“Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”

I think this is good advice, coming straight from our Savior himself.    We are heading into a time of trials.  For me, this last 4 Years have been very difficult.  I am not expecting the next 4 to be any better.  In fact, I am expected things to get much worse.
I am not a very Religious man.  But I am a Spiritual one.  I believe in God, and I believe in the Gospel according to the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I am a Mormon and proud to be so.  Even though I am not a very good one.  I do not attend church very often.  More like, hardly at all.  But the Spiritual side of me is telling me that it’s time to go back.

Warning – Religious Post Here.

I flipped open the Scriptures the other day and fanned though the pages, stopped at random section and started to read.  I had stopped at the Book of Omni, in the Book of Mormon.  Chapter 1.  Normally the whole book of Omni is universally ignored for being rather useless… But this struck a cord in me.

1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Omni, being commanded by my father, Jarom, that I should write somewhat upon ^athese plates, to preserve our genealogy—

 2 Wherefore, in my days, I would that ye should know that I fought much with the sword to preserve my people, the Nephites, from falling into the hands of their enemies, the Lamanites. But behold, I of myself ^aam a wicked man, and I have not kept the statutes and the commandments of the Lord as I ought to have done.

 3 And it came to pass that two hundred and seventy and six years had passed away, and we had many seasons of peace; and we had many ^aseasons of serious war and bloodshed. Yea, and in fine, two hundred and eighty and two years had passed away, and I had kept these plates according to the ^bcommandments of my ^cfathers; and I ^dconferred them upon my son Amaron. And I make an end.

 4 And now I, Amaron, write the things whatsoever I write, which are few, in the book of my father.

What struck me is that I can relate with Omni.  First off, that’s the coolest name in the whole book.  Second, take a look at this guy.  He’s a Warrior.  A bad to the bone Sheep Dog of the highest order.  He’s spent his life fighting for his people.  He admits he is not as good of a person as he knows he should be… No one is perfect, and being a warrior has done some horrific stuff for the greater good of his loved ones.  Yet he is humble enough to acknowledge his failing there and to do what he was commanded to do by his father… probably another prophet…  He kept the Plates safe, recorded what he felt he must, and passed them down to his Son.  I find this section fascinating.  Swords and Scriptures, with some Faith and Humility.   I think these are the things that we are going to be needing in the days to come.

Arm yourselves, keep your faith – whatever faith that is, listen to the Prophets, and prepare.