There’s an old saying – “Be careful of what you wish for. You might get it.”
Those holding Alma(2) and Amulek prisoner mocked and taunted them. If you are so powerful, why can’t you free yourself? The last post pointed out that Alma(2) had taken all he was willing to take.
25 And it came to pass that they all went forth and smote them, saying the same words, even until the last; and when the last had spoken unto them the power of God was upon Alma and Amulek, and they rose and stood upon their feet.
26 And Alma cried, saying: How long shall we suffer these great afflictions, O Lord? O Lord, give us strength according to our faith which is in Christ, even unto deliverance. And they broke the cords with which they were bound; and when the people saw this, they began to flee, for the fear of destruction had come upon them.
27 And it came to pass that so great was their fear that they fell to the earth, and did not obtain the outer door of the prison; and the earth shook mightily, and the walls of the prison were rent in twain, so that they fell to the earth; and the chief judge, and the lawyers, and priests, and teachers, who smote upon Alma and Amulek, were slain by the fall thereof.
28 And Alma and Amulek came forth out of the prison, and they were not hurt; for the Lord had granted unto them power, according to their faith which was in Christ. And they straightway came forth out of the prison; and they were loosed from their bands; and the prison had fallen to the earth, and every soul within the walls thereof, save it were Alma and Amulek, was slain; and they straightway came forth into the city.
29 Now the people having heard a great noise came running together by multitudes to know the cause of it; and when they saw Alma and Amulek coming forth out of the prison, and the walls thereof had fallen to the earth, they were struck with great fear, and fled from the presence of Alma and Amulek even as a goat fleeth with her young from two lions; and thus they did flee from the presence of Alma and Amulek.
Alma 14:25-29 (Emphasis mine)
Alma(2) and Amulek stood and Alma(2) cried unto the Lord asking for the strength to break their bonds, which they did. All of a sudden, those inside the prison who had mocked and taunted them decided maybe that hadn’t been such a good idea. They did the only thing the wicked can do – run away in fear, realizing that destruction had come upon them.
Their fear was so great that they fell to the ground before they could escape. The ground began shaking and the walls of the prison came a tumblin’ down on top of the chief judge, the lawyers, the priests, and the teachers who had so disgustingly persecuted Alma(2) and Amulek.
Alma(2) and Amulek walked out of the prison safe, unharmed, and free men. They had been released by the power of God. Those that mocked them paid the ultimate price for their wickedness. All were slain.
When the people saw Alma(2) and Amulek walking away from they realized what happened. They were struck with fear and fled from Alma(2) and Amulek.
25 ¶ And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
Acts 16:25-26 (Emphasis mine)
Hugh Nibley describes these events.
“They broke the bonds, which they could not have done by their own strength. When the people saw that they were terrified and tried to put as much distance as they could between them and Alma and Amulek. So what did they do? They all made for the gate. There was a rush and there was a earthquake. You notice that miracles are in the timing, not in the event. This was earthquake country. It's not surprising that there was a earthquake, but just at that moment was when it was helpful. They all made a rush for the gate, so naturally they crowded the exit. They jammed the exit, nobody could get out, the gate collapsed, and they were all killed there. The only safe people were Alma and Amulek who stayed behind. [The people] tried to get as far from them as they could.” [1] (Emphasis mine)
Chapter 15
Alma and Amulek go to Sidom and establish a church—Alma heals Zeezrom, who joins the Church—Many are baptized and the Church prospers—Alma and Amulek go to Zarahemla. About 81 B.C.
1 AND it came to pass that Alma and Amulek were commanded to depart out of that city; and they departed, and came out even into the land of Sidom; and behold, there they found all the people who had departed out of the land of Ammonihah, who had been cast out and stoned, because they believed in the words of Alma.
2 And they related unto them all that had happened unto their wives and children, and also concerning themselves, and of their power of deliverance.
Alma 15:1-2 (Emphasis mine)
Alma(2) and Amulek promptly left Ammonihah and went to the land of Sidom. There they met with the people who had been cast out. There they related all that had happened to their wives and children and to them.
An old character makes an appearance.
3 And also Zeezrom lay sick at Sidom, with a burning fever, which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind on account of his wickedness, for he supposed that Alma and Amulek were no more; and he supposed that they had been slain because of his iniquity. And this great sin, and his many other sins, did harrow up his mind until it did become exceedingly sore, having no deliverance; therefore he began to be scorched with a burning heat.
4 Now, when he heard that Alma and Amulek were in the land of Sidom, his heart began to take courage; and he sent a message immediately unto them, desiring them to come unto him.
Alma 15:3-4 (Emphasis mine)
Zeezrom is a changed man. He believes Alma(2) and Amulek are dead and he was responsible for their deaths because of his sin. He realized his sin and believed he had been so evil there was no hope for him. He became quite ill (“he began to be scorched with a burning heat” verse 3).
Then he learned that not only were Alma(2) and Amulek not dead, they were in Sidom. He began to take courage and sent a message asking them to see him.
Hugh Nibley remarked:
“Well, Zeezrom was there in Sidom; it was a safe place for these people. Sidom was a tolerant city, apparently. Zeezrom was there sick of a burning fever. He was obsessed with guilt, which drove him out of his mind. His fever was actually an escape because he wanted to die. Verse 3: ‘And this great sin, and his many other sins, did harrow up his mind until it did become exceedingly sore, having no deliverance [he couldn't stand it]; therefore he began to be scorched with a burning heat.’ The fever was part of his sickness which he brought upon himself … ‘And his mind also was exceedingly sore because of his iniquities.’ See, he was out of his mind. He was having terrible mental anguish because of the things he had done. This was the cause of his sickness; this will bring it on every time.” [2] (Emphasis mine)
[1] Lecture 50: Alma 14-17, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 7, 2011.
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