I am hearing the phrase often lately regarding seeking to understand another person's "point of view." Generally, that is good advice, but in our current society it is often fruitless. Can you imagine Captain Moroni sitting down to discuss "points of view" when his nation was being seriously threatened by those determined to destroy their liberty? I was stunned after my most recent study of the Book of Mormon to see so many similarities in our society regarding the usurping of our freedoms. Yes, we are commanded to love our enemies, but we must also stand boldly and courageously for truth, our constitution, and our freedoms. I liked the outcome of the story in this article, but I don't think I would have encouraged my husband to go to a potentially dangerous place where he may have ended up losing his life.
Tawna F.November 11, 2020
Thank you so much for sharing this example of making the choice to choose to be kind, even when fear or anger might seem justified (in the rabbi's case) - a reminder of how we can choose the higher and more Christlike way. Reminds me of the scripture Alma 31:5 where the preaching of the word (in a spirit of sincere love and brotherhood) had "a more powerful effect on the minds of the people than the sword or anything else." I think that examples of kindness and love - when you can tell it is sincere,is how God helps us to change hearts. Anger and hate never help change people for the better. Thanks for sharing this timely reminder!
Becky DouglasNovember 11, 2020
Richard, Aaahhh!! Your comment panicked me. We are always so grateful for readers that keep us all honest! I went to your reference to TIME Magazine but unfortunately was only able to get the first few lines, since I am not a subscriber. My husband and I tore our library apart the night I wrote this article, looking for the book of Inspirational Jewish stories that inspired it. I had literally copied the story for an Education Week talk, but unfortunately, the author’s name was cut off in the footnotes. Hopefully a reader will recognize her telling of the story and write me, allowing me to give proper credit to the real author. We also searched the internet for the name of the book I had once owned and once again, came up empty handed. I did today read the following articles and get all the same details (many of them word for word) for this story. These articles included New York Times, Lessons from a Rabbi Who Knows Hate and Forgiveness (Jan 4, 2009); another version from the Queens Gazette (Oct 29, 2008), and another from Robertglazier.com (Feb 21, 2019). The Queens Chronicle (Oct. 30, 2008) has the account of the rings story (not contained in the other articles). All elements of the story with the exception of the synagogue praying are in these versions. An entire book called, Not By the Sword, has been written by Katherine Watterson about this story. I have ordered a copy and fully expect to find the last element in this book.
I have learned from doing my own interviews with the press that my words are edited tremendously by the editors. Some interviews for TV are edited down from a 30-minute interview to a 5-minute piece! Given the TIMES orientation, it is no surprise to me that the spiritual elements of this story did not make the article.
Bruce BartonNovember 10, 2020
Nice story with a happy ending. But life isn’t always that way, and not because we don’t try. For example, remember in the story Rabbi Michael wasn’t so “nice” with Nazi Larry at first. In fact, he may never have been nice to Larry without his wife’s continuing counsel. A shout-out to good wives. But what if Larry had not changed after the rabbi was nice to him? Then what? Would the story still have a happy ending? Yes, in part. Because Rabbi Michael changed. You see, sometimes in life, to "win," you don’t always need a win-win ending. You just need to change yourself—to be a better self. Remember, we stand alone when we stand before God.
RichardNovember 10, 2020
Well written article but seems to be overly embellished and miraculousized when compared with a first persons interview with Larry Trapp and Michael Weisser By Daniel S. Levy/Lincoln Monday, Feb. 17, 1992 published in Time Magazine.
ChristianNovember 9, 2020
Great article. Kathy and Steve, perhaps you could love until you see evidence of your concerns.
Christ asked/commanded us to love; who is telling you to hate?
Becky DouglasNovember 9, 2020
Kathy, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and for reminding us all of courageous Captain Moroni! He is one of my favorite prophets and a great source of personal inspiration. I love how he so often tried to reclaim and rehabilitate the Lamanites. I also love how Moroni, a man of impeccable honesty and unassailable morality, never vilified the Lamanites, but referred to them continually as "our brethren, the Lamanites", as a reminder to everyone in that war that they were all literally from the same parentage.
This same respect was afforded to the Lamanites later in the Book of Mormon by his remarkable namesake, Moroni, the son of Mormon. This Moroni also not only often characterized the Lamanites as "our brethren", but he also spent his life trying to guard the plates, all while being hunted down by the Lamanites. He informs us that they had killed his father and all his family members. Yet, still he sacrificed greatly so that the descendants of the Lamanites, his enemies, would have the ability to learn of Jesus and His Atoning sacrifice and love for them. All this sacrifice was not for his OWN descendants, but for the descendants of those who were his enemies. Truly there has never been a book brought forth by so much personal sacrifice and love than the Book of Mormon!
