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.

Alma 4

Alma 4

Compare and contrast the behavior of the members of the church in Alma chapter 1 and in Alma chapter 4:

In the Book of Mormon this is called the “Pride Cycle” which we will see repeated many times. The people are righteous, the Lord blesses them, they prosper, eventually they become prideful and vain, they backslide into wickedness, the Lord sends or allows some trial to humble them (this will come!), they repent and become righteous again, repeat cycle. Right now the Nephites are in the “backslide into wickedness” stage of the cycle. And of course when the people of the church begin acting selfishly and arrogantly, you can image what a turn-off that is for people who don’t belong to the church, as well as a license for the non-believers to act the same way (vs. 11). How much do we see this in our society? I know many people who feel leery of religion because of the awful way they have seen some people behave who profess to be religious. This has always been so sad to me, and I can’t blame people for feeling that way! But I also feel like they are missing out on the peace, direction, and hope that true doctrine and faith will bring them, because their image of religion has been morphed by bad experiences with bad examples (who aren’t really living as their faith teaches). 

Alma, who is the chief judge of the land as well as the high priest of the church, is very worried enough about the downward-slide of the people. He decides to give up his position as chief judge so he can focus completely on his role as high priest of the church.

 19 And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them.

Alma 2-3

Alma 2

We are already moving on to the next big trouble-maker like Nehor, and his name is Amlici. He is a cunning man, and is able to attract a lot of followers/supporters who begin to promote Amlici to be the king of the land (remember they don’t have kings anymore, they have judges). This alarms the people of the church and those who don’t support Amlici, because they know his intent is to destroy the church and take away their religious liberty. 

Voting day arrives, and the majority of the people vote against Amlici becoming king, but his followers won’t accept this outcome and gather secretly (and illegally) and consecrate Amlici to be king over his group of supporters.

Amlici and his followers name themselves Amlicites and actually go to war against the Nephites! This is no small war, as 12,500 Amlicites and 6,500 Nephites are slain just in the first day. When night comes, both sides cease fighting and pitch their tents. Alma, who is leading the Nephite armies, sends out spies to determine what the Amlicites are doing. The spies return in a panic, saying that the Amlicites have joined up with the Lamanites (who are always much more numerous than the Nephites), and their combined armies are headed toward the Nephites’ main city, Zarahemla.

Through the strength of the Lord, the Nephites are able to conquer even though all odds say they shouldn’t. Alma even slays Amlici himself.  But I’m afraid this is not the last battle between the Nephites and Lamanites… not even close. And some battles get even uglier for the Nephites at times when they are not living worthy of the Lord’s help. Isn’t that like life? We all have lots of “battles” of different kinds to fight throughout life. They are all hard, but the ones during the times I turn to the Lord always turn out better than the ones where I am angry, distracted, or self-absorbed and not able to have the Lord’s help with me.

Alma 3

I see these as the two main lessons from this chapter:

 19 Now I would that ye should see that they brought upon themselves the curse; and even so doth every man that is cursed bring upon himself his own condemnation.

I don’t think the Lord usually works in terms of “curses” (keep in mind this is back in Old Testament times), but he certainly allows consequences, and we often bring our own consequences upon our own heads and sometimes without realizing it. But the Lord warns us, and His word is always fulfilled! And the second main lesson from the chapter (mentioned by the author because so many people were killed in battle that year):

 26-27 And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands of souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one. For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey.

I believe there is a God, and I also believe there is a devil. And if we are not following God we are vulnerable to the influences of the devil (and he is actually even more dangerous when we don’t recognize or acknowledge his influence). Both God and Satan have very clear teaching/philosophies, ways they influence, and ways they can reward. And we will each receive rewards from the one we choose to follow--and in the long-run, Satan has nothing but misery to award. This reminds me of a great verse in 2 Nephi 2 that we already read:

27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

Alma 1

Alma 1

A new guy briefly enters the scene—his name is Nehor. He practices “priestcraft,” or the act of preaching for personal gain, popularity, or wealth. But in addition to his selfish motives for preaching, his doctrine is rather selfish too:

4 And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life.

 5 And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money.

 6 And he began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart, and to wear very costly apparel, yea, and even began to establish a church after the manner of his preaching.

I think the majority of the time when someone claims it doesn’t matter what we do or that all we have to do is “believe” or claim the Lord as Savior, really that person just doesn’t want to go to the effort of learning what God really teaches or doing what He really asks us to do. And of course it is a popular thing to teach, because people like to be told they don’t have to put any effort into life and can do whatever they want.

Legally, Nehor is allowed to teach whatever he believes, but he goes tragically too far when he gets into a religious argument with Gideon, the old advisor of King Limhi. In the heat of the argument he kills Gideon with his sword. He is brought before Alma to be judged, and sentenced to death according to the law.

But unfortunately Nehor’s influence does not die with him, and priestcraft begins to spread throughout the land. You will see throughout the rest of the Book of Mormon people who are “after the manner of Nehor,” meaning they preach for their own gain and they preach incorrect doctrine for their own benefit.

