excuses

King Ammoron, of the Lamanites, inquires of Moroni if they can trade prisoners.
Moroni sends back an epistle, telling Ammoron that he will only trade if he can have one man along with his wife and children for one Lamanite man.  He also condemns Ammoron for his wicked and murderous pursual of the enslavement of the Nephites. 
Ammoron responds by accepting the trade, but denying his condemnation. He claims that he is merely attempting to right an injustice done tohis brethren generations ago by the Nephite ancestors.  He claims that they stole the governing role from his ancestors and subjected them to bondage. 
Moroni is angry!  He knows that Ammoron knows that the only reason they are at war is because his brother, Amalickiah, the former king, was power hungry.  They both know that the true reason for the war is that Amalickiah had wanted to overthrow the free government of the Nephites so he could become king, and the voice of the people out-voted him.  He waged war because he wanted to enslave the Nephites who wouldn't let him rule them before.  The "previous wrongs" excuse was only used to try to incite the Lamanites so they would go against the Nephites. 
Moroni refuses to trade prisoners, because he doesn't want to allow the Lamanites to gain more strength to their army.  He decides to just take his prisoners back without a trade.

How many wars have been fought throughout history because someone has harbored a grudge for way too long?  Or because someone wanted power over someone else?  Or because someone wanted another's land or property?  Anger and envy are very dangerous emotions!!!  If only people could reason logically and choose to love rather than hate!  But then again, I guess that would be a utopian society, and we would no longer need this mortal experience as a test. 
On the other hand, I wonder how many wars have been prevented because someone chose to love and forgive, turning the other cheek for peace.
I am grateful for scriptures, that I can learn from the mistakes and successes of the past.  Hopefully I can live my life like those righteous Nephite leaders of old, and "look to God and live."  Because really, one only truly lives if one has love!