I completely agree with you that there are times to push back! I don't think anyone would ever think that Moroni failed to push back against evil. He choose to fight it, as his father had given his life doing. I believe there is a choice in the way we push back. I believe if we do it with love, we bring the power of the Savior into the equation.
I hope one day I can look back and say that I tried my best to be like both great Moroni's in the Book of Mormon. I know I fall far, far short, but I'm so grateful for their examples that inspire me to want to be better!
LewisNovember 9, 2020
While I have heard this story before, it is a powerful message to all of us. It is particularly important now as we come together as a country to heal, unify and move forward to address real challenges. It is a gentle reminder of the Savior's admonition to "love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven." I greatly, GREATLY, appreciate your reminding us of the importance of love, forgiveness and compassion.
Peppi McIntoshNovember 9, 2020
I agree there is a time to fight, but it is only after we have done all we can. You will never change someone else's mind with retaliation or anger or hate. I have seen the powered that returning love for hate can have. It truly has the potential to turn enemies into friends. Friends are more likely to stand up for our rights and help protect them.
kathy FlinnNovember 9, 2020
Yes, we are to love one another...…but when there are secret combinations trying to destroy our liberties, we have NO choice but to push back! SAD..... but true!
Remember Moroni's title of liberty!
Steve ZeiglerNovember 9, 2020
Eventually the Nephites acquiesced to the Gadiantons. Again, can good compromise with evil and stay good? Can we allow overt corruption to stand and assume everything will be ok because we want to get along? There is a time for people to stand up for what is right and good in our country and not give in to the temptation to get along at any price. Since this won't be printed, know that it is for you editors of your mostly wonderful organization. Wake up and help us keep our constitutional republic.
Pat ChildersNovember 9, 2020
A heartfelt compassionate and inspiring story, with pictures to boot. There are many such stories abounding; however, opposition is much more prominent. Hurrah for LOVE!
Comments | Return to Story
Maryann TaylorNovember 16, 2020
I am hearing the phrase often lately regarding seeking to understand another person's "point of view." Generally, that is good advice, but in our current society it is often fruitless. Can you imagine Captain Moroni sitting down to discuss "points of view" when his nation was being seriously threatened by those determined to destroy their liberty? I was stunned after my most recent study of the Book of Mormon to see so many similarities in our society regarding the usurping of our freedoms. Yes, we are commanded to love our enemies, but we must also stand boldly and courageously for truth, our constitution, and our freedoms. I liked the outcome of the story in this article, but I don't think I would have encouraged my husband to go to a potentially dangerous place where he may have ended up losing his life.
Tawna F.November 11, 2020
Thank you so much for sharing this example of making the choice to choose to be kind, even when fear or anger might seem justified (in the rabbi's case) - a reminder of how we can choose the higher and more Christlike way. Reminds me of the scripture Alma 31:5 where the preaching of the word (in a spirit of sincere love and brotherhood) had "a more powerful effect on the minds of the people than the sword or anything else." I think that examples of kindness and love - when you can tell it is sincere,is how God helps us to change hearts. Anger and hate never help change people for the better. Thanks for sharing this timely reminder!
Becky DouglasNovember 11, 2020
Richard, Aaahhh!! Your comment panicked me. We are always so grateful for readers that keep us all honest! I went to your reference to TIME Magazine but unfortunately was only able to get the first few lines, since I am not a subscriber. My husband and I tore our library apart the night I wrote this article, looking for the book of Inspirational Jewish stories that inspired it. I had literally copied the story for an Education Week talk, but unfortunately, the author’s name was cut off in the footnotes. Hopefully a reader will recognize her telling of the story and write me, allowing me to give proper credit to the real author. We also searched the internet for the name of the book I had once owned and once again, came up empty handed. I did today read the following articles and get all the same details (many of them word for word) for this story. These articles included New York Times, Lessons from a Rabbi Who Knows Hate and Forgiveness (Jan 4, 2009); another version from the Queens Gazette (Oct 29, 2008), and another from Robertglazier.com (Feb 21, 2019). The Queens Chronicle (Oct. 30, 2008) has the account of the rings story (not contained in the other articles). All elements of the story with the exception of the synagogue praying are in these versions. An entire book called, Not By the Sword, has been written by Katherine Watterson about this story. I have ordered a copy and fully expect to find the last element in this book. I have learned from doing my own interviews with the press that my words are edited tremendously by the editors. Some interviews for TV are edited down from a 30-minute interview to a 5-minute piece! Given the TIMES orientation, it is no surprise to me that the spiritual elements of this story did not make the article.
