Bringing out the Good

In Mosiah 19, we read of Gideon, the great defender of righteousness who lived at the time of wicked King Noah.

From the time we first read about King Noah, one would think that the entire group of people under Noah's reign supported him and his wickedness and that his dissenters were few and far between. Perhaps the people feared Noah so much that they didn’t dare raise a voice, let alone a sword, against him. Then Alma. who perhaps at first was himself a “closet Christian”, came along,and he was awakened to the truth by Abinidi.

Then we read of Gideon, and we also learn that there was indeed a great division among the army of King Noah - some who supported Noah and his wickedness and some who did not. Perhaps Abinidi and Alma awakened the sleeping giants among the people of King Noah. Through their words, actions, and examples, the people gained courage to come forth and stand for what they believed in their hearts was true all along. After all, just a short time earlier, under Zeniff, the people had supported righteousness and acknowledged the Lord's hand in their victories and successes (Mosiah 9:16-18). All that was needed to bring out this righteous movement was an Abinidi or Alma who would boldly stand for truth.

It is true today. Though there is much wickedness around, there is also much that is good. People are basically good and have seeds of righteousness in them. But some people's faith is weak. They need the support and encouragement of those stronger in the faith to rally them and lead them. Not all can be or should be leaders. But those who can lead should set the example and bring out the closet believers, the sleeping giants.