Rash decisions.

Helaman 1-2

Something struck me as I was reading these chapters about war.
How quick and rash we make decisions.
Sometimes when we make them to quick, it is to our detriment.

But when we take the time to really think about what we are doing, right things happen.

In chapter 2, one of Helaman's servants had been out by night in disguise--and had heard of the plans for Kishkumen to come to the judgement seat the next day where Helaman, the chief judge was. When Kishkumen saw him the next day, and the servant gave him the 'sign', Kishkumen told him all of his plans...to murder Helaman.

"And when the servant of Helaman had known all the heart of Kishkumen, and how that it was his object to murder...the servant of Helaman said unto Kishkumen: Let us go forth unto the judgement seat. Now this did please Kishkumen...for he did suppose that he should accomplish his design, but behold...the servant of Helaman, as they were going forth unto the judgement seat, did stab Kishkumen even to the heart, that he fell dead without a groan". (2: 8-9).

Reading these verses just makes me think of how this servant of Helaman was not 'quick' to make his decision...he thought about it...he probably took all night to plan, and then the next day was very careful about how it was to be done. That this wicked man could be killed so he would not harm the chief judge. And maybe if he hadn't thought it through, Kishkumen may have found out that he was in disguise, and then killed him, and then who knows what would have happened after that....Helaman's life would not have been spared. A righteous man who brought gospel knowledge to his posterity. And then where would we be today?

And I relate it to me, right now.

I need to think things through more clearly.

Like what I buy.
Like what I eat.
Like how I spend my time.
Like how quickly I let my mind wander-sometimes to unrighteous things.

And how much I need to be like the servant of Helaman, and slow down a little.

Take time.