Bruce BartonNovember 10, 2020
Nice story with a happy ending. But life isn’t always that way, and not because we don’t try. For example, remember in the story Rabbi Michael wasn’t so “nice” with Nazi Larry at first. In fact, he may never have been nice to Larry without his wife’s continuing counsel. A shout-out to good wives. But what if Larry had not changed after the rabbi was nice to him? Then what? Would the story still have a happy ending? Yes, in part. Because Rabbi Michael changed. You see, sometimes in life, to "win," you don’t always need a win-win ending. You just need to change yourself—to be a better self. Remember, we stand alone when we stand before God.
RichardNovember 10, 2020
Well written article but seems to be overly embellished and miraculousized when compared with a first persons interview with Larry Trapp and Michael Weisser By Daniel S. Levy/Lincoln Monday, Feb. 17, 1992 published in Time Magazine.
ChristianNovember 9, 2020
Great article. Kathy and Steve, perhaps you could love until you see evidence of your concerns. Christ asked/commanded us to love; who is telling you to hate?
Becky DouglasNovember 9, 2020
Kathy, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and for reminding us all of courageous Captain Moroni! He is one of my favorite prophets and a great source of personal inspiration. I love how he so often tried to reclaim and rehabilitate the Lamanites. I also love how Moroni, a man of impeccable honesty and unassailable morality, never vilified the Lamanites, but referred to them continually as "our brethren, the Lamanites", as a reminder to everyone in that war that they were all literally from the same parentage. This same respect was afforded to the Lamanites later in the Book of Mormon by his remarkable namesake, Moroni, the son of Mormon. This Moroni also not only often characterized the Lamanites as "our brethren", but he also spent his life trying to guard the plates, all while being hunted down by the Lamanites. He informs us that they had killed his father and all his family members. Yet, still he sacrificed greatly so that the descendants of the Lamanites, his enemies, would have the ability to learn of Jesus and His Atoning sacrifice and love for them. All this sacrifice was not for his OWN descendants, but for the descendants of those who were his enemies. Truly there has never been a book brought forth by so much personal sacrifice and love than the Book of Mormon! I completely agree with you that there are times to push back! I don't think anyone would ever think that Moroni failed to push back against evil. He choose to fight it, as his father had given his life doing. I believe there is a choice in the way we push back. I believe if we do it with love, we bring the power of the Savior into the equation. I hope one day I can look back and say that I tried my best to be like both great Moroni's in the Book of Mormon. I know I fall far, far short, but I'm so grateful for their examples that inspire me to want to be better!
LewisNovember 9, 2020
While I have heard this story before, it is a powerful message to all of us. It is particularly important now as we come together as a country to heal, unify and move forward to address real challenges. It is a gentle reminder of the Savior's admonition to "love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven." I greatly, GREATLY, appreciate your reminding us of the importance of love, forgiveness and compassion.
Peppi McIntoshNovember 9, 2020
I agree there is a time to fight, but it is only after we have done all we can. You will never change someone else's mind with retaliation or anger or hate. I have seen the powered that returning love for hate can have. It truly has the potential to turn enemies into friends. Friends are more likely to stand up for our rights and help protect them.
kathy FlinnNovember 9, 2020
Yes, we are to love one another...…but when there are secret combinations trying to destroy our liberties, we have NO choice but to push back! SAD..... but true! Remember Moroni's title of liberty!
Steve ZeiglerNovember 9, 2020
Eventually the Nephites acquiesced to the Gadiantons. Again, can good compromise with evil and stay good? Can we allow overt corruption to stand and assume everything will be ok because we want to get along? There is a time for people to stand up for what is right and good in our country and not give in to the temptation to get along at any price. Since this won't be printed, know that it is for you editors of your mostly wonderful organization. Wake up and help us keep our constitutional republic.
Pat ChildersNovember 9, 2020
A heartfelt compassionate and inspiring story, with pictures to boot. There are many such stories abounding; however, opposition is much more prominent. Hurrah for LOVE!
Neeltje ArdonNovember 9, 2020
Bravo!!!!!!!
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