President Russell M. Nelson is inviting us all to enlist in the Lord’s battalion. Our role as parents is excitingly important. We are the Generals; the ones responsible to properly train and equip the soldiers. The battle is real, the enemy is vicious and ruthless. Our children are counting on us to stay courageous, stay focused, and stay connected. It’s imperative that we do our part. We hold in our hands the provisions they require to be properly prepared for the combat they must endure. This war is not a new conflict, it’s been around since the war in heaven. The intensity is increasing, and our role, as parents is vital.

“A year and a half ago, President Russell M. Nelson spoke of the need “to teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation.” That phrase–“a sin-resistant generation”–struck a deep spiritual chord within me.

We honor children who strive to live pure and obedient lives. I have witnessed the strength of many children throughout the world. They stand resilient, “steadfast and immovable” in a variety of challenging circumstances and environments. These children understand their divine identity, feel Heavenly Father’s love for them, and seek to obey His will.

However, there are children who struggle to stand “steadfast and immovable” and whose delicate minds are being wounded. They are being attacked on every side by “the fiery darts of the adversary” and are in need of reinforcement and support. They are an overwhelming motivation for us to step up and wage a war against sin in our effort to bring our children unto Christ.” -Joy D. Jones

Every time I read Alma 60, I feel like it’s an epistle to parents, referring to the spiritual war that is raging in our children’s lives. It’s a letter of warning of what will happen to them if we don’t do our part, or maybe, it’s a letter of their spirits screaming at us now, because they need more. Maybe we aren’t doing enough. They are worried about our complacency and ignorance. They are at war, and need our help!

As I read it I can feel them pleading with us to help them. Asking us “Where are you? You were supposed to arm us with all forms of weapons and protections so that we could battle the evil armies that were inevitably going to attack. We don’t have sufficient supplies. The spiritual slaughter has been great, and the suffering severe. We have suffered from loss of faith and hope. All of this is because of your complacency! We need you to focus on leading us, we need the power of Christ in our lives. Help us!

Alma 60:2 For behold, I have somewhat to say unto them by the way of condemnation; for behold, ye yourselves know that ye have been appointed to gather together men, and arm them with swords, and with cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war of every kind, and send forth against the Lamanites, in whatsoever parts they should come into our land.

3 And now behold, I say unto you that myself, and also my men, and also Helaman and his men, have suffered exceedingly great sufferings; yea, even hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and all manner of afflictions of every kind.

4 But behold, were this all we had suffered we would not murmur nor complain.

5 But behold, great has been the slaughter among our people; yea, thousands have fallen by the sword, while it might have otherwise been if ye had rendered unto our armies sufficient strength and succor for them. Yea, great has been your neglect towards us.

It continues…. Where have you been? What have you been doing? Are your friends and appointments that important, that it is worth leaving us on the battle field unprepared? Did you think you could just let us watch tv, and play video games so that you could escape your responsibilities? You could have spent this time teaching us, building our faith, and strengthening our hearts. Instead, you have withheld your knowledge from those of us who were counting on you. We waited for your instruction and guidance so that we could make it through the battle field spiritually alive, but instead you left us without courage, or shields, or enough food and living water to sustain us.

Alma 60:6 And now behold, we desire to know the cause of this exceedingly great neglect; yea, we desire to know the cause of your thoughtless state.

7 Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your brethren–

8 Yea, even they who have looked up to you for protection, yea, have placed you in a situation that ye might have succored them, yea, ye might have sent armies unto them, to have strengthened them, and have saved thousands of them from falling by the sword.

9 But behold, this is not all–ye have withheld your provisions from them, insomuch that many have fought and bled out their lives because of their great desires which they had for the welfare of this people; yea, and this they have done when they were about to perish with hunger, because of your exceedingly great neglect towards them.

Continues… Did you think it was acceptable to enjoy the pleasures of life, instead of passing on what the Lord has given you? He gave your parents the tools, and your parents strengthened you. Did you think we would survive without the same instructions and fortification? Our spiritual demise will be on your shoulders because you didn’t follow through with you responsibilities, you left us out here on our own.

