Alma Chapter 53

53:9-10 - "...yea, because of dissensions and intrigue among themselves they were placed in the most dangerous circumstances..."
With the dissensions and intrigue and iniquity, they were in dangerous circumstances.  We see many examples of people, even today, trying to use secret combinations to get gain and intrigue.  This places them in dangerous circumstances, as well as those around them.
We must live the opposite lifestyle in order to come unto Christ and live in better circumstances.
Iniquity => Total Honesty
Dissension => Unselfishness, Equality
Intrigue => Proper Communication
As we live these opposites, we will see the difference in our lives.


53:15 - "...and Helaman feared lest by so doing they should lose their souls; therefore all those who had entered into this covenant were compelled to behold their brethren wade through their afflictions, in their dangerous circumstances at this time..."
The people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi put their covenants above the problems.  It's an issue of faith.  Do we trust the Lord enough to keep the covenants we make with Him?
These men had made a covenant to not lift up their swords, but were tempted to break the covenant for a seemingly good cause - to help their brethren defend themselves!
We must be careful to not break our own covenants, even if it seems to be for a good cause at the time.  Having that faith will help us to keep the rest of the covenants and commandments and help us develop more faith and obedience.


53:20-21 - "...and they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him..."
These sons of Helaman were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted, because they were taught to keep the commandments, and they did!
We must take their example and keep the commandments.  It's not enough to know that the church is true - we must also be true to the church and the Lord, who is the leader of that church.