Swollen with Joy (Sep 20, 2024)

 From 4 yrs ago, but posting again! Because, Star Wars!

Okay, I COULDN’T help but compare 3 Ne. 3-4 to STAR WARS. Giddianhi/Vader vs. Lachoneus/Luke?! Dark Side vs. Light Side?

FLATTERING

Vader: Luke, you do not yet realize your importance. You’ve only begun to discover your power.

Giddianhi: I… do give unto you exceedingly great praise; ye do stand well in defense

TAUNTING

Emperor: Oh no, my young Jedi, you will find that it is YOU who is mistaken- about a great many things! —Young fool!

Giddianhi: It seemeth a pity unto me, most noble Lachoneus, that ye should be so foolish & vain

HUNTING

Emperor: Perhaps you refer to the imminent attack of your Rebel fleet... An entire legion of my best troops awaits them.

Giddianhi: ...many brave men who are at my command...do await with great anxiety for the word—Go down upon the Nephites & destroy them.

RECRUITING

Vader: It is your destiny! Join me, & together, we can rule the galaxy as father & son! Come with me. It is the only way.

Giddianhi: Yield yourselves up unto us, & unite with us & become acquainted with our secret works, & become our brethren that ye may be like unto us...our brethren & partners.

THREATS

Emperor: If you will not be turned, you will be destroyed! It is unavoidable. It is your destiny. You... are now mine!

Giddianhi: If ye will not do this, I swear unto you with an oath...that my armies...shall slay you...until ye shall become extinct.

Well NOT TODAY, SATAN!

Luke: Never! I’ll never turn to the Dark Side. You have failed, your highness. I am a Jedi, like my father before me.

Lachoneus: Was a just man, & could not be frightened by the demands & the threatenings of a robber; therefore he did not hearken to Giddianhi...but he did cause that his people should cry unto the Lord for strength.

Luke wins.
The Nephites win.
Yes, there’s praying, fortifying, guarding, waiting, battles, & darkness along the way, but in the end, LIGHT WINS.💫

“Their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies” (3 Ne. 4:33)

“We are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Rom 8:37)