Alma 23:1-7

Chapter 23

Religious freedom is proclaimed—The Lamanites in seven lands and cities are converted—They call themselves Anti-Nephi-Lehies and are freed from the curse—The Amalekites and the Amulonites reject the truth. About 90–77 B.C.

1  BEHOLD, now it came to pass that the king of the Lamanites sent a proclamation among all his people, that they should not lay their hands on Ammon, or Aaron, or Omner, or Himni, nor either of their brethren who should go forth preaching the word of God, in whatsoever place they should be, in any part of their land.

2  Yea, he sent a decree among them, that they should not lay their hands on them to bind them, or to cast them into prison; neither should they spit upon them, nor smite them, nor cast them out of their synagogues, nor scourge them; neither should they cast stones at them, but that they should have free access to their houses, and also their temples, and their sanctuaries.

3  And thus they might go forth and preach the word according to their desires, for the king had been converted unto the Lord, and all his household; therefore he sent his proclamation throughout the land unto his people, that the word of God might have no obstruction, but that it might go forth throughout all the land, that his people might be convinced concerning the wicked traditions of their fathers, and that they might be convinced that they were all brethren, and that they ought not to murder, nor to plunder, nor to steal, nor to commit adultery, nor to commit any manner of wickedness.

Alma 23:1-3 (Emphasis mine)

The king proclaimed that Ammon, Aaron, and their brethren were free to travel through the lands.  No one was to abuse or persecute them.  They were to have free access to everything in the kingdom. 

This was so that they might preach the gospel to his people.  He wanted them to have the opportunity to repent and become true Christians. 

This is happening over a long period.  The account makes it seem it’s happening rapidly, but the heading tells us we’re looking at a period of 13 years.  So, while they would have success among the Lamanites, it would not come overnight.

4  And now it came to pass that when the king had sent forth this proclamation, that Aaron and his brethren went forth from city to city, and from one house of worship to another, establishing churches, and consecrating priests and teachers throughout the land among the Lamanites, to preach and to teach the word of God among them; and thus they began to have great success.

5  And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, yea, thousands were brought to believe in the traditions of the Nephites; and they were taught the records and prophecies which were handed down even to the present time.

6  And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.

7  For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren.

Alma 23:4-7 (Emphasis mine)

Hugh Nibley reminds us we are seeing a major change.  We are beginning to see the Lamanites become a righteous people while the Nephites turn away from God.  The Lamanites were ready to hear the Word; thousands become members of the church. 

Mormon then comments that not only were they converted to the Lord, but also they never fell away.  They laid down their weapons and would no longer fight.

Commitment is the key.

5  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6  And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Psalms 37:5-6 (Emphasis mine)

3 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 Matthew 6:33 (Emphasis mine)

22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 1:22 (Emphasis mine)