Alma 8-9

Alma 8

Alma continues his tour of preaching and re-building the church, and he finds good success in the city of Melek but encounters great opposition in the city of Ammonihah. The people taunt him and even spit on him, saying he has no power over them because he isn’t the Chief Judge anymore and they don’t belong to his church. Wow!

Before long he is cast out of the city, and begins heading toward another city feeling very sad and distressed over the wicked condition of the people. Now can I pause here for a second to say that I actually find it comforting to know that even great prophets struggled with trying to do good and encouraging people to be better. Doing the Lord’s work is hard for anyone, and just because you are not having success in your efforts doesn’t mean that you are inadequate. People have freedom of choice and reject even the counsel of the prophets sometimes.

But suddenly an angel appears to Alma along the road and delivers this comforting message:

15 Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you.

The same angel who originally shocked Alma into repentance in his youth (remember Mosiah 27?) tells him now that he has reason to rejoice, even if all the people of Ammonihah are choosing to reject the Lord, because he himself has chosen to be faithful—and that is the one person he has control over. I think that is such an important  and comforting message.

The angel tells Alma to return to Ammonihah and deliver an ultimatum—they must repent or they will be destroyed! Alma, with great strength of character, turns himself right around and “returns speedily” to the land he was just kicked out of, but he enters through the back entrance this time.

There he approaches a stranger and asks him for something to eat, and the man responds, “I know that thou art a holy prophet of God, for thou art the man whom an angel said in a vision: Thou shalt receive. Therefore, go with me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my food; and I know that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house (v 20).”

Alma and Amulek end up becoming a mighty duo and they will preach together to the hard-hearted people of Ammonihah over the next 6 or 7 chapters. Powerful doctrines coming up!

Alma 9

Alma begins to deliver the message of warning that the city of Ammonihah will be destroyed if they don’t repent. 

He tells the Nephites that the Lord will be more merciful to the wicked Lamanites than to the Nephites-gone-wicked because the Nephites know better:

15 Nevertheless I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for them [the Lamanites] in the day of judgment than for you [the Nephites], if ye remain in your sins, yea, and even more tolerable for them in this life than for you, except ye repent.

 16 For there are many promises which are extended to the Lamanites; for it is because of the traditions of their fathers that caused them to remain in their state of ignorance; therefore the Lord will be merciful unto them and prolong their existence in the land.

 17 And at some period of time they will be brought to believe in his word, and to know of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers; and many of them will be saved, for the Lord will be merciful unto all who call on his name.

 23 And now behold I say unto you, that if this people, who have received so many blessings from the hand of the Lord, should transgress contrary to the light and knowledge which they do have, I say unto you that if this be the case, that if they should fall into transgression, it would be far more tolerable for the Lamanites than for them.

I believe God is very fair regarding what or how much he requires from each individual person based on their knowledge, experience, understanding, and level of accountability. He will judge each person individually by what they did with their abilities and understanding. This reminds me of a great scripture in the Doctrine & Covenants, which is another book of scripture the LDS church uses (and this passage is similar to Luke 12:47-48):

For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation. D&C 82:3

After delivering the message that the people will be destroyed if they don’t repent, Alma segues into the most important topic: the coming of a Savior.

 26 And not many days hence the Son of God shall come in his glory; and his glory shall be the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, equity, and truth, full of patience, mercy, and long-suffering, quick to hear the cries of his people and to answer their prayers.

