Many of the attacking individuals are transformed in their hearts to see the courage and commitment of their victims. They immediately abandon their objective to exact revenge and to kill. They are brought to the point of making a covenant of peace witnessing their willingness to repent. “By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them” (D&C 58:43). In the wake of continuing battles with the Nephites, other Lamanites will in the future, also come to a realization of the error of their ways and join with the Anti-Nephi-Lehies (see Alma 25:13). Just as these converted Lamanites who have entered into a covenant of peace abstain from their former bloodthirsty practices, followers of Christ repent of their sinful ways and forever abandon those practices that are contrary to the teachings of the Savior. President Howard W. Hunter taught these stimulating truths:
How can men of conscience ignore the teachings of the Master in their daily affairs, in business, or in government? We stand by and wink at many things because we fear to do anything about them. We may be against crime or communism, but what do we do about it? We may be against corruption in government or against juvenile delinquency, but what do we do about it? We may have a belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ, but what are we doing about it? We need to push fear into the background and come forward with a definite, positive declaration, and assume responsibility.
Can we stand on the sidelines and merely observe? This is a day for action. This is the time for decision, not tomorrow, not next week. This is the time to make our covenant with the Lord. Now is the time for those who have been noncommittal or who have had a halfhearted interest to come out boldly and declare belief in Christ and be willing to demonstrate faith by works. (The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, ed. Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997], 46)