices to our bodies into the pit. We use our Sabbath day to worship God and to learn of his son, Jesus Christ, throwing personal entertainment on Sundays into the pit. We give up some of our earnings to help build Zion, some of our time and talents to build the Kingdom, and come to the aid of our brothers and sisters.
It seems as if today we still have to keep the pit open, and continue to throw little things in all the time. Where anger arises, we have to run to the pit and throw that in. Where pride enters our heart we have to cast that in as well. Just as soon as we empty our hands and hearts of sinful thoughts, Satan is there to try to put something back in.
If you are recognizing the battle, and the continued need to throw things into the pit, you are on the right course! Seeing the constant need to identify and eliminate sin means we are humble enough to be receptive to instruction and correction. Don't despair as you continue to see the need to run to the pit, to repent, and rid yourself of the tools to do evil. It only means that we are being steadfast in the effort to make ourselves over into the mirror image of Him whom we wish to emulate, even Jesus Christ.
