Chapter 31
Alma heads a mission to reclaim the apostate Zoramites—The Zoramites deny Christ, believe in a false concept of election, and worship with set prayers—The missionaries are filled with the Holy Spirit—Their afflictions are swallowed up in the joy of Christ. About 74 B.C.
1 NOW it came to pass that after the end of Korihor, Alma having received tidings that the Zoramites were perverting the ways of the Lord, and that Zoram, who was their leader, was leading the hearts of the people to bow down to dumb idols, his heart again began to sicken because of the iniquity of the people.
2 For it was the cause of great sorrow to Alma to know of iniquity among his people; therefore his heart was exceedingly sorrowful because of the separation of the Zoramites from the Nephites.
3 Now the Zoramites had gathered themselves together in a land which they called Antionum, which was east of the land of Zarahemla, which lay nearly bordering upon the seashore, which was south of the land of Jershon, which also bordered upon the wilderness south, which wilderness was full of the Lamanites.
4 Now the Nephites greatly feared that the Zoramites would enter into a correspondence with the Lamanites, and that it would be the means of great loss on the part of the Nephites.
Alma 31:1-4 (Emphasis mine)
Word came to Alma(2) that there was a problem with the Zoramites. It appears that their leader, Zoram, was leading the people to idol worship. Obviously, this was a problem that Alma(2) wanted to address.
There was also a political aspect to the Zoramite problem. They were friendly with the Lamanites. This could cause problems if they sided with the Lamanites in a time of war.
Who were these Zoramites? Here’s an overview.
“The story of the Zoramites may also indicate the tribal structure of Nephite society. The sect known as the Zoramites was, indeed, led by a man named Zoram (see Alma 30:59) … The fact that the Zoramites all lived in the same geographical area (where Alma and his sons went to preach to them) indicates that they may have been a tribe with religious customs that differed from those of the Nephites. While it is true that they ‘were dissenters from the Nephites’ and ‘had had the word of God preached unto them’ but had fallen away (Alma 31:8-9), one wonders at their sudden reversion to idolatry (see Alma 31:1). It seems more reasonable that an undercurrent of idolatry already existed in the tribe and that Zoram emphasized it to widen the rift between the Zoramites and the Nephites. Indeed, the group may have been practicing idolatry in secret…
“That they were not merely a distinct religious group is indicated by the fact that the Zoramites lived on the border with the Lamanites (see Alma 31:3) and separated themselves politically and religiously from the Nephites (see Alma 31:2, 10). This made the Nephites fear that they would ally themselves with the Lamanites, and was, in fact, the reason Alma decided to organize a mission among them (see Alma 31:4-5).” [1] (Emphasis mine)
With serious religious and political issues at hand, it is not surprising that Alma(2) felt an urgent need to address them.
5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.
6 Therefore he took Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner; and Himni he did leave in the church in Zarahemla; but the former three he took with him, and also Amulek and Zeezrom, who were at Melek; and he also took two of his sons.
7 Now the eldest of his sons he took not with him, and his name was Helaman; but the names of those whom he took with him were Shiblon and Corianton; and these are the names of those who went with him among the Zoramites, to preach unto them the word.
Alma 31:5-7 (Emphasis mine)
We learn that the most effective way to deal with the religious problem was through preaching the gospel. Alma(2) believed it was a necessary step.
We learn who went with Alma(2). Three of the sons of Mosiah (Ammon, Aaron, and Omner) went. Himni, the fourth son, stayed behind and took care of the church while he was gone. He also took Amulek and Zeezrom along with two of his sons.
He was taking his missionary “all-star” team to preach to the Zoramites.
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 (Emphasis mine)
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (Emphasis mine)
Just how powerful can preaching the word of the Lord be? I would like to share two perspectives; the first, general; the second, personal.
The general perspective.
“Alma teaches that ‘the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else’ (Alma 31:5). He explicitly says that preaching is a more powerful tool for conversion than any other kind of experience. To read scripture attentively and prayerfully is to be preached to. In the scriptures the Lord and his prophets speak to us, preach to us, and in preaching to us they do something more than just convey information. If we will listen as we read, if we will allow our hearts and minds to be open to the new things that we may discover and be taught, the scriptures will teach us to be just, to be the kind of people a covenant people must be. In a word, we hear the voice of God.” [2] (Emphasis mine)
The personal perspective.
“I write about the Book of Mormon because I have to; it compels me. It is the tangible force behind my faith. The second Alma knew that power. He said that ‘the preaching of the word . . . had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them; (Alma 31:5). It was Alma's conviction of the word's capacity to change people that prompted him to leave the Nephite judgment seat and go forth to ‘preach the word of God, … bearing down in pure testimony’ in an effort to ‘stir [his people ] up in remembrance of their duty’ (Alma 4:19).” [3] (Emphasis mine)
[1] Book of Mormon Tribal Affiliation and Military Castes, John A. Tvedtnes, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 21, 2011.
[2] With Real Intent, James E. Faulconer, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 21, 2011.
[3] The Book of Mormon: Passport to Discipleship, Marilyn Arnold, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 21, 2011.
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