23 Now when the Lamanites saw that their brethren would not flee from the sword, neither would they turn aside to the right hand or to the left, but that they would lie down and perish, and praised God even in the very act of perishing under the sword—
24 Now when the Lamanites saw this they did forbear from slaying them; and there were many whose hearts had swollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they repented of the things which they had done What a scene this must have been! What a gambit of emotions must have been poured out in such a short period of time. For the attacking Lamanites, first hate and bloodthirsty anger. Then likely rejoicing that their plan was succeeding without any opposition. Then perhaps confusion at why the people did not run or even try to move out of the way of the sword. Then perhaps confusion giving way to awe and unbelief as they watched the people praising God in gratitude while being massacred, and in the very act of perishing from this mortal life! And finally, those hardened hearts, those angry, murderous hearts, were miraculously softened as they realized what they were doing— killing their own brothers, even brothers who refused to lift a sword in their own defense. The war was won- not by the sword, but by love. The Anti-Nephi-Lehis were actually victorious over their enemies even though many lost their lives. The were victorious over the enemies of hate and anger and vengeance and unforgiving hearts and all sin and darkness. Just as Brother Joseph said to his mother Lucy as she wept upon seeing her children’s lifeless bodies laid out after their martyrdom, that he had “overcome the world by love”, these people of God, deserving of that glorious title, had overcome all their enemies, external and internal, by love. And in so doing saved not only themselves by their faith in Christ, but saved many of their brethren too. They gave their lives, and in so doing saved the lives of many. What greater love? There is none, save that of the Father and the Son.
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