The people of the church begin to be persecuted by those who are not in the church. Some don’t handle it very well and they fight back. Those people end up bitter and angry and many leave the church. But many respond in the way true Christians should:

 25 Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them.

27 And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely.

 29 And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth.

 30 And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.

Verse 30 reminds me of the welfare program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. I love the church welfare program! It gives substantial, meaningful, and impactful service to thousands of people across the world, regardless of their religion. You can read about it here if you’re interested: http://www.lds.org/topics/welfare

Mosiah 28-29

Mosiah 28

The sons of Mosiah have been preaching throughout the land, trying to repair the damage they did in their rebel years. But it isn’t enough for them… they want to go preach to the Lamanites because “they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thought that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble (vs. 3).” What a deep conversion they have had!

Now keep in mind, the Lamanites HATE the Nephites and will just as soon eat them as listen to them talk about the gospel. And for this reason, Mosiah is not keen on the idea of his sons going to sacrifice themselves to these people who surely won’t benefit from their preaching anyway. But his sons persist in wanting to go, so Mosiah goes to the Lord to ask for advice. He receives this answer:

7 And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.

And with this reassurance from the Lord, Mosiah allows his sons to go. Incredible missionary adventures await us in the chapters ahead! And can I just say I am astounded at the courage and the LOVE the sons of Mosiah have—what an unselfish desire! And I also love the complete trust that Mosiah has in the Lord to keep his promise to deliver his sons out of the hands of the Lamanites. We will see some cool ways that promise is fulfilled.

In this chapter we also learn about Mosiah’s God-given ability to be able to translate, and he translates the records brought to him by the people of Limhi which they found back when they sent a small group to search for the land of Zarahemla while they were in bondage (Mosiah 21:27). We will get to read an abridgment of this translated record in the book of Ether, toward the end of the Book of Mormon.

Mosiah 29

King Mosiah is old, but none of his sons are willing to take the throne after him because they want to be missionaries instead. Mosiah uses this difficult dilemma as an opportunity to open up a new political era for the Nephites—the reign of the judges. As you read the chapter you’ll learn all the reasons Mosiah feels that a system of judges is safer than a king, because if you get one bad king he can cause a lot of trouble and wickedness (take King Noah for example!). A system of judges allows the people to rule themselves, and they will be safe as long as the majority of the people desire good:

25 Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord.

 26 Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.

 27 And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.

So the people elect judges, and Alma (the younger) is elected as Chief Judge of the land, and he is also head of the church. Both King Mosiah and Alma’s father (Alma the Elder) pass away from old age.

 47 And thus ended the reign of the kings over the people of Nephi; and thus ended the days of Alma, who was the founder of their church.

Mosiah 27

Mosiah 27

Meet Alma the Younger—son of Alma (the converted priest of wicked King Noah who is now head of the church in the land of Zarahemla). Alma the Younger is the ultimate rebel—not simply disobeying his father or rejecting the church, but intelligently and intentionally working to destroy the church. His partners-in-crime (and it is literally crime because it is against the laws of the land to persecute anyone for their beliefs, so they do their dirty work secretly) are the sons of Mosiah, the king, who is also a righteous leader. You can imagine what a heart-break these boys are to their families:

8 Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.

 9 And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them.

 10 …he did go about secretly with the sons of Mosiah seeking to destroy the church, and to lead astray the people of the Lord, contrary to the commandments of God, or even the king—

But the Lord intervenes with a miracle. One day as Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah are going about doing their dirty work, an angel appears to them in dramatic fashion with thunder and power. The men fall to the ground in fear and astonishment as the angel basically tells them off for their efforts to destroy the church. But the most important part of the angel’s message is WHY he is there:

 14 And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.

This is one of the most powerful examples I know of that the Lord really does hear the prayers we speak on behalf of those we love. He won’t usually intervene in such a dramatic fashion as sending an angel to shake up our loved ones who are ruining their lives, but in His own time and fashion He does answer those prayers. So don’t stop praying for your loved ones who need it—it may take a long time, just like it did for Alma the Younger. Who knows how many years he had been the ultimate rebel before the Lord sent this miracle.

After the angel departed, Alma the Younger was basically in a coma, and his friends had to carry him to the house of his father. They told his father all that had happened, and—I love Alma’s reaction—he rejoiced! “For he knew that it was the power of God (20).” His son was brought to him in a coma, but Alma was delighted because he knew God was working miracles with his son.

After two days and two nights in a coma, and family, friends, and priests gathering in prayer and fasting, Alma awoke and he was singing a totally different tune. Later in the Book of Mormon—in the book of Alma—we will get to hear more about what Alma went through while he was in this coma because he shares the experience with his son. But for now we learn that the Lord spoke to him and taught him about repentance, being born again, and redemption from sin.

And from this time forward, Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah worked tirelessly to right their wrongs—to share the word of God and to build up the church. We will read amazing stories about each of them in the book of Alma, coming up! This story teaches me to believe in change. People can change, and people do change, and the Lord hears our prayers that we speak on behalf of those we love. I have a loved-one that I have been praying for for years, yet he continues to hurt his family and himself. But this story gives me hope… someday those prayers will be answered, in the time that is best.