 27 And behold, he cometh to redeem those who will be baptized unto repentance, through faith on his name.

Alma 6-7

Alma 6

This short chapter broadly describes the work Alma does to get the church in order in Zarahemla. In the coming chapters he will travel from city to city, trying to do the same. While this chapter is brief, there are a few important principles it touches on that are practiced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today:

• He ordained priests and elders to preside and watch over the church, by laying on his hands according to the order of God. (v1)
• Whosoever did not belong to the church who repented of their sins were baptized unto repentance, and were received into the church. (v2)
• And it also came to pass that whosoever did belong to the church that did not repent of their wickedness and humble themselves before God—I mean those who were lifted up in the pride of their hearts—the same were rejected, and their names were blotted out, that their names were not numbered among those of the righteous. (v3)
• Now I would that ye should understand that the word of God was liberal unto all, that none were deprived of the privilege of assembling themselves together to hear the word of God. (v5)

Alma 7

Alma finishes his work in Zarahemla, having put a lot of time and strain into calling the people to repentance and getting the church in order. Now he goes on tour, starting in the city of Gideon. This chapter is full of beautiful and inspiring teachings, because the people of Gideon are more righteous and humble than the people of Zarahemla, so Alma doesn’t have to spend his time calling them all to repentance.

Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane

He spends time speaking about the most important thing of all—the coming of a Savior. These verses are rich in truths about why Jesus Christ needed to come, and what He would do that was so important. Is there anything new you learn from these verses?

7 For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all—for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people.

 10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

 13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

These verses are so incredible to me. I think many people know that Jesus suffered for our sins, and they know he loosed the bands of death, but did you know Jesus also suffered all of your pains, afflictions, temptations, and sicknesses? So basically everything difficult you go through, He chose to go through it, too. Why? So he would know “how to succor” you—or provide help, relief, aid, or assistance—from first-hand experience. There is no greater love than that.

So what will you do as a result of that knowledge? And what do we need to do to have full access to that help?

 14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

 15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.

 23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

I feel that these requests are a small price to pay for all the Lord gives in return, especially when you realize that you are happier living this way in the first place, not even considering the rewards and blessings the Lord gives you on top of this lifestyle.

Alma 5

Alma 5 is known for its soul-searching questions. Alma is speaking to the Nephites for the first time since he resigned as Chief Judge to focus on preaching and leading the church full-time. These questions he asks the people are valuable for each of us to think through and answer for ourselves. And perhaps the more important part after you answer the question is to follow-up with a question for yourself—“Therefore, what?”

• Have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? (v14)
• Have ye received his image in your countenances? (v14)
• I love this concept! I know people who just radiate light. I believe that quality—that light in our countenances—can be cultivated and created as we turn our lives and our goals, our motives and actions, over to the Lord. It's a worthy goal!
• Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? (v15)
• Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body? (v15)
• Can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth? (v16)
• Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say—Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth—and that he will save you? Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God? (v17-18)
• Can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? Can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances? (v19)
• If ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? (v26)
• Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? (v27)
• Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? Behold, are ye stripped of pride? (v27-28)
• Alma also offers commentary after this important question: “I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.” This verse causes me to think deeply, because the answer is no, I am not stripped of pride (and this doesn’t mean you can’t be proud of your family or your work, or that sense of the word. This means looking down on others, refusing feedback or criticism from others, being easily offended, putting your needs above others, etc.). One prophet of the church once said that pride is the universal sin, meaning we all have it. So it is really important to ask ourselves what we are doing to overcome that pride and replace it with humility.
• Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? (v29)
• Same commentary on envy! “I say unto you that such an one is not prepared; and I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand, and he knoweth not when the time shall come; for such an one is not found guiltless.”
• Is there one among you that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions? (v30)
• Commentary here too: Wo unto such an one, for he is not prepared, and the time is at hand that he must repent or he cannot be saved! (v31)
• And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? (v39)

In addition to asking these important questions, Alma shares how he has come to know about these things for himself—and particularly how he has come to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Remember that he was reprimanded by an angel and was knocked-out for a number of days! That’s how you know if God is real, right?... or maybe not. Here is his answer:

45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?

 46 Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.

I know that answers can come to anyone and everyone through the Holy Spirit of God—yes, including you—if you seek them sincerely and with real intent, meaning you intend to change your life according to the answers God gives to you. This promise is given specifically about knowing if the Book of Mormon is true, in the last chapter of the book (Mormon 10:4-5):

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.