Alma 61 (The end of verse 9 is quoted in the title)
Pahoran understands the source, the terms and conditions of the freedom that he had been called upon to protect.
(BT – There is more to be internalized from these verses, but the day requires my attentions elsewhere. I feel that I am understanding now the actions that I have already taken, and why they were significant. This is about freedom and fighting for freedom.)
Flattering Words
The origin of the word “flatter” is Germanic and is related to the stroke, or the idea of making smooth, or smoothing out something. The word by very definition means to give insincere praise with the purpose of advancing one’s own objectives or purposes.
Doctrine and Covenants 10 (particularly verses 10 -41) give a detailed account of Satan’s efforts to destroy the work of God through flattery. He persuades people to lie because they think that they are being lied to.
It is also interesting to note that those dissenters from among the Nephites, who established a king over the land of Zarahemla thought in their hearts that they could safely enter into an alliance with the Lamanites for protection with the hope of becoming king over all the land of the Nephites. (See verse 8)
These motives of those who have risen in rebellion are no different than any other rebellion against the righteous.
The Will of God
In later verses, Pahoran talks of being subjected to the yoke of bondage if it were required of the justice of God (see vs. 12). But then he goes on to say that this is not the desires of God that the land in which they had been established be taken away from them.
I find myself asking these same questions right now. In our current circumstances, what is the will of God here, now?