Alma 60:9 But behold, this is not all–ye have withheld your provisions from them, insomuch that many have fought and bled out their lives because of their great desires which they had for the welfare of this people; yea, and this they have done when they were about to perish with hunger, because of your exceedingly great neglect towards them.

10 And now, my beloved brethren–for ye ought to be beloved; yea, and ye ought to have stirred yourselves more diligently for the welfare and the freedom of this people; but behold, ye have neglected them insomuch that the blood of thousands shall come upon your heads for vengeance; yea, for known unto God were all their cries, and all their sufferings–

11 Behold, could ye suppose that ye could sit upon your thrones, and because of the exceeding goodness of God ye could do nothing and he would deliver you? Behold, if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain.

Continues… We need your help now!! The battle is severe, the enemy is fierce. If we could unite and pull all of our strength together we can beat them. But they are upon us and the slaughter is great. They are devouring us spiritually, murdering, kidnapping, all forms of captivity, all because they want the power over us. 

Alma 60:17 17 But behold, now the Lamanites are coming upon us, taking possession of our lands, and they are murdering our people with the sword, yea, our women and our children, and also carrying them away captive, causing them that they should suffer all manner of afflictions, and this because of the great wickedness of those who are seeking for power and authority, yea, even those king-men.

Continues…  Have you forgotten the war that you faced? Have you forgotten your mistakes and the pressures that were placed upon you? Have you forgotten the Lord’s mercy as you pleaded for forgiveness and vowed to be strong? Have you forgotten your responsibility to raise us in faith? The enemy is stronger than ever, they are more determined than ever, you can’t ignore your responsibility! We need you. Our spiritual slaughter is great!

Alma 60:19 Or is it that ye have neglected us because ye are in the heart of our country and ye are surrounded by security, that ye do not cause food to be sent unto us, and also men to strengthen our armies?

20 Have ye forgotten the commandments of the Lord your God? Yea, have ye forgotten the captivity of our fathers? Have ye forgotten the many times we have been delivered out of the hands of our enemies?

21 Or do ye suppose that the Lord will still deliver us, while we sit upon our thrones and do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for us?

22 Yea, will ye sit in idleness while ye are surrounded with thousands of those, yea, and tens of thousands, who do also sit in idleness, while there are thousands round about in the borders of the land who are falling by the sword, yea, wounded and bleeding?

23 Do ye suppose that God will look upon you as guiltless while ye sit still and behold these things? Behold I say unto you, Nay. Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also.

It just keeps going, the begging for help. I can feel the declaration that this our responsibility. We, as parents can change the direction of the spiritual battle that our children face. We need to put our own lives in order, we need to get our weapons sharp, so that we can go out and reinforce them. We need to fortify our homes, where they are a place of peace and faith; a refuge from the storm. We can change it now! They need our provisions! 

Start today! Let’s have family home evening, family prayer and scriptures, pray daily for your kids, talk to them, lead them, guide them, walk beside them, believe in them. If we don’t repent, change our ways, and fortify our homes, the same destruction will come upon us as well. The enemy is strong, and they will spiritually destroy us.

Alma 60:29 Behold it is time, yea, the time is now at hand, that except ye do bestir yourselves in the defence of your country and your little ones, the sword of justice doth hang over you; yea, and it shall fall upon you and visit you even to your utter destruction.

“As members of the Church, we are engaged in a mighty conflict. We are at war. We have enlisted in the cause of Christ to fight against Lucifer. …

“The great war that rages on every side and which unfortunately is resulting in many casualties, some fatal, is no new thing. …

“Now there neither are nor can be any neutrals in this war.”

Today the war continues with increased intensity. The battle touches us all, and our children are on the front lines facing the opposing forces. Thus, the need intensifies for us to strengthen our spiritual strategies.

Fortifying children to become sin-resistant is a task and a blessing for parents, grandparents, family members, teachers, and leaders. We each bear responsibility to help. However, the Lord has specifically instructed parents to teach their children “to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost” and “to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.” -Bruce R. McConkie (43 years ago)