Alma 42 - Background

This is probably my favorite chapter of scripture in the Book of Mormon.  I feel that it is one of the best (if not the best) set of scriptures explaining the importance of Christ's atonement.  It is my intention to discuss this chapter in the next few posts.  Today, I want to give some background.

Alma(2) and his sons were preaching to the Zoramites.  Alma(2)'s son, Corianton, caused many problems for their work.  His actions damaged their work.  Alma(2) wrote that  "... thou [Corianton] didst go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom. And this is not all, my son.  Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel.  Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my son. (Alma 39:2-4)

As you read Alma 39-42, you realize that Corianton realizes that he has done wrong, and is now concerned about the justice of God.  Alma(2)'s words address his concerns.

It's interesting that Alma(2) had a rebellious son, considering his past.  

Alma(2) (also known as Alma, the younger) was the son of Alma(1).  Shortly after Alma(1) and his followers arrived in the city of Zarahemela, King Mosiah gave Alma(1) the "authority over the church."  (Mosiah 26:8)  While Alma(1) was building the church, his son, Alma(2) and the four sons of Mosiah were "numbered among the unbelievers." (Mosiah 27:8)  Alma(2) was considered "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. 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."  (Mosiah 27:8-10)  Alma(2), along with the sons of Mosiah went about secretly "[destroying] the church of God ... and to lead astray the people of the Lord ..." (Mosiah 27:10)  Mormon would later describe the five as "... the very vilest of sinners ..." (Mosiah 28:4) 

One day, while they were going about destroying the church, and angel of the Lord appeared to them.  The angel spoke to Alma(2), proclaiming...

"Alma, arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God?  For the Lord hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people ... 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.  And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God?  For behold, doth not my voice shake the earth?  And can ye not also behold me before you?  And I am sent from God.Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things he has done for them; for they were in bondage, and he has delivered them.  And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off." (Mosiah 27:13-16)

It is then recorded that "... Alma and those that were with him fell again to the earth, for great was their astonishment; for with their own eyes they had beheld an angel of the Lord .. And now the astonishment of Alma was so great that he became dumb, that he could not open his mouth; yea, and he became weak, even that he could not move his hands; therefore he was taken by those that were with him, and carried helpless, even until he was laid before his father."  (Mosiah 18-29)

Alma(1) rejoiced when he saw what happened to his son.  "And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together that they might witness what the Lord had done for his son, and also for those that were with him.  And he caused that the priests should assemble themselves together; and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lord their God that he would open the mouth of Alma, that he might speak, and also that his limbs might receive their strength—that the eyes of the people might be opened to see and know of the goodness and glory of God.  And it came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength, and he stood up ..." (Mosiah 27:21-23)

Alma(2) expressed his joy because he had "... repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit."  (Mosiah 27:24)  He continued to praise the Lord and renounce his sinful past; he began preaching to the people.  (For the full account of his words, see Mosiah 27:24-31.) 

Alma and the sons of Mosiah would go on to be some of the greatest missionaries in the Book of Mormon. The records of their ministry make some of the most faith promoting readings in the Book of Mormon.  (See Alma 6-26.  These are amazing stories of faith and service to the Lord.)

With this background, I'll being discussing the content of Alma 42 in the next post.