April 28 is National Superhero Day. It is the brainchild of Marvel Comics and was established in 1995.
Perhaps superheroes such as Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman come to mind first when you think about this subject.
But really, it only takes one small act of kindness or bravery to become a superhero yourself. And with online hype, good deeds are becoming much more noticed (from News4Patriots).
I saw the above notice this morning, after having read Alma 48 in the Book of Mormon. This chapter teaches us about a superhero from Ancient America: Captain Moroni.
Moroni was selected to lead all of the armies of the Nephite civilization when he was only twenty-five years old.
Alma also teaches us of a man whom I consider to be the meanest man in the entire Book of Mormon: Amalickiah. He was the exact opposite of Moroni.
Amalickiah was a dissenter from the Nephites, who through his cunning and subtle actions, was able to obtain control over the Lamanites, who were enemies of the Nephites. He was not content to be in control of just the Lamanites, but wanted to bring the Nephite civilization under his evil control as well. He began a hate campaign against the Nephites in order to stir up the Lamanites sufficient to lead them to battle. His only desire was to obtain power over others. He cared not for the lives of his people.
In contrast, while Amalickiah was doing his wickedness, Moroni was preparing his people against the invasion he knew would happen.
First, Moroni prepared the minds of his people to be faithful unto God. Then he began building walls and fortifications to encircle their lands. His objective was to preserve and protect their freedom, their wives and children and their privilege to serve God.
Of this hero, Mormon, who abridged the records of his people over three-hundred years later, wrote concerning Moroni. Here is what he said:
Yea, verily, verily, I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men (Book of Mormon; Alma 48:17).
I remember another of my hero’s, Boyd K. Packer say: “I am not ashamed to say that I want to be good.” He gave the Lord the one thing He would never ask for; his agency. He committed himself to always do what the Lord wanted him to do.
Each of us can do that if we want to. We have the power to bind Satan in our lives. Nephi taught that in the latter-days, there would be those who would do that. Here is what he taught:
And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth (Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 22:26).
No, we don’t have to wear a cape to be a superhero. We simply need to be unselfish, choose to do good, keep the commandments of God and inspire others to do likewise through our example. Let us be like Moroni, a real superhero who yielded his heart to the true and living God.
Merlin Frei
Prosperwithmerlin.com