Bury the Weapons for Peace

Alma 24:

19-And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace.

They were truly converted. The would not break their covenants even on pain of death.
In the play, A Man for All Seasons, Sir Thomas Moore, who would soon have his head removed because of a refusal to compromise his principles, said, When a man takes an oath, he's holding his own self in his own hands, like water, and if he opens his fingers then--he needn't hope to find himself again (p. 81) Your character is founded on your ability to keep your word.
The second part of this verse is really what stands out to me. Here are people who are about to be attacked, unjustly. They know they can fight back and protect themselves but they bury their weapons for peace. What are our "weapons of war"?

pride, sarcasm, humor at the expense of another, defensiveness, anger, taking offense, holding grudges, etc ??
Are these not things that can cause contention between ourselves and another. Could we not "bury" these things for peace?? Sometimes we would be totally justified, as these Lamanites were, in picking up those weapons and defending ourselves. But is it always the right thing? Even if we are justified. I think most would agree that Christ would have been justified in defending himself- but he chose his battles. We need to choose our battles as well.
In this chapter, over 1000 people are murdered. But also in this chapter, because of those deaths over 2000 are converted and choose to change their lives. I'm not saying it's always the right choice to be passive, but sometimes we have to surrender a battle to win our war. We have to bury our "weapons" for peace.

Mysteries of God

Alma 12:9-10

And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according the the heed and diligence which they give unto him.

And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.

I love in verse 9 Alma explains that there are those who know the mysteries of God but they are under strict command not to discuss their experiences unless moved to do so my the Holy Spirit. They are only to share that which the Lord commands in order to help another. Boyd K. Packer says,
"There are some things just too sacred to discuss: not secret, but sacred; not to be discussed, but to be harbored and protected and regarded with the deepest of reverence. There are many difficult questions, including some that we will not be able to answer, and many things are to be taken on faith....I have come to believe also that it is not wise to continually talk of unusual spiritual experiences. They are to be guarded with care and shared only when the Spirit itself prompts us to use them to the blessing of others... I heard President Romney once counsel mission presidents and their wives in Geneva. "I do not tell all I know. I have never told my wife all I know, for I found out that if I talked too lightly of sacred things, thereafter the Lord would not trust me." Ensign, Jan 1983, 53)

In verse 10 Alma tells us how we each can have our own sacred spiritual experiences and eventually know the mysteries of God. By softening our hearts and being teachable and faithful in all things we will learn a little bit at a time until we eventually know all the Lord has to teach us. Once we have gained our personal knowledge we must hold it sacred and use that knowledge under the direction of the Holy Ghost.

I will not recall my words

Mosiah 17:9-10

This chapter ties to the few previous. Abinadi is a prophet of God. He has come to call king Noah and his people to repentance. They are not following the laws of God and are angry with Abinadi for calling them out. He is arrested and brought before the king and his priests. He teaches about Christ and his atonement. The priests accuse him of blasphemy in his assertion that Christ will be among men. One Priest, Alma, believes the words of Abinadi and asks the king to spare his life. This makes the king angry and he sends out men to kill Alma. Alma hides and is not harmed. The priests of Noah tell Abinidi that he will be put to death unless he recalls his words against their people.

Abinadi says these words to king Noah:

9. Now Abinadi said unto him: I say unto you, I will not recall the words which I have spoken unto you concerning this people, for they are true; and that ye may know of their surety I have suffered myself that I have fallen into your hands.

10. Yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not recall my words, and they shall stand as a testimony against you. And if ye slay me ye will shed innocent blood, and this shall also stand as a testimony against you at the last day.

At this King Noah gets scared and is on the verge of freeing Abinidi but his evil priests stir up the King's pride and Abinidi is sentenced to death by fire. I LOVE these chapters. That sounds maybe a little gruesome but Abinadi is my favorite prophet in the Book Of Mormon. His courage, testimony, and integrity are incredible. He walks into a city where everyone hates him, he preaches of Christ and tells the highest ranking government official that he is wicked and needs to repent. He teaches of the atonement and love of Christ and begs them to be humble and repent. He is offered a way out of his punishment but on pain of death he refuses to retract his words because they are true. He has such faith in the Lord and in his divine calling. He had strength, "yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not recall my words..."