I just read La Place de la Concord Suisse. It is a book on the Swiss army of the 80s. They really wanted to defend themselves and the entire population was seriously involved. An interesting chapter concerns the officer corps. Even many generals were civilians. Bankers, school teachers, hotel managers. . .

There was a certain healthiness and a certain sense of the Republic there. Very attractive.

Then I turn to Alma’s book. Here is Helaman. He is the prophet and heir to an elite lineage. Without any particular insistence, he leaves that behind to become colonel or brigadier general of a unit of 2000 people. The writer didn’t think there was anything remarkable about it.

We are so specialized these days. Nothing brings us together. No wonder we lose the fight to keep a Republic.