Review of Alma(2)'s Sermon (Alma 5)

About ten years have passed since Alma(2) has been appointed head of the church.  It’s been a turbulent decade.

Priestcraft (using a spiritual position to gain personal influence or money) is appearing in the church.  Along with the rise of priestcraft, there is persecution among the people. 

Amlici, a wicked man, attempts to become king.  When he fails, he and his followers attempt to overthrow the government violently and fail. 

They then unite with the Lamanites and attack the Nephites.  They are defeated.   Amlici and Alma(2) fight and Amlici dies. 

Alma(2) baptizes thousands.  Wickedness enters the church and there are problems that need to be addressed.  He begins to go around the church, preaching and attempting to bring the church together. 

This is the atmosphere in which Alma(2) gives this sermon.

From the beginning of his sermon, he reminds them that he received his authority from his father.  This is where he gets his power and authority (verse 3). 

He rehearses the establishment of the church, time the people spent in bondage, and their release through divine intervention.  (verses 4-5).  He reminds them they need remember what they suffered and their ultimate release. (verse 6)

After reviewing how they changed, he begins to question the people, asking them very pointed questions (verses 13-15).

• Have you been spiritually born of God?
• Have you received His image in your countenances?
• Have you experienced a mighty change in your heart?
• Do you have faith that you will be redeemed through Christ’s atonement?

Alma(2) is reminding the people that there is more to being a member of the church then just belief.  If you can answer “yes” to these questions, then you are on the right path.

These are questions we should be constantly asking ourselves.  Alma(2)’s words apply to us just as they did to those who heard his words.

After asking questions, Alma(2) takes a different approach.  He asks them to “imagine.”  He says “imagine” and gives them something for them to imagine (verses 16-18).

• Imagine that you hear the voice of the Lord blessing you for your righteous life and following his commandments. 
• Imagine that you try to lie to the Lord.  Do you think you will be saved?
• Imagine standing before God, remembering your wickedness and defiance of His commandments.
  

He tells the people that, when the stand before the Lord, if they had not follower the word of the Lord, they will know they cannot be saved.  The Lord will not need to tell them.   They will become subjects of the devil. (verses 19-20).

He then talks about the atonement and how our garments must be purified and white, having been cleansed by the blood of Christ.  They will be a testimony of our faithfulness.  If they aren’t, the garments we wear will be stained and filthy from our sins.  Will these not be a testimony against us we are guilty of sin. (verses 21-25). 

We must experience a change of heart.   We must be humble; we must be stripped of both pride and envy, which are very destructive sins, which can destroy our soul (verses 26-29)

Do you mock and persecute the believer?  You must repent or you cannot be saved.  If you work iniquity, you must repent or you cannot be saved.

Then Alma(2) tells them that they have all received an invitation, that His arms of mercy are extended to them  All that must be done is to repent and partake of the fruit of the tree of life. (verses 30-34)

Alma(2) tells them to bring forth works of righteousness.  If they bring forth bad fruit, they will be cast off.  They will not listen to the words of the good Shepherd.  They will belong to the fold of the devil.  The devil will become their shepherd.  Whatever is good comes from God; whatever is evil comes from the devil.  (verses 35-41)

Alma(2) then gives his testimony as to the truthfulness of his words.  These things have been made know to him after days of fasting a prayer.  Through the Holy Spirit, he received these words.

He testifies that Christ will come and, through his atonement, He will take away the sins of the world.  To have your sins taken away, you must repent and be born again (verses 43-49)

Repent for the day of the Lord is coming.  If you don’t repent, you cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven.

At that day, the wicked will be cut down and cast into an unquenchable fire.  These are not his words he tells us.  These are the words of the Holy One.

How can you cast him aside; how can you tramples him under your feet.  Your hearts are set upon the vain things of the world – riches and costly apparel.  (verses 50-53)

Don’t think you are better than those who humble themselves and follow the word of the Lord.  They have repented and brought forth good works.

They are chastised for turning their backs on the poor.  This must stop and the people must repent.  They will be cast into the unquenchable fire and their names will not be written in the book of life. (verses 54-57)

If they are righteous, their names will be written in the book of life.  Then Alma(2) asks a direct question – “And now my brethren, what have ye to say against this?”  What object could they possibly have to having their names written the book?

He reminds the people that the shepherd is watching over his flock.  If a wolf enters to devour the sheep, the shepherd will protect them.  He will not let His sheep be destroyed (verses 58-60).

He closes reminding the people that he speaks by way of command to the people of the church.  He calls on them to repent and be baptized and become partakers of the fruit of the tree of life.

Many of the conditions Alma(2) discussed are issues we face today.  Wickedness is prevalent.  The devil and his works are all around us.  Many are caught up in the things of the world.  Many are a proud people.  Living a righteous life brings persecution.  In this day of political correctness, the only group we can mock are Christians. 

The poor are numerous.  Their needs grow, but it becomes easy for the people to ignore them and their needs. 

The words of Alma(2) apply to us today as much as they did to the church in Alma(2)’s day.  It is not a coincidence that Mormon would write the entire sermon instead of abridging the words of Alma(2).  He knew we would need these words today.

This is another example of the Shepherd calling to us, his sheep.  If we follow His words, we will be protected from the wolves at our doors.  If we don’t, we will ultimately follow the shepherd of evil, the devil.