18 And it came to pass
that Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests; even one priest to
every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach
them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
19 And he commanded them
that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and
which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.
20 Yea, even he
commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and
faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people.
21 And he commanded
them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should
look forward with bone eye, having one faith and one baptism, having
their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.
22 And thus he
commanded them to preach. And thus they
became the children of God.
23 And he commanded
them that they should observe the sabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every
day they should give thanks to the Lord their God.
24 And he also commanded
them that the priests whom he had ordained should labor with their own hands
for their support.
25 And there was one
day in every week that was set apart that they should gather themselves
together to teach the people, and to worship the Lord their God, and also, as
often as it was in their power, to assemble themselves together.
26 And the priests
were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they
were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit,
having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority
from God.
Mosiah 18:18-26
Alma1 has organized a church for those who follow
his teachings. Mormon acknowledges his
authority in verse 18. He ordained
priests to serve fifty members.
They were also called to teach the people the things of
God. “And
also trust no one to be your teacher nor your minister, except he be a man of
God, walking in his ways and keeping his commandments” (Mosiah 23:14).
Alma, in fact, claimed to have
authority from God (Mosiah 18:13), a claim that [Mormon] implicitly
acknowledges as valid (Mosiah 18:18; Alma 5:3).42 Furthermore,
in the power vacuum left by the absence of King Noah, the people implored Alma
to assume the royal title and prerogatives (Mosiah 23:6). He turned down the
title but, of necessity, did carry out some kingly duties. It was Alma who
ordained priests and teachers for his outcast people, among whom he was in fact
the sole human source of authority (Mosiah 18:18; 23:17).[1]
He also commanded the priests to teach only those principles
which he had been taught. They were also
told to teach the words of the prophets.
“Alma1 ensured that the lesser priests whom he ordained
would preach and teach only ‘the things which he had taught, and which had been
spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets,’ implying that he furnished them
copies of whatever sacred documents they needed (see Mosiah 18:19)…”[2] Finally, they were to preach repentance and
faith in Christ.
Alma1 added an essential commandment to his
people, “there should be no contentions
one with another.” The spirit of
contention can tear a people apart. During
His ministry to the Nephites, the Savior commanded:
28
…[T]here shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been;
neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my
doctrine, as there have hitherto been.
29
For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not
of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up
the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
30
Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one
against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.
3 Nephi 11:28-30
They should “look
forward with one eye, having one faith.”
During His mortal ministry, the Savior taught, “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single [GR
healthy, sincere, without guile; JST Matt. 6:22 ... single to the glory of God ...]; thy whole body shall be full
of light” (Matthew 6:22).
As he ended his father’s book, Moroni wrote, “For none can have power to bring it to
light save it be given him of God; for God wills that it shall be done with an
eye single to his glory, or the welfare of the ancient and long dispersed
covenant people of the Lord” (Mormon 8:15).
The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith qualities necessary to
serve:
3
Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
5
And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God,
qualify him for the work.
6
Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness,
charity, humility, diligence.
D&C 4:3, 5-6
In addition to one faith, they were to have one
baptism. They should come together in “unity and in love one towards another.” “Thus did Alma teach his people, that every
man should love his neighbor as himself, that there should be no contention
among them” (Mosiah 23:15).
Through this preaching, they became “the children of God.”
The record emphasizes the formation
of this organization "by the power and authority of God" (Mosiah
18:16–17). In reading about these blessed souls, we might overlook the fact
that the community Alma created at Mormon is a revelation of his character.
Steadfast he was, and filled with the pure love of Christ. His instructions to
his people reveal him better than any adjectives I can call up. With his
unfailing emphasis on the Savior, and on unity and love, he molded them into a
holy congregation where peace and sharing and devotion were boundless.[3]
They were commanded to keep the Sabbath day holy. “One aspect of life by the waters of Mormon
was the strict observance of the old Jewish Sabbath (Mosiah 18:23), combined
with observances on another day of the week as well…”[4]
Having experienced the consequences of being supported by
the people, Alma1 commanded the priests to support themselves. When he organized the church under the direction
of King Mosiah2, he continued this principle.
4
That they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace; that every
man should esteem his neighbor as himself, laboring with their own hands for
their support.
5
Yea, and all their priests and teachers should labor with their own hands for
their support, in all cases save it were in sickness, or in much want; and
doing these things, they did abound in the grace of God.
Mosiah 27:4-5
The apostle Paul also made it clear he supported himself.
33
I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34
Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities,
and to them that were with me.
35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the
weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more
blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:33-35
In addition to keeping the Sabbath holy, one day was set
apart for worship. They “also, as often as it was in their power, to
assemble themselves together.” Teaching
the poor among the Zoramites, Alma2 followed the example of his
father. “And moreover, I would ask, do ye suppose that ye must not worship God
only once in a week?” (Alma 32:11).
This is great advice that is applicable today as it was in his day.
[1] Authority
in the Book of Mosiah, Daniel C. Peterson, Maxwell Institute, accessed
October 27, 2014.
[2] The
Book of Mormon as a Mesoamerican Record, John L. Sorenson, Maxwell Institute,
accessed October 27, 2014.
[3] The
Book of Mormon: Passport to Discipleship, Marilyn Arnold, Maxwell
Institute, accessed October 27, 2014.
[4] Qumran
and the Waters of Mormon, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed October
27, 2014.
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