A story of the courageous vs. the cowardly. What do we learn as we read about the consequences received by the priests and King Noah vs. the consequences for those that tarried with their families when the Lamanites came to attack the Nephites?
It was Noah and the priests that eventually suffered. Although the priests did not receive the full recompense of their actions until later, Noah does suffer death by fire in this chapter, as Abinadi prophesied.
Interestingly, it was those that tarried that received mercy. The courageous men that would not abandon their families had the most hope. What does this say about our families?
Perhaps this chapter explores the consequences of accountability and loyalty. In today's world, we see a lot of fathers and mothers leaving their families, for one reason or another. They want to either run from their problems, or don't want to fix them. Infidelity, lack of "love," alcoholism, and other vices in today's world eventually come to bite us in the butt, so to speak. Perhaps the Lamanites of this story are a similitude of those adverse consequences that come from poor life choices.
What does this insinuate, then? That, although we may not receive the consequences until later (as Noah's priests later in the book), some will suffer now (like Noah). Choosing the right is always the better option. Facing the music is always better, builds character, and even may turn out in our favor. Don't let pride block you from growth.
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