8 And now it came to pass that Amulon began to exercise authority over Alma and his brethren, and began to persecute him, and cause that his children should persecute their children. 9 For Amulon knew Alma, that he had been one of the king's priests, and that it was he that believed the words of Abinadi and was driven out before the king, and therefore he was wroth with him; for he was subject to king Laman, yet he exercised authority over them, and put tasks upon them, and put task–masters over them.
Mosiah 24:8-9 (Emphasis mine)
Now that Amulon was in charge, there was a score to settle. He blamed Alma(1) for ruining things for him with King Noah. It was time to exact revenge. He began to persecute Alma(1) and his people. He didn’t limit it to just adults. The children were taught to persecute the other children. Now that he exercised authority, he was going to make sure the people suffered.
Amulon’s abuse of power is not surprising. We read in the Doctrine and Covenants that “[w]e have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion” (D&C 121:39).
10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God. 11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death. 12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.
Mosiah 24:10-12 (Emphasis mine)
As the persecution increased, the people suffered more and more. As the suffering increase, they cried “mightily to God” for their release.
Amulon would have none of this. He ordered the guards to execute those who were found praying. The people instead began to pray silently and continue to pour out their hearts to God.
The Lord taught that “when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:6). The Psalmist wrote, “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off” (Psalms 139:1-2).
Matthew Hilton and Neil Flinders observed:
“In the land of Helam, Amulon followed the practice of others affiliated with the order of Nehor in that ‘whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death’ (Mosiah 24:11). Thus began the development of an agnostic or horizontal perspective among the Lamanite educational system. Indeed, although Mormon does not detail the relationship between Amulon's school and the rise of the order of Nehor in the Nephite society he does make the connection (Alma 21:4; 24:28-29).” [1] (Emphasis mine)
Hugh Nibley comments:
“But if all have free agency in the Book of Mormon, all do not have civil liberties … Amulon, as a vassal ruler under the supreme king of the Lamanites, kept a close watch on the Nephites under his authority, ‘that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death’ (Mosiah 24:11).” [2] (Emphasis mine)
13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. 14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. 15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
Mosiah 24:13-15 (Emphasis mine)
The Lord heard their prayers, reminding them that He knows of their covenant made. Jennifer Clark Lane discusses this covenant.
“Alma and the people who entered into covenant with the Lord at the waters of Mormon were likewise taken into captivity. In this situation, however, they knew that they had taken upon themselves the name of the Lord and had been adopted by him through their baptismal covenants. This understanding allowed them to have faith that he would act as their go'el and redeem them from bondage. Therefore, they cried mightily and poured out their hearts to God. In response to their cries, the voice of the Lord came to them, saying: ‘Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage’ (Mosiah 24:13 – emphasis in original). Here the Lord specifically refers to them as ‘my people,’ indicating an adoptive relationship, and says that because of the covenant he will deliver them out of bondage.” [3] (Emphasis mine)
The Lord also eased their burdens caused by their labors. He did this, expecting that the people would “stand as witness for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.”
In the early history of the Church, the members suffered persecutions. The Lord told them to “patient in tribulation until I come; and, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, and they who have sought me early shall find rest to their souls. Even so. Amen” (D&C 54:10).
Not only were their burdens lightened, they were strengthened and submitted cheerfully and with patience to their afflictions. They knew they would soon be freed from their burdens. (I do wonder how Amulon and company responded to this. I’m guessing they wouldn’t have liked it!)
[1] The Impact of Shifting Cultural Assumptions on the Military Policies Directing Armed Conflict Reported in the Book of Alma, Matthew M. F. Hilton, and Neil J. Flinders, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed January 20, 2012.
[2] Good People and Bad People, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed January 20, 2012.
[3] The Lord Will Redeem His People: Adoptive Covenant and Redemption in the Old Testament and Book of Mormon, Jennifer Clark Lane, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed January 20, 2012.
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